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Gen  Robt.M. Evans. 


HISTORY 


OF 


TANDERBURGH  COUNTY 


INDIANA, 


FROM  THE  EARLIEST  TIMES  TO  THE  PRESENT,  WITH  BIOGRAPHICAL 
SKETCHES,  REMINISCENCES,  ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


BRJVNX    e-    KULLBR, 

18S9. 


\ 


£)EMOCRAT  PRINTING  CO.,      .      .      . 
PRINTERS  AND  ELECTROTYPERS, 


MADISON,  WIS. 


P(^  ^  S'G 


PREFACE. 


After  more  than  a  j'ear  of  almost  ceaseless  labor  on  the  part  of  a  large  force  of  skilled 
employes,  the  publishers  are  enabled  to  present  their  patrons  with  the  History  of  Vander- 
burgh County.  The  compilation  of  the  matter  which  is  contained  in  this  volume  has  been 
conducted  with  more  than  the  usual  care,  and  not  only  the  publishers,  but  all  those  engaged 
in  the  work,  have  been  animated  by  a  desire  to  have  this  historj'  excel  all  local  histories 
heretofore  issued  in  the  state.  Neither  time  nor  expense  have  been  spared  which  gave 
promise  of  enhancing  in  any  way  the  value  of  the  book  as  a  work  of  reference  on  all  sub- 
jects treated. 

In  many  fields  that  were  explored  during  the  progress  of  this  work,  there  had  been 
but  little,  if  any,  former  effort  to  rescue  the  fast  fading  facts  of  early  times.  The  city  of 
Evansville,  it  is  true,  had  been  previously  treated  of  in  several  smaller  publications,  but  in 
each  instance  the  commercial,  rather  than  the  historical,  interest  was  the  main  theme  of 
the  writers. 

It  has  been  a  constant  care  to  have  the  historical  matter  divested  of  any  bias  or  par- 
tiality that  might  depreciate  its  value.  Official  records,  newspapers,  public  documents, 
miscellaneous  publications,  private  correspondence,  personal  recollections,  the  records  of 
the  Historical  Society,  and  other  sources  of  information  have  been  drawn  upon  freely. 
Not  only  facts,  but  liberal  quotations  have  been  incorporated  in  this  volume.  The  leading 
desire  has  been  to  obtain  accuracy,  and  no  pretension  is  made  to  originality  of  expression, 
nor  to  ornate  stjle. 

In  the  chapter  on  militarj-  matters  the  Adjutant  General's  report  for  the  state  has  been 
abundantly  quoted  as  the  best  authority  attainable  on  such  subjects,  but  as  that  is  known 
to  contain  many  errors,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  some  of  them  have  found  their  way  into 
this  work. 

Perhaps  the  most  notable  feature  of  the  book  is  the  portion  which  contains  biograph- 
ical sketches  of  leading  citizens,  both  dead  and  living.  The  practice  of  publishing  biog- 
raphies of  living  men  has  been  condemned  by  some,  but  to  question  it  seems  like  preferring 
doubtful  information  and  the  uncertainties  of  memory  to  positive  personal  knowledge.  The 
neglect  of  personal  and  family  history  in  the  United  States  has  become  a  matter  of  public 
comment.  A  recent  call  for  a  meeting  at  Indianapolis  of  descendants  of  Revolutionary 
sires  met  not  a  single  response.  This  alone  is  a  significant  witness  that  family  genealogy 
has  been  neglected,  and  that  few  people  can  trace  their  ancestry  more  than  two  genera 
tions.  If  biographies  of  living  men  were  more  frequently  published,  true  modesty  would 
not  exceed  the  bounds  of  truth,  and  the  eulogistic  exaggerations  that  so  often  find  apology 
in  death,  would  be  avoided.  Should  an  excessive  self-applause  unduly  proclaim  its  own 
achievements  it  will  be  best  judged  by  a  contemporaneous  public. 

Grateful  acknowledgments  are  due  the  county  and  city  officers,  the  newspaper  men, 
he  officers  of  the  Historical  Society,  and  many  citizens,  for  valuable  assistance. 

THE  PUBLISHERS. 

Madison,  Wis.,  April,  1889. 


INDEX. 


CHAPTERS. 

Page. 

I. 

Geology  and  Topography.  . 

17 

u. 

Indian  History 

'*7 

III. 

County  Organization 

41 

IV. 

The  City  of  Evansvillb 

94 

V. 

City-  Governmen-t 

1S4 

VI. 

Banks                     

207 

VII. 

The  Medical  Profession.  . . 

223 

Vlil. 

Religious  History 

269 

IX. 

Schools 

S07 

X. 

Libraries           j^   

315 

XT. 

Bench  and  Bar 

3*7 

XII. 

Secret  and  Benevolent  Or 

381 

XIIT. 

Personal  History 

400 

XIV. 

Military  History 

4B8 

XV. 

Newspapers 

558 

XVI. 

Early  Settlement 

572 

GENERAL  INDEX. 


Agents,  county 

AKrieultural  societies  . 
Altitude  above  the  sea. 

Amusements 

Ancient  Order  United  Workmen  . 


52 

82 

17 

577 

390 


Animals,  native 575 

Artesian  well 25 

Attorneys,  list  of 353-355 

Auditors,  county 51 

Avondale  section  25 

Banks  — 

Canal 207 

Citizens'  National  210 

First  National 209 

German  National 210 

Merchants'  National 21 1 

Old  National 207 

Peoples'  Savings 211 

State,  branch  of 207 

Bar,  the 351-355 

Benevolent  Institutions 397 

Boundary  of  county 17 

Brotherhood  of  St.  Andrew 396 

Building  and  loan  212 

Cathohc  Knights 302 

Cemeteries 305 

Cholera  in  1832 119,225 

Churches  — 

Baptist.  First 289 

Baiitist,  German 291 

Baptist.  General 291 

Baptist,  Liberty 291 

Baptist.  JIcFarland  Chapel 292 

Baptist.  Missionary 292 

Baptist .  New  Bethel 292 

Baptist,  Old '291 

Catholic 293-299 

Disciples  of  Christ. 303 

Episcopal  Chapel 2S9 

Episcopal.  Holy  Innocents 289 

Episcopal,  St. 'Paul's 2&> 

Free  Methodist 284 

German  EvangeUcal 300-303 

German  Lutheran 299 

German  Reformed   30;^ 

Jewisli 304 

Metli.«li-it  Episcopal 270 

Metlio.iist  Episcopal.  African.   ...  284 
Methodist  Episcopal.  African  Zion  2H1 
Methodist   Epi.scopal,   First    Ger- 
man   283 

Methodist  Episcopal,  Fifth 284 

Methodist  Episcopal.  Second  Ger- 
man   284 

Methodist  Episcopal,  Ingle  Street.  282 

Metliodist  Episcopal,  Kingsley 28* 

Mel h. .(list  Episcopal,  Trinity 281 

Methodist      Episcopal,     Simpson 

Chapel 283 

Presbj-terian,  Cumberlaii<}   275 


Churches—  Page. 

Presbyterian,  First  Avenue 274 

Presbyterian,  Grace '    272 

Presbyterian,  Walnut  Street 269 

Unitarian 303 

CniL  War-^ 

Bounty  and  relief 555 

Colored  t  roops 541 

Drafts 554 

Flag  presentation 480 

First  company  in 477 

Militia  companies 55t> 

Morgan  raid 552 

Legii  »n 549 

Public  sentiment  during 472-477 

Sumter,  fall  of 474 

Clerks,  county 52 

CotTRT,  Circuit  — 

Districts 348 

Fu-st  terms  of 327,328 

Seal  of 348 

Trials,  important 330, 

331,335,336,340,341,314,345 

Coal 22-25 

Code  of  1852 343 

College,  Evansville  Medical 229 

College,  Hospital  Medical 231 

Commissioners,  county 48 

Common  pleas  court 348 

Coroners,  county 52 

Court  of  conciliation 349 

Court-houses 54-57 

County  agents 52 

County  seat,  location  of 42,47,97,103 

Criminal  circuit  court 3.50 

Darlmgton,  town  of 98 

Dentistry 266 

Detective  association ; 85 

Diseases,  early 224 

Druids 392 

Election  statistics  67-69 

Election,  corruption  of 337 

Election,  first 574 

Evansville  — 

Adversity,  period  of 113 

Amusement,  places  of 193 

Brick  house,  first 114 

Business  review 130-146 

Capital  of  Vanderburgh  county. . .      103 

Capital  of  Warrick  county 42.97 

Census  in  18;38 127 

Censusin  1S50 i:30 

Census  in  IStW 134 

Census  in  1870 1:35 

Census  in  1880 135 

Census  in  1888  (estimated) 145 

City  charter 129 

City  government 188 

Cla'rk,  Amos,  letters  ot 126.137 

Condition  in  1820 107 

Electric  light 193 

Fire  department 189 

Firein  1842 138 

Gas  works 193 

Halls,  public 193 

Incorporation  of ItXj 

Laying  out  of 100-104 

McGary,  Hugh,  influence  on,  42-45,94-96 

Manufactures 142-143 

Meivh,auts  in  18.38 127 

Naming  of 97 

Opera-houses 194 

Police 188 

Public    building 191 

Public  improvements 192 

Residents  in  1831 116 

Store,  fii-st.  in 98 

Valuation  of  property 114, 

V&,  181, 137,  140,  144 

View  of,  in  1836 123-i:H 

Water  works 190 

Wharf,  building  of 129 

Finances 59 


Page. 

Flood  of  1832 119 

Fraternal  Legion 392 

Free  Masonry 381-:185 

Gaming,  era  of 339 

Glacial  deposits 20 

Grand  .\rmy  Republic 657 

Grass,  Daniel 44, 101 

Hanigari 3B5 

Hebrew  orders 395 

Home  for  the  Friendless 399 

Homeopathy. 263 

Hospital  for  insane 629 

Hospital,  St.  Mary's 398 

Hospital,  U.  S.  marine 399 

Indian  treaty 30 

Indian  tribes , 29 

Iron  Hall 395 

Jails 67-69 

Judges,  Associate  — 

Dunham,  John  M 331 

LilHston,  John  W 331 

McCrary,  John 329 

Olmstead,  William 331 

Shook,  Wilham 343 

Staser,  Conrad 342 

Stephens,  Silas 943 

Judges.  Circuit  Court  — 

Battell.  Chas.  1 338 

Burke.  M.  F 346 

Daniel,  Richard 329 

Embree,  Elisha 338 

Goodlett,  J.  R.  E 330 

Hall,  Samuel 337 

Hart,  David 329 

Hovey,  Alvin  P 342 

Jones,  James  G 347 

Laird,  D.  T 347 

Lockhart,  James 341 

Niblack,  William  E .345 

Parrett,  William  F 346 

Richardson.  R.  D 347 

Smith,  Ballard ...  345 

Judges,  common  pleas 349 

Judges,  probate C48 

Jury,  Grand,  action  of 337 

Jury,  Grand,  first 328 

Jury,  petit,  first 328 

Knight,  Isaac,  capture  of 31 

Knights  of  the  Golden  Rule 396 

Knights  ot  Honor 391 

Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor 392 

Knights  of  Pj-thias 388-390 

Lania-sco 131 

Lands,  public 573 

Library,  Catholic 3^ 

Library,  city 321 

Library,  county 324 

Library,  Willard S21 

McGaryton 97 

Medical  journals 231 

Medical  societies 206 

Merom  .sandstone 19 

Mexican  veterans 472 

Mexican  war 470 

Militia,  early 469 

Mound  builders 27-29 

Newspapers  — 

Advance 571 

A.  O.  U.  W.  Recorder 571 

Bulletin 570 

Call 570 

Courier 562 

Demokrat 567 

Gazette,  Evansville 113,  SS'i 

Indiana  Post 570 

Journal 120,558 

Pilot 571 

Public 567 

Tribune 607 

Odd  Fellowship 886-388 

Parks 195 

Pensions,  reTolutionary 337 


u 


HISTORY  OF  VANDERBURGH  COUNTY. 


Page. 

Physicians,  early 233 

Physicians  of  note 231-233 

Physicians,  roster  of 234 

Pioneers,  character  of 5T2 

Pioneers,  dress  of 5TG 

Poor,  expenses  of 63-67 

Port  of  entry 187 

PostofBce,  establishment  of 184 

Practice,  medical,  hardships  of...  .  224 

Probate  court 348 

Pubhc  square 53 

Railroads 77to82,]30 

Recorder,  county 52 

Regiments  — 

Fourteenth 482 

Twenty-fourth 485 

Eleventh 481 

First  battery 491 

Twenfy-flfth 496 

First  cavalry  (28th) 603 

Thirty-second 507 

Thirty-fifth 512 

Sixth  battery 513 

Forty-second 516 

Sixtieth 530 

Eighth  battery 53:3 

Sixty-fifth 535 

Fourth  cavalry  C77th) 528 

Ninety-first 633 

One  hundred  and  twentieth 534 

Tenth  cavalry  C135th) 535 

One  himdred  and  thirty -sixth 537 

One  hundred  and  forty-third 539 

Miscellaneous 544 

Representatives,  state 53 

River  commerce,  early 75-77 

Roads 70-74 

Royal  Arcaniun 391 

Salt  well 25 

School  Fund 307 

Schools  — 

Armstrong  township 308 

Center  township 308 

Evansville 310 

Free,  first ...  309 

German  township 309 

Knight  township 309 

Perrv  township 307 

Scott  township 308 

Pigeon  township 310 

Union  township  310 

Section,  geological 21 

Senators,  state 53 

Sheriffs,  county 53 

Steamboat  construction 133 

Surface  features 18 

Superior  court 350 

Surgery 235 

Surveyors,  county 53 

Townships,  creation  of 63 

Township  History  — 

Armstrong 668 

Center 599 

German 659 

Knight U26 

Perry . .  650 

Scott 678 

Union 639 

Treasurers,  county 51 

United  Brothers  of  Friendship 396 

United  Order  of  Honor 393 

Vanderburgh  county,  creation  of. . .  4(j 

Voters,  first  in  Evansville  575 

Wabash  &  Erie  canal 121,  128 

War  of  1813 4i;8 

Warrick  county,  jurisdiction 42 

Willard  library .331 

Young  Men's  Chj'istian  Association.  304 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Alexander,  WiUiam 263 

Alleon,  John 604 

Archer,  Samuel  M 217 

Arnold,  Jacob 459 

Artes,  Charles  F 4:13 

Ashbv.  J.  W 421 

Audubon.  John  J 44,101 

Augermeier,  A.  J  663 

Bacon.  C.  P 2.59 

Bahr,  William 4.19 

Baird,  L.M I.i6 

Baker,  Conrad 364 

Barker,  Samuel 64;! 

Bamett,  Henry  H 629 


Page. 

Baumann,  G.  W 605 

Bawden,  Manuel 440 

Becker,  Michael 170 

Beierlein,  George  C 583 

Beierlein,  Herman 58.3 

Bernardin,  A 41.3 

Binklev,  John  T 260 

Bittrote,  GeorgeA 460 

Blakey,  William  M 380 

Blemker,  H.  E 435 

Boehne,  J.   W 415 

Boetticher,  Edward 458 

Bohannon,  W.  S 584 

Boon,  Ratliff  43.101 

Bowen.  George  D 6:W 

Bower.  William   5S4 

Bowles.  Edward 417 

Brandenberger,  Fred 605 

Brandenberger,  .lohn .*. 606 

Brandenberger,  Henry 606 

Brandis.  Joseph  H 655 

Bra.y,  Madison  J 2.37 

Breiitano,  August 173 

Bridwell,  T.  C 433 

Bromm,  Adam 442 

Browning,  George  B 585 

Browning.  Richard 585 

Brose,  Louis  D 8.58 

Brose,  George 444 

Buchanan,  J.  S 366 

Buclianan,  Cicero 367 

Bullen,  Thomas 417 

Bultniann,  Joseph 606 

Burggrabe,  Henry 586 

Burnes,  W.  E 433 

Burtis.J.T 463 

Butterfield,  O.H 374 

Butts,  Henry  449 

Byrnes,  T.  B 402 

Byrne,  J.  J 630 

Calvert,  Leroy 678 

Capelle,  William 463 

Carpenter,  Willard 315 

Carson,  F.  P 435 

Casey,  John  J 4.36 

Casselberry,  Isaac 242 

Chandler,  John  J 363 

Chandler,  W.  H 559 

Clark,  G.  W 6.30 

Compton,  John  W 2;39 

Conlen,  F.  J 413 

Cook,  Fred  W 170 

Cooke,  E.  B ,  407 

Corlew,  R.  M 261 

Cox,  J.  B  197 

Crane,  James  F 607 

Crisp,  Daniel 587 

Crisp,R.F 586 

Crisp,  Wilham 586 

Croft,  Benjamin  F 164 

Curnick.  S.  M 430 

Culler,  James  H 221 

Dannettelle,  John  H 199 

Darby,  W.  J 276 

Daussman,  George  M 171 

Davis,  F.  L 365 

Da.y,  Benjamin  J 352 

Da.V.  Robert 456 

Dean.  William 439 

DeBruler,  James  P 344 

Denby,  Charles 370 

Denby,  G.  F 371 

Diehle,  John  G 4.50 

Di.xon,  H.  T 363 

Dow,  J.  L 363 

Dinsnioor,  J.  W 444 

Dyer,  Azro 370 

Edmond,  John  F  . .  - 646 

Edmond,  Michael 616 

Edmond,  Sophie 646 

Ehrman,  E.  J 364 

Ehrman.  F.  J 419 

Ehret.  Joseph 4:11 

Eissler.  Henry 607 

Ellert.  C.  H  .". 454 

Elliott.  Thomas 587 

Ellis,  Nichola-s 182 

Emery,  Frank  B 4:10 

Enz.  Stephen  435 

Erskine,  Levi 607 

Euler,  Jacob,  jr  6'IS 

Evans,  Robert  M 43,100 

Evans.S.  G 4.53 

Ewing,  F.  M 6.33 

Ewiug,  William  D 406 

Fare.s,  J.  V 663 


Page. 

Farrar.  J    J. 414 

Fendrich,  Herman 466 

Ficka-s.  S.  R 634 

Fink,  John  H 451 

Fischer,  Jacob 414 

Foster  Family,  The 149 

French,  William  E 178 

Frey,  Philip  W 379 

Fritsch,  L 457 

Froelich,  Henry  F 172 

Gantner,  Charles 663 

Garvin,  Thomas  E 361 

Gerard,  R.J 646 

Gilbert,  John 215 

Gilbert.  F.  M 568 

Gilliland,  L.  M 272 

Goeke,  Adolph 202 

Goldsmith,  D.  W 664 

Goldsmith,  M.  R 609 

Goldsmith,  Oliver 608 

Goodge,  George  W 443 

Goodwin,  J.  J 448 

Gould,  Charles  F  570 

Graf,  J.  P 634 

Grainger,  Samuel., 635 

Grammer,  G.  J..  .     ..  404 

Graves,  R.  E 410 

Gra.v.  Robert 588 

Grese,  Herman 438 

Grill,  Edward 410 

Grimwood,  James  G 688 

Grimvvood,  John  F 689 

Grimwood.  S.  N 589 

Grote,  Fred 441 

Guerich,  Louis 466 

Gumberts,  Henry,  sr 664 

Haas;  1 266 

Hacker,  William                 .            ...  436 

Hallock,  A.  C 407 

Happe,  Andrew 647 

Harden,  R.  W 410 

Harrison,  Ed 412 

Harrison,  J.  B 412 

Hartig.  Simon  .                .              .  667 

Hartloff,  Richard  246 

Harwood,  A.  W 423 

Hawkins,  Anthony  C 91 

Hayden.  A.  M 249 

Haynie,  George  W 434 

Haynie,  Henry 456 

Ha.vs,  JohnJ  91 

HeUman,  William  .               .  .  146 

Heldt,  Henry 439 

Helfrieh,  Adam 167 

Henry,  James 609 

Henry,  Robert  R .  .  .610 

Henze,  Charles 667 

Herr,  L.  S 26« 

Hess,  Peter 439 

Heubner,  Peter 610 

Hinkle,  W.  B 162 

Hodge.F.T  451 

Hodson,  George  P 252 

Hoefling,  George,  sr 673 

Hoffman,  Christot 6T4 

Hooker,  Henry 589 

Hopkins,  John  S 212 

Hornby,  C.  K 611 

Hanning,  Theodore 609 

Hornby,  Dr,  William SS5 

Hornby,  William 610 

Howell,  Lee 405 

Hulvershom,  Emil 434 

Hulvershorn,  F.  W 424 

Hulvershom,  H.  E          .  .       .  485 

Hurst,  W.  S    3:9 

Huston.  E.P 402 

Ichenhauser,  Louis 1..5 

Iglehart,  Asa 3c6 

Ingle,  John  164 

Jack,  Alexander 169 

Jacobi,  Otto  F 174 

James,  John 635 

Jenkins,  Charles  T 87 

Johann,  Albert 205 

Johnson,  M.  S 365 

Jones,  James  W 43,100 

Kaiser,  Philip 611 

Kamp,  A.  C 647 

Kamp,  B.  A 647 

Kamp,  Leopold 645 

Karges,  A.  F 440 

Keene,  S.  W •. 442 

Kellogg,  Charles  H 458 

Kellogg,  K.  H 459 

Kevekordes,  Leo 409 


INDEX. 


16 


Page. 

Kiechl,  PYed 4115 

King,  James  L Mj 

KiUK,  R.  W...     .^ 648 

Kirkpatrick.  W.  H o'-f 

Klamer,  Herman 65b 

Klee,  J.ihn 450 

Knapp.  Charles fcT 

Knapp.  Emil  fjs 

KniKbt,  Joliu  H 6ia 

Knoll,  Otto 43i 

Knowles.  J.  W 5»'J 

Kolb,  Micnael 6*8 

Kratz,  C.  W 61-J 

Kratz,  John  R 61; 

Kreipke,  Henry 65b 

Kreipke,  John  H 449 

Kimz.  Jacob 620 

Lahr  A.  P      1 

Lane',  Joseph.'.'.'.'.'.'."... ..'. 44,  101,  627 

Lant,  George 454 

Lauer,  James  W 1"8 

Laubseher,  Jacob 613 

Laubsc-her,  John  W 614 

Lauer.  H.  W ^3 

L,aw,  John 361 

Lawton,  John 4I5S 

Legler,  Louis 9- 

Leich,  August 8« 

Lennert,  George 41b 

Lewis,  S.  B 267 

Liidley.H.  M 45' 

Lewis,  Walter  J 445 

Limlley,  James  F 45< 

Linthieum,  Edward 259 

Liuxwiler,  George OId 

Linxwiler,  Isaac  W 615 

Little,  Samuel  W 163 

Lockwood,  C,  S 4»4 

Lockwood,  JohnM 119 

Loewenstein.  F  567 

Longbine.  S.  C 610 

Lorenz,  George 447 

MacClenient,  David 420 

McCorkle.  Johns 168 

McCoy,  John  N 419 

McCoy,  P.  Y 256 

McCutchan.  M.  C 201 

McGarv,  Hugh 42,45,94,95,96,116 

Mc Johnston,  Charles  F 616 

McLean,  William 465 

McNecly,  James  H 561 

Mackey,  D.J 400 

Maddux,  Alexander 636 

Maghee,  WiUiam  H 265 

Maidlow  Family 690 

Marke"-,  Peter 418 

Marlett,  John  J 200 

Martin,  William 674 

Masters,  G.  L 421 

Mattison,  H.  A 368 

Menke,  Herman  G 409 

Metcalfe,  J.  G. 4.36 

MiUer.A.J 569 

Miller,  Emil  G 450 

Miller,  Jacob 177 

Miller,  W.  D  591 

Miller,W.H 441 

Minnis,  J.  S  464 

MolTett,  John  F 6h 

Morgan,  Daniel 245 

Morgan.  Emerson  B 156 

Moore,  John  H 204 

Morris,  C.  J 454 

Morris,  Frank 4:35 

Muhlhausen,  Matthias 247 

Muiphy.  C.  J  *2 

Myerhoff,  Charles  H 15" 

Myers.  Jacob 164 

Myers,  Michael 164 

Neale,  John  A 648 

Newitt,  George  W 205 

Nonweiler,  Philip 437 

Nugent,  John 445 

Nurre,  Joseph  A. 166 

Orr,  Samuel  150 

Ortmeyer,  John  H 408 

Osborn,  John  H 175 

Oslage.  E.  F 443 

Otte,  Charles  H.  W 443 

Owen,  A.  M 241 

Owen,  John  E 255 


Page. 

Page,  William  A 92 

Pan-ett,  Robert ■ 277,279 

Parrett,  William  F 363 

Parvin,  James  D 86 

Patrick,  E.W 404 

Peck.  William 692 

Ptaftlin,  August 89 

Pittman,  Charles 267 

Poggemeir,  William 657 

Pollock,  Robert  A 636 

Pollard,  William  S 248 

Potts,  John  G 592 

Powell,  T,  E  261 

Pritchett,  Frank 89 

Pruitt,  John  F..'. 674 

Puder,  Philip  P 172 

Purdue,  Rachel  H 617 

Puster,  Louis 408 

Rahm,  Emil 417 

Rahm,  Ernst    417 

Rahm,  William,  jr 176 

Ralston,  William  G 216 

Read.  Hiram  E 159 

Reavis,  William 374 

Reid,  J.  W 429 

Reid,  M.  J 429 

Reiman,  William 665 

Reitmau,  Henry 163 

Reitz,  John  A.,  .S:  Sons 163 

Rheinlander,  John 216,  497 

Rice.  Laban  M 161 

Richardson,  R.  D 371 

Ritchey,  James  S 593 

Ritchey,  Simpson 593 

Ritchey,  William 593 

Ritter,  Charles  H , -1'' 

Robertson,  John 649 

Rose,  Conrad 657 

Rosencranz,  A.  0 165 

Roth,  Anna  B 649 

Ruark,  Dr.  S 619 

Ruff,  F.  W 451 

Runck,  Rev.  C.  L.  C 302 

Ruston.  George 594 

Ruston,  John 594 

Ruston,  Richard 593 

Ruston,  Robert 619 

Ruston,  Walter 424 

Ruston,  William  H 438 

Sample,  Joseph  R 409 

Sansom,  John 594 

Sansom,  S.  B        455 

Saunders,  James  D 204 

Saunders,  James  F 6i9 

Scantlin,  James 181 

Scantlm.  Thomas 180 

Scott,  GrandviUe 693 

Scott,  Richard 595 

Scott,  Samuel  693 

Scott,  W.  J 595 

Schaeffer,  Michael 218 

Schlag,  C.  F 620 

Schmidt,  Andrew 667 

Schmidt,  Conrad 621 

Schmidt,  J.  H.  P 622 

Schmitt,  Anton 621 

Schmitt,  August 464 

Schmitt,  Charles 622 

Schnelle,  H.  William 620 

Schomburg,  William 69b 

Schor,  R.  F 218 

Schrader,  Charles  415 

Schroeter.  Ulrich 622 

Schulte,  Charles 16b 

Schuttler,  Bernard 16^ 

Schultze.  Henry  A 169 

Schwartz,  C.  F.  W 623 

Schwartz,  E.  H 62:1 

Seitz,  Lewis 162 

Shackelford,  J.  M 376 

Shanklin,  G.  W 566 

Shanklin,  John 147 

Shanklin,  John  G 666 

Sherwood,  Marcus 180 

Slierwood,  William  B 180 

Sihler,  Louis    88 

Sirkle,  A.  J 649 

Slayback,  C.  A  416 

Smyth,  H.   B 637 

Spiegel,  Philip 414 

Staser,  Clinton 378 


Page. 

Staser,  Conrad 596 

Staser,  J.  C.,  jr 696 

Staser,  John  C 695 

Steiner,  John  N 65T 

Steinmetz,  Fred 634 

Stinchfield,  Washington 658 

Stinson,  Harry... 420 

Stoltz,  Henry 440 

Stone,  Jesse  31 637 

Stroud,  Calvin  H 6W 

Sweetser,  H.  M 403 

Swormstedt,  William  L 221 

Tardy,  Frank 451 

Taylor,  T.H 265 

Thiele,  I.  A 448 

Thompson.  James  L 658 

Thuman,  Charles  H 169 

Thuman.  John  H 169 

Tratton,  William 235 

Uhl,  August 467 

Uhl,  Louis 467 

UUmer,  Charles  William 17.1 

Ulrich,  John 624 

Vanderburgh,  Judge  Henry 45 

Vann,  William  R 638 

Venemann,  T.  W 433 

Verwavne,  A    463 

Viele,  Charles 213 

Viele,  George  B 183 

Yolkmaun,  Carl 634 

Walker,  Edwin 251 

Walker,  E.  F 273 

Walker,  George  B 343 

Walker,  James  T  375 

Walker,  Joseph  B 426 

Wartman,  J.  W 198 

Weaver,  C.  A 426 

Weber,  Michael 625 

Wedding,  C.  L 372 

Wedding,  C.  V 258 

Weever,  John  B 2.50 

Wells,  George  N 200 

Werkuianu,  Fred 668 

Wheeler,  Joseph ...  280 

Wills,  JamesS 659 

Wilton,  Isaiah 261 

Wiltshire,  J.  W 453 

Wollenberger,  Andrew 172 

Woods,  Charles  E 44« 

Woods,  J.  S    281 

Woods,  William  H 446 

Wunderlich,  Christian 90 

Young,  B.  S 625 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Baird,  L.  31..  facing 202 

Barker,  Samuel,  facing 648 

Bray,  Madison  J.,  tac«g 2.37 

Buchanan,  Cicero 393 

Buchanan,  J.  S..  facing 66 

Carpenter,  Willard 313 

Carpenter,  Homestead 319 

Compton,  J.  W.,  facing 410 

Cook,  Fred  W.,  facing 168 

Cox,J    B 185 

Davis,  F.  L 461 

Evans,  Robert  M Frontispiece 

Heilman,  William 1.51 

Herr,  L.  S.,  facing 270 

Iglehart,  Asa 359 

Jenkins,  Charles  T 83 

Leich,  August 597 

Mackav,  D.  J 401 

Mattison,  H.  A 376 

Jlverhoff,  C.  H.,  facing 478 

Oir.  Samuel 631 

Parrett,  William  F  ,  facing 342 

Parvin,  James  D 49 

Rheinlaniler.  John 49S 

Roseiicran/..  A.   C 629 

Shackelford,  J,  M 28? 

Shanklin,  John 117 

Ullmer,  C.  W 427 

Viele,  Charles 219 

Wedding,  C.L 683 

Weever,  J.  B 253 

Willard  Library    325 

Wunderliea,  Christian 605 


HISTORY  OF  VANDERBURGH  COUNTY, 


CHAPTER  I.* 


ToPCXiRAPHY    AND    GeOLOIJV CHARACTERISTIC    FEATURES FORMATION  AND    ErOSION 

OF  THE  Surface  —  Glacial  Remains  —  Connected  Geological  Section — The 
Coal  Measures  —  Actual  Sections. 


rANDERBURGH,  except  one,  is  the    German 
extreme  southwestern   count\'  of  the 


state  of  Indiana,  and  is  bounded  on  the 
west  by  Posey,  north  by  Gibson,  east  by 
Warrick.  The  southern  boundary  is  the 
Ohio,  the  "  belle  riviere"  of  the  early  French 
ad\enturers,  the  "  beautiful  river "  of  our 
own  poets,  the  "great  commercial  artery" 
of  our  economic  writers.  Its  picturesque 
beauty  and  its  fleets  of  busy  steamers  are 
e(|ually  deserving  subjects  of  admiration. 
Evansville,  the  city  of  the  county,  and  one 
of  the  principal  cities  of  the  state,  lies  i8o 
miles  distant  from  Indianapolis.  To  be  geo- 
graphically precise,  its  latitude  is  38"  8' 
north,  its  longitude  10^  30'  west  from  Wash- 
ington. 

The  altitude  of  the  Ohio  at  low  water  at 
Evansville,  is  320  feet  above  sea  level.  The 
elevation  of  Main  street  is  50  feet  above 
low  water,  and  consequenth',  tlie  average 
altitude  of  the  city  above  tide  water  is  370 
feet. 

Though  the  northern  line  of  the  county 
is  but  thirteen  miles  from  that  re-entrant 
curve  of  the  Ohio  which  approaches  the 
geographical  center  of  the  county,  the  drain- 
aire  of  its  territory  is  not  wholly  into  the 
great  river.  Running  from  the  northern 
part  of  Scott  and  along   the  northern  line  of 


•Adapted  for  this  volume  from  the  Geoloyic.il  Report  on 
Vanderburgh  county,  by  John  CoUett,  A.  M.,  in  "  Geolog- 
ical Survey  of  Indiana,  1875." 


township,  is  a  high  ridge  with  a 
spur  of  lower  land  running  down  through 
Perry,  which  di\id'j;  the  county  into  two 
systems,  the  northwestern  being  drained 
through  Big  creek  and  its  forks  into  the 
Wabash  river.  The  eastern  and  central 
parts  of  the  county  have  their  water-shed 
by  Bluegrass,  Locust  and  Little  creeks 
through  Big  Pigeon  into  the  Ohio. 

The  topography  of  the  county  is  delight- 
fully \aried.  The  characteristic  features  of 
a  river  countr\-,  the  river  bottoms,  are  here 
from  two  to  six  miles  wide.  Composed  of 
a  light,  sandy  loam,  they  are  very  fertile, 
and  produce  profitable  crops  of  corn,  wheat, 
potatoes,  tobacco,  and  meadow  grass.  In 
the  forests  upjn  this  soil  we  tind  black  and 
white  walnuts,  red,  white  and  burr  oaks, 
red  and  white  elms,  white  and  black  gums, 
Cottonwood,  hickory,  maple,  willow,  syca- 
iTiore,  cypress,  pecan,  etc.,  with  many  shrubs 
and  vines.  The  small  brooks  flowing  across 
the  county,  from  northeast  to  south  and  south- 
west, of  no  great  capacity,  and  often  nearly 
dry  in  summer  droughts,  run  through  val- 
leys one  to  three  miles  wide.  These 
"bottoms"  are  le\el,  and  characteristically 
argillaceous,  or  hard  and  compact,  and  de- 
mand underground  drainage  for  successful 
tillage  long  continued.  Good  crops  of  hay 
are  grown  upon  them.  The  timber  here 
comprises  white,  burr,  water  and  jack  oaks, 


18 


GEOLOGY. 


.^aim.  e-liii,  niaplf  and  sycamore,  with  beach, 
sugar    tree,    poplar   and    walnut   on     sand}- 
loams.     From   the  creek    and  river  valleys 
the    ascent    is    sometimes    gentle,   often    bv 
abrupt    bluffs,    to    the   table   lands.      In    the 
central  and   northern    parts,  these    attain  an 
elevation  of  from  150  to  350  feet,  and  aver- 
age a  height  of  225  feet  above  low  water  in 
the  Ohio:   and    being    formed   as   a    whole. 
from  fine  sands  or  loam,  the  soil  is  compact, 
and  to  a  degree  impervious  to  air  or  moist- 
ure unless  drained  or  well  mixed  with  vege- 
table matter.     The  Hat    areas   are    wet  and 
have    characteristic    openings,    or    prairies, 
but  the  shghtly  une\en   surfaces  are  clothed 
with   a    thick    growth    of    timber,  in    which 
post-oak,    persimmon    and    sweet    gum   are 
characteristic.       White,     red     and     Spanish 
oaks,   black   gum,  maple,  white  and    black 
hickories   are    connnon.       The    rolling   up- 
lands are  richer  on  account  of  an  admixture 
of    red  calcareous  soil,  and  adds  to  the  for- 
ests  poplars,  sugar  trees,  black   walnut  and 
ash.      Roth   varieties  of   upland    vield  good 
crops    of    corn,   wheat,    oats,    and    meadow 
grass.       The   hills  and    hi<>h   rid<res  are  ex- 
empt   from  sudden    changes  of   temperature 
and  are  admirably  adapted   to  the  culture  of 
tender   fruits  and    vines.      Consequently  the 
wide-awake    agriculturists     have  extensive 
and  profitable  orchards  and  vinevards,  which 
are  sure  sources  of   income.     The  bluff  soil 
is  the  American   equivalent  of    the  I^oess  of 
the    Rhine,    which    produces    the    generous 
wines   of    France,  and    with   the  same  care 
will  as  richly  reward.     The  climate  is  in  the 
neutral  zone, between  uncomfortable  warmth  } 
and  cold,  not  subject  to  the  extreme  chanjres  ! 
which    renders    culture    hazardous     further  j 
north.     The  tender  peach,  apricot  and  grape  '\ 
may  be  grown  to  perfection  along  with   the  \ 
sturdier  apple  and   quince.      The   vineyards  j 
yield  wine   rich  in  boucpiet  and  spirit.     The  | 
walnuts  and   hickory   nuts  are  produced  in  1 


I  profusion,  and  the  pecan  mav  be  easily  and 
prolitably  cultivated.  Wild  grapes,  plums, 
etc.,  crown  the  hill  tops  and  cluster  in  the 
\alleys,  but  the  luscious  persimmon,  "God's 
fruit,"  is  the  best  and  most  abundant,  and  it 
is  believed,  by  cultivation  could  be  made  to 
ri\-al  the  date. 

The  surface  of  the  county   affords    man\- 
instructive  texts  to  the  geologist,  for  the  ap- 
plication of  his  theories  to    account    for  the 
'  present   configuration.     By   a   vast  accumu- 
lation of  obser\ati(jns  in  all  parts  of  the  world, 
and   the  tornudation  of  theories  based  upon 
them,  he  is   able    to    recount   an    interesting 
story  of  the  past  of  this  region,  and  much  of 
j  the   geologist's  narrative   is  not  "caviare  to 
the  general,"'  nor  i^econdite.     There  are  plain 
records  in  the  valleys  and  bluffs  of  phenoniena 
concerning  which  all  men  who  have  thought 
upon    the   subject    are    prett\-   well    agreed. 
The  briefest  statement  of  the  geology  of  the 
county   would  mention   as  the  oldest   strata 
which  has  been   brought   to   general  notice, 
the   coal   measures,  later   the  limestones  de- 
posited in  the  bed  of  an  ancient  ocean  which 
overspread  the  region  after  the  coal  was  in 
the  first  statres  of  formation,  and  more  recent 
than   all   this,  overlying   it   and   the  cause  of 
many    b;iautiful   features    of  landscape,   the 
Meroiu  sandstone.     Without  treating  of  the 
formation  of  coal,  of   which    much  has  been 
W]"itten,  and  which  is  \-er\-  likel}'  identical  in 
different  localities,  nor  of  the   limestone,  let 
us  consider  more  at  length  the  Merom  sand- 
stone, and    then   the  later  phenomena  which 
caused    the    presjnt    configuration     of    the 
country. 

The  Merom  sandstone  is  well  developed  in 
Vanderburgh  and  adjoining  counties,  capping 
the  tops  of  the  highest  hills  in  the  northeast- 
ern and  forming  the  surface  rock  in  all  the 
uneroded  parts  of  the  central  and  western 
regions.  In  deep,  niu^row  gorges,  witii  pre- 
cipitous and  overhanging  sides,  it  gives  a  ro- 


GENERAL  FEATURES. 


m 


mantic  boldness  to  the  scenery,  and  also 
affords  good  exposures  for  its  stud\'.  In 
Section  17,  Scott  township,  this  niassi\e 
sandstone  overhangs  the  brook  which  flows 
by  the  base,  and  the  softer  rock  has  disap- 
peared below,  leaving  a  rock  house  which 
was  once  a  favorite  resort  of  the  Indians.  The 
rock  is  always  ferriferous,  containing  small 
partings  and  veins  of  iron,  which  being  harder 
than  the  sandv  matrix,  fret  the  sides  and  o\er- 
hanging  arches  of  the  gorges  with  an  irreg- 
ular tracerx'  of  network  in  relief.  In  this 
count\'  the  stone  is  regular  in  sequence,  un- 
interruptedlv  covering  the  coal  measures. 
But  in  the  relation  of  proximit\-  to  the  coals, 
it  is  regular  onlv  in  irregularitv.  Sometimes 
all  the  coal  seams  are  below  it,  elsewhere  all 
tlie  older  rocks  down  to  the  Ingleside  coal 
have  been  cut  away  by  ancient  floods,  and 
then  the  sandstone  lies  directly  upon  that 
coal,  and  sometimes  includes  in  its  lower 
layers,  rounded  pellets  and  pebbles  of  coal, 
which  reveal  the  extensive  action  of  the 
water  which  preceded  the  deposition  of  the 
sandstone.  There  is  therefore  good  ground 
for  the  belief  that  it  is  the  record  of  a  geo- 
logical era  far  subseqvient  to  the  carbonifer- 
ous. Fossils  are  rare  or  entirelx'  absent, 
being  confined  to  specimens  of  Acrogens,  a 
lower  order  of  plant  life.  The  Merom  sand- 
stone is  near  the  surface  of  Bab\'town  hill, 
nearlv  200  feet  above  low  water  in  the  river, 
and  from  this  eminence  that  the  rock  has 
preserved,  a  splendid  view  is  enjoyed  of  the 
teeming  citv  and  the  riser  dotted  with  the 
steamers  carrying  the  commerce  of  the  \al- 
lev  states.  West  of  Germantown,  the  mas- 
sive part  of  the  rock  is  well  exposed,  and  it 
is  20  to  40  feet  thick,  composed  of  sharp 
sand,  small  veins  of  hematite  iron,  and  a  few 
trunks  and  stems  of  plants.  The  sand  is  so 
slightlv  coherent  that  it  may  be  removed 
with  a  shovel,  the  iron  is  easily  removed,  and 
the  product  is  remarkably  good  for  plaster- 


ing and  building.  Southwest  of  there,  across 
the  count\-  line,  the  rock  is  on  the  other  hand 
admirabh'  adapted  to  (juarrying,  and  along 
Big  creek,  good   stone  is   obtained.     In  the 

j  prime  agricultural  region  of  the  northwest- 
ern   high   le\el  of  the  countx',  the  rocks  are 

j  deeply  covered,  and  the  only  outcrop  noted 
is  in  Section  23,  Armstrong  township.  On 
the  George  Graff  farm  a  shaft  was  once 
put  down  through  this  solid  rock  in  search 
of  silver  ore,  but  of  course,  with  no  success. 
Subsequent  to  the  period  when  this  sand- 
stone was  laid  down  —  it  would  be  idle  to 
attempt  to  measure  the  time  which  elapsed  — 
vast  glaciers  overspread  the  country,  mainly 
to  the  north  of  this  latitude.  These  left  no 
deep  beds  of  drift,  with  boulders  showing 
the  grinding  action  of  ice  and  water,  in  this 
county,  but  their  record  i.s  nevertheless 
plain.  We  refer  now  to  the  sets  of  ancient 
\alle\s  wliich  tra\erse  the  countv,  from  100 
to  150  feet  above  the  ri\'er,  having  a  course 
from  north  18"  to  24°  west.  These  are  not 
continuous  now,  but  are  often  cut  across  or 
partially  silted  up  b\-  a  second,  more  recent 
set  of  valleys,  running  from  northeast  to 
southward.  In  either  sets  of  vallev  thorough- 
fares, after  a  rain,ma\-  be  seen  in  the  ditches 
the  fine  white  quartzose  and  black  sand  or 
magnetite,  from  the  Laurentian  rocks  of 
Canada.  The  hardest  material  of  the  glacial 
drift  reached  here  onlv  in  the  form  of  powder, 
but  is  easih'  recognized,  and  seems  to  point 
unmistakably  to  a  glacial  origin  of  these  val- 
levs,  the  primar\-  having  been  made  at  the 
beginning  of  the  era,  before  the  Wabash 
vallev  had  been  excavated  bv  the  great 
flood  of  ice  water.  The  secondaries  prob- 
ably date  to  the  time  when  the  water,  which 
sought  sluice-way  in  the  summer  months, 
by  the  White  and  Patoka  vallevs,  after  ex- 
cavating the  great  basin  of  South  Patoka, 
overflowed  to  the  west  and  south,  cutting 
awav  softer    rock   and  leasing   the    harder 


20 


UEOLOGY. 


knobs  and  hills  which  now  beautify  tht-  land- 
scape. The  Lake  regions  were  then,  it  is 
believed  from  well  investigated  phenomena, 
eight  hundred  or  nine  hundred  feet 
higher  than  now,  and  the  summer  melting 
of  ice  caused  more  violent  action  of  the 
water  than  would  now  appear  possible.  Thus 
were  cut  the  valleys  of  Pigeon  and  Black 
creeks,  and  the  like,  so  much  wider  than 
could  be  accounted  for  b}-  the  action  of  these 
small  water  courses.  Not  only  wider  are 
they  than  the  creeks  can  account  for,  but  it 
is  a  remarkable  fact  that  these  creeks  flow 
in  beds  considerablv  abo\'e  the  former  bed 
of  the  water  which  cut  the  valleys. 

When  these  mighty  glaciers  passed  away, 
receding  to  the  north  on  account  of  some 
vast  change  in  the  continental  conditions,  a 
great  lake  covered  a  large  area  of  the  in- 
terior of  the  continent,  including  southwest- 
ern Indiana,  and  regions  adjoining  south  and 
west.  Its  high  water  line  is  now  seven  hun- 
dred or  eight  hundred  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  ocean.  The  deposits  of  this  era  are 
called  loess  or  lacustral,  and  consist  of 
reddish  yellow  loam,  sandy,  below  that  gray 
and  buff  siliceous  loam,  and  at  the  bottom,  in 
valleys  which  were  filled  up  in  this  era,  black 
quicksand,  muck  with  much  vegetable  matter. 
This  deposit  varies  in  depth  from  fifteen  to 
one  hundred  and  fifteen  feet.  In  that  era, 
the  extreme  cold  of  the  ice  age  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  other  extreme,  and  tropical 
trees  and  plants,  and  animals  of  South 
American  t3'pe,  flourished  in  this  region.  In 
the  muck  deposit,  or  just  above  it  in  a  flinty 
gravel,  have  been  found  in  this  and  adjoin- 
ing counties  the  bones  of  monstrous  tropical 
animals,  the  Megalonyx  and  other  great 
sloths,  the  Mammoth,  or  Elephas  Ameri- 
canus,  and  the  great  beaver  Casteroides 
Ohioensis.  In  sinking  the  Avondale  shaft  at 
Evansville,  a  bed  of  animal  and  vegetable 
remains  was  encountered,  containing  an  im- 


mense quantitv  of  fresh-water  shells.  When 
these  were  studied  b}-  naturalists  and  com- 
pared with  existing  types,  it  was  found  that 
some  were  wholly  extinct  and  others  were 
to  be  found  now  onl}'  in  the  southern  states. 
"  These  shells,  wholly  extinct,  or  barely  ex- 
isting as  survivors  from  our  ancient  sub-tropic 
climate,  reveal  in  their  story  a  hitherto  un- 
known chapter  of  past  events,  indicating  a 
change  of  climate  nearly  equivalent  to  io° 
of  latitude,  and  which,  according  to  Mr. 
Hopkins"  paper  before  the  British  Scientific 
Association,  must  have  taken  place  within 
from  twenty  thousand  to  sevent}'  thousand 
years."  From  the  lime  when  this  tropical 
life  prevailed  here,  the  climate  changed 
gradually  to  colder,  .and  vegetation  and 
fauna  changed  with  it.  Still,  the  change 
has  not  been  so  vast  that  we  have  not  relics 
to-day  of  those  distant  times.  In  such  shel- 
tered spots  as  seem  to  be  the  last  lagoons  of 
the  ancient  sea,  and  there  are  such  in  Union 
township  particularly,  the  cj'press  lingers, 
and  the  cane,  as  well  as  in  the  other  division 
of  life,  the  paroquet,  cotton-mouth  and  grass 
snakes,  and  red-mouthed  salamander.  The 
persimmon,  pecan,  smooth  honey-locust, 
catalpa  and  thorn)^  sumac,  are  also  relics  of 
a  period  whose  main  features  have  long 
since  disappeared. 

The  "  tooth  of  time,"  since  the  age  above 
spoken  of,  has  been  confined  in  its  work  to 
the  formation  of  the  alluvial  flats  b^•  the  con- 
tinual eating  away  of  older  deposits.  So 
have  been  formed  the  river  bottoms,  com- 
posed of  sand,  gravel  and  smooth  stones, 
clay  and  much  vegetable  matter,  comprising 
sticks  and  trunks  of  trees  found  buried  even 
more  than  one  hundred  feet  below  the  pres- 
ent level  of  the  river  beds,  and  flu\  iatile 
sand-bars  and  gravel-beds  as  high  as  one 
hundred  to  two  hundred  feet  above  the  high 
water  line. 

The   following  is  a  connected   section  of 


GEXERAL  FEATURES. 


2] 


ihf  rocks  and  other  ik'posits  of  \  ander- 
burgh  cou^t^■  arranged  in  the  order  of  their 
sequence  in  age,  beginning  with  the  more 
recent  and  the  superior : 

Ft.       Ft.   In. 


2   to 


20  to      2- 


1.  Ruff,    brown,     red     and 

mottled  slabs 

2.  Merom    sandstone,  soft, 

shaly,  upper  di\ision.  . 

3.  Merom   sandstone,   mas- 

sive, in   quarry  beds. . 

4.  Dark  gray  or  buff  shales 

and  flaggy  sandstones 
with  chu-  iron   stone .  . 

3.  BRO^v^•    Impure   Co.\l, 

3rd  rash  coal i  V^  to 

4.  Flaggy  on  thick  bedded 

sandstone,  ripple 
marked 9  to 

5.  Hard,  clinky,  gray  lime- 

stone, at  bottom  irreg- 
ular and  sometimes 
flint}',  passing  to  the 
west  to  a  calcareous 
shale 2  to 

6.  Argillaceous    shale    and 

shaly  sandstone 34  to 

7.  Black    slate     with      tlsh 

spines  and  fossils ly,  io 

o  to 


10  to     30     ol  18. 


19. 


20. 


21. 


22. 


8.  Second  Rash  Co.\i.  . 

9.  Fire  clay 


14 


12 
o 


10.  Gra\-  shale 

11.  Limestone,    yellow    fer- 

ruginous  

1 1 .  Gray  shale 98  to 

12.  First  R.vsii  Co.\i.,  and 

black  slate 

Fire-cia}- 

Soft,  flaggy,  blue,  buff 
and  gra}-  sandstone, 
with  much  gray  shale 
and  beds  of  cla\'  iron- 
stone and  nodules ....      60  to  i  2  r 


15- 


Yellow    and   gra\-   sand- 


Ft.      Ft.   In. 
stone,       often      gi\ing 

good  quarry  beds ....      1 5  to     29     o 

16.   Gray  and  buff   alluvium, 

arenaceous    or    shaly. 

or    flaggy     sandstone, 

o  with  iron  stone  nodules 

and    shaly   concretions      29  to       80 

o'  17.   Black  slate  or  clod,  with 

I  fossils I     O 

Coal  N,  choice,  gassy, 
caking 2      3 

Fire-claw      at       bottom 
10  to     20     o              shaly,  with  iron    balls.  5     "^ 

Buff  or  gray  limestone 
with    Cha:tetes 8  to       5     O 

Gray  or  white  shale, 
with  nodules  of  iron- 
stone and  bands  of 
sandstone .30  to    40     o 

Siliceous  shale,  passing 
to  massive  sand  rock 
to  south  and  west;  al- 
luvial rock?  of  Les- 
quereux  and  Owen.  .  .      60  to    71     o 

Black  slate  or  clod,  with 
many  alluvial  and  veg- 
etable fossils 2  to       I      8 

Ingle.sideCoai.  M:  lam- 
inated coal,  I  ft.  4  in.; 
parting  2  in.  to  o;  solid 
cubic  coal  2  ft.  8  in.  .  .  4     O 

25.  Fire-clay 4     <> 

26.  Fire-clay,  with  pyrite 
balls .1     ^ 

27.  Siliceous  shale n      9 

28.  Arjfillaceous  sandstone.  5     o 

29.  Gray  siiale  and  soaji 
stone 64     5 

30.  Soapstone,  with  plant  re- 
mains    o     3 

31.  C().\i-J>:  impure  canncl 
coal,  I  ft.  6  in.;  pyrit- 
ous  argillite,  i  ft.  4  in.; 


I  to 
6  to 


to 


0  to 

1  to 


23- 


o[  24. 

3 
o 
o 


nEOLOGY. 


Ft.      Ft.  In. 
slaty  cannel,  i  ft.  2  in.: 
free  burning  coal,  i  ft. 

3  in 5     3 

32.   Fire-clay 2     6 

(Extra-limital.) 

34.  Siliceous      shales      and 

coarse  massive  ferru- 
ginous  sandstone  ....      90  to  120     o 

35.  Best  limestone  and  black 

slate 2  to      8     o 

36.  Co.\i-    K,   caking,  pyrit- 

ous o  to       I     6 

37.  Laminated  fire-cla\'.  ...        2  to       14 

38.  Siliceous  and   black  alu- 

minous shales,  with 
rich  bands  and  pockets 
of  nodular  iron  ore.  .  .      10  to     30     o 

39.  Conglomerate   sandrock   no  to  180     o 

40.  Coal  A 3  to      o     o 

41.  Dark     or     black     shale, 

with  iron  ore 30  to       5     O 

42.  Chester    sandstone    and 

sub-carboniferous  lime- 
stone         o  to       o     o 

Total 837     8 

The  beds  Nos.  3  to  14  of  the  above  sec- 
tion, including  two  or  three  thin  seams  of  rash 
coal,  and  two  strata  of  limestone,  each  of 
two  to  eight  feet  thick,  occupy  the  hill-tops 
in  the  northeastern  parts,  and  thence  dipping 
to  the  southwest  are  found  at  or  near  the 
level  of  the  streams  in  that  part  of  the  county. 
These  beds  are  a  notable  geologic  horizon. 
Besides  the  advantage  of  the  stone,  which 
is  burned  for  the  lime,  they  form  an  unmis- 
takable directrix  from  which  to  measure 
down  to  the  probable  level  of  the  lower 
workable  coals.  The  limestones  Nos.  5  ;ind 
II,  at  their  northeastern  outcrop,  are  hard 
and  clinky,  and  are  frequentl}'  brought  close 
together  or  found  in  contact.  Thev  are 
found  in  such  contact  in  the  sides  of  the  bold 


bluff  on  the  north  of  the  Pigeon  valley.  In 
Perry  township  there  are  several  limekilns, 
at  which  the  stone  has  been  quarried  and 
burned.  On  the  West  Franklin  road  there 
is  outcrop  of  flinty  limerock,  which  has  been  a 
noted  curiosity  with  geologists  who  have  made 
this  region  famous  b}'  their  labors.  It  seems 
here  that  the  whole  thickness  of  the  lime- 
stone had  been  transformed  into  clinky  horn- 
stone  or  Hint.  Near  there  are  three  sink- 
holes, such  as  are  common  in  the  region  of 
sub-carboniferous  limestone,  ten  to  thn^ty 
feet  in  diameter,  the  onl\-  sinks  seen  in  our 
coal  measures.  A  large  spring  discharges 
the  water  collected  by  them.  Near  Baby- 
town  hill,  crinoid  stems,  and  many  other  fos- 
sils, mostly  compressed  and  broken,  are 
found  in  profusion.  This  double  limestone 
forms  the  elevated  foundation  of  the  beautiful 
site  of  Mechanicsville,  which,  150  feet  above 
the  cit}',  has  an  unbroken  view  of  the  rich 
broad  valley,  the  i-olling  river,  and  the  dis- 
tant hills  of  Kentucky.  It  outcrops  in  the 
ra\'ines  a  little  east  of  there,  and  the  stone  is 
used  for  curbing  and  stoning  the  streets  of 
the  city.  This  stratum  rises  at  the  rate  of 
fifteen  feet  per  mile  to  the  northeast,  and  is 
a  surface  rock  two  miles  east  of  the  x'illage. 
In  Section  20,  Center  township,  it  shows  a 
face  of  seven  or  eight  feet,  and  in  cavities 
beneath  its  disturbed  edges,  rattlesnakes  and 
other  serpents  were  accustomed  to  gather 
for  miles  around  to  hibernate.  The  lime- 
stone caps  a  bald  peak  on  the  McCutcheon 
farm  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county, 
which  commands  one  of  the  finest  outlooks 
in  the  state,  embracing  the  hills  and  knobs 
round  about  at  a  distance  of  fifteen  to  twent\' 
miles.  In  all  adjoining  regions,  these  lime- 
stones contain  a  multitude  of  fossils  in  great 
variety,  the  assignment  of  which  to  the 
proper  geological  period  has  given  rise  to 
bitter  personal  quarrels  between  eminent 
scientists.     The   dispute    is    as    to    whether 


G ESKUA  h    FK.  1  TURKS. 


23 


tht'\'  ai\'  IVTiiiian  or  Cirboiiiferems.  and 
e(|ui\alL'iit  beds  in  the  West  liax'i'  been 
named  Permo-earboniferous  as  a  sorl  of 
coinproniise.  In  this  count\'  these  limestones, 
lhoUL;h  often  crowded  and  ahnost  wholly 
composed  of  fossils,  as  Athvris,  Spirifer  Ini- 
eatus  and  Lophophyllum  proliferum,  do  not 
afford  good  cabinet  specimens. 

The  coals,  Nos.  ,^,  S,  12,  are  L;enerall\-  ali- 
sent  and  never  persistent  o\'er  considerable 
areas.  Thev  are  impure,  thin,  and  of  no 
importance. 

The  tiiin  lire-cla\s,  Xos.  9,  13,  are  of 
much  ^^reater  \Ldue,  as  ihev  are  unctuous 
and  plastic,  and  work  well  for  pottery  and 
terra  cotta. 

No.  14  is  a  soft  sandstone  fotind  in  the 
upper  part  of  Ingleside  shaft,  in  the  beds  and 
bluffs  of  Pigeon  creek,  and  thence  northeast 
along  the  brooks  and  creeks.  It  is  some- 
what quarried  for  rough  masonrw  The 
yellow  and  gray  sandstone.  No.  15,  is  ex- 
posed only  in  the  east  and  northeast  and  is 
well  down  the  Ewmsville  shafts.  There  is 
an  extensive  bed  in  the  northeast  corner  of 
Knight  township,  from  which  excellent  stone 
is  taken. 

Coal  N,  No.  19  of  the  section,  is  the  next 
stratum  of  commercial  importance,  and  it  is 
a  choice,  gassy  coal,  of  excellent  quality. 
This  is  equal  to  the  best  western  coal  for  gas 
and  coking,  and  though  the  seam  will  a\er- 
age  but  little  over  two  feet,  yet  its  purity 
and  richness  in  \-olatile  matter  will  justifx 
mining  it.  The  seam  is  uniformh-  persistent 
throughout  this  region,  and  is  locally  known 
as  "  Little  Newburg  coal."'  The  chemical 
analysis  of  this  coal  shows  53  per  cent,  of 
fixed  carbon,  gas  41.5,  water  3.  ash  2.5. 
Coke,  55-5-  Meat  units,  S090.  Specific 
gravity,  1.242.  Weight  of  one  cubit-  foot, 
77.62  pounds. 

No.  20,  a  limestone,  is  not  exposed  in  the 
county,  but  along  tiie  count\-  line  in  Warrick 


it  outcrops,  and  is  remarkable  for  the  won- 
derful size  of  the  fossil  Lophophyllum  pro- 
liferum and  the  great  profusion  of  the  coral, 
Chcvteles.  The  siliceous  shale  and  sand- 
stone. No.  22,  is  not  seen  at  the  surface,  but 
is  important  along  Green  river.  No.  23 
carries  a  large  number  of  beautiful  and  well 
preser\e(l  fossils,  a  list  of  which  W(.)uld  be 
too   lengtliN'  for  space  liere. 

No.  24  is  tin'  Ingleside  coal  AT,  or  •'  Main 
Newburg,"  the  chief  mineral  resource  of 
this  region.  This  seam  has  been  pierced  at 
mati\-  places,  and  at  almost  every  station  it 
has  shown  a  thickness  of  not  less  than  four 
feet.  It  is  a  .strong  coking  coal,  burns  to 
gra\-  or  red  ash,  and  is  an  excellent  fuel  for 
steam  or  grate  use,  and  commands  a  ready 
market.  It  drives  the  wheels  of  commerce, 
pulls  the  mighty  railroad  trains,  and  gives 
energv  to  the  thousand  arms  and  fingers  of 
iron  which  manufacture,  with  the  strength  of 
a  million  giants,  the  wealth  of  this  favored  city 
and  county.  It  underlies  two-thirds,  if  not  the 
whole  count\-.  Such  a  mine  of  wealth  will 
endure  for  ages,  and  assures  for  this  county 
an  enviable  prosperity  and  progress.  From 
it   can  be   produced  a  c(jke  of  great  value. 

An  analvsis  of  a  specimen  from  the  middle 
of  the  Ingleside  seam  shows:  fixed  carbon 
48.5  per  cent.,  gas  42.  water  3.5,  ash  6. 
Coke  54.50.  Heat  units,  7772.  Specific 
cravitv  1-275.  Weight  of  one  cubic  foot, 
79. 68  pounds. 

Nos.  25  and  26,  are  fire-clays,  and  will  be 
extensivelv  used  for  terra  cotta.  Below 
coal  M  we  find  the  noted  phenomenon 
of  massive  limestones  in  the  coal  measures. 
Thev  are  highlv  argillaceous,  little  more 
than"  clay  shale,  even  the  tough  blue  sand- 
stone leadily  yields  to  air  and  moisture. 
No.  30  is  the  "  fern  bed,"  a  deposit  rich  in 
leaves  and  stems  of  the  plants  of  the  coal 
ace.  Here  are  found  kidnev  ironstones,  en- 
closing  plants  and  fruits. 


GEOLOGY. 


Coal  L,  No.  31,  is  a  characteristic  Indiana 
coal.  It  is  a  laminated,  semi-caking  or  free 
burning  coal,  rich  in  carbon,  and  yielding  a 
gray  or  white  ash,  with  little  or  no  cinder. 
It  is  the  most  persistent  coal  of  the  Wabash 
basin  in  thickness,  regularity  and  good  ([uali- 
ties.  Here  it  is  found  when  pierced  to  be 
of  an  average  thickness  of  only  two  feet, 
which  will  hardly  justify  mining  at  present. 
It  is  admirably  suited  for  rolling  mill,  loco- 
motive and  stove  use. 

Below  Coal  L  a  hard,  ferruginous  sand- 
stone has  been  pierced  by  bores,  tills  a  con- 
siderable space,  and  below  it  is  the  limestone 
superimposing  Coal  K,  sometimes  flint}-,  but 
on  the  Kentucky  side  carrying  the  usual  fos- 
sils. 

Coal  K,  magnificently  exhibited  in  Pike 
county,  is  not  seen  here.  In  bores  along  the 
Ohio  river  it  never  de\elops  a  thickness  of 
two  feet,  and  is  generally  thinner.  Below  K 
are  beds  of  black  shale  often  called  coal  in 
the  reports  of  bores,  but  no  thick  or  worka- 
ble seams  may  be  expected  at  this  depth. 
No.  39,  a  coarse,  red  sandstone  conglomer- 
ate, forms  the  bottom  rock  or  bed  of  the 
Coal  measures.  It  is  only  pierced  bv  the 
Crescent  City  Park  bore,  llie  sub-con- 
glomerate coal  A,  is  onl\'  known  by  report, 
and  its  existence  here  is  (juite  doubtful.  It 
is  certain  that  the  deepest  bores  report  beds 
of  sandstone  and  limestone  which  are  re- 
ferred to  the  Chester  beds  of  the  sub-car- 
boniferous period.  This  closes  a  connected 
view  of  the  surface  phenomena  and  rock\- 
structure  of  the  county. 

Near  Evansville  the  surface  rocks  are  the 
soft  blue,  buff  and  gray  sandstones  passing 
into  argillaceous  shales.  No  14  of  general 
section.  In  this  bed  the  Ingleside  shaft  in 
the  west  suburb  of  Evansville  was  begun, 
piercing  in  its  depth  the  lower  rash  coal  and 
shales,  and  N,  M  and  L,  in  succession. 
The  following  is  the  section  in  detail: 


S, 

9 
10 
II 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16, 

17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 

23 

24 


26. 


SECTION'    IN  INGLESIDK  SHAFT. 

Ft.  In. 

Chw  and  alluvial  sand 29  o 

Clay  and  shale 61  o 

Slatv  coal  and  flre-clay 3  o 

Sandrock 4  6 

Siliceous  clay   shales 12  9 

vShale  and  iron  stones 5  S 

Fire-cla\- 10 

Ferriferous  sandstone 7  9 

Fire-cla}'  with  sand  and  iron.  .  .  12  3 

Sandstone  (ferriferous  ) 12  i 

I  o 


Shale 

Sandstone  

Coal  N,  (Little  Newburg  1 .  . 
Fire-cla V  with  iron  balls  .... 

Limestone 

Fire-clay  parting 

Limestone 4    6 

Gray  shale,  black  at  bottom ....    8310 
Coal  M,  (Main  Newburg ) ....      4     2 

Fire-clay 4    o 

Fire-clav  with   p\  rite 3     8 

Siliceous  shale 11     9 

Argillaceous   sandstone 5     o 

Gray  shale  (soapstone) 64     5 

Soapstone  ( fern    bed) 3 

Coal  L:  Impure  cannel,   i   ft.  6 

in. :  p\ritous   argillite,   i    ft.    4 

in.:  slaty    cannel,    i    ft.  -2  in.; 

semi-caking   coal,  i    ft.  3  in.  . 

Fire-cla}- 


2  II 

5  « 
5  o 
2    6 


5    3 


362    8 

In  the  l^lack  shale  which  forms  the  roof 
!  of  this  mine,  are  tine  fossils  including  Pro- 
'  ductus,  three  species,  Bellerophon,  two 
species,  Aviculopecten,  two  species,  Pleuro- 
tomaria,  two  species,  Macrocheilus,  two 
species,  and  a  Goniatite.  The  coal  in  the 
mine  and  accompan\ing  rocks  is  as  follows: 

I  Argillaceous  limestone,  ]nritous.    i  ft.     4  in. 
I  Black  slate   (shale  j i  ft.    4  in. 


GENERAL  FEATURES. 


Laminated  coal i  ft.     3  in. 

I'artini;- 2  in. 

Solid  cakino-  coal.  ...    2  ft.  11  in.  4  ft.     2  in. 

6  ft.  10  in. 

This  coal  ranges  from  three  feet  eight  in- 
ches to  four  feet  four  inches,  and  averages 
nearl}-  four  feet  at  this  mine.  It  is  remark- 
ably uniform  in  thickness  and  persistence. 
In  other  regions  of  the  Indiana  basin,  the 
coals  are  not  so  regular,  or  the  seams  nar- 
row and  unworkable.  One  uninterrupted 
seam  is  equal  in  avails  to  several  unreliable 
coals,  and  gives  more  certain  returns. 
When  coals  become  scarce,  as  in  England, 
the  upper  seam  (N)  ma\-  and  will  be  worked. 
The  dip  of  lower  coals,  L,  M,  N,  from  New- 
burg  via  Evansville,  along  the  center  of  the 
trough  which  gives  direction  to  the  lower 
Ohio  valley,  is  eighteen  feet  nine  inches  a 
mile,  with  many  irregularities.  Dip  to  south, 
from  northern  line  of  the  county,  is  about 
twent}'  feet  per  mile,  decreasing  to  eight  or 
ten  feet,  until  it  passes  the  central  synclinal, 
where  the  dip  is  reversed,  ascending  to  the 
south. 

THE    SAI>T    WELL. 

In  December,  1S68,  the  boring  of  a  well 
was  begun  in  what  is  now  called  "Artesian 
Springs  Park,"  in  the  Fourth  ward,  and  in 
view  of  the  recent  gas-well  developments  it 
is  interesting  to  recall  that  there  was  a  strong 
flow  of  burning  gas  from  the  upper  part  of 
the  well.  This  continued  until  salt  water 
was  struck  at  less  than  three  hundred  feet, 
and  it  is  now  a  flowing,  artesian  well.  Tlie 
section  of  this  well  is  as  follows: 

SECTION    OE    ARTESL>\N    WliLL. 

Soapstone 31 

Gray  sand  stone 2}^ 

Soapstone  and  shale 37 

Hard  graj-  sandstone i 

Slaty  coal ly^ 


Shale 6 

Gray 44  J^ 

Soft  shale 11 

Soft  gray  sandstone 18 

Hard  gray  sandstone 5 

Gray  flint? 2 

Dark  gray  sandstone 62 

Saltwater 

Hard  black  shale 

(coal?)   73 

Gray  sandstone 65 

Flint 6 

Hard  gray  shale 5 

Hard  argillaceous  sandstone 34 

Gray  shales  (soapstone) 55 

Coal  (L?) 1% 

Gray  shale  and   sandstone 134 

Dark    sandstone,    with     salt    water 

flowing  seven  gallons  per  minute .  5 

Hard  pure  sandstone  conglomerate..  50 

Coal  and  slate y^ 

Soapstone 10 

Coal  (A?)  and  slate ii^^ 

Fire-clay J^ 

682 
Surface 17 

Total 699 

At  Avondale,  the  preliminary  bore,  be- 
fore the  sinking  of  the  shaft,  showed  the 
following  section: 

SECTION    IN    AVOND.-\LE    BORE. 

Ft.  In. 

Surface 9  6 

Blue  clay 30  6 

Gray  sand 2  6 

Blue  mud,  ij^uicksand 22  3 

Gravel,  sand  and  shells 6  o 

Fire-clay  and  sand 28  3 

Gravel  and  sand i  o 

Sandstone 2  o 

Fire-cla}' 2  9 

Sandstone 11  o 


S6 


GEOLOGY. 


Fire-clay 7    9 

Sandstone 7    o 

Fire-clay  with  pebbles 2    8 

Siliceous  clay i    o 

Sandstone  with  iron  balls 72    o 

Concretion i  10 

Sandstone 36  10 

Rock  slate 6    o 

Black  slate 2  10 

Coal 4    o 

256  9 
Clay  for  bricks  is  found  abundantly 
throughout  the  count}',  and  the  tjuality  is 
good.  The  modified  clays  of  the  valley 
lands,  and  the  under  clay  of  the  coals  furnish 
an  article  suitable  for  crockery,  terra  cotta 
and     stone-ware.      Iron     ores    are     found 


throughout  the  coal  measures.  Nodular 
iron  of  good  qualitj'  occurs  just  above  and 
below  the  horizon  of  coal  N.  But  it  will  not 
pay  to  work.  The  largest  deposit  is  at  Priest's 
bluff,  where  several  car  loads  are  exposed 
at  low  water.  Very  minute  scales  of  gold 
and  nuggets  of  copper  are  sometimes  found, 
but  they  are  importations  of  the  glacial 
drift.  Sand  of  an  excellent  kind  is  pro- 
duced by  the  disintegration  of  the  Merom 
sandstone.  There  are  no  gravel  beds  like 
those  of  Northern  Indiana  here,  but  in  the  bed 
of  the  Ohio,  and  below  low  water  generally, 
are  extensive  deposits  of  ferruginous  chert, 
brought  down  from  further  up  the  river, 
and  this  material  is  one  of  the  best  known 
for  metaling  pikes  and  streets.  It  forms  a 
compact,  smooth  and  slightly  elastic  surface. 


CHAPTER  II. 


Indian  History — The  Mound  Builders — Their  Earthworks  and  Mounds  —  The 
Indian  Tribes — Wabash  Land  Company  —  The  Treaty  ok  1805  —  Captivity 
AND  Adventures  of  Isaac  Knight. 


'  NTIQUITIES  01-  ancient  earthworks 
exist  in  this  county  —  isolated  or 
clustered  mounds  and  pits,  which  re- 
quired for  their  building  the  persistent  labor 
of  a  people  with  a  combined  purpose  under 
intellij^ent  direction.  Their  locations  are 
healthy  and  picturesque  stations,  convenient 
to  water,  generally  close  to  river  transporta- 
tion, in  fertile  lands,  and  with  a  wide  out- 
look to  the  east;  characteristics  so  constant 
as  to  indicate  a  design,  and  indistinctly  to 
reveal  something  of  the  religion,  govern- 
ment and  habits  of  a  mysterious  and  unknown 
race.  Of  these  remains  the  Indians  with 
whom  the  earliest  explorers  communicated 
had  no  apparent  knowledge,  and  the  noma- 
dic habits  of  the  red  men  seem  to  prove  the 
distinct  nature  of  the  Mound-builders.  The 
opinions  of  scientitic  men  vary  greatly  in  re- 
<rard  to  the  origin  and  fate  of  these  myste- 
rious  people.  Some  even  question  their 
variance  either  in  ver^-  remote  time  or  in 
kindred  from  the  Indian,  while  others  go  to 
fanciful  lengths  in  describing  then-  probable 
origin  and  progress  in  civilization.  The 
main  trend  of  theory  is,  however,  that  they 
came  as  did  many  of  our  plants,  from  the 
north,  and  the  tlieory  premises  a  C(Minection 
in  past  ages  between  the  continents  of  Asia 
and  America  at  the  point  where  they  are 
now  but  little  separated,  and  a  climate  which 
made  tlie  northern  regions  a  much  more  at- 
tractive path  than  it  is  now  for  the  transfer 
of  population. 

The  free  copper  found  within  the  tumuli 


of  the  mound-builders,  the  open  veins  of 
the  Superior  and  Iron  Mountain  copper- 
mines,  with  all  the  iiiodiis  operandi  of  ancient 
mining,  such  as  ladders,  levers,  chisels,  and 
hammer-heads,  discovered  by  the  French  ex- 
plorers of  the  Northwest  and  the  INIississippi, 
are  conclusive  proofs  that  those  prehistoric 
people  were  more  civilized  than  the  Indians. 

One  of  the  most  brilliant  and  impartial  his- 
torians of  the  Republic  stated  that  the  valley 
of  the  Mississippi  contained  no  monuments. 
So  far  as  the  word  is  interpreted  now,  he 
was  literall}'  correct,  but  he  neglected  to 
qualify  his  sentence  by  a  reference  to  the 
numerous  massy  piles  of  antiquity  to  be 
found  throughout  its  length  and  breadth. 
The  valley  of  the  Father  of  Waters,  and 
indeed,  the  country  from  the  trap  rocks  of 
the  Great  Lakes  southeast  to  the  Gulf  and 
southwest  to  Mexico,  abound  in  tell-tale 
monuments  of  a  race  of  people  which  must 
liave  rivaled  in  civilization  the  Montezumas 
of  the  sixteenth  century.  The  remains  of 
walls  and  fortifications  found  in  Ohio,  Ken- 
tucky and  Indiana,  the  earthworks  of  Vin- 
cennes  and  throughout  the  valley  of  the 
Wabash,  the  mounds  scattered  over  Ala- 
bama, Florida,  Georgia  and  Virginia,  and 
those  found  in  Illinois,  Wisconsin  and  Minne- 
sota, are  all  evidences  of  a  race  which  the 
red  man  swept  awaj'  as  he  has  in  turn  been 
almost  supplanted  by  us. 

Several  isolated  mounds  were  found  on 
the  bluffs,  130  to  170  feet  above  the  Ohio, 
at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  county,  near 

{21) 


28 


INDIAN  HISTORY. 


West  Franklin.  The  implements  of  stone 
and  potter}'  discovered  here  were  of  artistic 
execution.  A  celt  (hand-axe)  of  flint,  was 
polished  like  the  Danish  celts  (unusual  in 
America,  if  not  unique),  also  a  granitic 
hand-axe  with  beveled  edges.  A  cluster  of 
mounds  of  great  interest  was  observed  near 
McCutcheon  school-house,  two  and  a  half 
miles  northeast  of  Inglefield,  twelve  miles 
from  Evansville,  about  twent3'-flve  in  num- 
ber. They  were  scattered  over  fiftv  or 
more  acres,  and  covered  with  forest  and 
bush.  They  are  2  to  6  feet  in  height,  and 
20  to  60  feet  in  diameter.  On  the  adjoining 
Hillyard  farm  were  two  pits  or  excavations 
now  partially  filled.  One  of  them  was  60 
feet  in  diameter,  and  at  first  settlement,  20 
feet  deep.  The  second  was  15  feet  in  diam- 
eter, and  4  feet  deep,  apparentl}*  for  under- 
ground homes  or  for  water.  A  constant 
spring  —  rare  in  this  vicinity  —  seems  to  have 
invited  the  mound-builders  to  this  elevated 
and  commanding  point,  which  is  a  promon- 
tory of  the  dividing  ridge  which  separates 
the  watershed  of  the  Wabash  from  that  of 
the  Ohio.  The  outlook  embraces  the  wide 
flat  valley  of  Blue  Grass  creek,  and  the  dis- 
tant mound-capped  knobs  in  the  horizon. 
The  excavations  probabh'  existed  first  as  sink 
holes  through  the  underlying  limestone,  and 
were  afterward  shaped  for  human  use,  but 
this  can  onl}'  be  determined  by  careful  ex- 
amination. One  of  the  mounds  here  was 
opened,  and  was  found  to  contain  ashes, 
shells,  bones  and  pottery,  indicating  a  mound 
of  habitation.  Many  relics,  well  wrought 
in  stone,  were  found  in  this  vicinitv.  The 
extreme  northeastern  corner  of  the  county 
was  a  favorite  resort  of  the  pre-historic 
races.  Mr.  John  B.  Locke  collected  some 
interesting  stone  relics  on  his  farm,  found  on 
a  knoll  in  a  small  mound,  including  a  sand- 
stone pipe  or  calumet  in  shape  of  a  bear's 
head,  ears  erect,  mouth  distinct,  and   claws 


folded  as  if  hibernating;  also  a  medicine 
tube  of  Alabama  talc,  three  and  one-half 
inches  long,  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  di- 
ameter at  the  "  mouth-piece,"  nearly  two 
inches  at  the  opposite  end,  with  a  constric- 
tion above  the  middle,  with  the  bottom  edge 
serrate;  also  flattened  discs  of  sandstone.  A 
bed  of  whitish  clay  is  found  here  at  the 
western  extremitv  of  a  ridge  600  feet  lonof 
by  200  from  north  to  south.  In  front  of  this 
is  an  area,  the  surface  level  and  apparently 
paved  with  plastic  clav  500  bv  200  feet, 
probably  a  "Chungke  play-grourid,"  with 
council  chamber,  where  the  relics  were  ob- 
tained. On  this  play-ground  a  set  of  six 
"Chungke"  stones  were  found,  from  three 
to  four  inches  in  diameter,  two  inches  thick, 
with  a  concavity  in  each  side  like  the  quoit 
or  discus  of  the  Olympian  games.  Sur- 
rounding or  at  the  edges,  spear  and  arrow 
points  and  "flint  chips"  have  been  noticed; 
This  "Chungke"  ground  is  now  a  field  in 
cultivation.  At  an  early  day  it  was  covered 
with  a  growth  of  trees,  none  over  400  years 
of  age  —  3'oungsters  compared  with  the  sur- 
rounding forest  —  indicating  that  this  area 
had  been  used  within  1,000  years.  At  an 
arrow  factory  on  T.  B.  McCutcheon's  land 
adjoining,  flint  "chips"  in  quantity  were 
found,  also  flint  splinters  two  or  three  inches 
long  and  perfect  as  if  cut  with  a  knife.  Some 
interesting  mounds  were  found  in  and  ad- 
joining the  village  of  Millersburg.  They 
were  composed  in  part  of  sand. 

At  the  extreme  southeastern  corner  of  the 
count}-,  extending  across  the  line  into  War- 
rick, is  one  of  the  most  interesting  earth- 
works.  Angell's  mound,  southeast  quarter 
Section  31,  Town  6,  Range  9,  is  a  wonder. 
It  is  a  symmetrical  cone  rising  up  from  the 
level  plain  to  a  height  of  50  feet,  and  only 
300  feet  in  diameter.  It  seems  almost  too 
imposing  to  be  attributed  to  the  puny  arm  of 
man.    Many  smaller  mounds,  but  larger  than 


THE  MOUXD  BUILDERS. 


29 


the  gciici-al  averai^^c,  are  located  on  the  Gen. 
Lane  farm,  adjoining  the  Angell  on  the  east. 
In  this  neighborhood  were  found  \ases,  jars, 
jugs,  implement  handles,  images  of  duck  and 
owl  heads,  liuman  faces  and  hands,  spindle 
whirls,  pipes  and  buttons,  made  in  pottery; 
also  buttons  of  cannel  coal,  and  axes,  hoes, 
spades,  pestles,  grinders,  celts,  arrow  and 
s]iear  points  of  stone.  Gras'es  of  savage 
Indians  are  discovered  through  the  county, 
sometimes  intruders  upon  the  mounds,  but 
shallow  and  carelessly  made. 

Ossuaries  or  bone  vaults  have  been  dis- 
covered a  few  miles  west  of  Evansville. 
They  are  isolated  or  often  intrusive  on  the 
mounds.  They  contain  the  bones  of  all  a 
nation's  dead  for  a  certain  length  of  time, 
generally  seven  years,  collected  from  tempo- 
rary places  of  deposit  at  the  midsummer 
season  of  cheerless  fasting  and  mourning, 
cleaned,  bleached  and  deposited  in  walled 
vaults  covered  with  flat  stones  and  earth. 
Older  than  the  Indian  period,  and  later  than 
the  mound-builders,  they  belong  to  an  inter- 
mediate littoral  or  riparian  race,  who  retained 
some  of  the  reliirion  and  art  of  their  dis- 
possessed  predecessors,  but  their  coarse, 
crude  implements  and  pottery  show  that 
they  were  far  below  them  in  the  scale  of 
progress,  being  closely  allied  to  the  Natchez 
and  Choctaws  of  De  Solo's  expedition. 

Iiidiiiiif. —  Upon  the  first  introduction  of 
Europeans  among  the  primitive  inhabitants 
of  this  country,  it  was  the  prevailing  opinion 
among  the  white  people  that  the  \ast  do- 
main since  designated  as  the  American  con- 
tinent, was  peopled  by  one  common  family, 
of  like  habits  and  speaking  the  same  lan- 
guage. The  error,  however,  was  soon  dis- 
pelled by  observation,  which  at  the  same 
time  established  the  fact  of  a  great  diversit\- 
in  characteristics,  language  and,  physical  de- 
velopment, upon  which  basis  the  race  was 
found  to  be  divided  into  many  distinct  tribes. 


Among  tribes  that  owned  or  occupied 
that  portion  of  Indiana,  known  as  the 
"  pocket,"  of  which  Vanderburgh  county  is 
a  part,  were  the  Miamis,  Piankeshaws,  Dela- 
wares,  Wyandotts  and  Shawanees. 

At  the  time  of  the  first  white  exploration 
of  the  northwest  territory,  all  that  portion 
now  included  within  the  boundaries  of  In- 
diana, was  claimed  by  the  Miami  confedera- 
tion of  Indians.  The  boundaries  of  the 
territor}-  claimed  by  the  Miamis,  was  de- 
scribed b\'  Little  Turtle,  a  distinguished 
Miami  chief,  at  the  treaty  of  Greenville  in 
1795.  Addressing  Gen.  Wayne,  he  said: 
"  You  have  pointed  out  to  us  the  boundary 
line  between  the  Indians  and  the  United 
States;  but  I  now  take  the  liberty  to  inform 
you  that  that  line  cuts  off  from  the  Indians 
a  large  portion  of  the  country  which  has 
been  enjoyed  by  mj'  forefathers  from  time 
immemorial,  without  molestation  or  dispute. 
The  print  of  my  ancestors'  houses  are  every- 
where to  be  seen  in  this  portion.  It  is  well 
known  by  all  my  brothers  present,  that  mj^ 
forefather  kindled  the  lirst  fire  at  Detroit; 
from  thence  he  extended  his  line  to  the  head- 
waters of  the  Scioto;  from  thence  to  its 
mouth;  from  thence  down  the  Ohio,  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Wabash ;  from  thence  to  Chi- 
cago, on  Lake  Michigan." 

Many  years  prior  to  the  date  of  this  an- 
nouncement by  Chief  Little  Turtle,  how- 
ever, it  will  be  seen  by  the  following 
transaction,  that  the  land  now  included  within 
the  bounds  of  \'anderburgh  count}-  was  rec- 
ognized by  the  whites  as  belonging  to  the 
Piankeshaw  Indians.  "Intheyear  1775,  '  says 
Dillon,  "  after  the  expedition  of  Lord  Dun- 
more  against  the  Shawanees,  Louis  \'iviat, 
a  merchant  of  the  Illinois  countr\-,  com- 
menced a  negotiation  with  the  Piankeshaw 
Indians,  for  the  purchase  of  two  large  dis- 
tricts of  country  l3"ing  upon  the  borders  of 
the  river   Waba-sh."     Viviat    acted    as    the 


30 


INDIAN  HISTORY. 


a<rent  of  an  association  known  as  the  "  Wa- 
bash  Land  Company.,"  and  at  Post  Vin- 
cennes,  on  the  iSth  day  of  October,  i775) 
he  obtained  from  eleven  Piankeshaw  chiefs 
a  deed  from  which  the  provisions  relative  to 
the  territor}'  of  Vanderburgh  count}-  are 
taken :  "  Know  ye,  that  we,  the  chiefs  and 
sachems  of  the  Piankeshaw  nation,  in  full 
and  public  council  assembled,  at  the  town  or 
village  of  Post  Saint  Vincent  (Vincennes), 
for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  five 
shillings,  to  us  in  hand,  paid  bj'  the  said 
Louis  Viviat,  and  for  and  in  consideration  of 
the  following  goods  and  merchandise,  to  us. 
Tobacco,  Montour,  La  Grand  Couette  Oua- 
ouaijao,  Tabac,  Jr.,  La  Mouche  Noire  or 
the  Black  Fly,  Le  Maringonin,  or  Musquito, 
Le  Petit  Castor,  or  the  Little  Beaver,  Kies- 
(^uitiehies,  Grelot,  Sen.  and  Jr.,  for  the  use 
of  the  several  tribes  of  our  nation  well  and 
truly  delivered  in  full  council  aforesaid,  that 
is  to  say:  Four  hundred  blankets,  twenty- 
two  pieces  of  shroud,  two  hundred  and  tiftv 
shirts,  twelve  gross  of  star  gartering,  one 
hundred  and  twenty  pieces  of  ribbon,  twen- 
ty-four pounds  of  Vermillion,  eighteen  pairs 
velvet  laced  housings,  one  piece  of  matton, 
fifty-two  fusils,  thirt\--five  dozen  large  buck- 
horn-handle  knives,  forty  dozen  couteau 
knives,  five  hundred  pounds  of  brass  kettles, 
ton  thousand  gunflints,  six  hundred  pounds 
of  gunpowder,  two  pounds  of  lead,  four 
hundred  pounds  of  tobacco,  forty  bushels  of 
salt,  three  thousand  pounds  of  flour,  three 
horses;  also  the  following  quantities  of  sil- 
verware, viz.:  eleven  very  large  arm  bands, 
forty  wrist  bands,  six  whole  moons,  six  half 
moons,  nine  earwheels,  forty-six  large 
crosses,  twenty-nine  hairpipes,  sixty  pairs  of 
earbobs,  twenty  dozen  small  crosses,  twentv 
dozen  nose  crosses,  and  one  hundred  and 
ten  dozen  brooches,  the  receipt  whereof  we 
do  herebv  acknowled<>:e."' 

in  consideration  of  the  above  named  mer- 


chandise and  mone}-  two  several  tracts  or 
parcels  of  land  were  granted  and  transferred 
to  said  Wabash  Land  Company.  The  tract 
in  which  the  land  now  comprising  Vander- 
burgh count}',  was  included,  was  described 
as  follows :  That  tract  or  parcel  of  land  situ- 
ated, lying,  and  being  on  both  sides  of  the 
Ouabache  river  (Wabash)  beginning  at 
the  mouth  of  White  river,  where  it  empties 
into  the  Ouabache  river  (about  twelve 
leagues  below  Post  St.  Vincent),  thence 
down  Ouabache  river,  bv  several  courses 
thereof,  until  it  empties  into  the  Ohio  river, 
being  from  the  said  White  river  to  the  Ohio 
fifty-three  leagues  in  length,  with  forty 
leagues  in  length  or  breadth  on  east  side, 
and  thirty  leagues  in  width  or  breadth  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Ouabache  river  afore- 
said. 

The  two  tracts  of  which  the  forecoinor  is 
the  larger  comprised  m  all  37,497,600  acres, 
and  these  lands  were  so  far  as  the  Indians  had 
any  right  to  sell  to  a  company  or  individuals,  in 
possession  of  this  company  for  many  years ; 
but  congress  after  numerous  petitions  from 
the  company,  the  last  of  which  was  made  in 
iSio,  refused  to  confirm  the  claim. 

The  Piankeshaws  held  possession  of  the 
southwest  part  of  the  state  until  1768,  when 
the}-  gave  to  the  Delawares  that  portion 
now  included  in  the  counties  of  Gibson, 
Posey,  \'anderburgh.  Pike,  Warrick,  Spen- 
cer and  a  part  of  Perry,  and  the  right  of 
the  Delawares  to  sell  this  land  was  ac- 
knowledged bv  the  Pottawatomie,  Miami, 
Eel  river  and  Wea  tribes  by  the  5th  article 
of  the  treaty  concluded  at  Vincennes,  Au- 
gust 18, 1804.  If,  however,  the  Piankeshaw 
tribe  had  any  just  claim  to  the  territory  it 
was  relinquished  in  treaty  between  said  tribe 
and  the  United  States,  proclaimed  Feb- 
ruary 5,  1S05:  Article  i.  The  Piankeshaw 
tribe  relinquishes  and  cedes  to  the  United 
States  forever  all  the  tract  of  country  which 


WABASH  LAXD  COMPAXY. 


SI 


lies  between  the  Ohio  and  Wabash  rivers, 
and  below  Clark's  grant,  and  tlie  tract  called 
the  Vincennes  tract,  which  was  ceded  b_y 
the  treaty  of  Ft.  Wa3'ne,  and  a  line  con- 
necting said  tract  and  grant,  to  be  drawn 
parallel  to  the  general  course  of  the  road 
leading  from  Vincennes  to  the  Falls  of  the 
Ohio,  so  as  not  to  pass  more  than  a  half  a 
mile  to  the  northward  of  the  most  northerly 
bend  of  said  road. 

Article  3  provides  for  an  additional  annu- 
ity of  $2,000  to  be  paid  by  the  United  States 
for  ten  years. 

On  the  14th  of  the  same  month  a  treaty 
was  proclaimed  with  the  Delaware  tribe  by 
Gen.  W.  H.  Harrison,  governor  of  Indiana 
territory,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States. 
B}-  this  treaty  the  tract  described  in  Article 
I,  of  the  treaty  above  mentioned,  the  tract 
above  described  was  ceded  by  the  Dela- 
wares  to  the  United  States,  with  the  provi- 
sion that  an  additional  annuity  of  $3,000  be 
paid  by  the  United  States  to  said  Delaware 
tribe,  and  additional  sum  of  $500  was  ap- 
propriated for  the  purpose  of  teaching  them 
to  cultivate  the  soil,  etc.,  besides  delivering 
to  them  a  large  supply  of  agricultural  imple- 
ments and  domestic  animals.  By  these 
treaties  with  the  Piankeshaw  and  Delaware 
tribes,  conducted  at  Vincennes,  August  iSth 
and  27th,  1804,  and  proclaimed  February  of 
the  following  3ear,  the  last  claim  to  the  ter- 
ritor}'  of  which  \'anderburgh  county  is  a 
part,  was  forever  relinquished  by  the  red 
man.  The  land  was  soon  placed  on  the 
market  at  the  land  office  at  Post  Vincennes 
and  entries  and  settlement  soon  followed. 
Wandering  bands  of  Indians,  however, 
mostly  of  the  Shawanec  tribe,  continued  to 
wander  about  the  country,  and  until  the  close 
of  the  war  of  181 2,  would,  at  intervals  re- 
turn and  camp  along  the  streams,  for  the 
purpose  of  hunting  and  fishing.  These  In- 
dians    caused     the     settlers     considerable 


anxiet\',  and  were  constantly  pilfering  and 
stealing.  The  onl\-  incident  of  more  than 
passing  interest  which  occurred  within  what 
IS  now  the  territorv  of  ^'anderburgh  county, 
was  the  killing  by  a  band  of  Pottawatomie 
and  Kickapoo  Indians  of  Peter  Sprinkle  and 
Jacob  Upp,  and  the  capture  of  Isaac  Knight, 
George  Sprinkle  and  John  Upp.  This  oc- 
curred on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  in  what  is 
now  Union  township,  about  the  year  1793. 
The  victims,  who  at  the  time  were  all  bo\-s, 
were  residents  of  Kentucky,  but  as  one  of 
the  captives,  Isaac  Knight,  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Vanderburgh  county,  and  as  he  is  re- 
membered as  one  of  her  most  prominent 
early  settlers  and  most  respected  citizens, 
the  incident  will  be  read  with  additional  in- 
terest. The  following  is  taken  from  an  ac- 
count of  the  capture,  suffering  and  escape, 
published  in  1839,  '^^  narrated  bv  Isaac 
Knight  himself,  and  written  by  Iliram  A. 
Hunter: 

Isaac  Knight,  the  subject  of  the  follow- 
ing narrative,  was  born  in  what  was  then 
called  Washington  county,  in  Pennsvlvania; 
the  record  of  his  age  being  lost,  the  exact 
time  of  his  birth  cannot  be  ascertained. 

His  father's  name  was  John  Knight,  who 
married  Ann  Rolison,  by  whom  he  had 
seven  sons,  of  whom  Isaac  was    the    eldest. 

When  the  subject  of  this  narrative  was  a 
child,  his  father  removed,  by  water,  in  com- 
pany with  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Lawrence 
Rolison,  and  Norod  Franceway,  who  had 
married  in  the  same  family.  These  all  set- 
tled at  or  near  the  place,  now  known  by  the 
name  of  Vienna,  on  Green  river,  about 
eighty^  miles  above  its  mouth,  where,  with 
much  difficulty,  they  lived  some  years,  grind- 
ing their  corn  on  hand  mills  or  pounding  it 
in  a  mortar;  and  at  one  time  such  was  the 
difficulty  with  which  bread  stuff  was  had, 
that  Isaac's  father  bought  corn  at  the  mouth 
of  Green  River,  at  one  dollar  and  twenty- 


S2 


INDIAN  HISTORY 


five  cents  per  bushel,  and  con\'eved  it  to  his 
family  in  a  peiogue  or  canoe.  Indeed,  the 
ditiiculties  under  which  the  first  settlers  of 
that  part  of  Kentucky  labored,  were  almost 
insupportable. 

For  the  security  of  the  whites  and  their 
families,  they  were  impelled  to  build  and  re- 
sort to  forts  in  as  large  bodies  as  their  thinly 
settled  population  would  permit.  Uniting 
their  energies,  they  labored  b}-  turn  in  each 
man's  field,  one  or  more,  as  necessity  re- 
quired, standing  as  sentinel. 

During  the  season  in  which  corn  was 
making,  they  remained  in  their  forts;  but  re- 
turned to  their  lonesome  and  dangerous  re- 
treats for  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

Seldom  would  anything  short  of  abundant 
sign  of  Indian  hostilities,  drive  them  in  the 
spring  of  the  year,  from  their  homely  huts. 
It  is,  however,  perfectly  within  the  recollec- 
tion of  the  author  of  this  narrative,  that, 
when  a  boy,  he  heard  the  report  of  a  gun, 
which  killed  dead,  one  of  the  finest  men  in 
the  settlement,  and  one,  too,  who  lived  with- 
in a  few  steps  of  his  father's  door.  Mr. 
Downs,  who  was  thus  shot  by  the  Indians, 
left  a  wife  and  seven  children  to  lament  his 
untimely  death.  He  was  most  cruelly  used 
by  the  savage  butchers,  and  left  scalped  on 
the  ground. 

About  this  time  the  country  about  the 
Red  Banks,  on  the  Ohio  river,  now  known 
as  Henderson,  in  Henderson  count}',  Ken- 
tucky, began  to  be  spoken  of  as  a  most  de- 
sirable section,  and  Isaac's  father,  with  the 
rest  of  the  connection,  moved  to  that  place, 
where  they  found  a  few  families  residing. 
But  one  house  was  yet  erected — the  rest  of 
the  families  lived  in  camps.  In  removing 
to  this  place,  their  property  being  conveyed 
by  water,  e.vcept  the  stock,  Isaac,  then  a 
boy  about  nine  or  ten  years  of  age,  assisted 
in  driving  them. 

They  at  length  arri\ed  all  in  safety,  at  the 


Red  Banks,  where  even  greater  difficulties 
were  undergone  bv  settlers,  than  had  been 
endured  by  them  at  Vienna.  Here,  too, 
as  at  the  former  place,  they  cultivated  the 
soil  in  safety,  only  by  means  of  sentinels. 

About  this  time  the  small  pox  prevailed 
at  the  Red  Banks,  and  little  Isaac  \\as  vac- 
cinated with  it.  He  was,  however,  still 
under  the  necessity  of  gi\ing  more  or  less 
attention  to  his  father's  cattle,  in  cutting 
cane,  providing  food  for  them.  Accord- 
ingl}',  in  company  with  others,  he  went  fre- 
quentty  across  the  Ohio  river  in  a  canoe  to 
cut  cane.  In  one  of  those  routes,  accom- 
panied by  Peter  Sprinkle,  and  George,  his 
brother,  John  Upp,  and  Jacob,  his  brother, 
having  arrived  on  the  bank  opposite  to 
Henderson  (as  boj'S  are  naturall}'  inclined 
to  do),  they  commenced  their  sport,  running 
and  jumping  along  the  bank,  all  alike  ignor- 
ant of  their  danger,  until  from  behind  a 
blind,  which  was  made  of  cane,  cut  and 
stuck  in  the  ground,  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
cealment, eight  Indians,  six  of  whom  were 
found  to  be  Pottawatomies,  and  two  Kicka- 
poos,  came  rushing  upon  them.  In  confu- 
sion and  astonishment  the  boys  all  attempted 
to  escape.  The  eldest,  Peter  Sprinkle,  a 
j'oung  man  of  about  seventeen  or  eighteen 
years  of  age,  ran  nearly  to  the  river'  and 
was  shot  down,  three  guns  being  fired  at 
him  at  once.  Little  Jacob  Upp,  a  small  boy 
of  about  seven  j-ears  of  age,  finding  escape 
impossible,  stood  still  and  begged  for  his  life, 
crying  "Don't  kill  me,  don't  kill  me:"  but  it 
was  to  no  purpose  —  the  cruel  savages 
buried  the  tomahawk  in  his  skull,  and  put 
an  end  to  his  cries  and  his  existence. 

George  Sprinkle  and  John  Upp,  the  for- 
mer a  little  larger  and  the  latter  a  little 
smaller  than  Isaac,  were  taken  almost  on  the 
spot  where  the  Indians  were  discovered. 
When  the  author  of  this  narrative  first  saw 
the  Indians,  he  ran,  without  saying  a  word; 


ADVEXTUKES  OF  J,SJAr  KXIUIIT. 


.?J 


and  on  hearing  the  report  of  the  guns  that 
killed  Peter  Sprinkle,  he  looked  back,  and 
seeing  one  Indian  in  pursuit  of  him,  he  con- 
tinued his  race,  until,  in  a  short  time,  he  felt 
a  blow  upon  each  shoulder,  which  he  after- 
ward found  came  from  two  Indians,  instead 
of  one,  that  had  pursued  him.  Tiiese  blows 
stunned  him  so  that  he  fell,  and  in  falling  he 
lost  his  hat.  He  had  no  sooner  touched  the 
ground  than  his  savage  pursuers  had  each 
hold  of  an  arm,  lifting  him  up.  Even  in  this 
predicament  he  attempted  twice  to  reach  for 
his  hat,  but  failed  to  get  it.  He  afterward 
learned  from  one  of  the  Indians  who  took 
him,  that  if  he  had  made  a  third  attempt  to 
get  his  hat,  he  would  have  killed  him. 
These  led  the  affrighted  Isaac  to  the  rest  of 
the  company,  and,  as  he  thought,  to  the 
place  of  execution :  but  to  his  surprise,  when 
he  came  there,  he  found  his  associates, 
George  Sprinkle  and  John  Upp,  in  the  cus- 
tody of  the  savage  red  men,  yet  alive. 

Here,  in  full  view  of  the  Red  Banks,  the 
savages,  holding  up  the  yet  warm  scalps  of 
Peter  Sprinkle  and  Jacob  Upp,  raised  the 
war  whoop  and  started  with  their  \oung 
prisoners,  holding  fast  to  Isaac's  hand,  as 
the}'  compelled  him  to  run  after  them.  Such 
was  their  fearfulness  that  he  would  }-et 
escape,  that  in  swimming  the  bayou,  a  short 
distance  from  the  river,  one  still  held  him 
bv  the  hand.  On  reaching  the  camp  where 
these  savages  had  lain  the  preceding  night, 
they  put  moccasins  on  the  bo3's,and  compel- 
ling them  to  follow  them  or  keep  up  with 
them,  running  all  day  and  traveling  all  night. 

In  the  evening  of  the  first  day,  one  of 
the  bovs,  John  Upp,  became  so  much  ex- 
hausted that  he  could  run  no  longer.  The 
Indians,  with  a  view  to  compel  him  forward, 
threatened  him  with  their  tomahawks;  but 
finding  that  he  could  not  go,  two  of  them 
assisted  him. 

The  morning  of  ihc  se^;ond  day  they  came  i 


upon  three  bears,  which  the  Indians  had 
killed,  and  in  great  haste  took  each  a  small 
portion  along  with  him,  until  they  crossed 
the  Pattoka  river,  and  on  the  bank  they 
stopped  for  the  first  time   to  cook    atid   eat. 

The  boys  b)-  this  time  were  much 
fatigued,  and  well  nigh  worn  out  bv 
means  of  constant  and  hard  trav- 
eling. Nothing  worthy  of  note  trans- 
pired until  the  evening  of  the  third  dav, 
when,  after  making  a  small  lire  of  sticks, 
the\-  produced  the  scalps  of  the  murdered 
boys,  and  after  cutting  the  meat  out  of  one 
of  them,  carefully  put  it  on  sticks  before  the 
(ire,  and  cooked  it;  then,  in  the  presence  of 
the  bo3'S,  ate  it,  shaking  the  remaining  scalp 
at  them.  This  they  did,  not  because  they 
were  hungrj-,  but  each,  that  he  might 
thereby  say,  "I  have  killed  a  while  man,  and 
eat  him."  And  thus  they  aci|uired  no  little 
reputation  as  warriors.  The  remaining 
scalps  thev  then  stretched  on  hoops,  made 
for  that  purpose. 

That  night  they  danced  the  war-dance,  and 
made  their  young  prisoners  walk  round  with 
them,  and  would  have  had  them  dance,  had 
they  not  been  too  much  exhausted.  This 
was  afterward  their  regular  employment, 
every  other  night. 

In  their  route  they  attempted  to  cross  a 
stream  in  a  small  canoe,  which  was  not 
more  than  large  enough  to  carry  two  men  in 
it;  however,  one  of  the  Indians  conve\'ed  the 
boys  across  the  creek,  and,  on  striking  the 
opposite  bank,  George  Sprinkle  being  a  lit- 
tle fearful,  and  knowing  that  he  could  not 
swim,  leaped  from  the  canoe  to  the  bank  — 
on  doing  which  the  Indian  gave  him  a  blow 
with  his  paddle  across  the  back,  which  in- 
jured him  so  seriously  that  it  was  with  dif- 
ficulty he  ascended  the  bank. 

The  reader  will  remember  that  Isaac  was 
vaccinated,  with  the  small  pox.  This  was 
done  just  the  da\'  before  lie  was  taken   by 


H 


IXDIAX  HISTORY 


these  cruel  savages,  on  the  8th  day  of  April, 
1793,  according  to  his  best  recollection ;  and 
in  something  like  a  week  he  therefore  became 
very  sick  with  that  disease;  but  was  never- 
theless impelled  to  tra\el  every  day,  even 
when  scarcely  able  to  hold  up  his  head,  or 
help  himself  in  the  smallest.  The  knowledge 
which  his  friends  at  home  had  of  the  fact 
that,  if  alive,  he  would  be  thus  afflicted,  aug- 
mented their  uneasiness  and  anxietv  about 
him.  Their  fears  could  but  be  great  that 
the  cruel  wretches  would  kill  him;  and  if 
not,  both  he  and  they  expected  he  would  die 
of  the  small  pox,  exposed  as  he  was  in  an 
Indian  famp.  Their  manner  of  crossing 
ponds,  creeks  and  rivers  was  to  wade  or 
swim;  and,  sick  as  Isaac  was,  such  was  the 
manner  in  which  he  was  compelled  to  pass 
them.  After  the  disease  above  named  had 
appeared  on  him,  he  was  under  the  necessity 
of  swimming  a  small  river,  which  was  the 
means  of  driving  it  in,  so  as  to  render  him 
very  sick.  Then,  for  the  first  time,  the  sav- 
ages discovered  some  humanity,  and  after 
kindling  a  fire,  with  a  view  to  encamp  for 
the  night,  thev  placed  Isaac  near  the  fire, 
wrapped  in  two  blankets,  in  which  situation 
he  spent  the  night.  In  the  morning  the  pox 
appeared  again  and  he  was  some  better,  but 
still  unable  to  travel.  Nevertheless  it  was 
his  fate  to  go,  and  he  endeavored  to  do  so, 
until,  faint  and  sick,  he  fell  to  the  ground. 
His  Indian  drivers,  however,  soon  raised  him 
and  compelled  him  to  go  forward. 

Fatigued  with  traveling  and  afflicted  with 
fever,  he  suffered  much  for  water,  which 
the}-  frequently  refused  him.  When  in  cross- 
ing water  he  would  lift  up  some  in  his  hand 
and  put  it  to  his  mouth,  the}-  would  push 
him  down  in  the  water.  At  night,  encamp- 
ing near  a  small  branch,  he  asked  leave  to 
go  for  water;  they  granted  it  —  but  an  In- 
dian followed  him  to  the  bank  and  tlien 
kicked   him    down    a   steep,   where    he    fell 


among  the  rocks,  and  was  not  a  little  hurt 
by  the  fall.  At  another  time,  passing  a 
small  branch,  he  asked  permission  to  drink, 
which  was  granted ;  but  as  he  put  his  mouth 
to  the  water,  an  Indian  with  his  foot,  crushed 
his  mouth  into  the  sand.  With  this  most 
brutal  treatment,  and  swelled  till  shapeless, 
with  sores  which  were  constantl}-  suppurating, 
and  not  unfrequently,  especiall}'  of  a  morn- 
ing, discharging  blood,  he  was  forced  to' 
march. 

Provisions  growing  scarce,  they  spent  one 
da}-  in  hunting.  In  the  afternoon,  having 
killed  two  deer,  they  stopped  to  cook; 
Isaac  being  in  the  way  of  one  of  the  Kicka- 
poos,  he  took  the  liberty  to  kick  him  down  a 
descending  ground,  some  twelve  or  fifteen 
feet.  This  kicking  was  no  pleasant  thing  to 
Isaac:  and  here  he  found  in  one  of  the  In- 
dians a  friend,  who  claimed  him  as  his,  and 
was  much  offended  at  the  conduct  of  the 
other. 

In  a  few  days  they  passed  the  Kickapoo 
towns,  where  the  two  Indians  of  that  nation 
left  the  company  for  home,  and  the  prison- 
ers saw  them  no  more  so  as  to  recognize 
them.  They  soon  arrived  at  another  town 
of  some  note,  on  the  Illinois  river. 

As  they  entered  the  town,  on  the  fifteenth 
day  after  they  were  taken,  it  being  the 
twentv-third  day  of  the  month,  on  passing  a 
few  wigwams,  some  of  the  warriors  gave  a 
signal,  which  brought  out  several  squaws, 
who  relieved  them  all  of  their  packs. 

At  this  place  the  prisoners  were  conducted 
into  the  presence  of,  and  exposed  to  the  view 
of,  a  vast  crowd  of  Indians,  many  of  whom 
came  up  with  apparent  friendship,  and  gave 
them  a  hearty  shake  of  the  hand. 

From  this  place  they  were  conducted 
across  the  river  to  a  wigwam,  where  some- 
thing was  provided  for  them  to  eat,  which 
\ery  much  pleased  their  palates,  as  it  some- 
what resembl(;;d  small  hominy,  ^nd  they  had 


ADVENTURES  OF  ISAAC  KNIGHT. 


35 


seen  a  S(]ua\v  put  a  handful  or  two  of  sugar 
in  it,  after  striking  a  dog  over  the  head  and 
driving  him  out  of  the  wigwam  with  the 
ladle  with  which  she  stirred  the  mess. 

As  the  evening  came  on,  the  Indians  began 
to  collect,  and  as  the  other  two  bo\s  had 
been  painted  and  trimmed  by  the  Indians, 
previous  to  their  arrival  in  town,  and  Isaac 
was  not  (though  none  of  them  could  ac- 
count for  it),  it  was  the  opinion  both  of  him 
and  them  that  it  was  their  intention  to  burn 
him;  however,  when  they  were  all  collected, 
the  young  prisoners  were  ordered  out,  and 
the  Indians,  in  one  vast  body,  around  a  small 
fire,  danced  a  war  dance,  the  prisoners  and 
the  warriors  that  took  them  being  next  to 
the  fire,  and  opposite  to,  or  facing  them  as 
they  danced  round,  were  two  squaws,  bear- 
ing on  canes  from  the  Ohio  Bottoms,  the 
scalps  of  the  little  boy  and  the  voung  man 
who  had  been  killed  when  the  other  bo3S 
were  taken. 

Next  morning,  as  Isaac  thoutjht,  almost 
all  the  Indians  in  the  world  collected  on  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  river  for  a  ball  play, 
where  they  spent  the  greater  part  of  the  day 
in  that  exercise,  both  men  and  women  shar- 
ing its  pleasures;  the  sexes  engaging  apart 
from  each  other,  and  seemintf  to  delioht 
greatly  in  the  employment. 

In  the  evening,  a  company  of  some  two 
or  three  hundred  elderly  Indians  came  march- 
ing down  to  the  wigwam  where  the  prison- 
ers were  kept,  bearing  two  large  kettles  of 
hominy,  beating  their  drums,  rattling  the 
deer's  hoofs  and  making  music  of  different 
kinds.  They  marched  several  times  around 
the  hut,  and  then  with  great  apparent  sol- 
emnity, placed  ihe  kettles  on  a  handsome 
green,  and  when  they  were  all  seated  around 
them,  two  men  waiting  on  the  rest,  divided 
the  contents  of  the  kettles,  putting  a  small 
portion  in  every  man's  bowl  (for  they  all 
had  bowls,  and,  as  was  their  custom, ladles). 


A  prophet  then,  as  was  supposed,  repeated 
as  he  sat,  a  lengthy  ceremony;  after  which 
they  enjoyed  their  repast  in  good  order,  and 
dispersed. 

On  the  morning  of  the  fourth  day  Isaac 
w  as  presented  with  his  moccasins  bv  a  squaw, 
who  also  gave  them  something  to  eat.  Soon 
afterwards  an  Indian  of  the  company  that 
had  taken  the  boys,  came  in  and  beckoned 
to  Isaac  to  follow  him,  and  without  a  thought 
that  he  and  his  associates  were  now  to  be 
separated  until  they  should  meet  at  home, 
he  followed  his  guide  that  whole  day  up  the 
Illinois  river,  wading  many  small  swift-run- 
ning streams,  which,  as  Isaac  expressed  him- 
self, washed  off  man}'  a  scab.  By  this 
Indian  he  was  piloted  to  a  wigwam  where 
lived,  as  he  afterward  found,  the  mother  of 
the  two  warriors  that  had  taken  him,  and 
who  were  detained  at  the  village  by  sick- 
ness, of  which  one  of  them  died.  Here, 
being  delivered  to  this  old  mother  and  seated 
by  her,  she  immediatel}'  gave  him  a  new 
blanket  and  provided  him  something  to  eat. 
This  day's  travel  had  again  freshened  Isaac's 
sores,  and  so  fatigued  him  that  allhougii  he 
was  wrapped  in  a  new  blanket  and  kindly 
treated,  he  had  no  rest,  but  felt  in  the  morn- 
ing almost  as  bad  as  formerh'. 

The  squaw  in  whose  care  Isaac  was  left, 
with  a  view  to  cure  him,  made  preparation 
for  it,  and  with  a  sharp  flint  scarified  him, 
and  rubbed  the  sores  with  a  piece  of  rough 
bark  to  make  them  bleed;  then  caused  him 
to  jump  in  the  Illinois  river.  This  was  all 
done  through  kindness,  although  it  was 
harsh  treatment. 

From  this  place  Isaac,  together  with  man\- 
Indians,  started  up  the  river  to  an  Indian  town 
situated  upon  a  small  island  in  a  lake  through 
which  the  Illinois  river  passes,  now  called 
Illinois  lake:  this  place  they  gained  in  five 
days,  nothing  very  important  transpiring  on 
the    route,     It   was  Isaac's  fate,  however. 


■It: 


IXDTJX  HISTORY. 


ccording  to  the  direction  of  the  squaw  to 
whose  care  he  was  committed,  to  jump  in 
the  river  everv  morning. 

Soon  after  this  time  the  small-pox  made 
its  appearance  among  tlie  Indians  on  this 
ishind,  and  the  kind  old  squaw  who  had  given 
so  much  attention  to  Isaac,  and  thereby  en- 
deared herself  to  him,  was  one  of  the  first 
subjects  and  victims  of  that  destructive  dis- 
ease. He  had  for  a  long  time  feared  that 
if  this  disease  broke  out  among  them,  they 
would  kill  him,  as  he  had  been  the  means  of 
bringing  it  among  them:  and  although  he 
sometimes  hoped  that  some  of  the  most  cruel 
and  barbarous  of  them  would  die  with  it, 
yet  he  more  frequently  desired  the}'  might 
all  escape  it,  as  he  feared  the  consequences. 
Their  manner  of  treating  the  disease  proved 
fatal  in  many  instances:  They  invariably  at 
first,  in  that,  as  in  other  cases  of  complaint, 
took  a  severe  sweat  and  then  jumped  into 
the  river;  and  so  terminated  the  existence  of 
manv.  The  death  of  this  humane  and  moth- 
erlv  old  squaw  gave  the  author  of  this  nar- 
rative most  unpleasant  feelings,  and  was  the 
cause  of  much  distressing  exercise  of  mind. 
He  had  found  in  her  a  true  and  tender  friend, 
and  one  who  was  willing  to  do  for  him  all 
she  could,  but  when  he  saw  her  taken  from 
him,  he  found  himself  far  from  home,  without 
a  friend,  among  strangers,  in  the  midst  of 
foes,  and  surrounded  with  sickness  produc- 
ing deatli  in  every  direction.  His  spirits 
sunk  and  all  hope  was  well  nigh  gone.  No 
cheering  thought  checked  his  distress  —  no 
gleam  of  hope  could  light  up  his  counten- 
ance, or  buoy  up  his  disconsolate  spirit. 

The  death  and  burial  of  the  squaw,  whom 
Isaac  recognized  almost  as  a  mother,  were 
extremely  solemn  and  impressive.  Appear- 
ing sensible  of  her  approaching  dissolution, 
she  gave  Isaac  to  her  daughter,  who  lived 
along  wifh  her.  She  was  buried  after  their 
manner,  with  great  solemnity,  and   many  of 


the  Indians  painted  themselves  black  and 
mourned  for  her  ten  days,  fasting  every  day 
until  evening;  but  all  this  was  not  expres- 
sive of  Isaac's  grief  for  the  death  of  her  who 
had  nursed  him  with  so  much  tenderness, 
and  friendless  now  left  alone,  he  found  no 
one  to  whom  he  could  unbosom  his  sorrows. 

A  number  of  Indians  died  of  the  disease 
on  the  island  before  they  left  it.  Necessity 
seemed  to  compel  them  to  leave  the  island, 
and,  supposing  that  a  change  of  situation 
would  improve  their  health,  they  started, 
moving  a  short  distance  at  a  time  and  spend- 
ing but  little  time  at  an\^  one  place.  They 
had  moved,  however,  but  seldom,  until  the 
squaw  in  whose  care  Isaac  had  been  left, 
followed  her  mother,  by  means  of  the  same 
disease.  Indeed,  they  lost  some  at  every 
place  where  they  stopped.  This  squaw  left 
a  young  child,  some  twelve  months  old, 
which  it  fell  to  Isaac's  lot  to  nurse,  and  be- 
sides the  attention  which  he  was  compelled 
to  give  that  infant,  it  devolved  on  him  to 
nurse  the  sick,  help  to  bury  the  dead,  and 
frequently  to  do  all  alone.  Worn  down  with 
fatigue  by  means  of  his  arduous  labor,  he 
devised  means  to  be  relieved  of  the  burden 
of  the  child.  Accordingly,  as  he  carried  it 
on  his  back  wrapped  in  a  blanket  in  Indian 
style,  he  drew  the  blanket  tight  around  it, 
and  so  put  an  end  to  its  cries,  removed  his 
own  burden  and  terminated  its  life. 

After  the  death  of  an  Indian  of  some  note 
in  these  woods,  whom  they  buried  in  as  much 
splendor  as  their  circumstances  would  per- 
mit, his  squaw  and  four  children,  the  eldest 
of  whom  was  large  enough  to  support  the 
family  by  hunting,  left  the  rest  of  the  Indians 
and  moved  down  the  Illinois  river  in  a  canoe. 

Isaac's  fears  being  great  lest  he  should 
yet  be  killed  for  bringing  the  small-pox 
among  them,  he  was  halting  whether  to  tell 
or  not  that  he  brought  it,  when  he  heard 
two  squaws  conversing  on  the   subject,  and 


ADVEXTUEES  OF  ISAAC  K NIGHT. 


■V 


learned  from  their  conversation  that  the  In- 
dians were  of  the  opinion  tliat  the)',  in  and 
by  means  of  goods  sold  them  by  the  French, 
had  taken  the  disease.  This  so  relieved  his 
mind  that  he  told  them  nothing  about  it. 

Some  weeks  afterward  the  rest  of  the  In- 
dians turned  their  course  down  the  river, 
also  taking  Isaac  along  with  them;  still  some 
of  them  were  sick  and  dying  all  the  time. 
After  passing  the  island  in  the  lake  where 
the  disease  lirst  appeared  amongst  them, 
they  descended  the  river  for  some  distance; 
but  how  far  and  how  long  time,  is  not  within 
the  recollection  of  the  author. 

A  short  time  now  elapsed  until  tiiey 
started  again  up  the  river,  passed  the  town 
on  the  island  before  mentioned,  and  Isaac, 
having  been  committed  b\-  some  means  to 
the  care  of  another  squaw,  traveled  up  this 
river  in  the  same  canoe  with  her,  and,  pass- 
ing the  place  where  her  husband  had  been 
buried,  she  steered  the  canoe  to  shore,  and 
taking  out  some  venison  in  a  bowl,  had  Isaac 
to  accompany  her  to  the  grave.  Here  she 
kindled  a  small  fire  over  the  head  of  the 
grave,  into  which  she  threw  some  of  the 
venison.  Setting  down  the  bowl  she  told 
Isaac  to  eat  of  it,  which  he  did,  while  she 
walked  to  some  distance  and  mourned  with 
loud  and  sore  lamentations  for  near  an  hour; 
then  returned  to  the  grave,  wiped  off  the 
tears,  threw  some  more  meat  in  the  tire  and 
on  the  grave  and  bade  Isaac  to  start. 

About  this  time  Isaac  betran  to  be  threat- 
ened,  as  he  learned  from  the  Indian  boys,  by 
an  old  chief  who  said  he  had  brouiiht  the 
small-pox  among  them,  and  while  this  was 
in  agitation,  one  of  the  Indians  arrived  who 
had  taken  Isaac  and  who  had  been  left  sick 
at  the  first  town,  the  place  where  Isaac  had 
been  separated  from  his  associates,  his  fel- 
low prisoners.  This  Indian  Isaac  met  with 
much  joy,  and  he  claimed  him  as  his  prop- 
erty. 


A  few  Towa  Indians  now  arrived  among 
these  Pottavyatomies,  selling  them  goods, 
trading  for  furs,  etc.  These  Indians  were 
acting  as  agents  for  a  merchant  at  Macki- 
naw, as  is  frequently  the  case. 

To  one  of  those  Towa  Indians  Isaac  was 
sold  for  what  he  thought  would  amount  to 
about  ^500,  and  was  delivered  to  his  nevy 
master  perfectly  naked.  'He  was  then  told 
to  do  so,  and  mounting  the  horse  behind  the 
man  that  bought  him,  rode  oft  across  what 
he  now  thinks  was  Spoon  river. 

They  then  traveled  for  some  days  north  of 
the  Ohio  river,  to  the  hunting  ground  of  the 
Indians  who  had  now  purchased  him.  Here 
the  "Big  Buck"  was  killed  and  a  feast 
prepared  to  have  Isaac  adopted  into  the 
family. 

Now  being  made  an  heir,  Isaac  was 
trimmed,  his  hair  pulled  out,  as  was  the  cus- 
tom of  that  nation,  except  the  scalp,  and  a 
hole  made  through  his  nose. 

In  his  nose  they  put  six  silver  rings;  his 
hair  being  long,  it  was  divided  and  plaited, 
one-half  before  and  the  other  half  behind; 
the  hinder  part  ornamented  with  beads,  and 
the  fore  part  tilled  with  silver  brooches. 

The  season  for  making  sugar  being  over, 
they  moved  to  the  mouth  of  Chicago  river 
and  commenced  making  arrangements  to  go 
to  Mackinaw  with  their  skins  and  furs. 

As  the  route  which  they  had  to  go  led 
them  near  the  shore,  they  encamped  every 
night  on  it,  where,  for  the  securit\-  both  of 
the  canoe  and  its  loading,  they  were  under 
the  necessity  of  unloading,  drawing  it  out  of 
the  water  and  turning  it  upside  down,  made 
it  answer  the  purpose  of  a  wigwam.  They 
continued  this  route  for  some  days,  and  ar- 
rived at  a  small  island,  on  which  was  a  num- 
ber of  Indians,  where  they  landed  and  spent 
the  night.  Between  that  place  and  Macki- 
naw the\-  landed  on  another  small  island,  m- 
habited   h\   Indians,  with   whom   Isaac   was 


38 


INDIAN  HISTORt. 


left  until  his   Indian    father  and   mother  re- 
turned from  Mackinaw. 

Isaac's  Indian  father  and  family  now 
started  with  liim  and  their  fresh  supply  of 
goods  to  return  to  Chicago.  Nothing  of 
importance  transpired  on  the  route.  Sailing 
along  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan  they  en- 
camped every  night  as  before,  and  at  length 
arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  Chicago  river, 
where  they  had  embarked  for  Mackinaw. 
Here,  having  raised  their  canoe  on  forks 
and  so  secured  it,  they  removed  from  place 
to  place,  principally  up  the  river,  trading 
with  the  Indians  and  making  a  living  by  fish- 
ing, they  steered  their  course  for  the  old 
hunting  grounds  on  the  Illinois  river. 

Toward  spring,  but  while  the  snow  was 
yet  on  the  ground,  they  turned  their  course 
again  for  Chicago,  spending  the  time  in 
hunting  and  trading,  until  in  good  time  for 
sugar  making  they  arrived  at  their  old  camp. 

Before  they  left  the  sugar  camp  they  had 
many  drunken  sprees,  in  some  of  which 
Isaac's,  life  was  greatly  endangered,  but  by 
some  means  preserved. 

Arrangements  were  now  made  for  another 
trip  to  Mackinaw;  and,  having  collected  all 
the  skins  they  could,  they  thought  of  taking 
Isaac  along  with  them;  but  fearing  that  he 
would  get  away,  they  called  in  an  old 
prophet,  in  whom  they  placed  great  confi 
dence,  who  went  into  what  they  call  a  sweat 
house,  to  pow-wow,  and  inform  them  of 
such  things  as  they  wished  to  know,  that 
would  happen  in  the  future.  Accordingly, 
Isaac  went  to  work  to  prepare  the  sweat 
house,  within  the  wigwam,  covering  it  with 
skins  and  blankets,  rolling  in  a  large  hot 
stone,  on  which  the  prophet  poured  water, 
and  leaving  a  place  at  the  top  for  the  steam 
to  pass  out.  Into  this  house  the  old  prophet 
entered,  povv-wowing  and  singing,  while 
Isaac  and  his  little  brothers  danced  around 
it,  waiting  on  the  prophet  as  he   ordered. 


until  the  smaller  boys,  becoming  sleepy,  laid 
down  and  went  to  sleep.  Some  time  elapsed, 
and  the  prophet  came  out.  Isaac  immedi- 
ately, as  if  worn  out  and  overcome  with 
sleep,  threw  himself  down  on  some  deer 
skins,  and  pretended  to  be  asleep.  The  old 
prophet  took  a  seat  near  his  Indian  mother, 
and  commenced  speaking.  She  asked  him 
many  questions,  and  he  answered  them;  but 
none  of  them  so  much  interested  Isaac  until 
she  wished  to  know  if  she  would  keep  him 
if  she  took  him  all  the  way  to  Mackinaw. 
The  prophet,  much  to  Isaac's  gratification," 
told  her  she  would,  but  she  must  be  careful 
not  to  let  him  talk  much  to  white  people. 

Now,  full  of  glee  and  in  fine  spirits,  they 
loaded  their  bark  canoe  and  started.  After 
many  days"  toil  and  sailing,  they  all  arrived 
in  safety  at  Mackinaw. 

Here,  unlading  the  canoe,  and  preparing 
to  encamp  under  it,  Isaac  was  conducted  by 
his  Indian  mother,  in  compan}'  with  her  two 
eldest  boys,  to  the  house  of  the  merchant 
for  whom  the}' traded.  After  showing  Isaac 
to  them,  and  suffering  him  to  talk  but  little 
with  them,  the  merchant's  lady  gave  each 
of  the  boys  a  slice  of  bread  well  buttered, 
which  Isaac  received  very  gratefully  and  ate 
it.  It  was  the  first  bread  he  had  tasted 
since  he  last  ate  at  his  father's  table! 

Here  Isaac  was  permitted  to  walk  about 
in  company  with  the  Indian  boys,  but  was 
generally  accompanied  by  his  Indian  mother, 
and  sometimes  an  uncle  and  aunt  who  had 
accompanied  them  to  tiiat  place  in  a  small 
bark  canoe.  In  company  with  these,  as  they 
walked  along  the  beach,  seeing  a  ship  lying 
at  the  wharf,  and  a  man  convenient  to  it, 
whom  Isaac  supposed  was  the  Captain,  their 
attention  was  mutuall}'  drawn  to  each  other. 
The  Captain  perceiving  that  he  was  white, 
asked  him  where  he  was  taken  prisoner;  he 
replied  from  the  Red  Banks,  on  the  Ohio 
river.     Isaac  asked  him,  "  are  you  the  Cap- 


ADVENTURES  OF  ISAAC  KNIGHT. 


S9 


tain  of  this  vessel?"  He  said  he  was. 
"  Where  are  you  bound?"  said  Isaac.  "  De- 
troit," was  the  reply.  "  When  will  you 
start?"  "  In  the  morning."  "  Can  I,"  said 
Isaac,  "  run  away  from  the  Indians  and  get 
aboard  of  your  vessel?"  "Yes;  but  you 
must  be  careful  how  you  come."  Here 
Isaac  was  commanded  to  hush,  and  was 
taken  away  b}-  his  Indian  friends.  Toward 
evening,  his  Indian  father  being  drunk,  and 
some  Indians  being  across  an  arm  of  the 
lake  drinking  and  carousing,  Isaac  was 
called  to  convey  him  to  them  in  the  little 
bark  canoe,  belonsjino-  to  his  uncle.  Having 
done  this,  he  returned  late  in  the  evening, 
and  landing  near  their  camp,  drew  his  little 
bark  partly  on  the  shore,  and  went  to  the 
camp  contented  as  usual.  Here  he  found  an 
English  soldier,  who  seemed  to  feel  much 
solicitude  about  him,  whom  Isaac  told  he 
would  rather  live  with  the  Indians  than  the 
white  people.  Fearing  that  such  interviews 
with  the  white  men  would  lead  Isaac  off,  his 
Indian  mother  made  him  lie  down  by  her, 
for  she  had  sione  to  bed.  The  Enirlishman 
went  away.  Isaac,  however,  did  not  sleep, 
but  waiting  until  he  thought  the  rest  were- 
locked  up  in  the  (quietness  of  a  pleasant  nap, 
he  caught  his  blanket  in  his  teeth,  and  softly 
stole  from  behind  his  mother,  drawing  his 
blanket  after  him.  He  got  out,  straightened 
himself,  and  listened;  he  could  hear  no  stir, 
except  the  quiet  music  of  the  lake  before 
him,  which  invited  him  to  liberty!  He 
stepped  softly  to  the  little  bark  he  had 
drawn  to  the  shore,  and  seating  himself  in 
it,  he  moved  as  gently  as  possible  around 
the  picketing  that  enclosed  the  town  and  ex- 
tended into  the  lake,  and  again  turned  to 
the  shore.  Giving  his  bark  a  push  into  the 
lake,  he  steered  his  course  for  the  vessel  on 
which  he  had  learned  he  could  make  his 
escape.  When  he  reached  the  vessel,  the 
Captain  was  walking  about  on  the  deck,  and 


seeing  Isaac  approach,  he  met  him  and  told 
him  to  follow  iiim.  They  went  together 
into  the  cabin.  The  Captain  was  much  per- 
plexed to  know  what  to  do  with  Isaac,  so  as 
to  secure  him,  and  screen  himself  from  the 
censure  of  the  Indians,  with  whom  his  great- 
est success  in  trade  was  carried  on.  At 
length,  however,  he  told  him,  "I  have  a 
little  negro  boy  in  the  kitchen,  who  will  find 
you  out,  let  me  do  with  you  what  I  may. 
If  you  will  go  to  him  and  tell  him  j'our  situ- 
ation and  your  object,  he  can  take  care  of 
you;  but  don't  tell  him  that  I  know  anything 
about  you."  Is.-ac  went  into  the  kitchen 
and  awoke  the  negro,  but  he  appeared  un- 
willing to  have  anything  to  do  with  him. 
Fearing  that,  between  them,  he  would  have 
to  go  back  to  the  Indians,  Isaac  told  the  lit- 
tle negro  that  his  master  knew  he  was  there, 
and  had  told  him  to  come  to  him.  "  Then," 
said  the  negro,  still  lying  in  his  bunk,  "  get 
in  here."  Isaac  tumbled  in  with  him  but  not 
to  sleep.  His  fate,  as  j'et,  was  too  uncer- 
tain. By  the  side  of  the  sleepy-headed 
negro  he  laid  and  watched  for  the  day  to 
dawn.  Seeing,  as  he  did,  the  first  appear- 
ance of  light  in  the  morning,  with  much 
ditTiculty,  he  awoke  the  little  negro,  and  told 
him,  "You  must  do  something  with  me  — 
this  is  no  place  for  me."  The  negro  arose, 
unlocked  the  lower  part  of  their  cupboard, 
and  told  Isaac  to  get  in  there.  He  did  so; 
and  the  bo}-  locked  him  up  and  left  him. 

He  had  been  there  but  a  short  time,  until 
lie  heard  the  voice  of  his  Indian  mother  and 
brother,  as  they  came  down  the  hatchway, 
in  pursuit  of  him.  Presently  the  Captain 
sprang  out  of  his  bed  and  began  to  rail  out 
at  the  Indians  for  disturbing  him  in  that  way 
before  he  was  out  of  his  bed.  The  Indians 
being  easih'  cowed  by  a  white  man  of  some 
character,  and  especiallj-  an  ofiicer,  Isaac's 
Indian  mother  soon  left  the  vessel. 

Fortunatclv  for  this  Captain,  as  well  as  for 


^0 


INDIAN  HISTORY. 


Isaac,  a  barge  which  had  lain  at  the  wharf, 
started  that  same  night  about  midnight,  for 
Montreal,  which  circumstance  afforded  the 
Captain  an  opportunity  of  making  the  In- 
dians believe  that  Isaac  had  gone  on  board 
of  it,  and  to  convince  them  that  he  was  in- 
nocent and  knew  nothing  about  him,  he  re- 
mained  there  until  8  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  wind 
being  fair,  the  sails  of  the  A^aucy  were 
hoisted,  Captain  Mills  commanding,  Isaac 
started  for  the  land  of  freedom! 

Isaac  kept  close  to  the  negro's  room  until, 
in  about  five  days,  the  vessel  came  safe  to 
port  at  Detroit. 

Isaac  bade  Captain  Mills  adieu,  and  gave 
him  his  hearty  thanks  for  his  kindness  and 
protection.  He  started,  and  soon  found 
himself  at  the  gate,  and  passing  the  pickets, 
the  sentinel,  a  raw  Irishman,  cried,  "Who 
goes  there?"  "A  friend,"  said  Isaac,  and 
added  in  a  hurry,  "  I  am  running  away  from 
the  Indians,  and  want  you  to  protect  me." 
"  Oh!  be  Jasus,  my  good  fellow,  come  here  " 
said  he,  "  and  damn  the  one  of  them  shall 
hurt  you."  With  this  sentinel  Isaac  waited 
patiently  for  some  minutes,  when  the  relief 
cuard  came  round.  The  sentinel  then  in- 
formed  the  sergeant  that  he  had  a  prisoner. 
Isaac  being  delivered  to  the  guard,  was  taken 
to  the  guard  house,  where  the  curiosity  of 
the  soldiers  kept  him  up  all  night,  giving  a 
history  of  his  sufferings  with  the  Indians. 

About  this  time  Isaac  learned  that  a  Cap- 
tain and  a  company  of  soldiers  were  about 
to  start  to  Fort  Maumee,  and  having  ob- 
tained permission  of  the  Captain  to  accom- 
pany them,  Isaac  made  ready,  and  early  next 
morning,  bidding  his  kind  host  adieu,  and 
drawing  rations  in  common  with  the  soldiers, 
he  went  on  board  the  boat,  and  sailed  for 
Fort  Maumee,  which  they  made,  having  a 
favorable  wind,  in  one  day. 

Spending  a  few  days  at  this  place   some 


wagons  came  to  the  fort,  bringing  goods 
and  presents  for  the  Indians,  to  Waj-ne's 
treaty,  and  as  these  wagons  were  said  to  be 
returning  to  Cincinnati,  Isaac  asked  permis- 
sion of  the  wagon  master  to  go  with  them, 
stating  to  him  his  situation;  he  gave  consent, 
and  drew  rations  for  him  accordingly-. 

At  Cincinnati  he  presented  himself  to  the 
officer  commanding,  and  was  told  that  he 
could  draw  provisions  until  he  met  with  an 
opportunity  to  go  on.  Perfectly  composed, 
he  laid  down  to  sleep,  but  was  presentl}' 
aroused  and  informed  by  the  soldiers  that 
a  man  b}-  the  name  of  David  Pea,  who  had 
carried  an  express  from  Vincennes,  on  the 
Wabash  river,  to  the  army  at  Detroit,  and 
was  then  returning,  was  hunting  for  him. 
Isaac  went  immediately  in  pursuit  of  Mr. 
Pea;  and,  finding  him, they  drew  provisions, 
and  in  a  skiff,  started  for  Louisville. 

After  running  some  days,  they  landed  at 
the  mouth  of  Harden  creek.  Here  Isaac 
met  with  a  j'oung  married  woman,  with 
whom  he  had  gone  to  school  before  he  was 
taken  bj-  the  Indians.  They  recognized 
each  other,  and  she  informed  him  that  his 
father  and  friends  had  removed  from  the 
Red  Banks  to  what  was  then,  and  is  now 
called.  Knight's  Falls,  on  Green  river.  He 
was  here  advised  to  land  at  the  Yellow 
Banks,  which  he  did. 

From  this  place  he  started  alone  and  afoot 
along  a  path  some  twelve  miles  in  length, 
to  the  house  of  an  old  acquaintance,  Mr. 
Martin  Vernado,  with  whom  he  had  been 
often    forted   at   Vienna,  when    but   a  child. 

Next  morning  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Ver- 
nado and  one  of  his  sons  impelled  them  to 
accompany  Isaac,  in  a  canoe,  down  Green 
river,  to  his  fathers  house. 

After  Isaac's  arrival  at  home,  he  learned 
that  his  fellow  prisoners,  George  Sprinkle 
and  John  Upp,  had  returned  some  three 
months  before  him. 


CHAPTER  III. 

County  Organization- — Early  Jurisdiction  of  Other  Counties — The  Influence 
OF    Hugh    McGary  —  Rivalry   of   Ratliff    Boon  —  A    Conference    of    the 

Powers  at  Darlington — The  Result — Creation  of  Vanderburgh  County 

Judge  Henry  Vanderburgh  —  Location  of  the  County  Seat  at  Evansville 

Early  and  Later  Methods  of    Doing  County    Business  —  County    Officers 

AND     THEIR     DuTIES CoURT     HoUSES JaILS FINANCES CrEATION     OF      CiVIL 

Townships  —  Elections  —  Care  of   the    Poor  —  Avenues  of    Travei Rail- 
roads—  Agricultural  Societies,  Etc. 


ff^WE  vast  territoiy  l3'ing-  northwest  of 
the  Ohio  river,  reaching  from  the  state 
of  Pennsylvania  on  the  east  to  the  Mis- 
sissippi river  on  the  west,  and  northward  to 
the  British  Possessions,  was  ceded  to  the 
United  States  by  the  state  of  Virginia  in 
1784.  Its  division  into  not  less  than  three 
or  more  than  five  states,  when  the  growth 
and  development  of  the  country  should  justi- 
f\'  their  organization  and  admission  into  the 
Union,  was  provided  for  in  the  celebrated 
ordinance  of  1787-  As  soon  as  civil  author- 
ity was  established,  in  the  following  year, 
for  the  purposes  of  good  government  and 
the  proper  administration  of  justice,  the  ne- 
cessity of  subdividing  the  territorv  and 
forming  counties  became  manifest.  At  first 
they  were  of  great  extent  and  thus  rendered 
the  efficient  action  of  the  courts  impossible. 
As  to  a  harbor  of  refuge  came  criminals  of 
all  classes  to  the  new  territoiy.  Virtuous 
and  law  abiding  people  were  deterred  from 
immigration  by  the  enforced  association 
with  outlaws.  Citiz:'ns  whose  attendance 
on  the  courts  as  witnesses  or  jurors  was 
necessary  were  sometimes  compelled  to 
travel  unreasonably  long  distances  through 
dangerous  localities.  These  inconveniences 
and  hardships  continued  for  several  years. 


Through  the  agency  of  Gen.  Wm.  H. 
Harrison,  as  a  delegate  in  congress,  the 
territor}'  of  Indiana  was  established,  in  1800, 
with  St.  Vincennes  as  the  seat  of  £rovern- 
ment.  At  that  time  the  county  of  Knox 
embraced  within  its  limits  the  greater  por- 
tion of  the  present  state  of  Indiana  and  ;i 
considerable  part  of  Illinois.  The  hostilit}- 
of  the  Indians  and  some  erroneous  ideas  as 
to  the  nature  of  the  country  made  immigra- 
tion at  first  slow.  Afterward,  with  its  in- 
crease, new  counties  were  of  necessity 
rapidly  organized. 

The  territorial  legislature,  on  March  9th, 
1813,  near  the  close  of  the  session,  author- 
ized the  organization  of  Gibson  and  War- 
rick counties,   as  follows: 

An  Act  for  the  formation  of  two  new 
.^ounties  out  of  the  county  of  Knox.  Section 
I .  Be  it  enacted  b  \  the  leg-islativc  council  and 
house  0/  reprcscntatizes,  and  it  is  hcrebv  enac- 
ted by  the  authority  0/  the  same,  that  from 
and  after  the  passage  hereof,  all  that  part  of 
Knox  county  which  is  included  in  the  follow- 
ing boundaries  shall  form  and  constitute  two 
new  counties  that  is  to  saj':  beginning  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Wabash;  thence  up  the 
same  witii  the  meanders  thereof  to  the  north 
of  White  river;  thence  up  White  river  with 


¥i 


COUXTY  ORGANIZATION. 


the  meanders  thereof  to  the  forks  of  White 
river;  thence  up  the  east  fork  of  White 
river  to  where  the  hne  between  sections  No. 
20  and  29,  in  township  No.  i,  north  of  range 
No.  4  west,  strikes  the  same;  thence  with 
said  line  to  the  line  of  Harrison  county; 
thence  with  said  line  dividing  the  counties 
of  Knox  and  Harrison  to  the  Ohio  river; 
thence  down  the  Ohio  river  to  the  begin- 
ning. 

Section  2.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That 
the  tract  of  country  included  within  the 
aforesaid  boundaries  be,  and  the  same  is 
hereby  divided  into  two  separate  and  dis- 
tinct counties  by  a  line  beginning  on  the 
Wabash  river,  and  known  and  designated 
by  the  name  of  Rector's  base  line,  and  with 
said  line  east  until  it  intersects  the  line  of 
Harrison  county,  and  that  from  and  after 
the  first  day  of  April,  one  thousand,  eight 
hundred  and  thirteen,  the  tract  of  country 
falling  within  the  southern  division  thereof 
shall  be  known  and  designated  by  the  name 
and  style  of  the  count}-  of  Warrick.  And 
the  northern  division  thereof  shall  be  known 
and  designated  by  the  name  and  stvle  of  the 
county  of  Gibson. 

As  an  incident  to  the  foundation  of  new 
counties,  the  territorial  laws  provided  means 
for  the  location  of  seats  of  justice.  Com- 
missioners who  were  not  land  owners  in  the 
county  or  otherwise  directly  interested  were 
appointed  by  the  legislature  and,  at  a  pre- 
viously designated  time  and  place,  assem- 
bled to  accept  offers  as  inducements 
favoring  the  choice  of  different  localities  and 
to  make  the  selection  December  14th,  181 3, 
by  legislative  enactment.  John  Ochiltree, 
Abel  Westfall,  Wm.  Polk,  Robert  Elliot 
and  Wm.  Prince,  all  of  Knox  county,  were 
appointed  commissioners  for  the  purpose  of 
fixing  seats  of  justice  in  the  counties  of 
Warrick  and  Gibson.  They  were  directed 
to  convene  on  the  first  Monday  in  February 


of  the  next  year,  at  the  house  of  John  Mc- 
Junkin  and  immediateh'  after  fixing  the  seat 
of  justice  in  Gibson  county  to  repair  to  the 
mill  of  Jonathan  Anthony,  in  Warwick 
county  and  proceed  to  fix  the  seat  of  justice 
in  Warwick  county.  At  the  time  appointed 
for  the  meeting  of  these  gentlemen  none 
appeared  except  Wm.  Prince.  To  fill  the 
,  vacancies  thus  occasioned,  Daniel  Putnam, 
Alexander  Devin,  John  Milburn  and  Wm. 
Hargrove  were  appointed  by  the  court  of 
common  pleas  through  authority  conferred 
in  the  act  first  appointing  the  commissioners. 
The  deliberations  of  this  commission 
resulted  in  the  choice  of  the  present  site  of 
the  cit}-  of  Evansville. 

Some  j'ears  previous  to  these  transactions 
Hugh  McGary,  a  Kentuckian  and  a  sturdy- 
pioneer,  had  emigratedfrom  his  native  state 
to  the  new  territory  and  settled  in  what 
is  now  Gibson  county.  In  181 2  he  pur- 
chased from  the  government  the  land  on 
which  the  city  of  Evansville  now  stands, 
and  leaving  his  inland  cabin  pushed  his 
way  to  the  bank  of  the  river  and  there 
established  his  home.  Though  preceded  b}- 
a  few-  other  pioneers  he  was  the  first  per- 
manent settler  on  the  present  site  of  Evans- 
ville; and  to  his  sagacity  and  determination 
were  due  the  founding  and  fostering  of  the 
town,  and  later,  the  organization  of  the 
county  of  Vanderburgh.  An  attempt  to  de- 
pict the  characteristics  and  disposition  of  this 
man,  and  to  recount  the  motives  which 
urged  him  to  action,  and  the  obstacles  whicli 
arose  in  his  path,  is  made  in  another  chapter. 

When  the  county  of  Warrick  was  organ- 
ized no  place  in  its  exterjive  territory  reach- 
ing along  the  river  for  more  than  fiftv  miles 
was  particularlv  convenient  to  all  of  its  in- 
habitants. McGary 's  place  was  not  central, 
but  when  the  commissioners  appointed  to 
make  the  selection  were  assembled  at  the 
old  Andiony  mill,  he  presented  the  claims  of 


RIVALRY  OF  RATLIFF  BOOX. 


4--i 


his  location  in  the  best  light  possible.  It  was 
not  the  first  choice,  but  was  finally  selected. 
At  the  direction  of  the  court  of  the  newcoun- 
t}-,  the  town  was  laid  out,  and  officially  desig- 
nated as  Evansville,  in  honor  of  General 
Robert  M.  Evans,  a  distinguished  soldier 
and  citizen  of  Gibson  county.  McGary  had 
given  lOO  acres  of  land  to  the  new  county  to 
induce  the  selection  of  his  town  as  the  coun- 
ty seat.  The  town,  consisting  of  less  than 
half  a  dozen  small  log  cabins,  rudeU"  con- 
structed and  located  to  suit  the  convenience 
of  the  settlers,  with  little  regard  to  the  ar- 
rangement of  streets,  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  adventurous  spirits  who  were  then  be- 
ginning to  come  into  the  new  territory,  and 
in  a  very  short  time  not  less  than  twenty- 
three  men  were  owners  of  lots  in  the  town, 
though  onl}'  a  small  part  of  them  were  resi- 
dents of  the  place.  McGary  became  very 
enthusiastic  over  his  prospects  and  confident- 
ly felt  that  his  town  was  destined  to  be  a 
metropolis  at  no  ver\'  distant  daj-.  His 
hopes,  ho\\'ever,  rested  on  a  weak  foundation. 
By  the  formation  of  Posey  county  in  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  territory  the 
boundaries  of  Warrick  county  were  so  al- 
tered as  to  place  E.vansville  at  one  ex- 
tremitv  of  its  river  border,  and  before  the 
town  was  three  months  old,  the  legislature 
enacted,  September  ist,  1814,  that  the  seat 
of  justice  for  the  county  should  be  moved  to 
a  place  subsequently  called  Darlington,  and 
situated  some  four  miles  above  the  present 
site  of  the  neighboring  town  of  Newburgh, 
and  about  one  mile  from  the  river.  It  was 
provided  that  the  land  conveyed  by  Col. 
McGary  to  the  county  should  be  re-conveved 
to  him,  and  every  provision  was  made  for 
an  abandonment  of  the  place.  For  a  time 
the  prospect  of  building  up  a  town  seemed 
without  any  support,  but  instead  of  yielding, 
Col.  McGary  clung  tenaciously  to  his  hope, 
and  set  about  to  devise  some  means  of  put- 


ting new  circumstances  about  the  place,  and 
new  life  in  it.  For  two  years,  however,  it 
continued  to  decline.  At  length  the  forma- 
tion of  a  new  county,  with  his  town  as  the 
central  point,  was  the  idea  which  suggested 
itself  as  a  means  of  relief.  In  those  days  it 
mattered  little  what  natural  advantages  a 
town  possessed  or  what  resources  lay  about 
it  undeveloped,  all  its  hope  for  prosperity 
was  based  upon  its  being  the  seat  of  justice 
for  some  county.  The  founder  of  the  village 
set  about  with  great  zeal  and  industry  to 
supply  this  desideratum.  As  the  first  step 
he  enhsted  the  active  interests  of  Gen. 
Robert  M.  Evans  and  James  W.  Jones,  both 
of  Gibson  county,  b}'  conveying  to  them  on 
June  20,  1817,  for  $1,300,  130  acres  of  land, 
being  all  that  part  of  fractional  section  No. 
30  which  lies  above  the  center  of  Main  street 
in  Evansville,  except  thirty  acres  previously 
conveyed  to  Carter  Beaman.  On  the  17th  of 
July  following  these  three  gentlemen,  Evans, 
Jones  and  McGarj-,  prepared  a  plan  for  a 
town,  ignoring  that  previously  laid  out. 
What  the}'  platted  appears  on  the  maps  of 
the  present  time  as  the  "original  plan  "  and  is 
bounded  by  Water  and  Third,  and  Chest- 
nut and  Division  streets.  The  combined 
exertions  of  these  three  men  were  now  set 
forth  to  accomplish  the  end  already  adverted 
to.  The  greatest  obstacle  to  their  success 
was  the  opposing  influence  of  Col.  Ratliff 
Boon,  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability, 
a  courageous  patriot  and  pioneer  leader 
whose  influence  was  not  confined  by  the 
limits  of  his  own  county.  He  was  a  native 
of  Georgia,  but  at  an  early  age  moved  with 
his  parents  to  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Indi- 
ana territory-  about  1809,  settling  in  War- 
rick county,  and  from  that  time  forward, 
until  he  left  the  state,  was  identified  with 
all  public  enterprises.  He  was  the  first 
representative  of  Warrick  countv,  was 
twice    elected    lieutenant-governor    of    the 


■1-4 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATIOX. 


state  and,  when  Go\.  Wni.  Hendricks  was 
elected  to  the  U.  S.  senate,  he  filled  the  un- 
expired term  as  governor.  Personally 
interested  in  the  town  of  Darlington,  he  did 
not  look  with  favor  on  any  plan  which 
seemed  likely  to  affect  its  prosperity. 

Enthusiastic  and  deeph*  in  earnest  in  the 
contemplation  of  his  favorite  theme,  Col. 
McGarvdid  not  allow  his  courage  to  weaken, 
and  his  complaints  of  Col.  Boon  were  full 
of  bitterness.  His  address  was  not  dis- 
pleasing, and  his  conversations  on  the  subject 
of  the  ultimate  greatness  of  his  embryonic 
city,  sparkling  as  they  did  with  genuine 
ardor,  were  deeply  interesting. 

About  this  time  Gen.  Joseph  Lane,  after- 
ward of  national  repute,  known  as  a  wise 
and  upright  representative  in  the  state  legis- 
latures, a  hero  of  the  Mexican  war,  a  mem- 
ber of  congress,  and  governor  of  Oregon, 
then  a  young  man,  figured  in  the  drama  be- 
ginning to  be  acted  by  becoming  the  means 
of  bringing  the  weightier  men  together. 
Young  Lane  was  engaged  with  others  in 
rafting  logs  near  Darlington,  and  floating 
them  to  Red  Banks,  where  J.  J.  Audubon, 
later  the  foremost  of  American  ornithologists, 
had  erected,  somewhat  in  advance  of  the 
times,  a  steam  saw-mill  which  afterward 
failed.  When  rowing  back  to  his  home  he 
stopped  on  the  banks  of  the  river  near 
McGary's  house  to  spend  the  night,  and  then 
fell  a  victim  to  the  enthusiastic  and  pleasing 
manner  of  the  sanguine  Colonel,  walking 
with  him  over  the  site  of  the  hoped-for 
city,  then  wild  with  forest  trees  and  under- 
brush, hearing  without  resentment  the  bit- 
ter speeches  of  his  companion  against  Col. 
Boon,  whom  Lane  admired  and  counted 
among  his  best  friends.  Lane  was  soon 
afterward  employed  in  the  clerk's  office  in 
Warrick  county,  and  there  suggested  to 
Col.  Boon  the  opportunity  in  his  power  of 
making  valuable  friends  by  assisting  in  the 


formation  of  a  new  county  and  yet  lea^•ing 
Warrick  county  large  enough  to  serve  his 
own  purposes.  Whether  or  not  this  sug- 
gestion brought  the  chief  actors  together, 
!  it  is  true  that  during  the  next  session  of  the 
circuit  court  at  Darlington,  an  informal  con- 
versation was  held  in  the  clerk's  office, 
which  led  finally  to  the  consummation  of 
McGar\"s  hopes. 

Judge  Daniel  Grass,  a  witty  and  able  man, 
was  at  the  time  the  senator  from  Warrick, 
Perry  and  Posev  counties  in  the  state  legis- 
lature. In  1S07  he  had  entered  the  land  on 
which  the  town  of  Rockport  now  stands  and, 
emigrating  from  Bardstown,  K}-.,  subse- 
quentlv  became  the  possessor  of  much  land 
within  the  present  borders  of  Spencer  county. 
He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  in  1813,  and 
served  for  three  years  from  1814  on  the 
bench,  as  an  associate  judge  with  Hugh 
McGarj'  as  his  colleague.  He  was  chosen 
to  represent  Warrick  county  at  the  constitu- 
tional convention  held  at  Corydon  in  1S16, 
and  later  was  conspicuously  identified  with 
the  public  affairs  of  Spencer  county.  Judge 
Grass  and  Col.  Boon  had  already  become  riv- 
als and  competitors  in  the  struggles  for  polit- 
ical honors.  The  pecuniary  interests  of  the 
former  were  centered  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  county,  and  the  political  prospects  of 
each  of  the  rivals  could  be  made  brighter 
by  a  division  of  the  field  of  labor.  This 
Spencer  county  man  was  too  important  a 
personage  to  be  left  out  of  the  conference; 
there  were  present  Col.  Boon,  Gen.  Evans, 
Judge  Grass,  Col.  McGary  and  Lane.  The 
proposed  plan  was  discussed  at  length.  It 
was  claimed,  and  with  good  reason,  that  the 
territory  was  too  extensive  for  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  one  court,  and  for  good  government, 
though  at  the  time  settlers  were  exceedingh' 
scarce;  and  further,  that  the  organization  of 
new  counties  must  follow  at  no  distant  day; 
the  time  seemed  ripe  for  its  accomplishment 


CREATIOX  OF  VAXDERBURGH  COCXrV. 


->••> 


the  pi"i\ate  interests  of  all  concerned  might 
be  enhanced  without  detriment  to  the  public; 
if  the  opportuiiitv  were  allowed  to  pass  it 
mi<iht  never  return.  The  force  of  these 
arguments  was  conceded,  the  only  objection 
being  that  Darlington  would  receive  a  fatal 
blow  bv  such  legislation,  because  the  re- 
location of  the  seat  of  justice  would  neces- 
sarily follow.  At  length  a  plan  satisfactory 
to  all  was  agreed  upon.  It  provided  for  the 
oriranization  of  two  new  counties  with  boun- 
daries  so  fixed  that  Evansville  and  Rock- 
port,  then  called  Hanging  Rock  and  not  yet 
the  site  of  a  town,  would  be  the  most  favor- 
able points  for  the  seats  of  justice.  Darling- 
ton was  to  be  left  to  continue  its  struggle  for 
existence  as  best  it  could  deprived  of  all  pub- 
lic support.  Col.  Boon  .vas  relieved  of  his 
political  rival,  and  his  name  was  to  be  per- 
petuated in  the  christening  of  the  new  county 
seat  of  Warrick  county.  Apparently,  sordid 
motives  underlay  this  entire  transaction, 
which  "he  who  runs  niay  read."'  In  shaping 
these  deliberations  and  leading  to  a  conclu- 
sion, personal  interest  was  doubdess  a  con- 
trolling fact  jr.  But  be  it  said  to  the  credit 
of  the  actors  that  private  gain  was  not  made 
at  public  expense,  for  great  permanent  good 
to  the  communities  affected  was  the  result. 
The  programme  was  made  a  vear  or  more 
prior  to  its  consummation  by  legislative  en- 
actment, and,  indeed,  in  all  probability,  long 
before  Gen.  Evans  and  Mr.  Jones  became  to 
any  great  extent  pecuniaril}^  interested  in  the 
town  of  Evans\ille.  Thus  Vanderburgh 
county,  as  an  organic  unit,  owes  its  existence 
more  to  the  unyielding  perseverance  and  un- 
tiring zeal  of  Hugh  McGary  in  his  efforts 
to  maintain  the  village  of  Evansville  than  to 
any  other  single  agencv. 

Warrick  county  had  been  named  in  honor 
of  Capt.  Jacob  Warrick,  a  pioneer  hero,  who 
received  a  mortal  wound  on  the  field  of 
Tippecanoe  while  bravel\-  leading  his  com- 


mand. Spencer  county  was  now  named  in 
honor  of  Capt.  Spear  Spencer,  an  able  pat- 
riot, also  killed  at  Tippecanoe.  The  act 
authorizing  its  formation  was  passed  at  the 
same  time  as  that  providing  for  the  forma- 
tion of  Vanderburgh  count\-  and  was  ap- 
proved three  days  later,  January  lo,  i8i8. 
It  mattered  little  to  McGary  what  name 
was  given  to  the  new  count\-.  If  an\-  was 
suggested  or  agreed  upon  in  the  conference 
which  determined  the  (piestion  of  its  forma- 
tion it  was  abandoned  for  reasons  of  policy. 
Judge  Henry  Vanderburgh  was  worthy  the 
honor  conferred  upon  his  memory,  but  he 
was  in  no  way  identified  w'ith  the  formation 
or  development  of  the  county.  He  had  no 
interests  in  lands  in  this  locality  and  no  claim 
of  a  local  nature  upon  the  people  here.  He 
was  born  in  Troy.,  N.  Y.,  in  1760,  and  at  the 
early  age  of  sixteen  was  appointed  a  lieu- 
tenant in  the  Fifth  New  York  Regiment  Con- 
tinental troops,  to  rank  as  such  from  the  21st 
day  of  November,  1776.  Hiscommission  was 
signed  by  John  Jay,  afterward  chief  justice 
of  the  United  States,  and  then  president  of 
the  Continental  congress,  sitting  at  Phila- 
delphia. He  was  re-appointed  bv  John 
Hancock,  and,  subsequently  being  commis- 
sioned captain  in  the  Second  regiment, 
served  with  honor  to  himself  and  credit  to 
his  country  until  the  close  of  the  war  in  178,^. 
The  exact  time  of  his  coming  to  the  then 
Northwest  territory  is  not  known,  but  prob- 
ably it  was  in  1788,  for  in  February,  1790, 
he  was  married  in  Vincennes  to  Frances 
Cornoyer,  the  daughter  of  Pierre  Cornover, 
one  of  the  most  respected  of  the  ancient 
inhabitants  of  Port  Vincennes,  then  hirgely 
engaged  in  the  Indian  trade.  In  1791  he 
was  appointed  by  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair, 
then  commander  in  chief  and  governor  of 
tlie  Northwest  territory,  justice  of  the  peace 
and  judge  of  probate  for  Knox  county. 
The  first  legislature  which  the  people  of  the 


\6 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATION. 


Northwest  territory  had  any  part  in  elect- 
ing met  at  Cincinnati  in  1799.  From  the 
nominations  made  by  the  representatives, 
Judge  V^anderburgh  was  selected  by  Gov. 
St.  Clair  as  one  of  the  five  who  constituted 
the  legislative  council,  and  by  his  colleagues 
in  the  council  he  was  chosen  as  their  presi- 
dent. Upon  the  organization  of  Indiana 
territorv  suitable  recoifnition  was  CTiven  his 
ability  as  a  lawver  in  his  selection  as  one  of 
the  territorial  judges,  which  honorable  po- 
sition he  filled  with  credit  to  himself  and  the 
territory  until  his  death  in  1S12.  Interested 
in  the  educational  affairs  of  the  territory, 
he  became  in  1807  a  member  of  the  first 
board  of  trustees  of  the  V^incennes  Uni- 
versity. As  a  scholar  and  a  soldier  he  was 
eminent.  He  sustained  the  reputation  of  an 
upright  and  humane  judge,  and  his  death, 
which  occurred  April  12,  181 2,  was  gener- 
ally regretted.  He  was  buried  with  im- 
posing Masonic  honors  on  a  farm  east  of 
Vincennes. 

Judge  Vanderburgh  was  the  kinsman  of 
Gen.  John  Tipton,  of  Harrison  countv,  one 
of  the  most  influential  men  then  in  the  leg- 
islature. Tipton  gained  distinction  in  the 
campaigns  of  Gen.  Harrison,  and  being  a 
man  of  rare  abilitj-,  made  his  influence  felt 
in  the  formation  and  naming  of  many  of  the 
counties  in  the  state.  He  admired  Judge 
Vanderburgh  and  revered  his  memorv. 
How  natural  to  wish  to  perpetuate  his  name 
in  honor,  and  how  easy  to  attain  the  wish  by 
favoring  the  plan  which  was  submitted  for 
the  approval  of  the  legislature.  The  final 
act  which  sealed  these  negotiations,  making 
a  new  count^^  and  naming  it  Vanderburgh, 
was  the  passage  of  a  bill  which  is  here  in- 
serted in  full: 

An  Act  Jo r  the  formation  of  a  iiczv  countv 
oat  of  the  f  resent  counties,  of  Warrick, 
Gibson  and  Posey,  and  for  the  removal  of 


the  seat  of  Justice  of  Warrick  county  and 
for  other  purposes. 
Approved  Januar\-  7,  1818. 

Section  i.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  general 
assembly  of  tiie  state  of  Indiana,  that  from 
and  after  the  first  day  of  February  next,  all 
that  tract  or  parcel  of  country  which  is 
included  within  the  boundaries  following, 
shall  constitute  and  form  a  new  count}-  to  be 
known  and  designated  by  the  name  and  st^-le 
of  the  county  of  Vanderburgh,  viz. :  Begin- 
ning on  the  Ohio  river  where  the  range  line 
dividing  Ranges  11  and  12  west  strike  the 
same,  thence  north  with  said  range  line  to 
the  center  of  Township  4  south  of  Bucking- 
ham's base  line,  thence  east  through  the 
center  of  Township  4  south,  to  the  range 
line  dividing  Ranges  9  and  10  west,  thence 
south  with  said  range  line  to  a  line  dividing 
Townships  5  and  6  south,  thence  east  to  the 
first  section  line  in  Range  9,  thence  south 
with  said  section  line  to  the  Ohio  river, 
thence  down  the  Ohio  river  with  the  mean- 
ders thereof  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Section  2.  The  said  new  countv,  hereby 
formed  and  established,  shall  enjoy  and  ex- 
ercise all  the  rights,  privileges  and  jurisdic- 
tions, which  to  a  separate  county  do  or  may 
properly  appertain  or  belong. 

Section  3.  John  Stevenson,  of  Perry 
county,  Arthur  Harbison,  of  Pike  county, 
William  Hargrave,  of  Gibson  county,  John 
Allen,  of  Daviess  county,  Archibald  Scott, 
of  Knox  county,  be  and  they  are  hereby  ap- 
pointed commissioners  to  fix  the  seat  of  jus- 
tice in  the  said  county  of  Vanderburgh,  who 
shall  meet  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Scott,  in 
said  countv  of  Vanderburgh,  on  the  second 
Mondav  in  March  next,  and  proceed  to  fix 
the  seat  of  justice  for  the  said  county  of 
Vanderburgh,  agreeably  to  the  provisions  of 
an  act  for  the  fixing  the  seats  of  justice  in  all 
new  counties  hereafter  to  be  laid  off. 


LOCATION  OF  THE  ('OVXTY  SEAT. 


47 


Section  4.  Until  a  court  house  shall  be 
erected  for  the  accommodation  of  the  court  | 
in  the  said  new  county,  the  courts  of  the  said  ! 
countA-  of  Vanderburgh  shall  be  held  at.  the 
house  of  Hugh  McGary,  in  the  town  of 
Evansville,  in  said  county,  or  at  such  other 
place  as  the  court  may  from  lime  to  time  ad- 
journ to. 

Section  5.  That  the  board  of  commis- 
sioners authorized  to  transact  county  busi- 
ness in  and  for  the  county  of  Vanderburgh, 
shall,  as  soon  as  convenient  after  the  seat  of 
justice  is  tixed,  cause  the  necessary  public 
buildings  for  said  count}-  to  be  erected 
thereon. 

Section  6.  The  courts  shall  be  ad- 
journed thereto  as  soon  as  the  court  house 
is,  in  the  opinion  of  the  circuit  court  of  said 
new  count}',  sufficiently  completed  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  courts. 

Section  7.  Whenever  the  seat  of  justice 
within  the  county  of  \'anderburgh  shall 
have  been  established,  the  person  authorized 
to  dispose  of  the  public  lots,  belonging  to 
said  town,  shall  reserve  ten  per  centum  on 
the  net  proceeds  of  the  whole  sale,  for  the 
use  of  a  county  library  in  said  county,  which 
sum  or  sums  of  money  shall  be  paid  over  to 
such  person  or  persons  as  shall  be  author- 
ized to  receive  the  same,  in  such  manner 
and  in  such  installments  as  shall  be  author- 
ized by  law. 

The  balance  of  the  act  relates  to  the 
changing  of  the  seat  of  justice  of  Warrick 
county  from  Darlington,  where  it  then  was, 
to  some  other  place  to  be  selected  by  com- 
missioners appointed  for  that  purpose. 
There  is  nothing  further  of  interest  in  it  per- 
taining to  Vanderburgh  count}-. 

On  the  day  appointed  by  law  for  the  first 
meeting  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of 
the  new  county,  March  9,  181S,  James  An- 
thony, David  Brumtield  and  George  Sirkle 
assembled  at  the  designated  place,  and  each 


producing  a  certificate  of  election  with  the 
oath  of  office  duly  endorsed  thereon,  organ- 
ized themselves  properly  and  proceeded  to 
business.  No  definite  action  resulted  from 
their  first  day's  deliberations.  The  most 
important  business  to  be  transacted  was  the 
fixing  of  the  county  seat,  and  there  was  some 
uneasiness  over  the  non-arrival  of  some 
of  the  commissioners.  On  the  follow- 
ing day,  the\-  divided  the  county  into  two 
townships  as  elsewhere  described.  Pigeon 
township,  of  Warrick  count\-,  had  pre- 
viously embraced  nearly  all  of  the  new 
county.  Elections  for  the  selection  of  jus- 
tices of  the  peace  were  directed  to  be  held 
in  both  of  the  townships;  the  time  and 
places  of  holding  the  same  were  definitely 
fixed.  Hugh  McGar}-"s  warehouse  was  de- 
clared a  public  warehouse  and  inspectors  for 
it  were  appointed,  overseers  of  the  poor,  su- 
perintendents of  school  sections  and  an  as- 
sessor were  appointed.  Matthias  Whet- 
stone, Patrick  Calvert  and  James  Patton 
were  appointed  to  view  a  proposed  public 
highway.  Some  of  the  commissioners  ap- 
pointed by  the  legislature  to  fix  the  per- 
manent seat  of  justice  having  failed  to 
appear  the  vacancies  thus  caused  were  filled 
by  appointment.  Arthur  Harbison,  John 
Stephens  and  John  Allen  were  they  who 
neglected  to  appear.  Thomas  E.  Cassel- 
berry,  Wilson  Bullett  and  Elias  Barker  were 
appointed  in  their  stead.  These  three,  to- 
gether with  William  Hargro\e  and  Archi- 
bald Scott,  previously  designated  by  the 
legislature,  came  before  the  board  of  county 
commissioners  on  the  next  day,  March  nth, 
and  submitted  their  report,  which  being  a 
venerable  and  interesting  document  is  pre- 
sented in  full  in  connection  w  ith  the  early 
histor}-  of  the  city  of  Evansville  as  elsewhere 
recorded. 

After  accepting  the  report  of  the  locating 
commissioners,    by    which    Evansville    was 


Jt8 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATION 


selected  as  the  seat  of  government  for  the  new 
county,  the  board  of  commissioners  pro- 
ceeded to  appoint  a  county  agent  and  treas- 
urer. For  locating  the  seat  of  justice  the 
following  allowances  were  made :  Archibald 
Scott,  $21.00;  William  Hargrove,  $15.00; 
Wilson  BuUett  and  Elias  Barker,  each  $9.00; 
Thos.  E.  Ca.sselberr3',  $6.00.  All  of  this  im- 
portant business  was  transacted  in  three  days, 
after  which  an  adjournment  to  May  11, 
1818,  was  ordered.  The  subsequent  im- 
portant acts  of  the  board  of  commissioners 
are  mentioned  in  detail  in  connection  with 
the  subjects  to  which  they  relate,  and  fur- 
ther facts  concerning  the  chief  actors  in  the 
formation  of  the  county  are  stated  in  con- 
nection with  the  early  history  of  Evansville. 

Cottnty  Coiiiinhs/oiiers. —  The  board  of 
commissioners  is  composed  of  three  men 
elected  by  the  people,  one  from  each  of  three 
districts,  with  fixed  limits,  into  which  the 
county  is  divided.  Without  pretensions  to 
legal  exactitude,  it  may  be  said  that  it  rep- 
resents and  acts  for  the  county  as  agent  in 
all  business  transactions.  Its  duties  are 
ministerial,  being  particularly  prescribed  by 
law,  yet  great  latitude  is  allowed  for  the  ex- 
ercise of  discretion  and  judgment.  As 
stated  elsewhere,  James  Anthon}-,  David 
Brumfield  and  George  Sirkle,  formed  the 
first  board.  Others  who  served  prior  to 
1824  were  Benjamin  McNew,  William  Olm- 
stead.  Jay  Morehouse,  D.  F.  Goldsmith,  and 
Kirby  Armstrong. 

The  legislature  of  1823-4  enacted  a  law 
which  entirel}'  changed  the  plan  of  trans- 
acting county  business  so  far  as  concerned 
the  -personnel  of  the  acting  bod}^.  It  pro- 
vided that  the  justices  of  the  peace  in  the 
county  should  organize  as  a  board  and  as- 
sume the  duties  theretofore  discharged  by 
the  commissioners.  The  first  meeting  of  the 
board  of  justices  in  this  county  was  held  on 
the  id  Monday  in   September,   1S24,  at  the 


court-house,  when  there  were  present  Leon 
F.  Ragar,  Daniel  Miller,  Benjamin  F. 
Barker,  Eli  Sherwood,  William  Bingam, 
James  Kirkpatrick  and  John  Conner,  the 
last  named  being  chosen  president  of  the 
board.  At  the  expiration  of  Mr.  Conner's 
term  as  a  justice  in  July,  1825,  Eli  Sherwood 
was  made  president  pro  ton.,  and  an  election 
was  ordered  to  be  held  in  August  following. 
Mr.  Conner  was  elected  by  the  people  as 
his  own  successor,  and  upon  the  assembl3'of 
the  justices  in  September  was  again  chosen 
president,  and  continued  to  serve  as  such 
till  September,  1828,  when  Nathan  Rowle}-, 
Esq.,  was  elected  in  his  stead,  who,  being 
succeeded  after  one  year's  service  b}-  James 
Ross,  Esq.,  was  again  elected  in  September, 

1830.  The  transaction  of  the  public  busi- 
ness was  somewhat  retarded  b}-  this  un- 
wieldy bod}'.  The  large  number  made  it 
sometimes  difficult  to  get  a  quorum,  and  it 
became  necessary  at  times  to  send  the 
sheriff  for  delinquent  members  and  adjourn 
from  day  to  day  until  enough  were  brought 
in  to  proceed  to  business.  In  January,  1831, 
the  leirislature  recoffniziny  the  difiiculties 
incident  to  such  a  mode  of  doing  business 
enacted  a  law  providing  for  a  return  to  the 
former  plan  of  a  board  of  commissioners. 
The  board  of  justices  divided  the  county 
into  three  districts  at  their  Ma}-  term,  1831, 
and  held  the  last  meeting  in  July  following, 
when  there  were  present  James  Ross,  presi- 
dent pro  tcni.;  Alpheus  Fairchild,  John  S. 
Saunders,  Martin  Miller  and  Hiram  Nelson. 
Their  last  othcial  act  was  the  appointment 
of  Edward  Hopkins  as  collector  of  taxes  for 

1831.  On  the  first  Monday  in  September, 
183 1,  James  Ross,  John  B.  Stinson  and 
Amos  Clark  con\ened  at  the  court  house, 
organized  as  a  board  of  commissioners, 
adopted  a  scroll  as  a  common  seal  and  pro- 
ceeded to  the  dispatch  of  business.  Those 
who  have  since  served  the  public  in  this  ca- 


%^:- 


':i;=^v 


^    **Tt:^iSr^-r?c'" 


^^;f^.  '^^  ,C?^ 


(S<. 


CorXTV  OFFTCERS  J.\7>  THEIR  Dl'TfES. 


r,l 


pacity  arc  liere  named  in  the  order  of  ser- 
\iie :  C.  I).  Bourne,  Vicissimus  K.  Phar, 
J.  J5.  Stinson,  Kdward  Hopkins,  Wm.  R. 
Barker,  Thos.  F.  Stockwell,  Everton  Ken- 
nerly,  Simpson  Ritchey,  I).  D.  Grimes, 
Willard  Carpenter,  Edmund  Maidlow,  Ever- 
ton Kennerlv,  Ezekiel  Saunders,  Ira  P. 
Grainger,  John  Burtis,  Michael  P.  Jones, 
Lero\-  Calvert,  Simeon  T>ong,  Jr.,  Aianson 
Warner,  Edmund  Maidlow,  Alexander  Mad- 
dux, Cassimer  Schlamp  (appointed  in  1853 
to  lill  the  vacancy  occasioned  b\'  the  death  of 
A.  Warner),  William  Pruitt,  John  Rhein- 
lander,  Michael  Muentzer,  James  Neel  (ap- 
pointed in  1855  to  lill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
resitrnation  of  I.  Rheinlander  1,  Robert  Par- 
rett,  John  Hogue  (appointed  in  i860  to  fill 
the  vacancy  occasioned  by  death  of  R.  Par- 
rett),  M.  W.  Foster,  John  Dumb,  John 
Hogue,  Bernard  Nurre,  Charles  Knowles, 
Joseph  B.  Parrett,  Philip  Decker,  Thomas 
15o\ver,  Henry  W.  Hawkins,  Samuel  Barker 
(appointed  in  1869  to  fill  vacancy  caused 
by  resignation  of  H.  W.  Hawkins),  James 
Erskine,  James  D.  Fair,  Clark  Cody,  Benja- 
min Young,  George  Peva,  Christian  Hod- 
derich,  A.  A.  Svvope,  Jacob  Bennighof, 
Samuel  Barker,  John  Laval,  Wm.  Dean 
(appointed  in  1882  to  lill  \acancv  caused  by 
resignation  of  J.  Laval),  Ilenrv  Brommel- 
house,  Wm.  E.  Bauer,  Henry  Mesker,  J.  F. 
Saunders,  Christian  Wunderlicli,  Wm. 
Bower,  James  L.  King,  and  Henr\-  H. 
Boeke. 

Count Y  Trciisitrcr.  —This  officer  is  charged 
with  the  safe-keeping  and  proper  disburse- 
ment of  all  money  belonging  to  the  countv. 
At  first  he  was  appointed  b}-  the  county 
commissioners,  but  later  the  office  became 
elective,  the  term  extending  two  vears.  The 
lirst  treasurer  of  the  county  was  George  W. 
Jacobs,  appointed  March  10,  1818.  His 
bondsmen  were  Robert  M.  Evans  and  Luke 
Wood.  So  faithful  was  he'to  the  trust  com- 
3 


mitted  to  him,  that  he  was  annuallv  ap- 
pointed until  his  death.  His  successor  was 
Maj.  Aianson  Warner,  who  assumed  the 
duties  of  the  office  January  i,  1829. 
Alexantler  Johnston  served  during  1830, 
but  in  tiie  following  }'ear  Maj.  Warner  was 
again  appointed  and  served  until  1841,  ex- 
cept during  the  four  years  from  1833  to  1836, 
inclusive,  when  John  M.  Lockwood  held  the 
office.  B.  Royston,  by  election  and  appoint- 
ment, served  from  September,  1841,  to 
March,  1845.  Subsequenth-,  the  people 
have  chosen  from  their  number,  to  fill  this 
important  and  responsible  position,  the  fol- 
lowing citizens:  Robert  W.  Dunbar,  1845 
to  1854;  Theodore  Venemann,  1854  to  1858; 
Leroy  Calvert,  1862  to  1864;  John  Rhein- 
lander, 1864  to  1866;  F.  Lunkenheimer, 
1866  to  1871;  WilHam  Warren,  Jr.,  1871  to 
1875;  Emil  Rahm,  1875  to  1879;  Thos.  P. 
Britton,  1879  to  1883;  John  J.  Hays,  1883 
to  1887;  August  Leich,  1SS7  to  1891.  The 
death  of  Mr.  Britton  in  July,  1883,  caused  a 
vacancy,  which  \\as  filled  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  his  deput\-,  Martin  INLinn,  Jr.,  who 
served  from  August  to  October  of  the  year 
named. 

Coil  11/ y  Aiidilor. —  The  office  of  county 
auditor  is  of  comparatively  recent  creation. 
It  is  elective,  the  term  being  four  years. 
The  auditor  is  the  fiscal  agent  and  book- 
keeper of  the  county.  He  is  cx-officio  clerk  of 
the  board  of  commissioners,  and  is  entrusted 
with  the  management  of  the  common  school 
and  congressional  township  funds.  James  M. 
Johnston  was.  the  first  to  hold  the  office;  he 
was  appointed  in  August,  1S41,  and  resigned 
in  January,  1S43.  His  successor  was"  H.  C. 
Gwathney,  who  also  resigned  in  June  follow- 
ing his  appointment.  William  II.  Walker 
was  appointed  t(j  the  office  in  1S43,  and  in 
the  next  year  was  chosen  by  the  popular 
vote  as  his  own  successor,  and  continued  in 
the   office   until   March,    1862,  since   which 


5'2 


CO  UNTY  OR  GA  XIZA  TIOX. 


time  it  has  been  lield  by  Victor  Bisch,  from 
1862  to  1870;  Philip  Decker,  1870  to  1S74; 
Joseph  J.  Reitz,  1874  to  1878;  William 
Warren,  Jr.,  1878  to  1882;  Charles  F.  Yae- 
ger,.i8S2  to  18S6;  James  D.  Parvin,  the 
present  incumbent,  whose  term  will  expire 
in  1S90. 

County  Agent. — This  officer,  at  present 
unknown,  was  in  earl}'  times  an  important 
public  functionary.  As  the  name  implies 
he  was  an  agent,  his  principal  being  the 
county  personified  in  the  board  of  commis- 
sionei'S.  He  sold  property  belonging  to  the 
county,  executed  papers  in  its  behalf,  made 
purchases  for  its  use,  and  in  a  general  way 
superintended  its  affairs.  The  first  agent  was 
Daniel  Miller,  appointed  March  10,  1818. 
His  bondsmen  were  William  Wagnon,  and 
William  R.  McGarv.  Among  those  en- 
trusted  with  the  discharge  of  duties  per- 
taining to  this  office  were  Harley  B. 
Chandler,  Jacob  Zimmerman,  Amos  Clark, 
Levi  Price,  James  Lockhart,  Jay  More- 
house and  many  others.  The  last  to  hold 
the  office  was  Hon.  Thomas  E.  Garvin,  who 
made  his  final  report  and  surrendered  the 
books  and  papers  of  the  office  in  December, 
1852,  the  legislature,  in  the  preceding 
May,  having  abolished  the  office  by  trans- 
ferring its  duties  to  the  county  auditor. 

Recorder. — This  officer  keeps  the  records 
of  deeds,  mortgages,  etc.,  and  is  elected  by 
the  people  for  a  term  of  four  years.  The 
incumbents  of  the  office  have  been :  Hugh 
McGary,  1818-1821;  W.  M.  Lewis,  1S21- 
1832;  W.  T.  T.  Jones,  i832--i836;  C.  D. 
Bourne,  1836-1843;  S.  T.  Jenkins,  1843- 
1852;  George  H.  Todd,  May  to  November, 
1852;  Christian  Bippus,  1852-1856;  John 
Farrell,  1856-1860;  F.  Lunkenheimer, 
1860-1864;  C.  Tomhemelt,  1864-1872;  S. 
B.  Sansom,  1872-1880;  Charles  T.Jenkins, 
1880-1884;  Louis  Sihler,  the  present  in- 
cumbent, whose  term  expires  in  1892, 


Clerk. — Formerly  the  clerk  of  the  circuit 
court  was  ex-qffic/o  clerk  of  the  board  of 
commissioners.  The  duties  of  the  office 
are  now  limited  to  the  business  of  the  cir- 
cuit and  superior  courts,  the  issue  of  mar- 
riage licenses,  and  some  other  transactions. 
The  clerk  is  elected  every  four  years.  The 
office  has  been  held  by  Hugh  McGary, 
1818-1821;  James  W.Jones,  1822-1S36;  C. 
D.  Bourne,  1 836-1843;  Samuel  T.  Jenkins, 
1S43-1852;  Ben  Stinson,  Maj-  to  November, 
1852;  Jacob  Lunkenheimer,  1852-1857; 
Louis  Richter,  1857-1S64;  Blythe  Hynes, 
1864-1868;  Soren  Sorenson,  186S-1876; 
Jesse  W.  Walker,  1876-1884;  Charles  T. 
Jenkins,  1884,  term  expires  1892. 

Sheriff. — John  B.  Stinson,  1818;  Hazael 
Putnam,  August  24,  181 8;  Alanson  Warner, 
1822;  James  Newman,  1S24,  Alanson  War- 
ner, February,  1827;  Daniel  Miller,  Sep- 
tember, 1827;  Levi  Price,  1^31;  Edward 
Hopkins,  1834;  Daniel  Miller,  1835 ;  Thomas 
F.  Stockwell,  1839;  William  M.  Walker, 
1843;  John  Echols,  1847;  John  S.  Terry, 
1849;  John  S.  Gavit,  1853:  John  B.  Hall, 
1857;  John  S.  Gavit,  1859;  George  Wolflin,, 
1861;  George  Wolffin,  1863;  Robert  Early, 
August,  1865;  Alex  Darling,  October,  1865; 
Jacob  H.  Miller,  1867;  Adolph  Pfafflin,  1870; 

C.  Wunderlich,  1874;  J.  A.  Lemcke,  1878; 
Thomas  Keith,  1880;  Charles  .Schaum,  18S4; 
Frank  Pritchett,  1888. 

Surveyor. — Joseph  M.  McDowell,  June 
17,  1819;  (The  records  in  regard  to  this 
office  are  incomplete.)  Charles  G.  Omsted, 
1853;  Azariah  T.  Whittlesey,  1855;  James 

D.  Saunders,  1856;  J.  R.  Frick,  i860;  James 
D.  Saunders,  1862;  S.  C.  Rogers,  1864; 
Charles  B.  Bateman,  1870;  August  Pfafflin, 
1S72;  James  D.  Saunders,  1876;  Robert  S. 
Cowan,  1880;  George  W.  Rank,  1882; 
George  W.  Saunders,  1884;  Franklin  Sours, 
1886;  August  Pfafflin,  1888. 

Coroner. —  Lewis    Tackett,    August    24, 


COUNTY  OFFICERS  AND  THEIR  DUTIES. 


1818;  Alanson  Warner,  September,  1819: 
Daniel  Avery,  1822;  Jesse  C.  Doom,  1S24; 
Alanson  Warner,  1825;  John  Shaver,  1S27; 
David  H.  Stevens,  1829;  Seth  Fairchild, 
1831;  Z.  B.  Aydelott,  1836;  Adrian  Young, 
1838;  Seth  Fairchild,  1842:  Lewis  Howes, 
1844;  John  Clippies,  1847;  Allen  C.  Ilallock, 
1849;  John  Trible,  1851;  James  G.  Hatch- 
ett,  1857;  John  Wayman,  1859:  Ira  A. 
Fairchild,  1S62;  John  Beschman,  1864:  Sam- 
uel P.  Havlin,  1866;  George  F. -Saner,  1868; 
Robert  Smith,  1S72;  George  F.  Sauer,  1874; 
Fred  Woseger,  1878;  John  B.  Hermeling, 
1880;  Elijah  L.  Carter,  1S82;  Fred  Wahn- 
seidler,  18S4:  Alfred  Andrews,  18S8. 

Bcprcsciitalizrs* — Doi:aghe,Hugh  M.,'2 1 ; 
Lane,  Joseph,  '22;  Evans,  Robert  M.,  '23; 
McCrarv,  John,  '25 ;  Fitzgerald,  Thomas,  '25 ; 
Mcjohnston,  Charles  M.,  '27;  Trafton,  Wm., 
'28;  Evans,  Robert  M.,  '29;  Lane,  Joseph, 
'30;  Brackenridge,  John  A.,  '33;  Graham, 
Christopher  C,  '35;  Jones,  Wm.  T.  T.,'36; 
Lane,  Joseph,  '38;  Butler,  Wm.  B.,-  '39; 
Clark,  Amos,  '41 ;  Butler,  W.  B.,  '42;  Miller, 
Daniel,  "43;  Walker,  James  T., '44;  Baker, 
Conrad,  "45:  Battel!,  Chas.  I.,  '46;  Blythe, 
James  E.,  "47;  James,  Nathaniel  J.,  '48; 
Greathouse,  William  R.,  '49;  Ilutchins, 
Lsaac,  '50;  Carpenter,  Willard,  '51;  Stock- 
well,  John  M.,  '53 ;  Hardin,  Grampee  W.,  '55 ; 
Denby,  Charles,  '57;  Stinson,  Ben,  '59; 
Bljthe,  James  E.,  '59;  Edson,  Joseph  P., 
'61;  Hopkins,  John  S.,  '61;  Garvin,  Thomas 
E.,  '63;  Reitz,  John  A., '63:  Sullivan,  Ed- 
ward T.,  '65 ;  Cook,  Fred  W.,  "65 ;  Bischof, 
Emil,  '67;  Hopkins,  John  S.,  '67;  Calvert, 
Leroy,  ''6g;  Welborn,  Jos.  F.,  '69;  Hooker, 
Robert  P.,  '71;  Heilman,  Wm.,  '71;  Riggs, 
James  D.,  '73;  Wolflin,  George,  '73;  Pfafflin, 
Adolph,  '75;  jMiller,  Wm.  IL, '75 ;  White- 
head,   John,    '77;     Dannettelle,  John,    '77; 

*  The  above  list  of  senators  and  representatives  was  fur- 
nished by  Hon.  W.  H.  English,  of  Indianapolis,  to  whom 
the  publishers  are  under  obligations. 


Hopkins,  John  S.,  '79;  Messick,  Jacob  W., 
'79;  Roelker,  John  H.,  '81;  Pruitt,  John  F., 
'83;  Spain,  James  W.,  '83;  Pruitt,  John  F., 
'85;  Murphy,  Christopher  J.,  '85;  Klein, 
Philip,  '87;  Mackey,  Robert  L.,  '87;  Co- 
vert, Jacob,  "87;  Covert,  Jacob,  '89;  Nolan, 
John}.,  '89;  Nugent,  John  R.,  '89. 

Senators* — Boon,  Ratliff,  '18;  Harrison, 
Elisha,  '19;  Given,  Thomas,  '25;  Battell, 
Charles  I.,  '33;  Casey,  William,  '35;  Lane, 
Joseph,  '39;  Roberts,  Gaines  H.,  '40; 
Pitcher,  John,  '41 ;  Lane,  Joseph,  '44;  Stock- 
well,  Wm.  li.,  '46;  James,  Enoch  R.,  '47; 
Greathouse,  Wm.  R.,  '53;  Drew,  Cyrus  K., 
'55;  Carnahan,  Mangus  T.,  '59;  Finch, 
George  M.,  "63;  Jacquess,  Thos.  C,  '67; 
Morgan,  Daniel,  '69;  Gooding,  Henry  C, 
'73;  Heilman,  WilHam,  '77;  Rahm,  Wm., 
Jr.,  '81 ;  Kerth,  Thomas,  'S^. 

The  Public  Square. — The  public  square, 
comprising  the  four  quarter-blocks  corner- 
ing on  Main  and  Third  streets,  running 
from  the  several  corners  on  each  of  the 
streets  named  150  feet,  or  to  the  alle3's,  was 
in  1S18  in  its  natural  state,  except  that  the 
road  from  the  north  to  the  river  passed 
through  its  limits.  In  June  of  that  year  the 
county  agent  was  directed  to  have  the  square 
cleared.  He  immediately  entered  into  con- 
tract with  Chauncey  Smith,  who,  during  the 
summer  cleared  the  land  at  a  cost  to  the 
countv  of  $55.75-  It  \vas  not  until  1837  that 
the  natural  topography  of  the  place  was  in 
any  way  altered.  At  that  time  the  half  along 
the  east  side  of  Main  street,  on  which  the 
court-house  and  jail  stood,  was  graded  and 
paved.  In  1820  a  public  pound  or  stray  pen 
was  built  W'here  the  court-house  now  is,  by 
Julius  Gibson,  for  $40.00.  It  was  four  rods 
square,  was  built  of  while  oak  posts  and 
rails,  and  stood  for  many  years.  On  the  op- 
posite corner  across  Third  street  but  near 
the  alley,  stood  for  many  years  the  market 
house  facing  Maip  street,  the  out-buildings 


5h 


COUXTY  ORGANTZA  TIOX. 


around  the  main  structure  reaching  to  the 
street. 

Coiiii-Ilouscs. —  At  times  antedating  the 
formation  of  this  county,  the  Warrick  county 
courts  were  held  at  the  house  of  Ilngh 
McGary.  Even  after  the  seat  of  justice  had 
been  removed  to  Darlington  near  the  mouth 
of  Little  Pigeon  creek,  the  hospitable  home 
of  McGary  remained  a  favorite  place  with 
the  judges.  The  new  county  of  Vander- 
burgh during  the  first  two  years  of  its  ex- 
istence continued  the  use  of  this  house  for 
its  courts.  Very  naturally  the  need  of  a 
court-house  was  immediately  recognized, 
but  steps  toward  building  it  w'ere  not  taken 
until  late  in  the  summer  of  1818,  when  the 
agent  for  the  county  was  directed  to  contract 
for  such  material  as  might  be  used  in  its  erec- 
tion. Little  progress  was  made  and  definite 
plans  were  not  adopted  until  February-  15, 
1819.  It  was  at  first  proposed  to  locate  the 
building  in  the  center  of  the  streets  so  as  to 
completely  block  Main  and  Third.  The 
ground  was  broken  and  preparations  were 
made  to  commence  the  actual  construction, 
when  the  board  of  commissioners  met  and 
concluded  to  abandon  the  purpose  of  so  ef- 
fectuallv  inconveniencing  the  public  as  to 
place  a  barrier  to  all  travel  on  its  most  pub- 
lic thoroughfare.  The  site  finally  chosen 
was  the  southeast  quarter  of  the  public 
square  as  it  then  existed  —  now  the  south- 
east corner  of  Third  and  Main  streets. 
The  building  stood  about  ten  feet  from  the 
streets  on  which  it  faced,  and  was  probably 
the  first  brick  house  in  the  city,  the  bricks 
being  burned  on  the  corner  where  the  court- 
house  now  stands.  It  was  a  heavy-looking, 
substantial  building  with  thick  walls  and 
strong  timbers.  The  foundation  was  of  stone 
three  feet  thick.  It  was  34x46  feet  in  size,  two 
stories  high,  the  eaves  being  about  twenty- 
five  feet  above  the  ground.  The  shingles 
were  heavy  and  scalloped;  and  battlements 


at  either  end  gave  it  somewhat  of  an  im- 
posing aspect.  The  whole  was  painted  a 
Spanish  brown  and  penciled  with  white  lead. 
In  the  upper  story  there  were  five  windows 
j  on  each  side  and  two  in  each  end,  and  below 
there  was  the  same  arrangement  except  that 
a  door  took  the  place  of  a  window  in  the 
end  fronting  on  Main  street.  The  first  floor 
was  of  brick  except  about  the  bar  in  the  end 
most  distant  from  the  street,  where  it  was  of 
heav}-  timbers  a  foot  wide,  and  four  inches 
thick.  The  contract  for  the  substantial  part 
of  the  structure  was  let  to  Elisha  Harrison 
and  Daniel  F.  Goldsmith  in  April,  1S19,  and 
in  May,  1S20,  the  building  was  read}'  for 
the  examination  and  acceptance  of  the  com- 
missioners. In  prm'iding  for  the  payment 
of  these  contractors  the  county  was  forced 
to  devise  \-arious  makeshifts.  Money  was 
\ery  scarce.  The  receipts  at  the  treasury 
were  small  and  loans  could  not  be  negotiated. 
Notes  of  hand  issued  by  individuals  in  favor 
of  the  county  for  lots  sold  were  assigned  by 
the  county  agent  to  the  contractors.  The}' 
were  authorized  to  collect  the  money  prom- 
ised by  the  town  proprietors  as  an  induce- 
ment for  the  selection  of  Evansville  as  a 
permanent  seat  of  justice,  which,  after  much 
trouble,  they  succeeded  in  doing.  Orders 
were  issued  to  them  —  but  they  were  orders 
on  an  empty  treasury,  and  because  of  long 
deferred  pavments  were  disposed  of  at  hea\-y 
discounts.  When  received  by  the  commis- 
sioners there  had  been  paid  in  values  of 
different  kinds,  $5,425.00,  but  this  by  no 
means  ended  the  matter.  On  one  order  is- 
sued in  1820  for  $528.06,  interest  amomit- 
ing  to  $358.83  was  allowed  in  1831.  The 
order  was  still  unpaid  m  1836,  and  the  inter- 
est was  again  compounded.  From  such 
facts  the  ultimate  cost  of  this  court-house 
may  be  approximately  reckoned. 

David   Negley  entered   into   contract  ,to 
make  the  doors,  jury  rooms,  floors  and  dg 


COURT  HOUSES. 


other  carpenter  work,  for  wliich  he  was  to 
be  paid  in  town  lots,  the  value  of  which 
should  be  determined  by  disinterested  parties 
should  he  and  the  commissioners  fail  to 
agree.  While  this  work  was  progressing 
during  the  winter  months  the  commissioners 
met  at  the  court  house  and  adjourned  to 
some  warmer  place  for  the  transaction  of 
business,  sometimes  to  the  clerk's  office  and 
again  to  the  houses  of  Everton  Kennerly 
or  I'resle}'  Pritchett.  In  August,  1822,  the 
count)-  agent  was  directed  to  make  a  deed 
of  conveyance  to  Jones  and  Walker  for  lots 
Nos.  167  and  16S,  being  lots  given  to  the 
county  of  Vanderburgh  by  the  town  of 
Evansville.  They  were  estimated  at  the 
value  of  $150.00,  which  sum  was  to  be  en- 
tered as  a  credit  for  work  done  by  Mr. 
Negley  on  the  court  house;  provided  he 
should  consent  to  the  transaction  in  writing. 
These  lots  had  been  disposed  of  at  the  sale 
by  the  county  to  James  Stinson  and  Presley 
Pritchett  for  $170.00.  Daniel  Miller  as 
agent  for  the  county  had  taken  their  notes 
in  payment  and  had  given  a  bond  for  a  deed. 
When  this  triangular  transaction  between 
Jones  and  Walker,  the  count}-,  and  Negle}-, 
was  made,  the  notes  of  Stinson  and  Pritchett 
were  siu-rendered  and  they  in  turn  gave  up 
their  bonds  for  deeds.  The  matter  was  not 
wholly  settled  until  November  of  the  next 
year,  when  at  Negley's  request  a  small  al- 
lowance was  made  to  Wm.  Walker,  in  full 
jiayment  for  the  former's  work.  Such  were 
the  expedients  resorted  to.  Tiie  county  has 
never  since  found  itself  in  just  such  straits. 
The  times  did  not  improve,  however,  and 
much  needed  repairs  were  from  time  to 
time  neglected.  In  1S37  the  vestry  of  St. 
Paul's  church  expended  a  considerable  sum 
in  repairing  the  court-house,  for  which  the 
church  was  permitted  to  use  the  building  as 
a  liouse  of  worsliip,  not,  however,  so  as  to 
interfere    with    tlie    iiolding    of   courts.     In 


making  this  arrangement  with  the  church 
the  county  reserved  the  privilege  of  refund- 
ing the  amount  used  in  repairs  and  taking 
exclusive  possession.  The  walls  of  this  old 
court-house  are  still  well  preserved.  The 
building  is  used  as  a  clothing  store  on  Main 
street  near  Third.  The  records  of  the 
county  had  been  kept  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
James  Newman.  The  treasurer  and  county 
agent  were  not  provided  with  offices.  The 
clerk  of  the  courts,  who  was  also  cx-ojfirio 
clerk  of  the  board  of  commissioners,  took 
care  of  the  books  and  papers  of  his  office 
at  his  residence  or  place  of  business.  This 
condition  of  affairs  remained  for  some  years 
after  the  erection  of  the  court-house,  but  in 
1S37  '1  fire-proof  brick  office,  18x30  feet, 
for  the  offices  of  the  clerk  and  recorder,  was 
built  on  the  public  square,  facing  Main  street, 
about  twenty  feet  south  of  the  court  house, 
by  Thomas  F.  Stockwell,  at  a  cost  of 
$818.50. 

The  conveniences  afforded  by  this  small 
building  and  tlie  court-house  soon  became 
entirely  inade([uate.  The  volume  of  the 
public  business  was  annually  increasing. 
The  population  was  growing;  an  era  of  pros- 
perity was  begun;  many  causes  had  con- 
trived to  gi\e  an  impetus  to  commercial  and 
mercantile  affairs  which  improved  the  ll- 
nancial  condition  of  the  individual  and  the 
communit}-.  In  June,  1852,  after  various 
plans  had  been  submitted  and  discussed,  an 
agreement  was  made  with  James  Ro(|uet, 
a  French  architect  and  contractor,  for  build- 
ing a  new  court-house,  jail  and  jailor's  resi- 
dence. The  design  was  substantially  that 
of  the  present  court  house,  convenient  and 
sufficiently  commodious  for  tlie  times.  The 
northeast  quarter  of  the  public  square  was 
selected  as  the  site  for  the  new  building. 
The  three  remaining  quarters  were  to  be 
transferred  by  the  count}-  to  Mr.  Roquet  as 
compensation  in   full  for  erecting  the  build- 


56 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATION. 


ings  required.     The  contracts  for  the  work 
and  amendments  in  the  plans  '.vere  drawn  by 
James   G.  Jones  and  Hon.   Conrad  Baker, 
then  attorneys  practicing  in  this  count_v.  The 
commissioners  were  Leroy  Calvert,  Alanson 
Warner  and  Simeon  Long.     Some  changes 
were  made  in  the  plans  when  the  work  was 
in    progress,   by    which  a   slate   roof  and  a 
dome  were  provided  at  an  additional  cost  of 
about  $i,ooo.     When  the  lot  on  which  the 
old    court-house    stood  was  convej-ed,  the 
consideration    named    was    $14,000,    from 
which  fact  by  making  allowance  for  the  two 
buildings  thereon,  an   estimate,  fairly  accur- 
ate, of  the  cost  of  the  court-house  and  the 
value  of  the  property  used  in  payment  for 
it,  can  be  arrived  at.     The  work  was   not 
finished  within  the  time  specified,  and  the 
commissioners  were  in  every  possible  way 
uro-inor  it  forward.     It  was  so  far  completed 
that  the  auditor,  clerk  and  recorder,  in  June, 
1855,  moved  into  the  offices  prepared  for 
them  under  its  roof.     In  the  following  Sep- 
tember the  contractor  was  urged  to  com- 
plete the  building   within  thirty  days.     On 
his  failure   to  do  this,  a  suit  on  his   contract 
was   threatened.     Unavoidable    delays    fol- 
lowed.    On  the  day  before  Christmas,  1855, 
a  fire,  originating  in   a  lumber-yard  east  of 
the  court-house,  burned  its   way  unchecked 
toward  the  new  building  and  soon  enveloped 
it  in  flames.     The  records  were   nearly  all 
removed  in  safety,  but  the   building,  except 
the    fire-proof   walls,    was    completely    de- 
stroyed.    The  commissioners  accepted  $150 
from  the   contractor   as   pa}-ment  in  full  for 
the   uncompleted    portion    of    the    building, 
thus  showing  how  little  remained  to  be  done 
to    perfect  it  when  accidentally  destroyed. 
The  sympathy  of  the  entire  community  was 
with  Mr.  Roiiuet.     About   500  leading  citi- 
zens and  tax  payers  petitioned  the  commis- 
sioners to  release  him   and  his  sureties  from 
any  liability  which  \hey  might  "be  supposed 


to  have  incurred,"   and  they  were  accord- 
ingh"    released.       Somewhat   dejected,    the 
recorder  and   treasurer,  who   were  just  be- 
ginning to  appreciate  their  new  quarters,  on 
Christmas  day  moved  back  into  the  little 
office    previousl}'   vacated,  and   which    had 
been  occupied  later  by  the  town  officers  and 
its   council.     The    Crescent  City    hall    was 
rented  for  the  use  of  the  courts;  rooms  over 
the  Crescent  City  Bank  for  the  clerk;  and  an 
isolated  office  on  the  street  for  the  auditor. 
After  the  unfortunate  fire  no   time  was  lost. 
Plans  were  immediatel}-  adopted  for  the  re- 
pair of  the  damage  done.     They  were  pre- 
pared by  a  committee  appointed  for  the  pur- 
pose, consisting  of  Peter  Sharpe,  James  G. 
Jones,  J.  S.  Hopkins,  W.  Carpenter,  J.  T. 
Hugo,     John     Henson,     James     Lockhart, 
James  D.  Saunders,  and  Michael  Muentzer. 
In  March,  1856,   Francis  D.   Allen  agreed 
with  the  commissioners  to  rebuild  the  court- 
house and  complete  the  other  buildings  for 
$14,300.     Upon  its  completion  in  1S57,  dif- 
ferences arose  between   the  contractor  and 
commissioners  as  to  extra  work  done   and 
damages    sustained  bj'  reason  of  defective 
work.     A  committee  of  citizens,  composed 
of  lohn  S.  Hopkins,  Peter  Sharpe,  Michael 
Muentzer,  James  Rogers  and  James  Steel, 
was  appointed  to  settle  the  matter  by  arbi- 
tration.    After    thoroughly    examining    the 
premises,  the  committee  awarded  the  county 
over  $700  for  damages  and  the  contractor 
about  $35  for  extras.     Its  conclusions  were 
satisfactory  to  the  interested  parties  and  a 
final    settlement  was    made.       This    coiu't- 
house  is  still  used,  though  somewhat  dilapi- 
dated and   of    forbidding    aspect.     It    is  of 
brick,   two  stories  high,   surmounted    b}-  a 
dome.     The  main   entrance,  leading  into  a 
paved   corridor   along  which  are   the  offices 
of  the   auditor,  clerk,  sheriff,  recorder  and 
treasurer,   is  through   a  lofty    portico    sup- 
ported by  massive  columns,  in  the  Grecian 


COURT  HOUSES. 


style  of  architecture,  so  much  admired  in 
pubh'c  edifices  at  the  time  when  this  build- 
ins  was  erected.  On  the  second  floor  are 
the  court-room,  tlie  commissioners'  rooms, 
the  jury-rooms  and  judge's  oflice. 

For  more  than  fifteen  j-ears  the  inade- 
quacy of  this  court-house  has  been  gener- 
all\-  recognized  and  efforts  to  have  it  replaced 
by  a  suitable  edifice  have  been  frequently 
made.  In  1884,  the  need  of  better  facilities 
for  the  transaction  of  the  public  business 
and  greater  security  for  the  valuable  county 
records,  was  so  pressingly  felt  that  an  at- 
tempt to  remodel  and  reconstruct  the  old 
court-house  was  determined  upon,  the  com- 
missioners being  unwilling  at  that  time  to 
incur  the  expense  of  a  new  building.  This 
led  to  a  general  discussion  among  the  people, 
a  part  of  whom  advocated  the  erection  of 
an  edifice  that  would  be  an  honor  to  a  com- 
munity whose  prosperity'  was  evidenced  b}- an 
annual  tax  list  of  nearly  half  a  million  dollars. 
The  contemplated  reconstruction,  however, 
was  not  undertaken,  and  two  years  elapsed 
before  a  final  determination  to  abandon  the 
old  building  and  erect  a  new  one  was 
reached.  Architects  were  invited  to  submit 
plans,  which  were  examined  b)'  H.  Mur- 
sinna,  expert.  From  them  the  commissioners 
and  a  committee  of  citizens,  consisting  of 
Maj.  Joseph  I).  Cox,  Hon.  William  Heil- 
man  and  Dr.  John  Laval,  selected  as  the 
most  satisfactory  and  suitable,  those  pre- 
pared by  Mr.  II.  Wolters,  of  Louis\ille,  Ky., 
who  fixed  as  the  limit  of  its  cost  $400,000. 
In  September,  1S87,  the  following  proposals 
for  its  construction  were  received;  Charles 
Pearce  &  Co.,  $379,450;  Jacob  Meyer  & 
Bro.,  $398,000;  McCormack  &  Redman, 
$384,900.  The  first  named  bid  being  the 
lowest,  was  accepted,  and  contracts  were  en- 
tered into.  The  building  is  to  stand  on  what 
is  commonly  called  Union  Block  —  the  old 
site   of  the   Wabash  &  Erie  canal  basin  ^- 


betvveen  Fourth  and  Fifth  and  Vine  and 
Division  streets.  This  block  was  purchased 
in  1873  as  a  site  for  a  new  court-house,  for 
about  $54,000,  upon  the  recommendation  of 
a  committee  of  citizens,  consisting  of  such- 
representative  men  as  Judge  Asa  Iglehart, 
Gen.  J.  M.  Shackleford,  Hon.  Thomas  E. 
Garvin,  Col.  J.  S.  Buchanan  and  Hon. 
Ciiarles  Denby.  These  gentlemen  had  pre- 
viousl}-  been  commissioned  by  the  Evans- 
ville  bar  to  wait  upon  and  urge  the  commis- 
sioners to  erect  a  new  court  house,  such  as 
the  public  business  of  the  county  and  the 
safety  of  its  records  re(juired,  and  in  turn 
delegated  by  the  commissioners  to  select  a 
suitable  place  for  the  purpose.  Recently 
the  title  of  the  county  to  this  property  was 
attacked  in  the  courts  by  assigns  of  the 
Wabash  &  Erie  canal  trustees,  but  with- 
out success. 

Superior  Court  Boom. —  When  by  law- 
new  courts  were  established  to  aid  the  cir- 
cuit court  in  disposing  of  the  annually  in- 
creasin<r  accumulation  of  cases  on  its  docket, 
it  became  necessar}-  to  provide  a  place  for 
the  holding  of  such  courts.  For  this  pur- 
pose a  brick  building  on  Locust  street,  be- 
tween Second  and  Third  streets,  formerly 
known  as  the  Locust  Street  Methodist 
Church,  was  purchased  in  April,  1870,  for 
$8,000.00.  The  room  was  not  especially 
designed  for  the  purposes  to  which  it  has 
been  put  and  lacks  many  conveniences  which 
it  is  hoped  the  new  court-house  may  supply. 

Jiiih. —  The  county  had  hardly  been  or- 
ganized before  preparations  were  made  for 
the  building  of  a  jail.  In  the  early  settle- 
ment of  the  county  there  were  many  crimi- 
nals in  proportion  to  the  population,  and 
many  inducements  to  the  commission  of 
crime.  A  place  of  imprisonment  near 
at  hand  was  a  necessity.  There 
were  instances  of  criminals  being  taken 
from    this    locality   to    the    town   of     Vin- 


58 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATIOK. 


cennes    for    confinement — when  the    Knox 
county  courts  had    jurisdiction  here.     May 
nth,  1818,   a   plan  for  the  first  jail  in  this 
county  was  adopted.    Standing  on  the  north- 
east quarter  of  tlie  public  square  back  from 
the  street,  it  was   twelve  feet  square  in  the 
clear,  with  double   walls  of  heav}-  oak  set 
one  foot  apart,  the  intervening  space  being 
filled  with  heavy  oak  timbers  set  on  end  and 
extending  three  feet  beneath  the  lower  floor 
of  this  jail  into  the    ground.      The    logs  in 
the  walls  were   so  notched  at  the  ends  as  to 
interlock    and    hold    together   firmly.     The 
lower  floor  was  double,  the  timbers  crossing 
each  other  and  passing   through  the   inner 
wall  so  as  to  jut  against  the  vertical   pieces 
in  the  central  space.    The  room  between  was 
eitrht  feet  hi^h  and  was  used  for  the  deten- 
tion  of  ordinary  law-breakers.     The  second 
floor  was  of  oak   timbers   one   foot   square, 
and  the  third  floor  or  ceiling  of  the  upper 
room    was    six   inches    thick.     A    flight    of 
stairs  ran  up  on  the  outside  of  the  building 
to  a  platform  onto  which  two  doors  opened. 
These  two  doors  admitted  to  entirely  differ- 
ent apartments,    and  were  opened  for   two 
widely  different  classes  of  offenders  against 
the  majesty  of  the  law.    One  was  a  dungeon, 
4x12  feet  in  size,  with   two   ver}^  small  and 
heavily  ironed  windows,  in  which  the  most 
conscienceless  criminals  were  confined.    The 
other  room  was  but  twice  as  large  and  had 
but  one  window  and  that  only  12x15  inches. 
This  was  the  debtor's  room,  where  men  were 
imprisoned  because  they    were   unfortunate 
enough    to  be    in  debt  and  unable  to  pay. 
Debtors  were  often  arrested  and  thrown  into 
jail  and  thus  deprived  of  all  means  of  pay- 
ing what  they  might   owe.     If  one  so  im- 
prisoned was  able  to  give  a  bond  for  twice 
the  amount  of  his  debt  he  was  allowed  to 
use  the  "prison  bounds,"  which  were  fixed 
b}'  the  circuit  court,  at  first  to  include  the 
space  between  Locust  and   Sycamore  from 


the  river  to  Fourth  street,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1S19  "to  include  the  town  of  Evansville." 
This  relic  of  barbarism  which  clung  so  ten- 
aciously to  the  law  of  the  land  has  at  last 
been  shaken  off,  never,  it  is  hoped,  to  regain 
its  hold.  This  first  jail  was  built  by  Hugh 
McGary  for  $875.00,  was  completed  and 
received  February  15th,  1S19,  and  remained 
in  use  about  ten  years.  In  September,  1829, 
the  county  sheriff  was  directed  to  sell  the 
jail  to  the  highest  bidder,  who  was  to  re- 
move it  from  the  public  sijuare  within  one 
month  from  the  date  of  purchase.  The 
doors  and  hinges  were  reserved  from  sale; 
the  remainder  of  the  structure  brought 
$i9-37/-2-  For  a  brief  period  law-breakers 
were  weighted  with  ball  and  chain,  guarded 
by  a  deputy  sheriff,  and  maintained  at  some 
of  the  public  taverns.  In  May,  1832,  Wm. 
Lewis,  John  Mitchell  and  Alanson  Warner 
were  appointed  agents  to  contract  for  and 
superintend  the  building  of  a  new  jail  on 
the  site  of  the  old  jail,  two  stories  high, 
18x22  feet,  with  a  stone  foundation,  floors 
of  hewn  timber  covered  with  plank,  and 
double  walls  of  heavy  timber  for  the  lower 
story  with  a  space  between  the  walls  as  in 
the  old  jail,  but  filled  with  stone.  Each 
story  was  to  be  eight  feet  high  —  the  upper 
with  single  walls.  A  contract  was  made 
with  Dr.  Wm.  Trafton,  Joseph  Butler  and 
Wm.  Butler,  September  26th,  1832,  for  the 
building  of  this  jail.  It  was  completed 
within  two  months,  and  the  contractors  were 
paid  $350.00. 

In  1845  the  sheriff,  Wm.  M.  Walker,  was 
authorized  to  build  a  residence  adjoining  the 
jail  at  his  own  expense,  and  if  at  the  close 
of  his  official  term  he  and  the  commissioners 
could  not  agree  as  to  a  price  for  the  pur- 
chase of  the  same  by  the  count}',  Mr.  Walker 
was  to  be  permitted  to  remove  it  from 
the  public  ground,  but  he  did  not  take  ad- 
vantage of  this  offer.     In  the  previous  year 


FINANCES. 


SO 


a  considerable  sum  had  been  expended  in 
repairing  the  jail  and  puttin<^  a  fence  around 
it,  which  work  had  been  ordered  by  the  cir- 
cuit court.  Prior  to  this  the  i^rounds  about 
the  jail  had  become  a  favorite  resort  for  the 
boys  of  the  town  for  playing  town  ball  and 
other  like  frames.  For  a  lone  time  there 
was  confined  in  this  jail  a  crazv  woman  by 
the  name  of  Ellen  Riggs,  who  in  some  way 
learned  the  names  of  all  the  boys  who  con- 
gregated about  tlie  place,  and  was  constantly 
calling  to  some  of  them  in  a  wild  sort  of 
jargon  from  behind  the  bars.  These  facts 
probably  led  the  court  to  direct  the  building 
of  the  fence. 

Just  twenty  years  after  the  building  of  this 
jail  another  was  erected  to  replace  it,  the 
new  one  being  still  in  use  though  now  about 
thirt\--tive  years  old.  It  was  built  b)'  James 
Roquet  under  the  contract  above  mentioned 
in  connection  with  the  historj-  of  the  court- 
house which  was  consumed  bv  fire.  It  is 
constructed  of  stone,  substantially  built,  two 
stories  in  height,  with  sixteen  cells  and  a  ca- 
pacity for  forty  inmates.  A  brick  residence 
for  the  sheriff,  plain  but  comfortable,  stands 
immediately  in  front  of  the  jail,  facing  on 
Third  street.  Lot  No.  171  in  the  donation 
enlargement  of  Evansville  —  near  the  new 
court-house  ground  —  was  purchased  in  Au- 
gust, 1887,  from  W.  C.  Keller  and  Mrs.  Kate 
Armstrong  for  ^5,495.00,  for  the  purpose  of 
erecting  a  new  jail  thereon,  the  plans  for 
which  have  not  vet  been  adopted. 

J^hiaiiccs. —  The  growth  and  development 
of  a  governmental  institution  are  most  clearh- 
shown  in  its  financial  histor\'.  Figures  are 
tedious  but  instructive.  In  this  count\-  they 
show  the  advance  in  yearly  taxes  contributed 
by  the  people  from  less  than  two  hundred  to 
more  than  half  a  million  dollars.  The 
sources  of  revenue  were  at  first  limited. 
Lands  could  not  be  assessed  for  taxation 
until    five  years  after  entry.     Settlement  in 


the  county  lia\-ing  begun  nearly  a  dozen 
}ears  prior  to  its  official  organization,  some 
immediate  revenue  was  afforded,  and  the 
distressing  condition  of  affairs  which  pre- 
vailed in  many  new  counties  in  the  interior 
of  the  state  were  here  avoided.  In  1818, 
the  tax  levied  on  each  one  hundred  acres  of 
land  was  for  first  rate  25  cents,  for  second 
rate  i8;V4  cents,  and  for  third  rate  12^ 
cents.  Lots  in  Evansville  were  assessed  ac- 
cording to  their  value;  50  cents  per  $100 
valuation.  Horses  were  assessed  21 V^ 
cents,  and  taverns  $15.00  each.  In  1820,  in 
addition  to  these  subjects  of  taxation,  four- 
wheeled  pleasure  carriages  at  $1.25  each, 
silver  watches  at  25  cents  each,  and  gold 
watches  at  50  cents  each,  were  added  to  the 
list.  In  1822,  1823  and  1824,  the  board  of 
commissioners  disposed  of  the  subject  of  a 
tax  lev}-  by  making  this  brief  and  perspicuous 
entry:  "Ordered  that  a  tax  for  count\-  pur- 
poses be  laid  on  all  property  subject  to  tax- 
ation as  high  as  the  law  will  allow."  In 
the  following  year  rates  on  lands  were  fixed 
at  one-half  the  rates  established  by  the  legis- 
lature for  state  purposes;  other  levies  were: 
37/4  cents  on  horses  and  mules  over  three 
years  old,  1^%  cents  on  oxen  o\er  three 
years  old,  $1.00  on  two-wheeled  pleasure 
carriages,  $1.50  on  four-wheeled  pleasure 
carriages,  $1.00  on  brass  clocks,  $1.00  on 
gold  watches,  25  cents  on  silver  or  pinch- 
beck watches,  from  $5.00  to  $25.00  for 
licenses  to  sell  liquor,  from  $10.00  to  $50.00 
for  licenses  to  vend  foreign  merchandise, 
and  from  $3.00  to  $5.00  for  ferry  licenses. 
The  sj'stem  of  levying  taxes  on  lands  and 
personal  propertj-  according  to  their  value 
contmues  tc  the  present.  For  many  years 
past  the  annual  levy  for  state,  countv,  and 
township  purposes  has  amouiUed  to  about 
$i-.25  on  each  $100  worth  of  property,  which 
is  comparati\'ely  small  when  looked  at  w  itji 
relation   to    the    inestimable   ad\antaires  its 


60 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATION. 


payment  affords.  It  may  be  confidently 
stated  that  few  communities  that  are  favored 
with  equal  advantages  have  a  smaller  rate 
of  taxation  imposed  upon  them. 

Julius  Gibson  was  the  first  assessor  of 
the  count}-.  After  the  assessment  of  prop- 
erty the  tax  levy  was  made  b}-  the  commis- 
sioners. The  tax  books  or  duplicates  were 
prepared  by  the  clerk,  and  placed  in  the 
hands  of  the  sheriff  for  collection.  When 
the  sheriff  settled  in  November,  1818,  he 
was  charged  with  $146.75,  and  in  the  next 
year  he  collected  $430.96.  The  sale  of  the 
lots  donated  by  the  proprietors  of  Evansville 
had  in  November,  1818,  amounted  to 
$4,142.00.  Of  this  amount  ten  per  cent 
was  by  law  set  apart  as  a  seminar}-  fund, 
and  the  greater  portion  of  the  remainder 
was  represented  by  promissory  notes  of 
purchasers.  At  his  settlement  in  1S19,  the 
treasurer  reported  that  the  county,  after  ex- 
hausting its  own  funds  had  drawn,  on  those 
set  apart  for  seminaries  to  the  amount  of 
$132.  From  that  time  on  for  many  years 
the  county  was  never  out  of  debt.  The 
building  of  a  court-house  had  been  under- 
taken, and  all  moneys  coming  into  the  treas- 
ury were  directed  to  be  applied  on  this 
account  as  rapidly  as  received.  Maj.  Alan- 
son  Warner,  a  man  well  and  favorably 
known  in  every  branch  of  the  county's  early 
history,  advanced  small  amounts  of  cash  for 
the  county's  use,  once  $28  and  again  $75. 
In  May,  1824,  the  treasurer  was  settled  with 
for  the  whole  period  of  his  service  and 
there  was  due  him  $11.33.  I"  1824  the 
taxes  collected  amounted  to  $377.69;  in 
1825,  $347.31;  in  1827,  $501.15;  in  1828, 
$503.16;  in  1829,  $610.64.  During  this 
period  the  licenses  issued  to  various  business 
men  added  to  the  revenue,  the  receipts 
from  this  source  in  each  of  the  latter  years 
named  amounting  to  a  little  more  than  $100. 

Judge   John   Law,  the  first   prosecuting 


attorney  of  the  county,  and  for  many  years 
an  able  and  eminent  lawyer,  brought  suit 
and  recovered  judgment  against  the  county 
in  1822,  and  nine  years  later  the  county 
treasurer  recovered  a  judgment  against 
Daniel  Miller,  then  collector  and  previously 
countv  agent.  Credits  on  the  former  judg- 
ment and  on  the  orders  issued  in  building 
the  court-house  were  received  as  the  basis 
for  equal  credits  on  the  judgment  against 
Miller.  In  this  manner  many  of  the  trans- 
actions in  behalf  of  the  county  were  effected 
without  the  exchange  of  money,  which  at 
that  time  began  to  be  exceedinglv  scarce. 
During  the  first  part  of  the  decade  com- 
mencing with  1820,  Jiard  liiiies  generally 
prevailed.  Lands,  town  lots  and  produce 
rapidly  decreased  in  price.  Widespread  and 
disastrous  sickness  checked  and  almost  en- 
tirely stopped  immigration.  The  suspension 
of  specie  pavment  by  the  government,  the 
failure  of  western  banks  founded  on  a  ficti- 
tious basis,  and  the  circulation  of  a  depreci- 
ated and  often  w-orthless  currency,  totally 
deranged  all  values.  These  were  the  prin- 
cipal causes  conspiring  to  produce  the 
greatest  stagnation  of  business  experienced 
in  this  locality  up  to  that  time.  The 
county  as  well  as  individuals  suffered. 
Tax  gatherers  were  compelled  to  take 
coonskins  or  other  articles  of  "  trade "  in 
satisfaction  of  the  law's  demands.  Recovery 
from  this  condition  was  at  first  slow,  but  be- 
fore the  end  of  the  decade  good  health  gen- 
erally prevailed,  immigrants  came  in,  and  the 
settlers  having  learned  to  accommodate  them- 
selves to  the  trying  times,  w-ith  energv  and 
industry,  brought  back  prosperity.  Never- 
theless, in  1832  the  receipts  of  taxes  were 
only  about  $600,  though  from  licenses  and 
other  sources  the  total  amount  realized  was 
$1,006.  The  expenses  of  the  county  were 
in  1S32,  $983.81 ;  in  1833,  $1,402.80,  and  in 
1834,    $1,093.41.     Soon    after    this    com- 


FINANCES. 


61 


menced  a  period  of  prosperity  that  was   un- 
checked until  the  faikire  of  the  state's  credit 
in  the  downfall  of  the  internal  improvement 
system    elsewhere    adverted  to.      Improve- 
ment  was  rapid  notwithstanding    a    rather 
serious  but  temporary  check  in   183S.     Set- 
tlers  and    speculators  from     the    east    and 
from  bevond    the    ocean     poured    into     the 
county  in  great  numbers.     The  public  lands 
were  soon  taken.     Capital    was    freely  in- 
vested   in    all    sorts    of    enterprises.     The 
country's    natural  resources,   its  unbounded 
wealth  of  coal  and    timber,    its    magnificent 
transportation    facilities,  its  favorable    loca- 
tion as  the  terminus  of  the  Wabash  &   Erie 
canal,  and  near  the  mouths  of  several  rivers 
whose  improvement  seemed  onl)-  a  (juestion 
of  a  few  \-ears,  gave  unhesitating  confidence 
and  faith  in  its  future  greatness.  Investigating 
adventurers  pushed  on  to  Chicago  and  other 
localities,  but  returned  to  the  land  of  greater 
promise.     For  a    time    their    expectations 
were    realized.      They   knew  little    of  the 
richness  of  the  country    beyond  the   Missis- 
sippi and  the  achievements  of    the  railroads 
were  then  hardly  matters     of    speculation. 
The  fiow  of  immigrants    was    not    then    in- 
fluenced by    those    potent    factors    of   later 
years.     By  1850,  the  annual  exports  from 
Evansville  amounted  in    round   numbers    to 
600,000  bushels  corn,   100,000  bushels  oats, 
1,500  tons  of  hay  and    1,500,000    pounds  of 
pork  and  bacon  —  though  all    this  was  not 
produced  by  Vanderburgh  county.     In  that 
year    the     expenses    of    the    count\'     were 
$18,785.34,     and     eight    years    later    were 
$35,645.07.     This    was    exclusive    of    rev- 
enues paid  to  the  state,  and  to  the  townships 
for  roads,  schools  and   otiier  local  purposes. 
The  total  receipts  at  the  treasury  in   round 
numbers  were  in    1850,    $38,800;    in    1853, 
$45,650;  and  in  1858,   $57,900.     The    ex- 
penses here  referred  to  include  such  items  as 


ings,  highways,  bridges,  charities,  books, 
stationery,  advertising,county  ofiicers,  courts, 
interest  on  indebtedness  and  some  miscellan- 
eous items.  These  expenses  in  1870  were 
$169,284.90,  from  1874  to  1878  inclusive, 
$1,377,480.69;  and  since  1880, for ai;':i  ear 
in  the  order  named,  $154,416.00,  $189,- 
145.00;  $136,368.00,  $193,932.00,  $200,- 
716.00,  $215,405,  $157,849.00,  $113,076.00. 
The  amount  of  taxes  received  at  the  treas- 
ury in  1862,  was  $74,505.00;  in  1870,  $199,- 
521.00;  and  in  1879,  $142,240.00.  In  the 
last  three  years  the  total  receipts  have  been 
$1,198,405.84,  while  in  1SS2  alone  they  were 
$521,993.48.  These  figures  without  com- 
ment attest  the  wonderful  growth  of  the 
county. 

In  early  da3's  when  the  revenue  was  limited 
the  receipts  seldom  equaled  the  expenses, 
and  the  incurrence  of  debt  was  a  necessary 
sequence.  In  borrowing  great  caution  was 
at  first  observed.  In  1835  Nathan  Rowley, 
who  faithfully  served  the  public  in  many  po- 
sitions of  trust,  was  appointed  to  negotiate 
a  loan  of  $280.00  to  be  used  in  building  a 
bridge  across  Pigeon  creek  near  Negley's 
mill,  and  was  authorized  to  borrow  from  the 
Evansville  branch  of  the  State  Bank,  the 
county  solemnly  pledging  its  faith  for  the 
payment  of  the  loan  when  due.  In  1841 
Willard  Carpenter,  John  Burbank  and  A.  B.' 
Carpenter  held  $2,068.92  of  the  county's 
orders  issued  in  payment  of  its  debts  for  the 
building  of  bridges,  etc.,  which  they  liad 
bought  from  various  individuals,  no  doubt 
at  a  considerable  discount,  for  the  orders  of 
the  county  have  at  times  sold  for  less  than 
one-half  their  face  value.  New  orders  were 
issued,  to  securet  he  payment  of  which  the 
agent  was  instructed  to  mortgage  a  number 
of  town  lots  and  all  personal  property  be- 
longing to  the  county.  In  1858  the  orders 
unpaid  and   drawing  interest  amounted  to 


the  construction  and  repair  of  public    build-    $21,471.24;  in   1871  the  total  indebtedness, 


63 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATION 


includinc:  bonds  and  outstandinsj  orders  was 
$128,799.67,  and  in  1875  was  $197,683.75. 
At  the  present  time,  this  entire  debt  having 
been  paid,  all  orders  issued  by  the  county 
are  paid  upon  presentation  at  the  treasury. 
No  bonds  are  outstanding  except  $220,000 
of  new-court  house  bonds  recentl}-  issued. 
This  splendid  showing,  considering  the 
amount  of  its  public  works,  the  condition  of 
its  roads  and  public  institutions,  clearl}-  and 
eloquently  testifies  to  the  wise  management 
of  the  commissioners — the  county's  finan- 
ciers. 

Civil  Tozviif/iips. —  At  its  first  meeting, 
March  9th,  iSiS,  the  board  of  commissioners 
established  Armstrong  township  with  the 
following  boundaries :  beginning  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  V^anderburgh  count}-,  at  the 
rantre  line  dividintr  ranjjes  11  and  12, 
thence  south  with  said  line  to  the  township 
line  dividing  townships  5  and  6,  thence 
east  with  said  line  to  the  old  Red- 
banks  road,  thence  north  with  the  meanders 
thereof  to  the  line  dividing  Vanderburgh 
and  Gibson  counties,  thence  west  with  said 
line  to  the  place  of  beginning.  The  board 
then  ordered  that  the  remainder  of  the  count}' 
be  known  and  designated  as  Pi<reon  town- 
ship.  The  house  of  Jadock  McNew  was 
designated  as  the  polling  place  in  Armstrong 
township,  with  Patrick  Calvert  as  inspector, 
and  that  of  Hugh  McGary  in  Pigeon  town- 
ship, with  Julius  Gibson  as  inspector.  Union 
township,  organized  May  lO,  1819,  includes 
all  of  the  southwest  part  of  the  county 
bounded  on  the  north  by  the  "big  bayou," 
and  on  the  other  sides  h\  the  Ohio  river. 
The  house  of  Frederick  Staser  was  named 
as  the  first  polling  place,  with  Joseph  M. 
McDowell  as  inspector. 

Scott  township,  organized  August  13, 
1821,  was  bounded  as  follows:  beginning  at 
the  county  line  dividing  the  counties  of  War- 
rick and  Vanderburgh  I  where  the  same  in- 


tersects the  line  dividing  townships  5  ^^'^ 
6J,  running  north  as  far  as  the  latter  county 
extends,  thence  west  on  the  county  line  seven 
miles,  thence  south  to  the  line  dividing  town- 
ships 5  and  6  in  range  11  west,  thence 
east  on  said  line  to  place  of  beginning.  The 
township  was  named  in  honor  of  Samuel 
Scott,  at  whose  house  the  first  election  was 
held,  Joseph  Baldwin  being  the  inspector. 

Perry  township  was  organized  September 
9th,  1840,  out  of  the  west  end  of  Pigeon 
township,  with  bounds  as  follows:  commenc- 
ing on  the  Ohio  river  at  the  line  dividing 
fractional  sections  25  and  26,  in  township  6 
south,  of  range  11  west,  running  thence  north 
to  the  line  dividing  townships  5  and  6,  thence 
west  to  the  Posey  county  line,  thence  south 
with  said  river  to  the  Ohio  river,  thence  up 
said  river  to  the  bavou,  thence  up  said  bayou 
to  where  it  again  intersects  the  Ohio  river, 
thence  up  said  river  with  the  meanders 
thereof  to  the  place  of  beginning.  The 
residence  of  Lewis  C.  Stinson  was  desig- 
nated as  the  polling  place,  and  David  D. 
Grimes  was  appointed  inspector.  May  14, 
1888,  a  change  was  made  in  the  township 
boundary  lines  by  which  the  following  de- 
scribed territory  was  taken  from  Perry  and 
added  to  Pigeon  township:  commencing  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  section  26,  township 
6  south,  of  range  11  west,  and  running 
thence  due  west  along  the  line  dividing  sec- 
tions 26  and  23  in  said  township  and  range 
to  the  north  and  south  half  section  line  of 
said  section  26:  thence  south  along  said  half 
section  line  and  the  half  section  line  of  sec- 
tion 35  in  said  township  and  range,  to  the 
Ohio  river;  thence  north  and  northeast  up 
said  river  to  a  point  where  the  east  line  of 
said  section  26  strikes  said  river,  and  thence 
north  along  said  east  line  of  said  section  26 
to  the  place  of  beginning;  the  territory  em- 
braced beinc  the  east  fractional  half  sections 
of  sections  26  and  35,  in  township  6  south,  of 


CARE  OF  THE  POOR. 


6S 


ratline  ii  west.  On  the  question  of  niakin<;" 
this  chanifo  Commissioners  W^underlich  and 
Kin<^  \-otetl  "avc,"  and  Commissioner  I5o\ver 
voted  "  no." 

Kni^dit  to\vnslii[i  was  organized  Septem- 
ber 9,  1840,  out  of  the  east  end  of  Pigeon 
townsliip,  with  bounds  as  follows:  beg'inning 
on  the  Ohio  river  at  the  line  di\'iding 
fractional  sections  S  and  9,  in  township  7 
south,  range  10  west,  and  running  north  to 
the  line  dividing  townships  5  '"'"^l  6;  thence 
east  to  the  Warrick  count\line,  thence  south 
with  said  line  to  the  Ohio  river,  thence  down 
said  river  with  the  meanders  thereof  to  the 
place  ot  beginning.  John  S.  Terrv  was  ap- 
jioinled  inspector  of  elections,  which  were 
to  be  held  at  the  school-house  near  the  resi- 
dence of  Mrs.  Pauline  McCollister.  Sep- 
tember 7, 1846,  the  west  one-half  of  section  21, 
township  6  south,  of  range  10  west,  was 
taken  from  Knight  and  added  to  Pigeon 
township. 

Center  township  was  organized  Septem- 
ber 6,  1S43,  with  the  following  bounds:  Be- 
ginning at  the  junction  of  Locust  with  Pigeon 
creek  and  running  along  said  Pigeon  creek 
to  the  Warrick  countv  line;  thence  due  north 
with  said  line  to  the  northeast  corner  of 
section  No.  24,  township  5  south,  of  range 
10  west;  thence  due  west  to  the  east  line 
of  Armstrong  township;  thence  due  south 
to  Locust  creek;  thence  along  Locust  creek 
to  the  place  of  beginning.  The  residence 
of  George  L.  Schnee  was  named  as  the 
polling  place. 

German  township,  formed  out  of  Perrv 
and  Armstrong,  September  i,  1845,  was 
bounded  as  follows:  commencing  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  section  14,  township  5 
south,  range  11  west,  and  running  thence 
west  to  the  northwest  corner  of  section  15, 
same  town  and  range;  thence  south  to  the 
southwest  corner  last  named  of  section  7; 
thence  west  to  the  northwest  corner  of  sec- 


tion 19,  same  town  and  range;  thence  south 
to  the  southwest  corner  of  section  7,  in  town- 
ship 6,  range  11  west;  thence  east  to  the 
southeast  corner  of  section  11,  town  and 
range  last  named;  thence  north  to  the  place 
of  beginning.  The  residence  of  Michael 
Muentzer  was  fixed  as  the  place  of  holding 
elections,  and  John  Rettig  was  apjiointed 
inspector. 

T/ic  Poor. — One  of  the  chief  objects  of 
social  organization  is  mutual  protection.  In- 
cident to  this  among  civilized  people  is  the 
care  of  those  who,  because  of  age,  natural 
defect,  disease  or  unavoidable  misfortune, 
have  become  unable  to  support  themselves. 
The  relief  of  this  dependent  class,  from  a 
time  long  anterior  to  the  period  written  of  in 
these  pages,  has  been  reco'gnized  as  a  public 
duty  worthy  an  honorable  and  conscientious 
performance.  The  means  adopted  in  earlv 
times  for  giving  such  relief  do  not  accord 
with  the  advanced  ideas  that  now  obtain 
among  humanitarians,  but  they  were  the 
best  permitted  h\  the  times  and  circum- 
stances. When  this  county  was  formed  the 
laws  of  the  state  provided  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  overseers  of  the  poor  and  defined 
their  duties,  the  chief  of  which  was  to  cause 
all  public  charges  to  be  farmed  out  on  con- 
tract annualh-  in  such  manner  as  would  best 
promote  the  public  good.  Minors  were 
bound  out  as  apprentices;  males  until  twen- 
t\--one  years  of  age,  and  females  until 
eighteen  years  of  age.  The  indentures  of 
apprenticeship  were  entered  of  record,  and 
the  apprentice  was  provided  with  lawful 
means  for  the  maintenance  of  his  natural 
rights  against  the  oppressions  of  the  master. 
The  farming  out  of  these  unhappv  individ- 
uals was  not  a  sale  into  involuntary  servi- 
tude, though  it  partook  much  of  that  nature. 
The  sale  was  public  and  to  the  lowest  bidder 
without  much  regard  to  the  character  or  fit- 
ness of  the  purchaser.     The  buyer  was  en- 


61 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATION. 


titled  to  the  labor  of  the  person  sold.  The 
price  was  not  an  amount  paid  for  this  labor, 
but  was  the  sum  received  b}'  the  buver  from 
the  county  for  supporting  the  pauper.  It 
represented  the  difference,  in  the  bu3'er's 
judgment,  between  the  worth  of  the  labor  to 
be  received  and  the  cost  of  supporting  the 
laborer.  Men  and  women  were  sold  under 
the  same  conditions;  and  at  times  two  mem- 
bers of  one  familv  offered  at  the  same  sale 
were  bought  by  different  persons  and  thus 
separated.  This  system  was  kept  up  for 
twent}^  years  after  the  organization  of  the 
county.  In  1823  the  records  show  that  an 
allowance  of  nearly  $50  was  made  to  John 
B.  Stinson,  "for  keeping  Benjamin  Davis,  a 
pauper,  being  the  balance  in  full  of  the  sum 
for  which  said  Davis  was  sold  when  said 
Stinson  became  the  purchaser."  In  1837 
John  Clark  and  Zerah  Fairchild,  overseers 
in  Scott  township,  officially  reported  the 
sale  of  Jane  Thompson  for  one  year  to 
David  Judkins,  who  was  to  receive  $52  for 
the  year's  maintenance.  At  the  same  time 
Samuel  McDonald  and  Simpson  Richey, 
overseers  in  Armstrong  township,  reported 
the  sale  for  the  next  vear  of  Samuel  Bryant 
to  George  Bryant,  of  Virginia  McGehee  to 
Stephen  Woodrow,  and  of  Polly  and  Carrell 
McGehee  to  John  Taylor,  the  prices  ranging 
from  $8  to  $130.  One  of  the  earliest  acts 
or  the  board  of  commissioners  was  the  ap- 
pointment of  overseers  of  the  poor;  the  first 
being  John  Armstrong,  in  Armstrong  town- 
ship, and  Jesse  McCallister,  in  Pigeon 
township.  The  names  of  the  overseers 
show  that  selections  for  this  office  were  care- 
fully made.  Among  those  serving  in  earl\- 
times  were  William  Gratehouse,  John  John- 
son, James  Martin,  Sr.,  Luke  Wood,  John 
M.  Dunham,  John  Stoner,  Moses  Pruitt, 
John  Bryant,  Jr.,  Elisha  Harrison,  Amos 
Clark  and  others  whose  names  were  equal 
to  these  as  guarantees  of  upright  and  hon- 


orable   conduct.     Overseers    were    paid    a 
small  per  diem  when  actually  employed,  and 
were  reimbursed  for  money  laid   out  in  be- 
half of  the  poor.     The  expense  on   this  ac- 
count during  the  J'ear  1818  did   not  exceed 
$25.     Dr.  Wm.  Trafton,  the  pioneer  phvsi- 
cian,  who   afterward  became  prominent   in 
the  profession  and  in  local  public  affairs,  was 
allowed  $ro  for  services  rendered  the  poor 
of  the  county  during  that  }-ear.      During  the 
sickly  seasons  that  followed,  many  were  af- 
flicted and  helpless;  the    work  of  the  over- 
seer  was   much    increased,    and  it  became 
necessary    in    1S20  to  appoint   a  person   in 
each    township    to    settle  in    behalf   of   the 
county    with   the   overseers.     For  this  pur- 
pose  John   B.    Stinson,  Henry    Ewing    and 
Lewis  G.  Ragar  were  appointed  in  Pigeon, 
Armstrong,  and    Union   townships   respect- 
iveh',  then  the  onh"  townships  in  the  countv. 
Though   1820   inaugurated  a   period  of  the 
most  general  and  fatal  sickness  ever  known 
to  the  count}-,  the    disposition    to  help  one 
another  was  so  strong  among  the  settlers 
that  but  few,  in  comparison  with  what  might 
reasonably  have  been  expected,  were  forced 
to  receive  public  alms.     The   entire  amount 
expended  in  that  year  was  a  little  in  excess 
of    $100.       During    that    unhappy    period 
many  a  sad  stor\^  was  recorded  on  the  pub- 
lic records  in  few  words.    Several  allowances 
for  "keeping  the  Morgans"  were  followed 
in  February  ,1821,  by  this  record:     "$13  al- 
lowed for  two  coffins   and   two   graves   for 
Mr.  Morgan  and  his  child."     Thus  simply 
the  last  words  in  the  stories    of  two  lives 
were  written.     In  1824,  for  keeping   Benja- 
min Davis  alone,  $142  were  allowed,  and  he 
was  supported  by  the  county   about  fifteen 
years.     These  facts  are  recorded  not  to  re- 
flect upon  the  person  named,  for  poverty  of  it- 
self is  not  a  disgrace,  but  to  show  the  laud- 
able conduct  of  the  community,  itself  poor, 
in  thus  relievinfj  want.     When  sickness  and 


CAEE  OF  THE  POOR. 


05 


death  took  tlieir  bliyhting  hands  from  the 
community,  paupers  did  not  increase  as  rap- 
idly as  the  growtii  of  the  county  would 
seem  to  have  justified.  As  late  as  1834  ^^^^ 
poor  expenses   for  tlie  vear  did  not  exceed 

$255- 

The  adoption  of  a  new  system  of  caring 
for  the  poor  was  determined  upon  in  1S3S. 
Joiin  W.  Lilliston,  John  iNIitchell  and  Marcus 
Sherwood  were  appointed  by  the  commis- 
sioners to  purchase  a  farm  for  the  purpose 
of  erecting  an  asylum  thereon  where  the 
poor  might  find  a  home.  In  January  of  the 
following  year  the  county  purchased,  for 
$i,Soo.oo,  from  Seth  and  Jonathan  Fair- 
child,  fifty-nine  and  one-half  acres  of  land 
lying  about  one-half  mile  south  of  Mechanics- 
ville,  and  appointed  Judge  William  Olmstead 
to  have  a  suitable  building  erected  for  the 
use  of  the  poor.  The  farm  and  house  were 
let  for  $70.00  per  year  to  Elijah  and  Samuel 
H.  Prince,  who  agreed  to  keep  in  a  proper 
manner  all  poor  sent  to  them  bv  the  over- 
seers for  $2.00  per  week  each.  The  plan 
was  not  satisfactory,  and  in  February,  1840, 
this  farm  was  sold  to  William  Onvett  at  the 
price  which  the  count}-  had  paid.  Another 
effort  was  made  in  1843,  when  Willard  Car- 
penter leased  to  the  county  for  five  3-ears 
twenty  acres  east  of  the  city  near  Hull's  Hill 
at  $250.00  per  annum,  agreeing  to  build  a 
substantial  frame  house  to  cost  not  less  than 
$500.00.  This  transaction  led  to  a  bitter 
discussion  in  the  commissioners'  court. 
R.  II.  Gould,  the  keeper  of  a  tavern  and  sa- 
loon, was  allowed,  about  the  same  time, 
$25.00  for  keeping  Mrs.  Plumer,  a  pauper. 
At  the  following  April  term,  Commissioner 
Kennerly  solemnly  protested  against  the  al- 
lowance to  Gould,  complaining  that  it  had 
been  made  without  the  presentation  of  an 
account,  against  the  advice  and  counsel  of 
William  R.  Morgan,  the  overseer,  who  was 
present   objecting,    as    well    as    against  the 


opinion  and  vote  of  himself,  and  vigorously 
denounced  the  agreement  made  with  Mr. 
Carpenter  as  extremely  improper  because 
effected  b}-  the  votes  of  Grimes  and  Car- 
penter himself,  while  he,  Kennerl)-,  was  op- 
posing the  matter  and  endeavoring  to  ob- 
struct and  destroy  it  by  motions  to  adjourn. 
He  asserted  that  Mr.  Carpenter  at  first  held 
aloof  but  subsequently  seeing  that  success 
was  impossible  through  such  a  policy,  rising 
from  his  seat  said,  with  anger  and  defiance 
in  his  tones,  that  he  would  not  be  outdone, 
and  casting  his  own  vote  for  the  proposi- 
tion, carried  it.  His  final  thrust  was  the 
statement  that  Mr.  Carpenter  was  Gould's 
landlord  and  probably  interested  in  his  tavern. 
To  this  Mr.  Carpenter  replied  enthusiasti- 
cally at  great  length.  He  denied  that  Gould 
had  filed  no  account,  and  explained  that  in 
fact  a  claim  for  $150.00  had  been  made. 
While  the  pauper  had  not  been  sent  to  him 
by  the  o\-erseer,  3-et  in  equity  he  seemed 
entitled  to  some  compensation  for  her  sup- 
port, and  inasmuch  as  Gould  had  that  dav 
taken  out  a  license  to  sell  intoxicants,  the  fee 
for  which  was  $25.00,  an  allowance  to  equal 
that  amount  was  made  in  order  to  settle  the 
matter  justly  and  amicably.  He  denied  that 
any  relation  save  that  of  landlord  and  ten- 
ant existed  between  Gould  and  himself. 
Pronouncing  the  charge  of  impropriety  in 
the  least  untrue  in  nearly  ever}-  particular, 
he  proceeded  to  say  that  primarih-  his  land 
had  been  suggested  by  others  than  himself, 
and  after  much  talk  and  deliberation  the 
proposition  had  been  passed  b\-  the  votes  of 
his  associates,  himself  taking  no  part:  that 
then  Mr.  Kennerly  grew  stubborn,  trying  in 
various  wa_\s  to  cause  a  postponement,  when 
displeased  with  such  tactics  he  concluded  to 
end  the  matter  by  voting  for  it  himself.  Mr. 
Kennerh-  had  signed  the  records,  and  at  the 
next  meeting  substantially  ratified  the  con- 
tract in  proceedings  had  concerning  the  mat" 


66 


CO  UNTY  ORGANIZA TION. 


ter,  in  which  Mr.  Carpenter  took  no  part. 
For  this  his  antagonist,  with  effecti\e  force, 
charged  him  with  placing  himself  in  the 
awkward  predicament  of  protesting  against 
his  own  votes. 

In  September,  1844,  William  Onyett,  still 
owing  a  part  of  the  purchase  mone}'  for  the 
original  poor  farm,  resol:!  it  to  the  count}-. 
Mr.  Carpenter's  protests  against  this  trans- 
action were  vigorous,  but  to  no  avail.  He 
had  been  keeping  the  poor  under  agreement 
with  the  commissioners  for  $1,500  per  }-ear. 
They  surrendered  his  land,  and  in  June, 
1S45,  employed  George  Bates  to  keep  them 
for  $1,200  per  year.  Mr.  Bates  served  the 
county  as  supermtendent  of  its  poor-farm 
for  se\eral  vears.  While  in  the  dischar<re 
of  his  duties,  an  insane  inmate  of  the  asvlum 
took  his  life  by  striking  hun  on  the  head 
with  an  ax. 

This  sj-stem  of  collectively  farming  out 
the  poor  was  little  if  any  in  advance  of  that 
wiiich  had  previouslv  prevailed,  for  in  fact 
they  were  sold  to  the  lowest  bidder  —  now 
in  the  aggregate  instead  of  individually. 
But  care  was  taken  to  have  them  supported 
decently  and  as  became  their  station.  Rev. 
Robert  Parrett,  Simeon  Long  and  Philip 
Ilornbrook,  men  representing  the  best  ele- 
ments of  society,  were  appointed  to  visit 
and  inspect  the  condition  of  the  poor-house 
at  least  once  a  year.  The  plan  of  visits  of 
inspection  thus  inaugurated  has  been  con- 
tinued e\er  since,  thougli  now  performed  bv 
the  commissioners  in  person.  In  1S40,  a 
farm  more  convenient  to  the  city  was  pur- 
chased from  John  Echols,  for  $1,600.  It 
contained  thirty  acres  and  lav  within  the 
present  limits  of  the  city.  Soon  after  this 
the  system  of  supporting  the  poor  was  en- 
tirely changed,  the  element  of  farming  out 
the  unfortunates  being  for  the  first  time 
eliminated.  Edward  Andrews,  in  1853,  was 
appointed  superintendent,  the  county  under- 


taking to  furnish  all  provisions  for  the  poor 
and  for  Andrews'  familj',  he  to  be  allowed 
$200  per  }'ear  and  unavoidable  expenses  for 
extra  nurses,  in  case  of  sickness.  Philip 
Jenkerbrandt  was  afterward  employed  on 
similar  terms,  except  that  he  received  $500 
per  year.  This  plan  was  continued  in  prac- 
tice about  ten  years,  but  soon  after  the  com- 
mencement of  the  civil  war  there  was  such 
an  increase  in  the  number  of  the  poor  that 
the  old  system  of  contracting  with  the  low- 
est bidder  for  their  support  was  again  in- 
augurated, when  Patrick  Garvev  agreed  to 
keep  all  properly  chargeable  to  the  county 
for  permanent  support  for  $2,490  per  year.  A 
substantial  brick  building  was  erected  on  the 
Echols  farm,  which  in  1S6S,  was  enlarged  and 
added  to  at  considerable  cost  to  accommo- 
date the  increasing  numbers  asking  for 
shelter  under  its  roof.  The  cost  of  support- 
ing the  poor  had  i^apidly  increased.  In  1850 
the  expenses  were  $2,638.22;  in  185S, 
$3,845.73;  in  1866,  $10,731.99;  in  1868, 
$12,767.33;  in  1871,  $23,288.49;  and  in  1875, 
$29,890.19.  During  and  after  the  civil  war 
period  many  thousands  of  dollars  were  ex- 
pended for  the  relief  of  soldiers'  families, 
which  are  not  here  included. 

In  May,  1882,  the  commissioners  bought 
from  George  W.  Hornby,  a  farm  of  161.74 
acres  in  Center  township,  paving  for  it 
$9,704.40.  The  old  farm  was  laid  out  into 
lots  and  sold  In'  Hon.  Alvah  Johnson,  as 
agent  for  the  county,  the  proceeds  amount- 
ing to  about  $35,000.  Plans  for  a  new  asy- 
lum on  the  Hornby  farm,  were  made  by 
Clark  &  Pyne,  architects.  A  contract  for 
the  buildin<j  was  entered  into  with  Charles 
Lieb,  of  Rockport,  Ind.,  for  $24,800.  By 
reason  of  a  change  in  the  plans,  and  the  ad- 
dition of  a  barn  and  boiler  house,  the  con- 
tractor was  paid  over  $48,000;  the  total  cost 
of  the  buildings  was  $52,846.53.  It  is  a 
handsome  brick  edifice,  comfortable,  com- 


y.-^'ATSF^^^.^^!** 


ELECTIONS. 


67 


modious  and  especially  fitted  for  the  purpose 
which  it  was  designed  to  serve.  In  the 
same  year  tiie  count\-  purchased  a  tract  of 
land  from  Silas  S.  Scantlin  for  $4,000,  near 
the  northeast  limits  of  Evansville,  and  erected 
thereon,  at  a  cost  of  $9,453.05,  a  count}'  hos- 
pital for  the  treatment  of  contagious  diseases. 
At  least  ten  \-ears  prior  to  these  purchases 
there  had  been  expended  about  $20,000  in 
establishing  asylums  for  orphan  children. 
.\11  of  these  institutions  are  governed  bv 
humane  rules,  and  the  unfortunate  inmates 
are  considerately  treated.  At  the  poor- 
house  Warren  Bonnel  is  emploved  at  $800 
per  annum  as  superintendent,  the  county 
furnishing  all  necessary  provisions;  Dr.  J.  C. 
Minton  renders  professional  services  to  the 
sick;  his  annual  salary  is  $575. 

Many  poor  are  temporarily  aided  bv  the 
count}'  without  being  sent  to  the  asylum. 
The  blind,  insane,  deaf  and  dumb  are  sup- 
ported at  the  state  institutions,  the  expense 
of  clothing  and  transportation  being  borne 
by  the  county.  A  like  expense  is  incurred 
in  behalf  of  those  sent  to  the  House  of 
Refuge  and  the  Female  Reformatory.  A 
statement  is  here  appended  of  the  expenses 
of  the  countv  in  these  charities  since  1879,  1 
in  order  to  exhibit  in  the  clearest  manner  ' 
the    extent    of    the    public's    benefactions: 

1879 $27,813  24 

1880 26,230  60 

1 88 1 26,109  ^5 

1882 25,936  07 

18S3 .3.3,974  17 

1884 35>896  45 

1885 36,822  82 

1886 24,078  66 

18S7 33,401   19 

Elections. — In  order  to  show  the  increase 
in  the  number  of  voters  and  the  political  com- 
plexion of  the  county  from  time  to  time,  a 
statement  of  the  vote  polled  in  the  several 
townships  at  the  various  presidential  elec- 
4 


tions  since  1824,  so  far   as  it  is   possible  to 
obtain  the  same,  is  here  made : 

1824. 

Clay              Adams  Jackson 

Townships.                and                  and  and 

Sanfoid.         Crawford.        Calhoun. 

Pigeon 43              27  22 

Scott 13                6  10 

ArmstroniT* ...  ... 

Union* ...  ... 

Totals* 


1828. 

Jackson    ■  Adams 

Townshiiis.                     and  and 

Calhoun.  Rusk. 

Pigeon 87  79 

Scott 14  9 

Union 7  16 

Armstrong* ... 

Totals* 108  104 

1832. 

Dem.  Whig. 

Jackson  Clay 

Townships.                      and  and 

VanBuren.  Sergeant. 

Pigeon 130  57 

Armstrong 22  29 

Union 18  16 

Scottf 

Totals* 170  102 

1836.* 


1840. 

Whig. 
Harrison 
Townships  and 

Tyler. 

Pigeon 486 

Armstrong 21 

Union 63 

Scott 51 

Knight 7 

Totals 628  370 

*  Official  returns  lost. 

t  No  vote  returned  by  this  township. 


Dem. 
VanBuren 

and 
.  M.  Johnson. 

49 
40 

16 
14 


68 


CO  UXTY  ORGAXIZA TJOX. 


1844. 

Whig. 

Clay 
Townshiji.s,  and 

Fielinghuysen. 

Pigeon 4S5 

Armstrong.  .  5 

Union 48 

Scott 65 

Perry 8 

Knight 19 

Center 45 

Totals 675 


1848. 

Taylor 
Townships.  and 

Fillmore. 

Pigeon 342 

Armstrong  ....  13 

Union 88 

Scott 90 

Perry 34 

Knight 55 

Center 82 

German 30 

Totals 734 


1852. 

T>en\. 

Pierce 
Townships.  and 

King. 

Pigeon 695 

Armstrong  ....  143 

Union 51 

Scott 56 

Perry 82 

Knight 62 

Center 71 

German 162 

Totals 1)322 


Dem. 

Polk 
and 

Birney 
and 

Dallas. 

Morris 

374 

43 

53 

17 

3 

II 

.  .  . 

55 

I 

556 


Cass 

and 

Butler. 

259 
71 
47 
41 

54 
55 
39 

lOI 

667 


VanBuren 

and 
Adams. 

8 


10 

I 


Whig. 

Free  Soil 

Scott 

and 

Graham. 

Hale 

and 

Julian. 

571 
18 

78 

87 
26 

42 

97 

22 

IS56. 

Dem.  Free  Sgil.  Rep. 

Buchanan  Fillmore  Fremont 

Townships.                and  and  and 

Breckenridge.  Donelson.  Dayton. 

Pigeon 1,153  468  252 

Armstrong  ....      175  12  5 

Union 38  93  3 

Scott 49  63  28 

Perry 100  43  12 

Knight 80  53  4 

Center 92  98  38 

German 193  10  30 

Totals 1,880  840  372 


Townships. 

Pigeon  .  . . 
Armstrong. 
Union  .  . 
Scott  .  .  . 
Perry  .  . 
Knight  . 
Center  . 
German 


Rep. 

Lincoln 

and 
Hamlin. 


1S60. 

Dem.  Dem.  Fnion. 

Douglas  Breckenridge      Bell 


I 


,223 

50 
89 

1.39 
80 

51 
131 
104 


and 
Johnson. 

939 
120 

41 
67 

59 

66 

82 

168 


941 


Totals.  .  1,867     Ij542 


1864. 

Rep. 
Lincoln 
Townships.  and 

Johnson. 

Pigeon 1,873 

Armstrong 46 

Union 146 

Scott 159 

Perry 150 

Knight 82 

Center 178 

German 90 

Totals 2,724 


and 
Lane. 

100 

37 

9 
6 

13 

12 

5 

I 

I  S3 


and 
Everett. 

219 


19 

15 

6 
26 
17 


302 


Dem. 

McCIellan 

and 
Pendleton. 

1,266 

184 

68 

112 

71 
127 

84 
202 


,114 


ELECTIONS. 


69 


1868. 

Kep.  Dem. 

(Slant  Seymour 

Townships.                             and  anil 

Colfax.  Blair. 

Pigeon 2,335  2,100 

Armstrong    44  221 

Union 141  77 

-"^cott 193  139 

Perry 206  117 

Knight 75  173 

Center 226  12S 

Cjorman  ...;....           170  188 

Totals 3,390  3,143 


1872. 

Kep. 
Grant 
Townsliips.  and 

Wilson. 

Pigeon 2,919 

Armstrong   ...  33 

Union 149 

Scott 201 

Perry 188 

Knight 171 

Center 223 

German 130 

Totals 4'0^^4 


1876. 

Rep. 
Hayes 
Townships.  and 

Wheeler 

Pigeon 2,996 

Armstrong   ...  49 

Union no 

Scott 211 

Perry 189 

Knight 170 

Center 217 

German 127 

Totals 4)069 


Lib.   Rep.  r>em. 

Greeley  O'Connor 

and  and 

Brown.  Julian. 

2,454 
204 

66 
ri7 
109 


159 

iiS 

3,381 


Dem. 

hid. 

Tilden 

Cooper 

and 

and 

lendricks. 

Gary. 

2,879 

157 

247 

126 

7 

156 

I 

174 

20 

212 

I 

157 

19 

174 

I 

1880. 

Kep. 
Garfield 
Townships.  and 

Arthur. 

Pigeon 3,627 

Armstrong   ...  62 

Union 130 

Scott 217 

Perry    243 

Knight 202 

Center 259 

German 165 

Totals "  4,905 


Dem. 
Hancock 

and 
Englisli. 

3,153 
252 
116 
180 
202 
230 
166 
1S5 


4,484 


Ind. 
Weaver 

and 
Chambers. 

4 

'> 

17 

4 

14 


235 


Townships. 

Pigeon  . .  . 
Armstrong 
Union.  .  .  . 
Scott  .... 
Perry  .  .  .  . 
Knight  .  .  . 
Center  .  .  . 
German  .  . 

Totals  . 


4,125 


206 


To\\'nships. 

Evans\-ille 
Armstrong 
Union.  .  .  . 

Scott 

Perry  .... 
Knight  .  .  . 
Center  .  .  . 
German  .  . 

Totals  . 


1884. 


Kep. 
Blaine 

and 
Loi^an. 

4,154 
65 
102 
199 
262 
205 

293 
165 


Dem. 
Cleveland 

and 
Hendricks. 

4,089 

251 
102 
182 
246 

239 
208 

182 


Nat.         Pro. 
Butler.  St.John. 


90 
2 

I 
2 

10 

5 
7 


8 
2 


5,445       5,499       117 


10 


Kep. 
Harrison 

and 
Morton. 

4,740 

64 
104 

i«3 

259 
188 

313 

175 


Dem. 
Cleveland 

and 
Thurman. 

4,510 

231 

102 

184 

219 

261 

213 

170 


Union  Lab.  Pro. 
Streeter      Fisk 


and 


13 


and 
Brooks. 

52 
I 
I 

I 

4 
4 


6,026       5,890         14       65 


10 


COUXTY  ORGANIZATION. 


Avenues  of  Travel. —  The  highway,  as  a 
means  of  bringinir  men  into  social  and  busi- 
ness contact,  is  an  educator  and  producer  of 
wealth.  The  pioneers'  blazed  trail  and  ser- 
Brazelton  farm  —  adjacent  to  the  town  of 
pentine  road,  winding  their  way  through 
dense  and  wolf-infested  forests  from  settle- 
ment to  settlement,  were  the  first  fruits  of 
that  aggressive,  enterprising  public  spirit 
which  has  built  the  highways  of  banded  steel 
now  traversing  the  land  from  ocean  to  ocean 
and  from  lake  to  gulf;  that  spirit  which  has 
brought  into  cultivation  a  rich  but  once  un- 
appreciated territorv,  and  built  busv  towns 
and  magnificent  cities  where  less  than  a  cen- 
tury  ago  were  wild  and  pathless  forests. 
Prior  to  the  organization  of  Vanderburgh 
count)-  several  roads  had  been  cut  out  across 
the  territory  embraced  in  its  boundaries,  for 
settlers'  cabins  were  raised  a  dozen  years  be- 
fore the  county  was  organized.  There  were 
roads  from  Evansville  to  Vincennes,  to  Dar- 
lington, to  New  Harmony  and  other  neigh- 
boring towns,  from  Anthony's  mill  on  Pigeon 
creek,  to  the  mouth  of  Green  river  and  else- 
where, some  of  which  were  inherited,  as  it 
were,  from  the  count}-  of  Warrick.  But  be- 
fore the  commencement  of  Warrick  countv's 
existence,  when  the  territory  embraced  in 
Vanderburgh  county  was  a  part  of,  and  un- 
der the  jurisdiction  of,  Knox  county,  there 
were  few,  if  an)-,  legall}-  established  roads. 
Settlers  were  extremely  scarce.  When  they 
left  their  cabins  for  business  or  pleasure  their 
movements  were  directed  by  the  Indian 
trails  or  footpaths  marked  through  the  woods 
by  blazes  on  the  trees.  George  Linxweiler, 
the  pioneer,  assisted  in  blazing  out  one  of 
the  first  roads  in  this  section,  which  after- 
ward became  an  established  thoroughfare, 
from  the  Wheatstone  farm  east  to  the  Red 
Bank  trail,  and  north  nearlv  along  the  line 
of  the  old  Princeton  road  to  the  intersection 
of   the    Red  Bank  trail  near  the   house  of 


John  Withrow,  not  far  from  the  village  of 
Warrenton.  Of  the  settlements  along  this 
road  Mr.  William  Linxweiler  savs,  "There 
were  at  that  time  but  four  houses  along  the 
entire  route  from  the  Ohio  river  to  the 
Princeton,  and  these  were  rude  cabins,  such 
as  the  hardy  pioneers  erected  hastily  when- 
ever they  found  a  site  which  their  fancy 
suggested  to  be  a  good  point  for  location." 
This  was  about  1811. 

The  system  of  establishing  hiijhwavs  has 
remained  substantially  the  same  from  the 
earliest  times.  The  citizens  of  the  locality 
desiring  the  outlet  petitioned  the  board  of 
commissioners,  who,  if  granting  the  prayer 
of  the  petitioners,  appointed  three  disinter- 
ested citizens  or  "viewers"  to  ^-iew,  mark 
and  lay  out  the  proposed  highway,  if,  in  their 
judgment,  it  would  be  of  public  utility.  The 
routes  were  not  well  defined  as  is  now  re- 
quired. Often  only  the  desired  termini  were 
named,  the  object,  as  expressed,  being  to 
get  from  one  to  the  other  "b}'  the  nearest 
and  best  way,"  and  this  was  left  to  the  de- 
termination of  the  viewers.  Among  the 
earliest  acts  of  the  commissioners  was  the 
appointment  of  Matthias  Whetstone,  Patrick 
Calvert  and  James  Patton  to  view  a  desired 
road  "from  the  west  boundary  line  of  Van- 
derburgh county  at  or  near  where  John 
McCrery  and  William  Cater  priz''  tobacco 
last  season,  from  thence  the  nearest  and  best 
way  through  the  settlements  on  the  forks  of 
the  Big  creek,  thence  the  nearest  and  best 
way  to  intersect  the  road  leading  from 
Evansville  to  Princeton  at  or  near  Julius 
Gibson's."  From  that  time  like  petitions 
have  so  abounded  that  a  mere  catalogue  of 
the  roads  established  with  descriptions 
of  the  routes  would  fill  a  volume.  Scarcely 
a  re<jular  session  of  the  board  of  com- 
missioners  has  passed  without  the  con- 
sideration of  papers  pertaining  to  this 
subject;     and     many    a     war    of      words 


AVENUES  OF  TRAVEL. 


has  attended  their  hearing.  Remonstrances 
have  followed  petitions,  damages  have  been 
claimed  and  whether  denied  or  allowed 
neighborh'  friendships  have  been  broken 
and  life-long  enmities  made.  Annuallj'  sup- 
ervisors were  appointed  who  had  charge  of 
certain  defined  districts  and  were  empowered 
to  warn  out  "the  hands"  in  a  manner  famil- 
iar to  the  able-bodied  men  of  the  present 
day.  Some  of  these  supervisors,  as  shown 
by  the  records,  were  men  who  in  later  years 
achieved  fame  in  the  nation's  wars  and  coun- 
cil chambers. 

With  all  the  care  that  could  be  bestowed 
on  these  old  dirt  roads  at  certain  seasons, 
they  were  almost  impassable.  Mud  holes 
of  boundless  area  and  fathomless  depth  were 
everywhere  found.  It  is  told  of  a  respect- 
able citizen  of  Ohio,  who  traversed  the 
state  about  1825,  that  upon  his  return  home, 
when  asked  about  his  travels,  and  whethre 
he  had  been  pretty  much  through  the  state, 
he  replied  that  he  could  not  say  with  certainty, 
but  he  thought  he  had  been  prettv  nearly 
through  in  some  places. 

When  Indiana  was  admitted  to  the  Union, 
it  was  provided  by  law  that  five  per  cent 
of  the  proceeds  arising  from  the  sale  of  the 
pubhc  lands,  should  be  set  apart  for  the  pur- 
pose of  building  roads;  two  per  cent  for  a 
state  road  leading  to  the  permanent  seat  of 
government,  and  three  per  cent  to  be  used 
by  the  several  counties  on  the  roads 
within  their  borders.  This  was  known  as 
the  "three  per  cent  fund,"  and  was  placed 
in  the  hands  of  a  trustee  charged  with  its 
safe-keeping  and  proper  disbursement. 
He  gave  bond,  reported  his  doings  to  the 
commissioners  and  received  a  small  per  diem 
when  actually  and  necessarih-  employed. 
As  the  sales  of  land  advanced,  the  fund  was 
distributed  to  the  counties  by  legislative  ap- 
propriations. Believing  that  a  part  of  the 
fund  was  never  distributed,  certain  counties 


as  late  as  1881,  made  efforts  to  obtain  what 
might  be  due  them  from  the  state  officials, 
but  without  avail. 

In  a  countrj-  traversed  by  streams,  ferries 
form  an  important  part  of  the  highway  S3S- 
tem.  These  were  established  on  the  Ohio 
river,  at  the  present  site  of  Evansville,  at 
Henderson,  Ky.,  and  at  the  mouth  of  Green 
river,  before  this  county  had  an  official  ex- 
istence. That  at  the  mouth  of  Pigeon  creek 
was  established  in  1820.  A  license  fee  of  from 
$3  to  $10  was  charged  for  the  privilege  of 
their  operation,  and  rates  chargeable  were 
fixed  b}'  the  commissioners.  Probably  the 
first  to  serve  the  public  as  ferryman  at 
Evansville,  was  Hugh  McGary,  from  the 
first  so  conspicuously  identified  with  the  in- 
terests of  the  town,  for  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent cit}-,  as  before  stated,  was  known  as 
McGary's  ferry.  Daniel  Worsham  and 
Elisha  Harrison  were  other  early  ferr\men 
at  this  point.  At  the  mouth  of  Green  river, 
Elisha  Durphey  was  the  first  mentioned  in 
the  records,  though  perhaps  others  pre- 
ceded him,  for  among  the  earliest  settlers 
were  those  in  that  locality.  One  of  the  ear- 
liest ferries  was  that  of  William  Anthony, 
who  became  a  veteran  in  the  service,  near 
the  present  site  of  the  railroad  bridge  in 
Union  township.  That  at  the  mouth  of 
Pigeon  creek  was  kept  by  Mrs.  Nellie 
Sweezer,  whose  name  was  perpetuated  in 
naming  the  pond  at  that  place.  The  interior 
of  the  county  was  not  traversed  by  many 
streams  that  could  not  in  most  seasons  be 
easily  forded;  still  at  various  points  there 
were  insignificant  ferries.  For  several  years 
steam  ferries  have  been  operated  at  Evans- 
ville, and  at  Henderson,  Ky.  That  at  the 
mouth  of  Green  liver  is  maintained  by  the 
old-time  oarsman  with  his  skiff  and  flat. 
Bridges  began  to  be  built  at  a  very  early 
time.  One  of  the  first  constructed  was  at 
Negley's  mill,  across  Pigeon  creek  on  the 


72 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATION. 


Princeton  road.  From  1830  to  1S40,  vari- 
ous appropriations,  small  in  amount,  were 
made  from  the  county  funds  to  aid  in  the  re- 
pair or  building  of  bridges.  The  bayou  and 
Pigeon  creek  were  the  principal  streams 
spanned  by  these  structures.  The  state 
legislature  appropriated  $400  to  aid  in  erect- 
ing the  bridge  near  the  mouth  of  Pigeon 
creek,  and  much  of  the  three  per  cent  fund 
was  used  for  the  same  purpose.  Manj-  lib- 
eral private  subscriptions  were  also  made,  as 
was  customary  here  in  those  days,  and  John 
B.  Stinson  advanced  $500,  which,  because  of 
the  depleted  treasury,  was  not  returned  to 
him  for  several  years.  In  January,  1840, 
Amos  Clark,  J.  B.  Stinson,  J.  B.  McCall 
and  Willard  Carpenter  were  authorized  to 
build  a  toll  bridge  at  the  point  last  referred 
to,  but  before  any  action  was  taken,  the  au- 
thority was  revoked.  In  1850,  the  county 
expended  on  bridges  and  culverts,  $3,807.43; 
in  1858,  $17,084.38;  in  1870,  $23,038,  and 
during  the  eight  years  since  1879, 
$150,529.29.  In  every  part  of  the  couny- 
where  the  public  convenience  has  demanded 
it,  the  streams  have  been  spanned  by  sub- 
stantial bridges,  all  of  which  are  free  to  the 
public. 

That  produce  without  a  market  is  not 
wealth,  was  early  understood.  Cheap  and 
rapid  transportation,  even  before  the  era  of 
railroads,  was  a  problem  which  engaged  the 
thought  of  intelli<rent  men.  As  the  countv 
grew  in  population,  a  surplus  of  produce  be- 
gan to  form  a  part  of  every  farmer's  pos- 
sessions, and  seeking  to  dispose  of  it  in 
winter  or  spring,  roads  "without  bottom" 
were  what  he  had  to  contend  with.  The 
entire  resources  of  the  county  had  been  di- 
verted to  other  uses,  and  an}-  great  better- 
ment of  the  highways  though  public  agency 
seemed  impracticable.  A  field  for  private 
enterprise  was  opened  by  the  legislature, 
when,  in   1849,  it  authorized  the   incorpora- 


tion of  plank  road  companies.  In  February, 
1 85 1,  the  Central  Plank  Road  Company  of 
Vanderburgh  county  was  chartered,  and  in 
July  following,  permission  was  granted  by 
the  commissioners  to  build  a  plank  road  to 
Princeton  from  Evansville,  on  the  state  road. 
The  company  was  required  to  build  a  double 
track  as  far  as  Neglej^'s  mill,  and  to  allow 
paupers  and  provisions  for  the  poor  asylum 
to  pass  free  of  toll.  This  was  the  only  road 
of  the  kind  in  the  county.  It  was  a  good 
road,  but  never  extended  bcN'ond  Pigeon 
creek.  The  incorporators  at  first  thought 
they  had  a  valuable  franchise,  but  after  oper- 
ating the  road  ten  or  a  dozen  years,  became 
convinced  of  the  contrary,  and  in  March, 
1865,  Henry  C.  Gwathne}-,  secretar}-  and 
treasurer,  and  probably  the  largest  stock- 
holder in  the  company,  appeared  before  the 
board  of  commissioners  and  formally  aban- 
doned all  rights  under  the  charter,  surren- 
dering the  road  bed,  which  again  became  a 
public  highway.  In  this  connection  the 
venerable  forerunner  and  probable  suggester 
of  plank  roads  deserves  mention.  The 
"corduroy,"  of  poles  or  rails  laid  side  by 
side  in  muddy  places,  gave  the  traveler  the 
severest  and  most  vigorous  shaking  up  that 
it  was  possible  for  any  human  contrivance 
to  administer.  A  ride  over  it  in  a  "jolt- 
wa^on"  was  an  experience  equal  almost  to 
the  famous  ride  of  Horace  Greeley  in  the 
stage  coach  of  Hank  Monk. 

Other  laws  authorizing  the  incorporation 
of  turnpike  or  gravel  road  companies  were 
enacted,  but  under  these  no  organizations 
were  effected  in  this  county.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1870,  however,  a  system  of  improve- 
ment was  begun  by  the  county,  which  has 
since  been  prosecuted  with  such  vigor  that 
at  this  time  all  of  the  principal  thoroughfares 
leading  out  of  Evansville,  and  the  chief  cross 
roads  in  all  parts  of  the  county,  are  graveled 
and   kept  in  good  condition.     The  system 


AVENUES  OF  TRAVEL. 


73 


was  comniciued  in  an  experimental  andcau- 
tious  way.  Contracts  to  gravel  about  one 
mile  on  each  of  the  roads  from  the  city  to 
Oak  Mill  and  Locust  Hill  cemeteries,  were 
let  to  Jacob  S.  I^owery,  the  city  and  county 
agreeing  to  share  ecjually  the  expense, 
which  was  provided  for  by  an  issue  of  bonds 
bearing  interest  at  nine  per  cent  per  an- 
num. The  work  was  found  to  be  very 
costly,  yet  of  such  advantage  to  the  general 
public  that  its  continuance  and  extension 
were  determined  upon.  In  1879  alone,  there 
were  expended  in  this  work  nearly  $68,000, 
and  in  the  two  years  following.  o\er  $11 2,000. 
In  later  years  the  amount  expended  has 
been  less  than  formerly,  though  in  the  past 
four  years  it  exceeded  $102,000. 

As  early  as  1822  Governor  William 
Hendricks,  in  his  message  to  the  legislature, 
directed  attention  to  the  subject  of  internal 
improvements.  Corydon  was  then  the  seat 
of  government,  and  all  supplies,  not  immedi- 
ate products  of  the  soil,  were  brought  from 
Louis^■ille  in  wagons.  The  town  was  of  lit- 
tle importance  save  when  the  law-makers 
assembled,  and  the  Louisville  road  was  one 
of  the  bottomless  and  miry  sort.  "  Waiting 
for  the  wagon,"  was  the  common  excuse 
with  landlords  for  the  lack  of  the  most  ordi- 
nary articles  when  requested  bv  their  guests. 
If  for  no  other  reason,  because  of  this  state 
of  things,  the  legislative  mind  ought  to 
have  been  favorable  to  any  suggested 
method  of  improvement  in  transportation 
facilities.  But  there  were  weightier  reasons 
than  those  of  personal  convenience.  A  few 
years  before,  the  Indian  titles  to  the  greater 
part  of  the  central  and  eastern  portions  of 
the  state  had  been  extinguished,  and  settlers 
had  pushed  their  way  into  the  new  country 
in  great  numbers.  In  most  places  they 
found  a  rich  and  fertile  soil  w'hich,  with  little 
cultivation,  yielded  far  more  than  was  neces- 
sary to  supply  immediate  wants.     To  give 


a  market  to  this  surplus  was  the  desidera- 
tum. The  governor  seemed  to  realize  what 
possibilities  awaited  development  in  the  great 
state  over  which  he  had  been  called  to  pre- 
side. But  at  the  verv  time  of  his  message 
the  causes  were  in  action  which  soon  pro- 
duced all  over  the  new  state  a  period  of  de- 
pression and  business  inactivity  from  w'hich 
recovery  was  slow.  Ten  years  later,  how- 
ever, prosperity  had  returned  and  the  future 
seemed  to  hold  in  its  hand  the  richest  of 
promises.  From  the  south  and  the  east 
came  immigrants  of  wealth  and  character. 
The  spirit  of  the  age  w'as  progressive.  It 
demanded  improvement  and  the  develop- 
ment of  natural  resources.  Foreign  impor- 
tations destroyed  the  manufactories  which 
had  grown  up  in  the  east  during  the  war 
with  England,  and  abandoning  these  able 
and  experienced  men  came  with  their  capi- 
tal to  engage  in  commerce  in  the  west.  The 
practicabilit}^  of  railroads  and  canals  had 
been  demonstrated.  The  facilities  they 
afforded  to  travel  and  business  were  quickly 
recognized.  The  legislature  commenced 
chartering  railroad  companies,  tentatively  at 
first,  and  then  boldly,  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment had  been  changed  to  Indianapolis,  the 
state  road  leading  thereto  was  being  con- 
structed, and  congress,  in  1827,  had  made 
its  first  grant  of  lands  to  the  Wabash  &  Erie 
canal.  A  frenzy,  epidemic  like,  spread 
among  the  Hoosier  jieople.  Thev  clamored 
for  legislation  authorizing  a  gigantic  scheme 
of  development.  New  York,  Pennsylvania 
and  Ohio  had  met  with  some  success  in  the 
prosecution  of  similar  work,  and  these  facts 
tired  the  zeal  of  those  advocating  the  plan. 
Engineers,  would-be  contractors,  and  those 
awaiting  places  on  the  innumerable  boards 
and  commissions  that  would  necessarily- 
come  into  existence,  as  incidents  to  the  plan, 
in  every  possible  way  added  fuel  to  the 
flame.     Lo\al    and   stalwart    supporters   to 


74 


COUNTY  ORGAXIZATIOy. 


these  were  the  cohorts  of  speculators  who 
saw  vast  fortunes  in  the  increased  values  of 
town  lots  and  lands.  The  strong  hand  of 
the  state  alone  could  support  this  enterprise. 
The  stock  of  the  railroad  companies  already 
chartered  was  not  taken,  and  this  augured 
that  individual  effort  was  not  to  be  depended 
on.  In  1835-6,  a  bill  providing  for  a  gen- 
eral system  of  internal  improvement  became 
a  law.  Its  provisions  were  unwise  and 
ruinous,  because  its  visionarj-  and  enthusi- 
astic projectors  in  imagination  created  com- 
mercial necessities  which  in  realitv  had  no 
existence.  In  man}-  cases  the  termini  of 
railroad  lines  planned,  and  on  which  work 
was  commenced,  did  not  exist  except  on 
paper.  Such  roads  led  to  no  surplus  of  la- 
bor or  produce,  and  to  no  market.  It  was 
not  possible  for  them  to  profit  anyone  but 
the  town-site  company  and  its  hangers-on. 
Governor  Noah  Noble,  an  energetic,  capa- 
ble and  unselfish  man,  was  unfortunate 
enough  to  be  the  chief  promoter  of  the  sys- 
tem. Among  its  advocates,  next  to  him  in 
efficiency  and  zeal,  were  Messrs.  Burr  and 
Evans,  the  former  a  canal  commissioner, 
and  the  latter  the  speaker  of  the  house  of 
representatives.  The  completion  of  the 
works  authorized  would  have  cost  thirty 
millions  of  dollars.  Such  individual  pros- 
perity as  would  result  from  this  expenditure 
of  money  was  enough  to  throw  entire  com- 
munities into  a  paroxysm  of  jo}'.  In  the 
political  campaign  that  followed,  all  other 
issues  were  insignificant;  the  line  was  drawn 
between  the  element  of  progress  and  that 
of  obstruction ;  the  candidates  for  guberna- 
torial honors  were  both  whigs,  and  national 
questions  were  wholly  lost  sight  of.  Mr. 
Dumont,  the  anti-improvement  candidate, 
did  not  advocate  the  abandonment  of  the 
system,  but  onl}-  desired  to  impose  some 
limit  to  its  various  extension.  Such  was  the 
feeling  in  the  state,  that  he  was  defeated  bj- 


Governor  Wallace  b}'  more  than  9,000 
votes.  A  3'ear  later,  the  folly  and  futilitv  of 
the  scheme  began  to  dawn  upon  the  mental 
retina  of  the  self-deceived  public,  and  soon 
thereafter  the  credit  of  the  state  failed, 
which  occurred  fortunately  before  it  had 
succeeded  in  fastening  upon  itself  the  whole 
of  the  indebtedness  contemplated.  Out  of 
the  wreck  of  the  colossal  undertaking  came 
some  Efood,  though  it  was  in  no  degree 
commensurate  with  the  cost,  for  the  means 
of  actual  development  were  thus  constructed 
befoie  they  otherwise,  in  all  probabilit\-, 
would  have  bten. 

The  extension  of  the  Wabash  tS:  Erie 
canal  from  the  north,  and  its  construction 
from  the  Ohio  river,  commencing  at  Evans- 
ville,  was  a  part  of  the  general  plan  pro- 
vided for,  and  as  soon  as  practicable 
ground  was  broken  at  this  place;  the  failure 
of  the  state  system  in  1838  caused  a  suspen- 
sion of  the  work,  but  there  were  still  hopes 
that  the  canal  might  be  made  a  potent  fac- 
tor in  advancing  the  welfare  of  the  state. 
Through  national  aid  it  was  completed  to 
Terre  Haute,  in  1S49,  and  to  Evansville  in 
1853.  When  finished,  it  was  459  miles  long: 
375  in  Indiana,  and  84  in  Ohio.  The  Indiana 
portion  cost  about  $6,000,000.  The  Miami 
canal,  181  miles  long,  connected  it  with  Cin- 
cinnati. 

Manv  contractors  did  their  work  in  bad 
faith.  The  embankments  in  some  places 
were  filled  with  logs  and  brush,  in  conse- 
quence of  which  the  water,  when  turned  in- 
to the  excavation,  found  its  way  through  the 
crevices  and  spread  over  the  adjoining  lands. 
The  canal  boats  were  uncertain  and  unre- 
liable, and  were,  therefore,  not  well  patron- 
ized. On  the  whole  the  canal  had  but  little, 
if  anv,  influence  on  the  growth  of  the  town, 
and  its  meagre  usefulness  was  of  short  dura- 
tion, being  entirely  abandoned  about  1864. 
The  commerce  of  the  Ohio  river  and  the 


A  VENUES  OF  TEA  VEL. 


7.T 


relation  of  this  count}-  tiiereto,  are  subjects 
too  vast  for  appropriate  consideration  in  the 
limited  space  here  avaih;ble.  Tlie  brightest 
hopes  of  the  earl}-  settlers  so  far  as  they  in- 
volved the  material  development  of  the  cit}- 
and  county,  were  crystalized  into  facts  by 
the  potent  influence  of  "the  beautiful  river," 
not,  however,  as  a  joy-giving  quantity,  but  as 
a  highway  bringing  men  together  and  af- 
fordinij  means  for  an  exchange  of  commodi- 
ties.  As  soon  as  a  surplus  of  produce 
began  to  be  brought  to  the  village  for  dis- 
posal, means  of  carrying  it  to  the  world's 
markets  were  immediately  de\ised.  Chief 
of  these  was  the  flat-boat,  still  familiar  to 
every  resident  along  the  banks  of  the  river, 
though  the  magnitude  of  the  business  trans- 
acted by  this  means  has  so  diminished  that 
it  affords  no  adequate  idea  of  the  palmy  days 
of  the  past.  From  a  small  beginning,  flat- 
boating  increased  rapidly  until  it  was  not  un- 
common to  see  the  channel  dotted  with  them 
as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  At  some 
seasons  fleets  of  forty  or  fifty  boats  loaded 
with  hay,  corn,  pork,  lard,  venison,  hams, 
eggs,  poultry  and  other  farm  products, 
manned  by  sturdy  crews,  went  together  from 
these  parts  to  New  Orleans  and  'the  south. 
Some  of  the  boats  used  were  built  at  or  near 
Evansville.  When  the  hull  was  completed 
they  were  launched  into  the  river  bottom- 
side  up,  and  then  "turned"  by  loading  one 
side  with  dirt  and  swinging  the  boat  into  the 
current  with  strong  lines  fastened  to  the  un- 
loaded side.  Most  of  the  boats,  however, 
were  bought  at  Cincinnati  and  other  up-river 
towns.  These  were  open  boats  which  had 
been  loaded  with  salt  and  other  commodities 
in  the  Kanawha  and  other  rivers.  When 
btought  here  they  were  fitted  up  to  suit  the 
cargo  which  they  were  designed  to  trans- 
port. They  were  some  times  sent  out  by 
merchants  and  at  others  by  farmers,  either 
singly  or  by  se\eral  combined.     The  dignity 


of  labor  was  then  everywhere  recognized, 
and  some  of  the  best  men  in  the  community 
were  engaged  in  flat-boating,  among  them 
Gen.  Joseph  Lane,  and  others  equal!}-  as 
prominent.  The  crew  consisted  of  from  five 
to  twelve  men  who  were  subject  to  call  at  all 
hours.  The  pilot  who  had  charge  of  the 
craft,  b}-  pounding  on  the  deck  warned  the 
men  to  turn  out  from  their  berths  and  man 
the  oars.  The  pilot  was  an  important  per- 
sonage, and  in  this  school  many  were  edu- 
cated who  afterward  held  in  their  hands  the  • 
lives  of  many  human  beings  as  they  stood' 
at  their  wheels  guiding  the  palatial  passen- 
ger steamers  which  later  traversed  the 
waters.  Among  these  were  Barney  Cody, 
William  Elliott,  William  Dougherty,  Thomas 
J.  Stinson,  William  Onyett,  Jack  Angel  and 
many  others.  The  introduction  of  steam- 
boating  did  not  at  first  check  the  transporta- 
tion of  produce  by  flat-boats.  The  county 
grew  rapidly  in  population  and  its  surplus 
created  an  increasing  demand  for  boats  of 
all  sorts.  At  length,  however,  steamboat- 
ing  began  to  draw  heavily  upon  the  flat-boat 
interests  and  finally,  practically  drove  it  from 
the  trade,  except  as  an  occasional  carrier  of 
a  heavy  cargo  whose  owner  w-as  in  no  haste 
to  o-et  to  market.  Flat-boats  from  the  in- 
terior,  which  came  out  of  the  Wabash  in 
(Treat  numbers  in  early  times,  ceased  with 
the  building  of  railroads  from  about  1840  to 
1850. 

The  first  successful  experiments  at  steam- 
boating  were  made  in  1807,  by  Robert  Ful- 
ton, on  the  Hudson  river.  In  April,  1809, 
Nicholas  J.  Roosevelt,  of  New  York,  vis- 
ited the  western  rivers  and  made  a  survey 
from  Pittsburg  to  New  Orleans.  Finding 
favorable  conditions  the  territorial  legislature 
was  applied  to  for  a  charter,  and  in  Decem- 
ber, 1810,  an  act  was  passed  incorporating 
the  "  Ohio  Steamboat  Navigation  Company," 
by  which'  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,   Robert  R. 


76 


CO  XJNTY  OB  GA  NIZA  TIOX. 


Livingston,  De  Witt  Clinton,  Robert  Fulton 
and  Nicholas  J.  Roosevelt  were  made  a  bod}- 
politic  to  navigate  the  western  waters  under 
Fulton's  and  Livingston's  patent.  In  Octo- 
ber of  the  next  s-ear,  ttie  first  steamboat 
built  on  the  western  waters  was  launched  at 
Pittsburg.  She  was  called  the  A^czi.'  Orleans, 
was  410  tons  burden,  had  a  powerful  engine, 
and  was  altogether  quite  handsome  in  ap- 
pearance. She  was  designed  to  plv  be- 
tween Natchez  and  New  Orleans,  and  left 
Pittsburg  for  the  lower  river  in  command  of 
N.  J.  Roosevelt  without  passengers  or 
freight.  She  made  from  eight  to  ten  miles 
an  hour,  and  completed  the  trip  in  safety- 
While  waiting  for  water  to  tret  over  the  falls 
she  made  several  trips  between  Louisville 
and  Cincinnati,  and  was  admired  and  won- 
dered at  by  all  who  saw  her.  Strange  and 
ridiculous  reports  were  circulated  as  to  the 
noises  then  heard  for  the  first  time  bv  the 
people  thinly  scattered  through  the  dense 
forests  near  the  river.  At  Louisville,  it  is 
said,  the  timid  and  superstitious  were  greatly 
alarmed  and  attributed  the  unusual  sounds 
to  the  fallinti  into  the  river  of  a  burnine: 
comet.  The  settlers  in  this  count}-  had  heard 
with  amazement  of  her  construction  and  all 
along  the  shore  were  on  the  lookout  for  her 
coming.  There  was  then  no  tow-n  here,  but 
the  pioneers  watched  what  they  considered 
the  wonder  of  the  age  as  she  steamed  by 
waking  the  stillness  of  the  forest  with  a 
puffing  and  blowing,  such  as  the  steamers  of 
to-day  are  not  guilty  of.  This  boat  after 
two  years'  service  was  wrecked,  and  sunk 
near  Baton  Rouge,  La. 

The  Comet  and  the  J^csiiv/'iis  both  passed 
down  in  1814,  but  neither  returned  to  the 
upper  river.  The  Enterprise,  built  at 
Brownsville,  Pa.,  and  owned  by  a  company 
there,  made  two  voyages  to  Louisville,  in 
the  summer  of  1S14,  under  command  of 
Capt.  I.  Gregg.     She  afterward  \Vent  south. 


and  in  May,  181 5,  under  command  of  Capt- 
Henry  M.  Shreve,  made  the  first  trip  from 
New  Orleans  to  Louisville  —  consuming  but 
twenty-five  days  in  the  trip.  The  yEtna 
and  the  IVashino-fon  were  the  next  with 
which  the  people  of  this  localit}-  became  at 
all  familiar.  The  latter  had  two  decks,  the 
boilers  being  on  the  upper  deck.  She  was  the 
first  boat  built  in  this  style;  under  command 
of  Capt.  Shreve,  she  did  much  to  convince 
the  public  of  the  practicability  of  navigating 
the  western  waters.  All  early  steamers 
were  side-wheelers,  and  generally  had  but 
one  engine.  The  earlv  experiments  of  steam- 
boating  had  no  direct  influence  at  the  time 
on  the  growth  of  this  countv.  Even  as  late 
as  1832,  few  steamers  stopped  at  the  strug- 
gling village  of  Evansville,  then  of  com- 
mercial importance,  though  once  in  awhile  a 
"high  pressure"  passed  up  or  down.  The 
business  of  shipping  was  done  principally  by 
keel  boats  and  barges  or  flat-boats,  the  for- 
mer using  sails  on  their  up-stream  trips 
when  it  was  practicable,  and  resorting  to  the 
cordelle  when  the  wind  was  adverse.  This 
sort  of  navigation  was  tedious  and  expensive, 
and  those  engaged  in  it  clearly  earned  all 
the  money  it  brought  them. 

In  1834,  ^he  establishment  of  a  newspaper 
and  a  bank  in  Evansville,  brought  the  town 
into  notice  throughout  the  surrounding  coun- 
try, and  attracted  to  this  point  for  shipment 
much  of  the  surplus  produce  yielded  by  the 
rich  lands  within  and  far  beyond  the  county 
limits.  Improvements  and  substantial  devel- 
opment commenced  at  once.  Commerce 
with  her  magic  wand  began  to  effect  a  trans- 
formation out  of  which  has  come  a  ma<rnifi- 
cent  cit\'  and  a  wealthy  countv.  The  Ohio 
became  the  great  highway  between  the  east 
and  the  west,  and  through  the  Mississippi 
poured  the  products  of  the  northern  interior 
into  a  market  whence  it  was  scattered  to  all 
parts  of  the  civilized  world.     The  returning 


AVENUES  OF  TRAVEL. 


boats  brought  coffee,  sugar,  rice  and  other 
products  of  the  tropics  which  were  here  un- 
loaded and  sent  by  wagon  to  Vincennes, 
Terre  Haute,  La  Fayette  and  other  towns 
far  inland.  The  levee  from  end  to  end  was 
covered  with  freight  piles,  and  steamers  laj' 
for  hours  loadinif  or  unloading  their  cargoes. 
Evansville  became  one  of  the  largest  ship- 
ping points  in  the  Mississippi  valley,  and 
there  seemed  to  be  in  no  probability  of  an 
early  decline  in  the  steamboat  carrying  trade. 
With  the  advent  of  railroads  during  the 
decade  that  followed  an  appreciable  diminu- 
tion in  the  amount  of  the  river  trade  re- 
sulted. The  through  steamers  from  I'ittshurg 
to  St.  Louis  began  to  be  taken  from  the 
trade.  Merchants  discovered  that  transporta- 
tion bv  water  was  too  slow.  A  bill  of  jioods 
could  be  ordered  by  rail  and  half  disposed  of 
before  the  arrival  the  steamer  which  broutrht 
other  goods  ordered  at  the  same  time. 
Quick  sales  and  a  freijuent  turning  of  mone}' 
were  what  the  merchants  wanted,  and  a  de- 
cline of  the  steamboat  business  was  a  neces 
sary  sequence.  Vet  this  decline  was  slow, 
because  other  places  not  favored  with  the 
railroad,  were  sufficient  to  support  a  large 
steamboat  business.  The  boats  were  grad- 
ualh'  put  in  short  trades  with  a  railroad  cen- 
ter as  a  distributing  point  for  less  favored 
communities.  The  change  thus  commenced 
in  transportation  methods  did  not  effect  the 
growth  of  Evansville  or  the  development  of  the 
count}',  for  stimulated  by  the  newly  adopted 
agency,  the  cit}-  became  more  than  ever 
prosperous  in  becoming  a  depot  for  dis- 
tribution instead  of  a  mere  contributor  to 
the  markets  of  other  cities.  Attention  was 
wiselv  paid  to  manufacturing  interests, 
crude  material  was  converted  into  industrial 
implements  of  all  sorts,  and  a  considerable 
and  constantly  increasing  trade  grew  up 
with  the  surrounding  country  towns  of  In- 
diana, Illinois  and  Kentucky,  which   induced 


men  of  sense  and  capital  to  establish  lines  of 
steamers  with  Evansville  as  a  home  port. 

As  a  result,  at  the  present  time,  there  are 
more  than  sixty  steamers  registered  at 
Evansville,  and  regular  packets  ply  between 
this  cit_\-  and  all  neighboring  points  on  the 
Ohio  and  its  tributaries. 

R a i7 r oa tt s. -T^htt  internal  improxement 
bill  of  1835  provided  for  the  construction  of 
a  railroad  running  northward  from  Evans- 
ville, and  until  some  time  in  1837  its  success- 
ful operation  was  looked  forward  to  with 
great  expectations.  The  collapse  of  the 
plan  of  general  public  work  put  an  end  to 
all  such  hopes.  It  was  more  than  ten  years 
before  anxthing  further  was  done.  In  the 
meantime  Evansville  had  grown  and  pros- 
pered ;  a  city  charter  had  been  granted,  and 
her  citizens  were  zealous  and  progressive. 
Intelligent  and  far-seeing  men  began  to  take 
steps  to  draw  the  surplus  of  the  rich  interior 
to  Evansville  for  shipment.  Laws  had  been 
passed  by  which  local  aid  might  be  granted 
to  public  works  upon  a  vote  of  the  people. 
At  its  March  term,  1849,  ^^^  board  of 
commissioners  of  the  county  ordered  an 
election  to  be  held  on  April  12th  following, 
to  take  the  sense  of  the  people  on  the  ques- 
tion of  subscribing  for  stock  in  the  Evans- 
ville «&  Indianapolis  Railroad  Compan^•  to 
the  amount  of  $100,000.  The  poll  showed 
624  votes  for,  and  288  against,  the  proposi- 
tion. In  June  of  the  same  year  the  countv 
auditor  was  directed  to  subscribe  for  500 
shares  of  the  stock  at  once,  and  1,500  shares 
additional  as  soon  as  the  comjianv  was  clu]\ 
organized.  To  show  the  condition  of  the 
county  treasury  at  that  time,  it  ma}'  be 
mentioned  that  the  treasurer  was  directed  to 
negotiate  a  note  for  $1,020.50,  running  four 
months,  at  the  Evansville  Branch  Bank,  or 
elsewhere,  and  applv  the  proceeds  to  the 
payment  of  the  subscription,  that  being  $2 
each  on  500  shares.     In  August,  1849,  Jas. 


78 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATIOX. 


T.  Walker  was  authorized  to  vote  the  stock 
—  500  shares  —  at  the  election  of  directors, 
and  was  instructed  to  vote  for  Samuel  Hall 
and  James  Boswell,  of  Gibson  county,  and 
James  Lockhart,  John  Ingle,  Jr.,  John  S. 
Hopkins,  James  G.  Jones,  John  Hewson, 
Samuel  Orr  and  Michael  P.  Jones,  of  Van- 
derburgh. At  the  next  election  Mr.  Walker 
voted  as  proxy  2,000  shares,  this  time  for 
the  same  gentlemen,  except  that  the  name 
of  Willard  Carpenter  was  substituted  for  that 
of  Mr.  Boswell. 

To  pay  the  remainder  due  on  its  subscrip- 
tion, the  county,  in  December,  1849,  issued 
$99,000  in  six  per  cent  10-25  year  bonds, 
which  were  delivered  to  Samuel  Hall,  presi- 
dent of  the  road,  in  return  for  a  certificate 
for  2,000  shares  of  stock.  The  bonds  were 
issued  in  small  denominations,  the  interest 
was  payable  in  Evansville,  and  they  were  in- 
artistically  executed.  These  facts  interfered 
with  their  sale,  and  later  they  were  ex- 
changed for  a  new  issue,  in  large  denomina- 
tions, with  coupons  payable  in  New  York, 
and  having  an  appearance  that  might,  at 
least,  not  offend  the  fastidious  taste  of  east- 
ern bond  buyers.  Even  in  those  days  se- 
curities were  judged  somewhat  by  their 
looks.  The  people  were  taxed  to  pay  the 
interest  on  these  bonds.  In  June,  1854,  ^^^ 
county  auditor  \vas  authorized  to  issue  cer- 
tificates of  payment  of  taxes  levied  in  1850, 
'51,  '52  and  '53  to  each  tax-payer.  These 
were  presented  at  the  company's  office  and 
a  sort  of  scrip  was  issued  for  them.  When  a 
sufficient  amount  of  this  was  accumulated 
(perhaps  $50.00  worth)  railroad  stock  was 
issued  to  the  tax-payer,  who  thus  became  a 
part  owner  of  the  road.  The  compan}'  soon 
found  that  the  people  were  getting  too 
much  stock,  and  stopped  transactions  of  that 
character 

The  county  held  its  stock  for  many  j-ears, 
drawing  dividends.     In   1875  Philip  Decker 


proposed  to  bu\-  the  shares  held  by  the 
county,  and  a  sale  was  actually  made  on 
April  19,  of  that  year',  to  Mr.  Decker  for 
Arnold  E.  Schrseder,  $36,000.00  being  the 
amount  of  the  purchase  money.  Robert  D. 
Richardson  in  the  circuit  court  secured  an 
injunction  against  the  county  commissioners, 
preventing  the  sale.  In  the  following  June 
Messrs.  Decker,  Schra^der,  W.  R.  McKeen, 
and  John  E.  Martin  returned  the  stock  and 
received  back  their  monev.  On  June  30, 
1881,  the  stock  was  offered  at  public  auction 
b}-  Auditor  Will  Warren,  and  was  sold  to 
David  J.  Mackey  for  $150,000.00. 

The  city  of  Evansville,  as  well  as  the 
county  of  Vanderburgh,  aided  in  the  con- 
struction of  this  pioneer  road  bv  subscribing 
for  $100,000.00  of  its  stock,  which  in  1881 
was  also  sold  to  D.  J.  Mackey  for  $150,- 
000.00. 

The  road  was  completed  and  put  in  oper- 
ation in  1853.  Its  name  at  first  was  the 
Evansville  &  Indianapolis,  later  it  was 
changed  to  the  Evansville  &  Crawfordsville, 
and  is  now  the  Evansville  Si  Terre  Haute. 
Its  first  president  was  Samuel  Hall,  of 
Princeton,  an  able  man,  at  one  time  judge  of 
the  circuit  court  of  this  district,  the  ver}' 
essence  of  honor,  and  a  broad  man  of  affairs. 
His  successor  in  the  presidency  was  John 
Ingle,  Jr.,  one  of  the  most  acute  thinkers 
and  able  business  managers  ever  known  to 
this  city.  He  attained  an  exalted  position 
as  a  lawyer,  was  recognized  as  an  efficient 
executive  officer,  upright  and  honorable  in 
every  transaction,  and  in  all  respects  a  highly 
useful  citizen.  He  maintained  control  of  the 
road  almost  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  and 
then  gave  wav  to  John  E.  Martin,  who  was 
a  worthv  successor.  The  road  improved 
rapidlv  under  his  management,  and  he  was 
in  all  respects  a  capable  and  thoroughlv 
honest  manager.  Those  who  knew  him 
well  and  were  in  a  position  to  know  the  facts, 


RAILROADS. 


s;n-  that  he  was  a  superior  man  and  officer. 
His  connection  with  this  road  terminated 
when  D.  J.  Mackey  assumed  control.  Mr. 
Mackey's  management  has  been  able  and 
asxiiressive.  Under  him  the  road  has  con- 
stantlv  improved.  Its  road-bed  is  now  in 
excellent  condition,  and  its  equipment  unex- 
celled. Its  varied  connections  afford 
Evansville  direct  communication  with  all 
cities  north  and  east,  and  its  facilities  for  the 
comfortable  conveyance  of  passengers  and 
the  rapid  handling  of  freight,  are  of  the 
highest  order. 

In  recent  years  there  has  been  a  rivalry 
between  the  cities  of  Evansville  and  Terre 
Haute  over  the  location  of  the  general 
offices  and  shops  of  this  road.  The  con- 
trolliny  interest  is  held  bv  Evansville  citizens, 
and  the  offices  and  shops  have  been  retained 
at  this  place. 

T/ic  S/ra/'g'///  Line. — The  pioneer  road 
had  scarcelv  been  completed  before  efforts 
were  made  to  construct  a  line  to  Indianapo- 
lis. The  soul  of  the  effort  was  Willard 
Carpenter,  who  worked  with  indefatigable 
zeal  for  its  success.  In  the  personal  men- 
tion made  of  that  gentlemen  elsewhere  in 
this  volume  is  a  succinct  account  of  the 
earlv  reverses  which  overtook,  and  for  manv 
years  checked,  the  enterprise.  It  was  first 
called  the  Evansville,  Indianapolis  &  Cle\e- 
land  Straight  Line  Railroad  Company. 
Right  of  wa}-  through  the  county  poor  farm 
was  granted  it  in  1854.  In  1869  the  board 
of  commissioners  was  asked  to  order  an 
election  to  grant  aid  to  the  road,  but  the}-  de- 
clined to  make  the  order.  After  the  first 
failure  years  went  by  without  any  effort  at 
its  revival.  At  length,  however,  R.  G. 
Herve}-,  of  Terre  Haute,  an  experienced 
and  prominent  railroad  man,  took  hold  of 
the  old  franchise  and  induced  the  citv,  bv  a 
vote  of  the  people,  to  grant  aid  to  the 
amount    of    $300,000.     This   monev,  how- 


ever, was  never  paid,  the  road  not  being  con- 
structed as  promised.  However,  the  city's 
promise  hung  over  it  as  a  debt  for  many 
years,  and  was  at  length  compromised  by  an 
agreement  on  the  part  of  the  city  to  pay 
$196,000.00.  Bonds  were  issued  for  this 
amount.  Mr.  Ilervey  failed  to  complete 
the  road,  although  having  its  construc- 
tion well  advanced,  and  later  sold  his  inter- 
ests to  D.  J.  Mackey.  Mr.  Mackey  paid 
Hervey's  liabilities  for  grading,  etc.,  in  de- 
benture bonds,  which  subsequentlv  became 
practically  worthless  and  could  hardlv  be  sold 
for  2  cents  on  the  dollar.  The  road  is  now 
a  part  of  the  so-called  Mackey  system,  runs 
through  a  rich  territorv,  is  well  managed, 
and  is  an  important  factor  in  the  railroad 
system  of  this  city. 

In  1879  the  Local  Trade  Railroad  Com- 
pan}-  undertook  the  construction  of  a  system 
of  roads  entering  at  Evansville,  and  de- 
signed, as  indicated  b\^  the  name,  to  secure 
to  this  citv  the  commercial  trade  of  the  sur- 
rounding countrv.  Robert  A.  Hill  was  its 
president.  It  first  asked  public  aid  to  the 
extent  of  $100,000;  this  petition  was  with- 
drawn and  $150,000  were  asked  for.  This 
amount  the  people  refused  to  grant.  Sub- 
sequentl}-  $65,000  were  voted  to  the  road 
on  condition  that  it  be  completed  by  Jan- 
uar_v  1st,  1881.  The  road  was  not  built 
and  the  bonds  were  destroyed.  A 
proposition  was  then  submitted  by  the  Local 
Trade  Compan\-  by  which  it  undertook  the 
construction  of  the  Peoria,  Decatur  cS: 
Evansville  Road  as  a  part  of  its  system,  and 
asking  $100,000  as  aid  in  the  construction 
of  the  roads.  The  proposition  did  not  meet 
with  popular  appro\al.  The  Peoria,  Deca- 
tur &  Evansville  Road  later  asked  the  city 
to  subscribe  for  $125,000  of  its  stock,  agree- 
ing to  construct  its  road  and  maintain  its 
shops  in  this  city.  The  amount  was  voted 
and  bonds  were  issued  for   1,250  shares  of 


80 


'COUNTY  ORGANIZATION. 


stock,  Ma}-  1st,  1880.  A  building  for  the 
company's  shops  was  erected,  but  shops 
were  not  maintained.  The  bonds  were 
taken  up  by  the  city  in  1881,  the  stock 
being  sold  for  $125,000,  and  the  road  be- 
came a  part  of  the  "  Mackey  system "  by 
which  it  is  now  operated.  Running  through 
a  surpassingly  rich  country  it  is  one  of  the 
most  valuable  lines  entering  the  city. 

The  lines  owned  and  operated  b\'  the 
Louisville  &  Nashville  Railroad  Company, 
form  an  extensive  and  important  part  of  the 
Evansville  railway  system.  The  story  of 
their  construction  is  somewhat  complicated. 
In  1870  the  city  and  county  respectively 
subscribed  for  $150,000.00  and  $121,000.00 
of  stock  in  the  E\-ans\alle,  Cincinnati  & 
Paducah  Railroad  Company,  which  amounts 
were  subsequently  doubled,  upon  a  con- 
solidation of  that  road  with  the  Evansville  & 
Southern  Illinois,  and  the  St.  Louis  &  South- 
western Railroad  companies.  In  1873  the 
consolidated  lines  under  the  name  of  the  St. 
Louis  &  Southwestern  Railroad  Compan}^, 
delivered  its  stock  certificates  to  the  city  and 
county  and  received  bonds  in  payment  there- 
for. The  city  had  also  subscribed  for  $300,- 
000.00  of  the  stock  of  the  Evansville, 
Henderson  &  Nashville  Railroad  Company, 
had  paid  $50,000.00  in  cash,  and  had  deliv- 
ered bonds  for  the  remainder  of  the  amount. 
By  the  consolidation  of  these  various  hues, 
connectinsx  Evansville  with  the  south  and 
west,  the  name  of  the  city  was  omitted  from 
the  company's  titles.  This  aroused  the  op- 
position of  many  citizens,  among  them  II.  E. 
Read,  Esq.,  who  has  always  been  watchful 
of  the  public  interest,  and  steps  were  taken 
to  prevent  the  deliver}'  of  the  bonds.  Gen. 
E.  F.  Winslow,  then  president  of  the  road, 
secured  a  compromise  of  the  matter  by 
agreeing  that  the  road  should  be  advertised 
on  all  its  cars,  at  all  its  stations,  and  in  its 
advertising  matter  as  the  St.  Louis,  Evans- 


ville &  Nashville  Railroad.  On  this  promise 
the  bonds  were  obtained,  the  name  of  the 
road  as  indicated  was  used  as  promised,  but 
in  a  very  short  time  it  was  erased  from  the 
cars  and  not  thereafter  used.  It  was  gen- 
erally understood,  also,  that  the  contract  upon 
which  the  people  voted  aid  to  the  road  con- 
tained a  stipulation  by  which  the  company 
was  to  build  and  maintain  its  shops  in  this 
cit}'.  But  the  original  paper  was  by  some 
means  lost,  and  the  record  of  the  contract 
showed  no  reference  to  the  matte-  of  its 
shops.  The  road  located  its  shops  at  Mt. 
Vernon,  Ills.  Under  Gen.  Winslow  the 
western  and  southern  divisions  of  the  line 
were  consolidated  in  1872,  in  order,  as  was 
claimed,  to  lessen  the  cost  of  management 
and  operation.  The  consolidation  accom- 
plished, the  western  division  was  bonded  for 
$1,500,000,  and  the  southern  division  for 
$1,100,000,  by  which  the  stock  of  the  road, 
of  which  the  cit\-  held  $600,000,  was  made 
practicall}-  worthless.  Tlie  road  in  1874 
passed  into  the  hands  of  a  receiver,  and 
afterward  into  the  possession  of  the  Louis- 
ville &  Nashville  Railroad  Company.  The 
bonds  issued  b}-  the  city  form  a  part  of  its 
present  debt.  The  connection  between  the 
two  divisions  was  effected  bv  means  of 
transfer  boats  from  this  city  to  Henderson, 
Ky.,  the  road  ha\-ing  for  a  long  time  free 
use  of  the  wharf.  In  1885  ^  magnificent 
steel  bridge  3,686  feet  in  length,  and  costing 
$3,000,000,  was  constructed  at  Henderson, 
by  which  through  trains  are  now  run  direct 
from  Nashville  to  St.  Louis  bv  wav  of 
Evansville.  The  Louisville  &  Nashville 
Railroad  Company-  was  chiefly  instrumental 
in  building  the  bridge,  owns  large  amounts 
of  its  stock  and  bonds,  and  controls  its  use. 
This  road  has  done  much,  under  progressive 
management,  to  extend  the  commerce  of  this 
citv.  Connecting  Evansville  with  the  great 
states  of  the  south,  it  traverses  in  its  course 


RAILROADS. 


St 


a  wealtliv,  fertile  and  beautiful  country 
noted  not  less  for  its  varied  and  enchanting 
scencrN'  than  for  the  value  of  its  agricultural 
and  mineral  products.  The  offices  for  the 
division  of  the  line  between  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
and  Nashville,  Tenn.,  are  situated  in  this 
city,  and  provisions  have  been  made  by 
which  the  shops  for  the  dixision  are  soon  to 
be  established  here. 

The  Lake  Erie,  Evansville  &  Southwest- 
ern Railroad  was  designed  to  connect  this 
point  with  the  chief  cities  of  northern  Ohio 
and  the  southwest  to  the  Pacific  coast.  This 
company  constructed  its  road  as  far  as 
Boonville,  Ind.,  and  for  a  time  was  unable, 
because  of  reverses,  to  push  beyond  that 
point.  The  road  passed  into  the  hands  of  a 
receiver  and  subsequently  became  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Louisville,  Evansville  &  St. 
Louis  Railroad  Compan\'  (the  air  line),  in 
whose  hands  its  connections  have  been 
greatly  extended.  It  traverses  the  counties 
of  Warrick,  Spencer,  Perry  and  Dubois,  and 
at  Huntingburgh  connects  directly  with  the 
main  line  from  Louisville  to  St.  Louis.  This 
line  opened  up  a  countr\-  of  \ast  mineral 
resources,  materially  increased  the  trade  of 
Evansville  and  enlarged  its  manufacturing 
facilities.  B\'  contracts  recently  entered  into 
this  entire  line  has  become  a  part  of  the 
Mackey  system  and  is  an  important  artery  in 
Evansville's  commerce. 

The  Ohio  \"alle}-  Road,  running  from 
Evansville  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  bv  way  of 
Princeton  and  Ilopkinsville,  Ky.,  traverses  a 
fine  agricultural  country,  and  is  a  valuable 
ac(|uisition  to  the  railroad  of  this  place.  It 
has  been  built  but  recently,  but  already  the 
great  good  to  be  derived  from  it  is  becoming 
manifest.  The  Belt  Line  traverses  the  sub- 
urbs of  the  city  connecting  the  \-arious  rail- 
road lines  and  chief  manufacturing  concerns. 
The  Evansville  &  Louisville  Narrow 
Gauge  Railroad  Company,  in  1873,  asked 


the  county  to  appropriate  $225,000  to  aid 
in  the  construction  of  its  line,  but  the  finan- 
cial panic  of  that  year  caused  a  withdrawal 
of  the  petition  before  action  was  taken.  In 
1874,  the  Evansville,  Jack.son  &  New  Or- 
leans Railroad  Company  asked  that  the 
county  subscribe  for  $300,000  of  its  stock ; 
an  election  was  ordered  but  the  order  was 
subsequently  rescinded.  In  1875,  the  Hen- 
derson Mining  &  Transportation  Compan\- 
asked  for  $100,000  to  aid  in  huilding  a  road 
from  the  river  bank  opposite  Evansville  to 
Henderson,  Ky.  It  was  commonly  callea  the 
"Gap  Road,"  but  nothing  material  was 
realized.  In  1875,  the  Evansville  &  New- 
burgh  Narrow  Gauge  Railroad  asked 
Knight  township  for  $21,065.30,  but  the 
proposition  was  defeated  at  the  polls.  These 
propositions  show  the  extent  of  the  efforts 
made  some  fifteen  j'ears  ago  for  additional 
railroad  facilities.  Since  that  time  some  of 
the  roads  already  mentioned  at  length,  have 
been  constructed  and  placed  in  operation. 
Unsuccessful  attempts  have  also  been  made 
to  obtain  other  railroad  connections.  Pro- 
gressive citizens  agree  that  the  full  develop- 
ment of  the  resources  of  this  famed  locality 
demands  new  lines  to  parts  of  the  country  not 
now  reached,  and  competing  roads  to  points 
already  connected  by  rail  with  Evansville  — 
the  only  debatable  question  being  as  to  the 
extent  to  which  the  public  shall  aid  these 
enterprises.  There  is  now  a  strong  senti- 
ment in  favor  of  extending  proper  aid  to  all 
such  undertakings,  but  Evansville  has  been 
so  heavily  drawn  upon  in  the  past,  and  her 
generosity  has  been  so  imposed  upon,  in 
some  cases,  that  the  people  are  slow  to 
give  hearty  encouragement  to  even  what  is 
recognized  as  a  probable  source  of  great 
public  profit.  Out  of  the  vast  sums  donated 
to  various  rnads  the  only  direct  monetary  re- 
turns were  from  the  sale  of  E.  &  T.  II.  and 
P.,  I).  &  E.  stocks. 


82 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATION. 


In  1888,  the  sum  of  $60,000  was  voted  to 
the  Evansville  Suburban  &  Newburgh 
Railroad,  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  its 
line  (a  dummy  line),  from  this  city  to  New- 
burgh, Ind.,  and  to  secure  the  location  of  the 
railroad  shops  of  St.  Louis  &  Nashville  di- 
vision of  the  L.  &  N.  Railroad  at  this  place- 
These  works  are  in  process  of  construction. 
Other  roads  are  planned,  the  chief  of  these 
being,  perhaps,  the  Evansville  &  Chicago  and 
Evansville  &  Chattanooga. 

This  brief  exposition  of  the  raihva\-  S3S- 
tem  centering  here,  is  sufficient  to  indicate 
its  probable  influence  upon  Evansville's  fu- 
ture. That  it  will  be  the  most  powerful 
agent  in  increasing  the  growth  and  aiding 
the  business  of  the  cit\-  can  hardlv  be  ques- 
tioned. Its  net  work  of  lines  reaches  in  all 
directions  into  rich  and  valuable  territories. 
That  Evansville  has  it  in  her  power  to  sup- 
plant Louisville  and  Cincinnati,  as  the  gate 
through  which  the  traffic  from  the  west  and 
northwest  shall  pass  to  the  south,  is  not  the 
visionary  dream  of  an  idle  brain.  The 
achievements  of  the  past  and  present  condi- 
tions suggest  at  once  a  greatness  for  the 
citv,  measured  only  by  the  wants  and  pro- 
ducts of  an  extensive  and  fertile  countrv. 

Ag'n'ciiltitnil  Societies. — One  of  the  most 
important  of  man's  occupations  is  that  of 
agriculture.  In  fact,  it  forms  the  ground 
work  for  all  other  classes  of  labor,  and  no 
other  industrial  branch  holds  to  its  service 
a  larger  portion  of  the  population.  In  tilling 
the  soil  as  in  ever}'  other  vocation,  action,  to 
result  in  success,  must  be  guided  by  intelli- 
gence. The  best  results  in  educating  the 
masses  in  any  particular  branch  of  science 
are  brought  about,  and  always  have  been,  by 
concerted  action.  The  needs  of  organiza- 
tion for  the  dissemination  of  useful  knowl- 
edge, and  of  coming  together  for  the  ex- 
change of  ideas  and  the  comparison  of 
various   results  obtained   through    different 


modes  and  processes,  were  early  recognized 
by  the  more  advanced  citizens,  and  led  to 
attempts  at  the  formation  of  societies  for 
the  promotion  of  agricultural,  horticultural 
and  industrial  interests.  As  early  as  1829 
the  Indiana  legislature  enacted  laws  for 
the  organization  and  encouragement  of  such 
societies,  but  for  many  years  the  results 
throughout  the  state  were  meagre.  When 
Joseph  A.  Wright  was  elected  governor  he 
manifested  a  great  interest  in  the  improve- 
ment of  the  conditions  surrounding  the  agri- 
culturist. Februar}^  14,  1S51,  a  law  was 
enacted  which  afforded  means  of  encourage- 
ment not  contained  in  former  laws.  By  its 
provisions  a  State  Board  of  Agriculture  was 
formed  with  Gov.  Wright  as  president,  and 
through  the  influence  of  .this  organization 
and  that  of  the  governor,  in  his  individual 
capacity,  many  district  and  county  societies 
were  formed. 

The  Vanderburgh  County  Agricultural 
Societ}'  was  organized  soon  after  the  pas- 
sage of  the  act  of  1851,  and  comprised 
among  its  membership  some  of  the  best 
citizens  of  the  county.  For  many  years 
Colonel  Philip  Hornbrook  was  secretary  of 
the  society  and  did  much  to  advance  its 
interests.  The  fair  grounds  were  first 
located  on  the  state  road,  north  of  the  city, 
and  near  Pigeon  creek.  Here  a  fair  degree 
of  success  was  obtained,  creditable  disphus 
were  made  in  all  the  departments,  and  the 
people  from  all  parts  of  the  county  gave 
the  enterprise  a  cordial  support.  Much 
substantial  good  was  accomplished  through 
its  agencv  bv  the  scattering  of  useful  knowl- 
edge  among  the  people,  by  directing  their 
energies  to  a  more  telling  activitj-  and  by 
pricking  their  ambitions.  At  all  of  the  early 
fairs  speeches  were  made  by  learned  men 
upon  agricultural  subjects  and  the  topics  of 
the  times.  A  great  variety  of  useful  articles 
were  offered  as  premiums  for  the  best    of 


AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETIES. 


85 


every  conceivable  thing  that  might  be   ex- 
hibited, from  the  finest  and  best  of  horses 
and  cattle  to   a  pair  of  socks  or  a  "  pretty 
coat."     xVmong  the  exhibits  contending   for 
prizes  were   all  sorts  of   live   stock,  fowls, 
dogs,  products  of  the  field,  garden,  orchard 
and    dairy,   pickles,   preserves,    butter,  etc., 
agricultural  implements,  mechanical  produc- 
tions, machine  woolen  goods,  domestic  man- 
ufactures, needlework,  plowing,  horseman- 
ship, plans  for  farm  houses,  barns,  cottages, 
and  model  farms,   essays  on   farming  gener- 
all)-,  on  hog-raising,  etc.      A  healthy  rivalry 
in  these  matters  could  not  help  but  produce 
beneficial  results.      In  many  a  household  the 
annual  meeting  of  the  societ}-  —  the  county 
fair,  as  it  was  called — held  when  "the  frost 
was  on  the  pumpkin  and  the   fodder  in  the 
shock"  was  looked  forward  to  as  the  social 
event  of  the  year,  and  what  were  there  heard 
and  seen  furnished  themes  for  conversation  on 
long  winter e\enings  tomanv  afamih*  gather- 
ing about  a  wide-mouthed,  cheerful  fire-place. 
Some  time  late  in  the  "  fifties  "  new  grounds 
were  selected.      They  were  located  on  the 
E.  &  C.  (now  E.    &   T.  H.)  railroad  lines, 
about  three  miles  from  the  city.     For  a  short 
time  the   society  was   moderately  successful 
in    their    new    location.       During    the    war 
period  the  grounds  were  used  by  Mr.  William 
Dean,  who  was  connected    with  the  federal 
quartermaster's   department,  as  a  corral  for 
government  horses.     Ahcv  the  war  the  fairs 
became  mere  farces  and  entirely  unlike  those 
of  earlier  days.       They  lost   the  support  of 
the  people  and  year  after   year  money  was 
lost  by  the  company.       The  decline  contin- 
ued until  1873,  when  a  new  board  of  direct- 
ors was  elected,  and  it  was  resolved  to  have 
a  fair  and   exposition   creditable  alike  to  in- 
dividual   exhibitors    and    to    the    county    in 
general.     The  new  directors  vigorously  en- 
ered  upon  their  work  and  successfully  con- 
ducted    an     exposition     in    the    following 


September,  from  which  about  $40,000  were 
realized,  and  which  was  attended  by  about 
40,000  people.      It   was,  however,  devoted 
more  to  a  display  of  manufactured   articles 
and    the    evidences    of    Evansville's    great 
progress  as  a  city,  and  to  the  delights  of  the 
turf,    than    to     an     exhibit    of    the     fruits 
of    husbandry.       The    new    grounds    were 
twent3--five   acres  in  extent,  the   exposition 
building  was  two  stories  high,  cruciform  in 
shape,   220x170  feet,   and  contained   about 
80,000  feet  of  exhibition  space.     Commodi- 
ous amphitheaters,  stands  for  the  judges,  re- 
porters  and  musicians,  stables,  stock   pens, 
etc.,  etc.,  were   also    provided.      After  the 
successful  effort  of  1S73,  the  society  again 
began  to  decline.       Heavy   debts    were  in- 
curred, to  meet   which  the  grounds  were  at 
length  disposed  of.    They  now  belong  to  Mr. 
Charles  Schulte.    Private  dri\ing  parks  have 
since  been  conducted  near  the  city,  but  no 
incorporated  societies  have  been  formed. 

Horse-  Thief  Detective  Association. — When 
the  country  was  new  and  redress  of  wrongs 
in  the  courts  was  difficult  and  slow,  a  band 
of  reculators  often  assumed  the  duty  of 
taking  some  persistent  violator  of  the  law 
and  of  administering  such  punishment  as 
was  deemed  best  for  the  public  good.  The 
man  who  unmercifulh'  abused  his  wife  or 
child,  or  the  one  who  changed  the  ear-marks 
on  his  neighbor's  hogs  so  as  to  destroy  evi- 
dence of  "vested  rights,"  was  a  good  sub- 
ject for  regulation.  But  the  daring  villain 
who  left  the  neighborhood  on  a  horse  not 
his  own  succeeded  more  than  any  other  cul- 
prit in  awakening  thorough  and  widespread 
indignation.  His  crime  was  always  magni- 
fied and  never,  until  very  recent  years,  did  it 
find  appropriate  place  in  its  relation  to  other 
offenses  against  law.  In  the  "Circuit 
Rider,"  Edward  Eggleston  says:  "It  is  a 
singular  tribute  to  the  value  of  a  horse  that 
among    barbarous     or     half-civilized     peo- 


36 


CO  UNTY  OR  GANtZA  TlON. 


pie  horse-stealing  is  accounted  an  offense 
more  atrocious  than  homicide.  In  such  a 
community  to  steal  a  man's  horse  is  the 
greatest  of  larcenies — is  to  rob  him  of  the 
stepping  stone  to  civilization."  No  less  a 
tribute  was  paid  to  the  worth  of  this  favor- 
ite animal  by  the  framers  of  the  code  of 
laws  for  the  territory  of  Indiana.  For  the 
first  conviction  of  horse-stealing,  the  guilty 
one  was  to  paj'  the  value  of  the  horse  and 
costs  occasioned  by  his  theft,  and  to  receive 
at  the  whipping  post  not  less  than  fifty  nor 
more  than  two  hundred  stripes,  and  for  the 
second  conviction,  death!  In  1S52  the  legisla- 
ture passed  a  law  authorizing  the  formation 
of  associations  for  the  purpose  of  catching 
horse-thieves  and  bringing  them  to  punish- 
ment. Seven  years  later  the  citizens  of 
Scott  and  Center  townships  held  a  public 
meeting  and  organized  as  a  corporation,  the 
"  Vanderburgh  County  Vigilance  Com- 
mittee," for  the  detection  and  apprehension 
of  horse-thieves  and  other  felons.  The 
leaders  in  the  movement  were  Dr.  Thomas 
H.  Rucker  and  Samuel  McCutchan.  For 
some  years  its  existence  was  maintained  and 
effective  work  in  the  detection  and  punish- 
ment of  crime  was  accomplished. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Capt.  James  D.  Parvin,  auditor  of  Van- 
derburgh county,  though  in  the  prime  of  his 
career,  has  already  achieved  an  honorable 
record  as  soldier  and  citizen.  It  is  not 
sought  to  attribute  to  him  the  attainment  of 
greatness,  as  measured  by  ordinary  stand- 
ards, but  in  the  purity  and  excellence  of 
his  character  he  exhibits,  in  a  marked  de- 
gree, the  qualities  which  adorn  genuine 
manhood  and  insure  the  largest  measure  of 
usefulness  to  society.  He  descends  from  an 
honorable  ancestry.  His  paternal  grand- 
father, Mark  Parvin,  a  sturdy  pioneer,  was 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  at  Reading, 


October  20,  1770,  who  early  settled  in  Gib- 
son county,  Ind.  There,  in  1810,  at  the 
homestead  of  Gen.  Robert  Evans,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Martha  Evans,  a  sister  of 
the  distinguished  general.  His  name  was 
identified  with  the  early  annals  of  Gibson 
county,  where  his  death  occurred  December 
29,  1830.  The  father  of  Captain  Parvin, 
James  'McMillan  Parvin,  was  born  at  Win- 
chester, Clark  county,  Ky.,  May  22,  1818. 
When  twelve  years  of  age  he  settled  in 
Gibson  county,  Ind.,  and  there  learned  the 
trade  of  a  blacksmith,  in  the  shop  of  Willis 
Howe.  Coming  to  Evansville,  in  1840,  he 
was  engaged  as  a  merchant  for  about  fifteen 
years,  at  the  end  of  this  time  removing  to 
Carlisle,  lad.,  where  he  resided  until  his 
death.  May  7,  1877.  He  was  a  man  of  prom- 
inence in  social  and  business  circles,  and  in 
politics  was  known  as  a  staunch  republican. 
September  17,  1839,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Elizabeth  Birdsall,  an  estimable 
lady,  native  of  New  Jersey,  born  January 
13,  181S,  who,  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
years,  came  to  Indiana  with  her  parents. 
Six  children  were  born  of  this  union,  five  of 
whom  are  living.  The  second  of  these, 
James  D.  Parvin,  was  born  in  this  cit)-,  April 
8,  1844.  He  received  a  common  school 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  this  city 
and  Carlisle,  Ind.  At  the  age  of  eighteen 
he  enlisted  in  the  Union  Army  to  serve  three 
years.  September  i,  1862,  he  was  mustered 
as  commissary  sergeant  in  the  Sixty-fifth 
Regiment,  Indiana  Infantry,  and  continued 
as  such  until  September,  1863,  when  he  was 
honorably  discharged,  because  of  physical 
disability.  Returning  home  he  recuperated 
his  strength  and.  May  25,  1864,  again  en- 
listed in  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-seventh  Indiana  Volunteers,  in  which 
he  served  faithfully  until  October,  1864.  On 
the  2 2d  of  February-  following,  he  was  com- 
missioned captain,  Company   G,  One  Hun- 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


87 


dred  and  Forty-ninth  Indiana  Infantry,  and 
remained  with  his  command  until  mustered 
out,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  October,  1865. 
Returning  from  the  service  he  located  in  this 
city  and  immediately  embarked  in  the  pork 
and  grain  business,  and  later  was  engaged 
successfully  as  a  dealer  in  coal  and  coke. 
Dealing  fairly  with  all  men,  and  pursuing 
his  interests  with  energy,  good  sense  and 
honor,  financial  success  and  personal  popu- 
larity were  both  attained.  Having  been  an 
active  member  of  the  republican  party  dur- 
ing his  entire  manhood,  he  was  elected  in 
1886  as  the  nominee  of  that  part\',  to 
the  important  otfice  which  he  now  holds. 
His  popularity  was  amply  demonstrated  by 
the  fact  that  his  majority  of  957  votes  was 
more  than  twice  as  great  as  that  of  any 
other  candidate  whose  name  was  on  the 
ticket.  The  duties  of  his  office  have  been 
discharged  with  great  fidelit}'  and  unsur- 
passed efficienc}-.  He  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  K.  of  P.,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  of  H., 
A.  O.  U.  W.  and  G.  A.  R.  fraternities. 
October  20,  186S,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Jeannette  Ehrman,  a  native  of  York,  Pa., 
and  daughter  of  Dr.  E.  J.  Ehrman,  who  was 
born  at  Jaxthausen,  Wurtemburg,  Germany, 
October  29,  1819,  and  died  in  this  city  in 
1881.  He  was  one  of  the  tirst  ph3-sicians  to 
adopt  and  advocate  the  homoeopathic  school 
of  medical  practice  in  Pennsylvania,  where, 
in  the  county  of  York,  he  practiced  his  pro- 
fession for  many  years.  Coming  to  Evans- 
ville  in  early  days,  he  introduced  homoeopathy 
in  this  place,  and  after  a  severe  struggle  against 
ignorance  and  prejudice  built  up  a  large 
practice.  He  was  known  in  his  day  as  one 
of  the  leading  physicians  in  the  citv.  In 
1840,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Churchill, 
an  estimable  lad}^,  a  native  of  Prussia,  who 
still  resides  in  this  city. 

Charles  T.  Jenkins,  clerk  of    the  circuit 
court  of  Vanderburgh  county,  was   born  in 


Evansville,  March  12th,  1845.  His  pater- 
nal grandfather,  Richard  Jenkins,  was  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  born  in  1793,  and  pos- 
sessed the  sterling  qualities  of  manliness 
peculiar  to  the  better  classes  of  the  pioneer 
era  in  the  west.  His  father,  Samuel  T. 
Jenkins,  was  born  in  Hamilton,  Ohio,  in 
1822,  and  died  in  this  city  in  1852,  much 
respected.  His  name  was  closely  associ- 
ated with  the  earl}-  history  of  this  county. 
In  early  daj's  the  Jenkins  family  came  to 
Vanderburgh  count}-  and  settled  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Evansville.  When  but  a  boy 
Samuel  was  appointed  deputy  clerk  of  the 
new  count}',  and  so  apparent  were  his  abil- 
ities and  so  acceptable  his  service  that  even 
before  he  attained  his  majority  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  when  he  was  serving  as 
deputy.  He  was  three  limes  chosen  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  that  important  position, 
and  died  while  in  office.  He  was  a  man  of 
correct  business  habits,  well  qualified,  effi- 
cient, trustworthy  and  popular  with  the 
masses.  The  mother  of  Charles  Jenkins 
was  Elizabeth  Chute,  a  native  of  Vermont, 
born  in  1S24,  now  residing  at  Washington, 
D.  C,  who  belonged  to  a  prominent  pioneer 
family,  natives  of  Vermont,  distinguished 
for  many  polite  and  cultivated  adornments 
of  character,  and  for  many  years  favorably 
known  in  Evansville.  The  immediate  sub- 
ject of  this  mention  was  reared  and  educated 
in  this  city,  his  studies  being  afterward 
continued  for  a  time  at  Oxford,  Ohio. 
His  capacity  for  mental  work  was  early 
manifest.  When  fifteen  years  of  age 
he  accepted  a  position  as  accountant  for 
Morgan,  Reed  &  Co.,  and  excepting  the 
period  covered  by  his  military  service,  re- 
mained with  that  firm  six  years,  when  he 
embarked  in  the  boot  and  shoe  trade  with 
H.  T.  Chute.  At  the  end  of  four  years  he 
removed  to  the  country  and  engaged  in 
farming  for  eight  years.     Being  popular  and 


88 


CO  UNTY  ORG  A  XIZA  TIOX. 


competent  he  was  elected,  in  1880,  as  the 
nominee  of  the  republican  party,  to  the 
office  of  count}'  recorder,  and  four  years 
later  to  his  present  office.  A  re-election  in 
1888  by  a  largely  increased  majority-  was  a 
high  testimonial  to  his  popularity  and  worth. 
His  official  life  has  been  one  of  the  most 
satisfactory  the  county  has  ever  known,  and 
his  widespread  popularity  is  exceeded  by  that 
of  but  few  men  in  this  part  of  the  state.  His 
military  career  was  brief  but  honorable. 
During  the  greater  part  of  the  civil  war 
period,  he  was  a  youth,  too  young  for  ser- 
vice. In  April,  1S64,  he  enlisted  in  the 
Thirty-sixth  Indiana  Infantr\- for  four  months, 
and  after  a  faithful  service,  at  the  expiration 
of  the  term  of  his  enlistment  was  honorably 
discharged.  In  1865  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Diana  M.  Hall,  of  Carlisle, 
Ind.,  born  April  18,  1S45,  daughter  of  John 
M.  and  Margaret  Hall,  natives  of  England. 
These  parents  have  one  son,  Samuel  M., 
born  December  4,  1S66.  Mr.  Jenkins  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  of 
P.,  and  G.  A.  R.  fraternities,  and  actively 
interested  in  the  progress  of  the  cit}'. 

Capt.  August  Leich,  county  treasurer  of 
Vanderburgh  county,  was  born  in  Prussia  in 
the  year  1842,  and,  at  the  age  of  six  years, 
removed  to  America  with  his  parents.  He 
is  what  may  be  termed  a  self-made  man. 
He  received  a  common  school  education, 
and  was  then  thrown  on  his  own  resources. 
At  an  early  age  he  sold  books  and  news- 
papers about  the  wharves  and  steamboats, 
and  was  known  among  the  newsboys  of  that 
day  as  particularly  enterprising.  For  a 
time  he  was  employed  as  cabin  boy  and  cook 
on  Ohio  and  Mississippi  river  steamers,  and 
later  as  a  clci'k  in  the  post-offices  at  Evans- 
ville  and  Terre  Haute,  and  in  the  drug  store 
of  his  brother,  Charles  Leich.  The  work 
of  a  house  and  sign  painter  then  engaged  his 
attention  for  a  time,  and  during  the  winter  of 


of  1860-1  he  taught  a  night  school,  his  pupils 
being  j'oung  mechanics  and  laborers,  nearly 
all  of  whom  enlisted  in  the  cause  of  the 
Union  when  the  war  broke  out.  In  Jul}-, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Twenty- 
fourth  Indiana  Infantry,  was  appointed  fifer 
of  his  company,  and,  in  the  following  Feb- 
ruary, was  promoted  to  principal  musician 
of  his  regiment.  He  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war,  and,  on  returning  home,  was 
employed  as  book-keeper  by  Leich  &  Carls- 
stedt.  With  this  firm  he  went  to  Cincinnati, 
and  was  there  engaged  for  several  years  in 
the  county  auditor's  office,  and  as  a  book- 
keeper in  various  business  houses.  He 
returned  to  Evansville  in  1S72,  and  for  four- 
teen years  was  in  the  employ  of  Leich  & 
Lemcke,  of  this  city.  In  i8S6he  was  elected 
county  treasurer,  and  re-elected  in  1S88. 
He  is  an  efficient,  accommodating  and  popu- 
lar officer.  He  has  been  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  military  companies  organized 
here  since  the  war,  and  is  now  a  leading 
member  of  Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of 
which  he  has  been  adjutant  since  its  organi- 
zation in  1 88 1.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
Knights  of  Pythias,  Orion  Lodge,  No.  35, 
also  Uniform  Rank,  Evansville  Division,  No. 
4.  Captain  Leich  was  married  January  12, 
1889,  to  Miss  Mathilde  Klenk,  daughter  of 
Louis  Klenk,  an  old  citizen  of  Evansville. 

Louis  Sihler,  county  recorder  of  Vander- 
burg  county,  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Ger- 
many, May  25,  1833,  being  the  son  of 
Louis  and  Agathe  (Schleicher)  Sihler,  na- 
tives of  Germany,  born  in  iSoo  and  1S05, 
respectively.  His  parents  died  in  their  native 
country,  the  father  December  19,  1S32,  the 
mother  in  1867.  Of  three  children,  Louis 
Sihler  is  the  only  survivor.  He  grew  to 
manhood  and  received  a  good  education  in 
the  land  of  his  birth.  Early  thrown  upon 
his  own  resources,  he  developed  the  sterling 
traits  of  character  which    have  marked   his 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


8.0 


conduct  in  the  maturcr  years  of  his  life.  He 
served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years 
witli  a  inercliant  iti  liis  native  town,  wliere 
his  mother  continued  to  reside  after  tlie 
deatii  of  her  hushand,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty  years  emigrated  to  tlie  United  States. 
Evansvilie  was  his  objecti\'e  point,  and  reach- 
intr  here  he  was  at  once  engaged  as  a  clerk. 
From  that  time  until  1866  he  continued  in 
the  mercantile  business,  chiefly  as  a  clerk. 
In  1872,  having  developed  considerable  tactiti 
political  work,  and  possessing  the  elements  of 
popularity,  he  was  appointed  deput}-  recorder 
of  Vanderburgh  county.  In  this  capacity  he 
served  faithfulh'  for  twelve  years,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  was  elected  by  a  ma- 
jorit}-  of  206  to  the  office  where  he  had  so 
long  served  as  a  deputy,  being  the  candidate  of 
the  republican  party.  His  efficiency  and 
fidelity  were  rewarded  in  iSSS,  by  an  election 
to  a  second  term.  True  to  every  trust,  and 
in  a  manly  wa}'  performing  every  duty  as 
citizen  and  officer,  he  has  attained  a  high 
place  in  popular  esteem.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  His  marriage  occurred 
in  i860  to  Charlotta  Lixt,  who  was  born  in 
German V  in  1841.  He  is  the  father  of  five 
children,  Henrietta,  Charles,  Lona,  Margaret 
and  Clara. 

Frank  Pritchett,  sheriff  of  Vanderburgh 
county,  is  a  native  of  Evansvilie,  born  April 
14,  1853.  I  lis  father,  Scth  Pritchett,  was 
born  in  1819,  in  the  then  pelt}'  ^•illage  of 
Evansvilie,  the  Pritchett  family  being  one  of 
the  earliest  to  settle  in  Vanderburgh  county. 
He  was  one  of  the  early  blacksmiths  of  the 
town,  and  at  one  time  was  engaged  in  the 
carriage  business.  His  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Emma  Grant,  was  born  in  England 
in  1829.  These  aged  people  are  still  re- 
spected residents  of  the  city.  They  are  the 
parents  of  three  living  children.  The  oldest 
of  these,  Frank,  was  reared  in  this  cit\'  and 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools.     In  early 


manhood  he  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  at 
which  he  worked  until  1875,  and  for  three 
years  he  was  engaged  in  teaming.  In  187S 
he  was  appointed  patrolman  on  the  Evansvilie 
police  force,  and  serving  one  year  was  ap- 
pointed deputy  city  marshal.  In  April,  1881, 
he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  of  Vander- 
burgh county  under  sheriff  Thomas  Kerth, 
and  while  so  serving  was  made  chief  of  thecit}' 
police  force.  This  position  he  filled  so 
acceptabh'  that  when  the  bill  providing 
for  the  '•  metropolitan  system  "  became 
a  law  he  was  appointed  superinten- 
dent of  the  newly  organized  force, 
which  position  he  held  until  1S86.  He  was 
door-keeper  of  the  state  senate  during  the 
session  of  1887,  having  made  a  successful 
candidacy  against  twenty-eight  opposing 
applicants  for  the  position.  In  September, 
1 888,  he  was  nominated  bj-  the  democratic 
party  for  sheriff,  receiving  the  unanimous 
support  of  the  convention.  His  election  by 
a  majority  of  634  votes  was  a  personal  tri- 
umph and  a  high  testimonial  of  his  popu- 
larity. .  October  14, 1878,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Louisa  Kerth,  who  was  born  in  this 
city  in  185S.  They  have  three  children: 
Percy,  Frank  and  Florence.  Mr.  Pritchett 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  K.  of  H. 
fraternities.  His  courage  and  fearless  dis- 
charge of  everv  official  dutv  have  won  him 
the  reputation  of  being  efficient  and  reliable. 
August.  Pfafflin. — The  ex(pisite  beauty  of 
mathematics  reaches  a  high  stage  in  its 
development  in  the  science  of  civil  engi- 
neering. The  mind  that  masters  its 
niceties  must  be  above  the  ordinary.  The 
importance  of  the  office  of  county  surveyor 
has  always  been  recognized.  Gen.  Robert 
M.  Evans  was  the  first  to  perform  its  duties 
in  this  county.  Its  present  occupant  is 
August  Pfafflin,  a  young  man  whose  suc- 
cess in  life  has  been  largely  of  his  own 
making.     He  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio 


90 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATION. 


December  i6,  1857,  his  parents  being 
August  and  Emily  (Schneider)  Pfafflin, 
natives  of  Germany,  who,  emigrating  to  the 
United  States  in  1847,  settled  at  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  moved  thence  in  1869  to  Evans- 
ville.  August  Pfafflin,  the  elder,  was 
educated  as  a  civil  engineer  and  served  b}' 
appointment  and  election  as  county  surveyor 
for  Vanderburgh  county  from  1871  to  1874. 
He  was  a  well-known  citizen,  and  died  at 
his  home  in  the  city  in  1882.  The  subject 
of  this  mention  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  city  and  at  the  Evansville 
Commercial  College.  In  1877  he  entered 
the  Southern  Machine  Works  and  began  to 
learn  the  trade  of  a  machinist.  After  five 
years'  service  in  these  works,  four  years 
were  spent  in  the  shops  of  the  Louisville, 
Evansville  &  St.  Louis  Railroad  and  the 
Evansville  tS:  Terre  Haute  Railroad.  The 
practical  instruction  received  in  this  admir- 
able school  made  of  Mr.  Pfafflin  a  thor- 
oughly skilled  workman.  In  the  spring  of 
1887  he  was  appointed  deputy  city 
surveyor,  in  which  capacity  he  served  the 
public  until  June,  1888,  when  he  was 
appointed  county  surveyor,  to  which  office 
he  was  elected  by  the  people  November  6, 
1888.  He  was  married  November  17, 
1885,  to  Miss  Anna  Steineker,  who  was 
born  in  Henderson,  Ky.,  June  9,  1S59. 
A  daughter,  Edna,  was  born  of  this  union, 
September  17,  18S7.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  K.  of  H.,  and  in  politics  he  is  a 
republican. 

Christian  Wunderlich,  county  commis- 
sioner of  Vanderburgh  county,  was  born  in 
Prussia,  January  24,  1S43.  His  parents. 
Christian  and  Maria  (Domheifer)  Wunder- 
lich, natives  of  Prussia,  born  in  1814  and 
1820,  respectively,  for  many  years  were 
residents  of  Perry  township,  this  county, 
where  the  father  still  lives,  the  mother  hav- 
ing died  November  19,  1888.     His  paternal 


grandfather  was  Christian  F.  Wunderlich, 
born  in  Germany  about  1756,  and  died  in  his 
native  country  about  1849.  The  father  of 
the  subject  of  this  mention  was  a  farmer  b}' 
occupation,  and  coming  to  the  United  States 
in  1854  settled  in  Vanderburgh  county,  and 
two  years  later  brought  his  familv  from  the 
fatherland  to  this  new  countiy.  Commis- 
sioner Wunderlich  is  the  eldest  in  a  family 
of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  now 
living.  He  attended  the  schools  of  his  na- 
tive land,  and  since  coming  to  this  country 
his  education  has  been  obtained  in  the  prac- 
tical school  of  experience.  When  the  life 
of  the  nation  was  threatened  by  armed  re- 
bellion he  responded  promptly  to  the  call  to 
arms.  Juh'  26,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  First 
Indiana  Battery,  and  participated  in  the  bat- 
tles at  Pea  Ridge,  Magnolia  Hill,  Champion 
Hill,  and  Big  Biack  River,  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg  and  in  the  Red  River  campaign. 
He  performed  every  duty  with  that  patriotic 
zeal  which  characterizes  the  heroic  soldier. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  at  Indianap- 
olis, September  13,  1864.  Coming  home  he 
worked  on  the  farm  until  1865,  when  he 
came  to  Evansville  and  learned  the  carpen- 
ter's trade.  In  December,  1866,  he  accept- 
ed a  position  on  the  police  force  of  this  city, 
and  served  until  April,  1868,  when  he 
again  employed  himself  at  his  trade.  One 
year  later,  however,  he  was  elected  city 
marshal  and  held  this  office  five  years.  In 
1874  ^^^  ^^''^^  elected  sheriff  of  the  county 
by  a  majority  of  777  votes,  and  two  years 
later  was  re-elected,  his  majority  being  659. 
He  was  appointed  deputy  United  States  mar- 
shal for  Indiana  in  1879,  and  served  two  j-ears 
in  that  capacity.  His  first  election  as  county 
commissioner  of  this  county  occurred  in  1884, 
and  his  re-election  in  1S86.  During  his 
occupancy  of  this  office  important  public  im- 
provements have  been  inaugurated,  and 
some    completed.     As    a    guardian    of    the 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


01 


people's  interests,  and  yet  as  a  progressive 
man  of  affairs,  he  has  discharged  his  many 
official  duties  with  great  credit  to  himself  and 
with  advantage  to  the  public.  In  the  building 
of  the  magnificent  new  court-house  he  has  ex- 
ercised rare  good  judgment,  and  his  work  in 
this  connection  will  be  to  him  a  perpetual  me- 
morial. He  was  married  in  1865  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Grunner,  born  in  Germany,  Februar}' 
17,  1844.  Of  this  union  eight  children  have 
been  born:  Emma,  William  C,  Isabelle, 
Christian  J.,  Frederick,  John  C,  Elizabeth 
and  Meta.  Mr.  Wunderlich  is  an  earnest  re- 
publican, and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the 
affairs  of  his  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
F.  &  A.  M.,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  A.  O.  U.  W. 
fraternities.  Active  and  progressive,  he  has 
made  his  own  wav  in  life  and  is  now  one  of 
the  prominent  men  of  the  countv. 

John  J.  Hays,  treasurer  of  Vanderburgh 
county  from  1883  to  1887,  was  born  in 
London,  England,  in  1834,  of  Irish  parent- 
age, and  was  the  second  son  of  Thomas  and 
Ann  (Hurlev)  Hays.  His  parents  emigrated 
to  America  before  he  was  a  year  old,  and  set- 
tled for  a  few  years  in  New  York  City,  re- 
moving afterward  to  Indiana.  Fort  Wayne 
became  the  permanent  residence  of  the 
family,  and  there  his  parents  died,  his  father 
in  1863,  and  his  mother  the  year  after.  The 
boys  of  the  family,  four  in  number,  were 
early  apprenticed  to  trades,  John  as  a  car- 
penter. Leaving  home  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  he  set  out  for  New  Orleans,  ex- 
pecting to  go  thence  to  California,  but  meet- 
ing disappointments  in  the  south  he  retraced 
his  steps  and  arrived  in  Evansville  in  March, 
1853.  He  at  once  went  to  work  in  the  car 
shops  of  the  E.  &  C.  R'y  Co.,  and  remained 
so  employed  until  August  15,  1861,  when 
he  gave  up  his  position  to  enlist  in  the  war 
for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  He  had 
previously  been  a  lieutenant  of  the  Union 
Artillery  Company.     He  started  to  St.  Louis 


to  join  the  First  Indiana  Cavalry,  the  lieu- 
tenant-colonel of  which,  John  Smith  Gavitt, 
afterward  killed  in  the  war,  was  a  warm 
personal  friend,  but  the  regiment  had  its  full 
quota  and  he  was  compelled  to  look  else- 
where for  service.  On  September  i,  1861, 
he  enlisted  as  an  ordinary  seaman  on  the 
gun-boat  "Conestoga,"  was  advanced  to 
carpenter's  mate  in  a  short  time;  and  in  a 
few  months  was  promoted  to  the  position  of 
acting  carpenter,  his  commission  emanating 
from  the  navy  department  and  bearing  the 
signature  of  Gideon  Welles,  secretary  of 
the  navy.  On  the  "Conestoga,"  and  later 
on  the  "Fort  Hindman,"  he  rendered  daring 
and  effective  service.  After  the  war  he 
returned  to  peaceful  pursuits,  and  was 
for  a  time  in  the  employ  of  the  Evans- 
ville &  Terre  Haute  Railway.  May  29, 
1873,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lucilla 
A.  Mills,  born  in  Evansville,  October  2, 
1852,  daughter  of  Isaac  R.  and  Susan  R. 
Mills.  Their  union  gave  them  two  children, 
John,  Jr.,  born  March  21,  1877,  and  Perry 
M.,  born  February  4,  1880.  Mr.  Hays  was 
an  active  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  of 
the  Masonic  order.  In  1882  he  was  the 
democratic  candidate  for  treasurer  of  Van- 
derburgh county,  and  was  elected  by  a  ma- 
jority of  328.  Two  years  later  he  was 
re-elected,  on  the  independent  ticket,  by  a 
majoritv  of  202.  In  the  year  following  the 
expiration  of  his  term  of  office  he  died, 
June  13,  1888. 

Anthony  C.  Hawkins,  deputy  clerk  of  the 
circuit  court  of  Vanderburgh  county,  was 
born  in  Union  county,  Ky.,  August  31,  1851, 
and  is  the  son  of  Anthony  S.  and  Elizabeth  J-. 
(Hopgood)  Hawkins,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
born  in  1814  and  1S16,  respectively.  He 
was  the  fourth  of  seven  children,  six  of  whom 
survive.  His  boyhood  was  spent  on  the 
farm  and  in  the  country  schools.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  years  he  entered  Princeton 


92 


COUNTY  ORGANIZATION. 


Academy,  and  after  three  years'  study,  was 
engaged  as  a  teacher  for  a  short  time. 
While  at  Princeton,  Ky.,  he  read  law  in  the 
office  of  Judge  William  Bradley.  Coming 
to  Evansville  in  1873  he  entered  the  law 
office  of  Luke  Wood,  a  prominent  attorney 
at  that  time,  and  there  continued  his  studies 
until  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1874.  ^  part- 
nership was  then  formed  with  his  recent  pre- 
ceptor, under  the  firm  name  of  Wood  & 
Hawkins,  which  was  pleasantly  and  profit- 
ably continued  for  some  time.  For  five 
years  from  1876  Mr.  Hawkins  pursued  the 
practice  alone,  and  at  the  end  of  that  period 
formed  a  partnership  with  S.  R.  Hornbrook, 
which  continued  until  November,  1884, 
since  which  time  he  has  served  as  deput}' 
clerk.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a 
staunch  republican,  and  a  potent  factor  in  the 
achievement  of  that  parly's  successes.  In 
May,  1876,  he  became  a  Knight  of  P3'thias 
and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  work  of 
the  order.  For  five  years  he  has  been  dis- 
trict deputy.  He  was  married  June  26,  1879, 
to  Mollie  E.  Brown,  born  in  Hamilton,  Ohio, 
April  19,  1S54,  daughter  of  Lyman  B.  and 
Mary  (Doellinger)  Brown.  Of  this  union 
two  children  have  been  born:  Electa  D.,  and 
Allen  C. 

Louis  H.  Legler,  deputy  county  auditor, 
of  Vanderburgh  county,  was  born  at  Berlin, 
Canada,  December  21, 1855.  His  parents  were 
Dr.  Henry  T.  and  Augusta  (Pfeiffer)  Leg- 
ler, natives  of  Saxony  and  Maj'ence,  Ger- 
many, respectivel)'.  Dr.  Legler  practiced 
his  profession  in  Canada  for  some  years,  and 
coming  to  the  United  States  about  the  com- 
mencement of  the  civil  war  offered  his  ser- 
vices to  the  government.  He  was  attached 
to  the  medical  staff  of  a  New  York  reci- 
ment,  and  rendered  a  valuable  service 
extending  throughout  the  war,  being 
mustered  out  at  its  close  as  a  surgeon. 
At  the    end    of   his    service     he   emigrated 


west  and  located  in  Evansville,  where  he 
was  known  as  a  successful  practioner  from 
1S66  to  1876.  He  is  now  at  Oakland,  Cali- 
fornia. Louis  Legler  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  this  cit}'  and  at  Wells  & 
Rank's  Commercial  College.  At  fifteen 
years  of  age  he  entered  the  employ  of  F. 
Hopkins  &  Co.,  and  remained  with  that  well 
known  house  as  a  salesman  for  twelve 
jears.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  was 
offered,  and  accepted,  the  position  of  deputy 
city  treasurer,  which  he  held  under  Treas- 
urers Marlett  and  Sansom.  Thereafter  for 
two  and  a  half  3'ears  he  served  as  book- 
keeper for  the  Novelty  Machine  Works,  and 
left  that  position  to  accept  his  present  place, 
upon  the  election  of  Auditor  Parvin  in  1SS6. 
In  every  relation  his  abilitj-  and  integrity 
have  been  manifest,  while  his  affable  man- 
ners and  uniform  courtesy  have  made  him 
popular.  Mr.  Legler  is  a  young  man  with 
the  greater  part  of  his  career  before  him, 
but  the  honorable  record  already  achieved 
justifies  the  most  favorable  predictions  for 
the  future.  He  has  'been  twice  married. 
July  13,  1876,  Miss  Eva  Phar,  daughter  of 
Jonathan  Phar,  a  prominent  private  citizen 
of  Knight  township,  became  his  wife.  To 
this  union  four  children  were  born,  two  of 
whom  are  now  living.  The  death  of  Mrs. 
Legler  occurred  May  18,  1887.  Mr.  Leg- 
ler's  second  marriage  occurred  October  10, 
1888,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Marion 
Bonnel,  daughter  of  Warren  Bonnel. 

William  A.  Page,  deputy  sheriff  of  Van- 
derburgh county,  was  born  at  Mt.  Carmel, 
111.,  April  2,  1 841.  His  father,  W.  T.  Page, 
was  a  native  of  Rutland,  Vt.,  and  died  sev- 
eral years  ago  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.  His 
mother,  Anna  E.  Page,  was  born  in  Mar- 
garafeth,  Ireland,  came  to  America  about 
1830,  and  is  now  living  at  Chicago,  111.  To 
these  parents  five  children  were  born,  as 
follows;    Emma  P.  (afterward  Mrs.  Borden, 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


OS 


now  deceased),  Fanny  V.  (now  Mrs.  Col- 
burn,  of  Portland,  Ore.),  Mary  E.  (now 
Mrs.  Hodge,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.),  Char- 
lotte P.  (now  Mrs.  Borden,  of  Chicago,  111.), 
and  William  A.  The  only  son,  William  A., 
lived  in  his  native  place  until  ten  years  of 
age,  and  has  since  resided  in  Evans\ille. 
Being  thrown  upon  his  own  resources  early 
in  life  his  education  was  only  such  as  could 
be  obtained  in  the  public  schools.  At  the 
age  of  twelve  vears  he  began  the  battle  ot 
life  for  liimself,  and  since  that  time  has  made 
his  own  way.  At  the  age  of  thirteen,  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Canal  Bank,  and 
was  subsequently  promoted  teller,  being  the 
youngest  man  to  fill  that  position  in  Evans- 
ville.  In  July,  1S62,  he  enlisted  in  the  Fed- 
eral Arm}',  and  in  August  following,  was 
promoted  to  be  adjutant  of  the  Sixty-fifth 
Indiana  Infantry.  He  served  faithfulh-  until 
the  spring  of  1865,  when  he  was  honorably 


discharged  because  of  physical  disability. 
After  the  close  of  the  war  he  resided  in  St. 
St.  Louis  one  year,  having  charge  of  the 
Inland  Insurance  Department  of  the  Home 
Insurance  Company  of  New  York.  After- 
ward, representing  the  same  company  and 
others,  he  made  his  home  for  two  years 
at  Vicksburg,  Miss.  From  November, 
1882,  he  has  been  deputy  sheriff  of  the 
county  and  has  fearlessl}-  discharged  the  du- 
ties of  his  position.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
following  fraternities:  W.  H.  Stearn  Lodge 
No.  I,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Vicksburg,  Miss., 
Ben  Hur  Lodge  No  197,  K.  of  P.,  of  this 
city,  Excelsior  Lodge  No.  38,  A.  O.  U.  W., 
and  Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R.  He  was  mar- 
ried December  15,  1869,  at  Madison,  Ind., 
to  Miss  Annie  Davidson.  Of  this  union  five 
children  have  been  born :  Alexander  G.  (now 
of  San  Diego,  Cal.),  ^'^ictoria,  Marion, 
Emma  and  Annie. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  City  of  Evansville  —  Col.  Hugh  McGary,  the  First  Permanent  Settler — 
The  Warrick  County  Seat  —  Disastrous  Legislation  —  The  Renaissance  of 
1817-18,  Under  Evans,  Jones  and  McGary —  Seat  of  a  New  County —  Evans- 
ville of  1820 — Hard  Times  and  Sickness  —  The  Town  of  1831  — Disasters 
OF  1832  —  Day  Begins  to  Dawn  —  The  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal  Phantom  — 
Birth  OF  River  Commerce — The  Town  of  1835-37  —  Crisis  of  1837  —  The 
Boom  IN  the 'Forties  —  The  First  Railroads — The  War  Period  —  Depres- 
sion AND  Panic — The  Railroad  Era  —  The  Present  City  —  Its  Boundless 
Energies  and  Limitless  Resources. 


®CCASIONALLY  an  individual  attains 
distinction  through  circumstances 
which  he  has  no  hand  in  shaping, 
though  more  often  he  molds  the  events  and 
creates  the  means  by  which  prominence 
among  his  fellows  is  secured.  He  whose 
name  is  inseparably  connected  with  the  earl}- 
annals  of  the  now  extensive  and  prosperous 
city  of  Evansville  was  not  the  creation  of 
adventitious  surroundings.  His  iron  will 
and  dauntless  courage  were  forced  to  over- 
come many  serious  obstacles.  Had  he 
yielded  to  adversity,  a  city  might  have  grown 
up  near  where  Evansville  now  is,  forced  into 
existence  and  fastened  by  the  great  natural 
advantages  of  the  location,  but  with  a  dif- 
ferent name  and  history.  Speculations  as  to 
such  a  result  do  not  lessen  the  importance  of 
the  achievements  of  Col.  Hugh  McGar}-,  the 
founder  and  preserver  of  a  village,  which  by 
a  process  of  gradual  development,  has  be- 
come a  commercial  and  manufacturing 
metropolis,  well  known  throughout  the  Mis- 
sissippi valley  —  a  city  standing  abreast  of 
the  age,  in  the  possession  of  its  varied  im- 
provements and  enlightening  influences,  and 
holding  in  its  hand  the  welfare  and  happi- 
ness of  more  than  50,000  souls. 


Col.  McGary,  a  sturdy  pioneer,  early 
emigrated  from  Kentucky  to  the  new  Indiana 
territory  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Gibson 
count}-.  Leaving  his  inland  cabin  he  made 
his  wav  to  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  river 
and  purchased  from  the  government,  on 
March  27,  181 2,  the  land  now  covered  by 
the  city  of  Evansville.  He  was  not  the  first 
pioneer  to  visit  this  point.  Others  of  the 
Anglo-Saxon  race  had  preceded  him  into  the 
trackless  forest,  not  onlv  as  pursuers  of  the 
wild  fur-bearing  animals  that  infested  the 
countrv,  but  as  prospective  settlers,  seeking 
new  homes  for  themselves  and  their  de- 
scendants. Previous  to  McGarv's  settlement 
and  for  some  years  afterward,  an  Indian  vil- 
lage of  the  Shawnee  tribe  occupied  the  lands 
near  the  mouth  of  Pigeon  creek.  At  times 
these  aborigines  were  quite  troublesome. 

A  temporary  settlement  had  been  made 
by  some  white  adventurer  before  the  com- 
ing of  McGary,  near  the  spot  where  he 
afterward  built  his  home.  In  1809,  George 
Miller,  with  his  family,  came  here  from 
Kentucky.  When  the  rude  raft  of  this 
pioneer  was  landed  on  the  northern  shore  of 
the  river,  his  attention  was  attracted  at  once 
by  a  deserted  cabin  standing  in  the  vicinity 

94 


THE  DAWN  OF  A  CITY. 


95 


of  the  present  corner  of  Vine  and  Water 
streets.  The  cabin,  made  of  newh-  cut 
timbers,  appeared  to  have  been  built  but 
recenll}-,  and  about  it,  in  the  unbroken 
forest,  there  was  no  apparent  evidence  of 
an}-  other  attempt  at  settlement.  This  cabin 
was  a  welcome  sight  to  the  adventurer. 
Beneath  its  roof  his  family  found  a  shelter 
far  more  comfortable  than  the}-  had  antici- 
pated. However,  they  were  not  allowed  to 
remain  unmolested,  being  visited  by  the 
Indians,  whose  demonstrations  of  hostility 
drove  them  back  to  the  Kentucky  shore 
more  than  once.  With  the  courage  and  de- 
termination  characteristic  of  pioneers,  they 
returned  persistently,  and  at  length  were 
allowed  to  occupy  the  cabin  in  comparative 
peace.  Here  they  remained  a  few  months, 
and  then  pushed  forward,  in  search  of  a 
permanent  home,  to  a  point  three  or  four 
miles  west  of  the  city,  where,  in  what  is  now 
Perry  township,  they  settled,  and  for  many 
years  were  numbered  among  the  most  re- 
spectable members  of  the  community. 

In  other  parts  of  the  county  settlers'  cabins 
had  been  erected  previously,  and  in  many 
places  the  woodman's  ax  was  filling  the  wild 
forest  with  its  resounding  music  of  industry 
and  progress. 

The  seeds  of  civilization  had  been  scat- 
tered, though  but  thinl}-,  and  here  and  there 
in  the  wilderness  the  bright  flowers,  lifting 
their  heads  above  the  dead  leaves  of  barbar- 
ism, were  ripening  a  ri:h  fruitage.  Along 
the  banks  of  the  river  opposite  Henderson, 
or  Red  Banks,  as  it  was  then  called,  further 
eastward  opposite  the  mouth  of  Green  river, 
along  the  course  of  Pigeon  creek,  and  in 
various  other  localities,  the  pioneers,  drifting 
here  singly  and  in  small  groups,  had  formed 
limited  settlements.  One  of  the  first  houses, 
and  perhaps  the  first  (for  after  the  lapse  of 
eighty  years,  in  the  absence  ol  any  recorded 
evidence,  it  is  impossible    to  determine  with 


certainty  the  question  of  priority),  raised  in 
this  immediate  vicinity,  was  a  log  cabin, 
which  stood  on  the  west  bank  of  Pigeon 
creek,  on  land  long  since  swept  away  by 
the  ever  encroaching  waters  of  the  Ohio 
river.  The  names  of  the  pioneers  who 
felled  the  first  trees  on  the  site  of  the  city 
and  raised  the  first  log  cabins  must  forever 
remain  in  obscurity.  While  their  acts  were 
a  part  of  the  beginning  of  the  great  develop- 
ment whose  culmination  the  citizen  to-day 
enjoys,  they  had  no  thought  of  building  a 
town,  and  took  no  steps  in  that  direction. 

Col.  McGary  was  the  first  permanent 
settler;  the  first  man  whose  mind  grasped 
the  unusual  and  almost  immeasurable 
advantages  of  this  location ;  and  to  his  good 
sense  and  unyielding  determination  were 
due  more  than  to  those  of  any  other  indi- 
vidual the  successful  early  growth  of  the 
village.  He  belonged  to  the  "  rough  and 
tumble  ■'  element  of  the  new  West.  The 
qualities  that  gained  for  him  a  prominence 
among  men  were  not  the  accomplishments 
and  pleasing  manners  that  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  polite  society,  but  rather  the  sterling 
traits  of  character  that  unflinchingly  endured 
the  hardships  of  frontier  experience,  and 
enabled  their  possessor  to  deal  with  his 
fellow-men  fearlessly  and  with  moderate 
fairness.  He  was  without  extraordinary 
ability:  his  equals  could  be  found  without 
difficulty  among  his  neighbors,  and  before 
the  town  of  his  creation  was  far  out  upon 
the  road  of  prosperity  his  intellectual  super- 
iors towered  above  him  on  all  sides.  His 
education  was  limited,  though  for  some 
years  he  served  acceptably  as  an  associate 
judge  of  the  Warrick  county  court.  A  man 
of  great  spirit,  he  was  pugnacious  enough  to 
be  known  as  "a  fighter,"  and  this  was  no 
discredit  to  him  when  manhood  was  often 
measured  by  one's  ability  to  maintain  his 
e(juilibrium  against    the    unsteadying    influ- 


96 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


ences  of  strong  drinks,  and  by  personal  skill 
and  valor  in  the  lights  resorted  to  by  men  of 
all  classes  to  settle  even  the  most  trivial 
disputes.  Morally,  measured  by  the  stand- 
ards of  to-day,  he  was  not  of  a  high  order. 
He  was  aggressive,  and  by  his  strong  will 
and  keen  foresight  fitted  for  leadership.  In 
personal  appearance  he  was  of  medium 
height,  stoutly  built,  brawny;  and  in  his 
movements  agile  and  athletic.  His  com- 
plexion was  swarthy,  his  eyes  dark  and 
piercing,  and  his  countenance  broad.  His 
wife  was  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Anthony, 
an  earlv  settler  on  Pigeon  creek,  who  built 
the  old  water  mill,  first  known  bv  the  own- 
er's name  and  later  as  Negley's  mill.  She 
was  a  plain  woman,  with  the  simple,  unaf- 
fected manners  and  industrious  habits  of  her 
time.  Her  parents,  at  her  christening,  had 
called  her  Mary,  but  she  was  known  by  her 
associates  only  as  "  Polly  "  McGary.  Of 
their  several  descendants  none  are  left  near 
the  scenes  of  their  early  struggles  and 
triumphs. 

Whether  Hugh  McGary  designed  the 
founding  of  a  town  when  he  left  Gibson 
count)-  to  locate  on  the  banks  of  the  river; 
or  the  advantages  of  his  situation,  at  first 
selected  for  no  other  than  the  purposes  of  a 
home  and  a  farm,  forced  upon  him  the 
thought,  is  a  matter  of  speculation.  In  sup- 
port of  the  latter  view  it  may  be  said  that 
when  he  came  the  vast  measures  of  wealth 
hidden  in  the  bosom  of  the  earth  were  un- 
discovered, no  attempts  had  been  made  to 
reckon  the  true  value  of  the  boundless  for- 
ests; commerce,  of  rich  meaning  now,  was 
then  a  word  seldom  passing  the  lips  of  the 
pioneer;  the  county  of  Warrick  was  not  then 
organized,  and  existing  conditions  gave  little 
favor  to  the  entertainment  of  a  design  of 
founding  a  town.  It  is  certain  that  he  did 
not  come  with  a  colonv  and  the  means  requi- 
site  for   forcing  development   and   growth. 


On  the  other  hand  the  vast  extent  of  Knox 
county,  then  having  jurisdiction  over  this 
territory,  and  the  constantly  growing  tide  of 
immigration  argued  to  a  shrewd  observer 
of  the  times  that  new  counties  must  soon  be 
formed  and  new  towns  estabhshed  as  their 
seats  of  government.  Then  and  for  many 
years  later  villages  hung  all  their  hopes  for 
growth  and  greatness  upon  the  one  fact  of 
possessing  the  court-house  and  having  the 
public  business  transacted  within  their  limits. 
The  formation  of  a  new  county  out  of  the 
southern  portion  of  Knox,  may  have  been 
talked  of  seriously  before  McGary  left  his 
home  in  Gibson  county.  As  a  matter  of 
fact  a  new  county  was  formed  within  a  year 
after  he  entered  the  lands  on  which  the 
town  was  subsequently  laid  out.  How  soon 
he  took  possession  after  making  the  entry, 
it  is  not  possible  to  say. 

Immigrants  came  in  almost  exclusively 
from  Kentucky,  and  McGary's  was  soon 
recognized  as  a  convenient  place  for  cross- 
ing the  river.  He  provided  a  ferry  which 
gave  to  this  point  the  name  of  McGarj-'s 
Ferr}'.  At  length  the  time  arrived  for  Mc- 
Gary to  take  the  first  step  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  a  work  which  later  he  pursued  with 
great  zeal  and  energy.  The  territorial 
legislature,  in  an  act  approved  March  9th, 
1813,  authorized  the  organization  of  Gibson 
and  Warrick  counties,  the  latter  to  include 
all  that  territory  lying  west  of  Harrison 
county  and  south  of  "  Rector's  base  line," 
embracing  the  present  counties  of  Perry, 
Spencer,  Warrick,  Vanderburgh  and  Posey. 
A  general  law  passed  at  the  same  session 
of  the  legislature  prescribed  methods  b\' 
which  seats  of  justice  for  new  counties  should 
be  selected.  It  provided  for  the  appointment 
by  the  legislature  at  the  time  of  authoriz- 
ing the  formation  of  any  new  county,  of  five 
disinterested  commissioners  to  perform  this 
duty,  but  no  such  appointment  was  embraced 


A  BRIEF  REIGN. 


91 


in  the  act  forming  the  two  new  counties, 
and  the  legislature  adjourned  without  cor- 
recting the  important  defect.  During  the 
next  session  of  tlie  law-makers,  on  December 
14,  1813,  the  matter  received  attention. 
Commissioners  were  appointed,  directed  to 
meet  at  the  mill  of  Jonathan  Anthony,  and 
select  a  favorable  site  for  the  county  town. 
No  place  in  the  extensive  territory  of  the 
new  county  was  especially  convenient  to  the 
settlers  scattered  from  Harrison  county 
to  the  Wabash.  McGary's  place  was  far 
from  being  central,  but  the  men  in  whose 
hands  lay  the  power  of  selection  were  to 
conduct  their  deliberations  at  the  mill  of  his 
father-in-law,  and  he  was  shrewd  enough  to 
seize  upon  this  opportunity  of  placing  before 
them  the  advantages  of  his  location.  By 
offering  to  donate  100  acres  of  land 
to  the  new  county  he  secured  a  favorable 
report,  and  the  choice  of  his  lands  for  the 
location  of  the  county  town.  The  report 
was  .submitted  on  June  13th,  1814,  and  was 
signed  by  the  following  commissioners, 
Wm.  Prince,  Daniel  Putnam,  Alexander 
Deven,  John  Milburn  and  Wm.  Hargrove. 
With  reference  to  the  subject  the  records  of 
the  Warrick  county  court  bear  this  entry: 
"Tuesday,  Junk  14,  1S14. 
"Ordered  by  the  courts  that  the  donation 
of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  for  the  perma- 
nent seat  of  justice  for  Warrick  county  be 
called  the  town  of  Evansville  and  known  in 
law  b}-  that  name.  The  agent  for  Warrick 
county  is  ordered  to  proceed  immediately 
to  lay  off  Evansville  into  town  lots  making 
the  streets  on  the  bank  of  the  river  one  hun- 
dred feet  wide  and  all  other  streets  sixty 
feet  wide.     *     *     *" 

"AENK.A.S  McAllister,  1       ,    , 
"J.vmesMarrs,  '      J"'l8"'^^. 

"Daniel  Grass.  \    E^^4">'-^'s. 

The  embryonic  city  was  named  in  '  honor 
of  Gen.  Robert  M.  Evans,  a  distinguished 


soldier  and  citizen  of  Gibson  county,  who  at 
that  time  was  in  no  way  identified  with  the 
place.  Col.  McGary  and  Gen.  Evans  had 
been  neighbors  in  earlier  times.  Recogniz- 
ing the  General's  worth  and  the  advantages 
to  be  gained  through  the  weight  of  his  in- 
fluence, McGary  doubtless  took  this  means 
of  enlisting  his  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the 
town.  The  belief  has  been  current  that  the 
town  was  first  called  McGary  ton,  but  instead 
of  being  supported  by  any  trustworthy  evi- 
dence this  idea  is  positively  refuted  b}-  the 
public  records,  as  indicated  above.  From 
the  outset,  in  all  deeds  of  convej'ance  and 
papers  of  a  legal  character  the  town  was 
designated  as  Evansville.  For  obvious  rea- 
sons, during  the  earl}-  part  of  its  career  the 
village  was  very  generally  spoken  of  by  set- 
tlers on  both  sides  of  the  river  as  McGary's 
Ferry  or  McGary's  town. 

As  directed  by  the  court,  the  agent  for 
the  county,  Nathaniel  Claypool,  proceeded 
without  delay  to  lav  out  the  town,  and  before 
the  month  of  June  was  passed  his  work  was 
finished.  The  town  as  then  platted  does  not 
appear  upon  any  of  the  maps  to-day.  Indeed, 
by  subsequent  legislative  enactments  that 
town  was  virtually  blotted  out  of  existence, 
and  after  a  lapse  of  time  another  or  second 
Evansville  rose  on  its  site.  In  this  first  town 
the  public  square  was  the  second  block  from 
the  river  in  the  extreme  eastern  portion  of 
the  town.  Including  this  square  there 
were  100  lots.  From  memoranda  on  the 
records  it  is  learned  that  owners  of  lots  in 
the  place  were  Hugh  McGar\',  Nathaniel 
Claypool,  R.  M.  Evans,  J.  Talbot,  Wm. 
Wagnon,  R.  Fitzgarratt,  J.  B.  Stinson,  E. 
Stinson,  T.  E.  Alsop,  George  Linxweiler,  J.  « 
Wheatstone,  F.  Wheatstone,  Ashbel  Ander- 
son, Daniel  Miller,  R.  McGary,  M.  McClain, 
L.  Tacketl,  J.  Miller,  W.  M.  Gilligen,  E. 
Hill,  James  Marrs,  Henry  Webster,  and 
Wm.  G.  Buckler.    Manv  of  these  lot  owners 


D8 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


were  non-residents.  The  town  then  con- 
sisted of  less  than  half  a  dozen  small  log 
cabins,  rudely  constructed  and  located  to 
suit  the  convenience  of  settlers,  with  little  or 
no  regard  to  the  arrangement  of  streets. 

In  compliance  with  his  offer  made  to  the 
commissioners  to  secure  the  location  of  the 
county  town  on  his  lands,  Hugh  McGary 
joined  by  Polly,  his  wife,  on  Jul}-  15,  1814, 
executed  a  deed  of  conveyance  by  which 
100  acres  of  land  were  conveyed  to  Nathaniel 
Claypool  as  the  agent  of  Warrick  county. 

Notwithstanding  the  evident  insignilicance 
of  the  place  the  objects  of  McGary's  ambi- 
tion seemed  destined  to  be  achieved. 
Thoroughly  absorbed  in  the  prospects  of 
handsome  realizations,  he  little  suspected 
that  his  hopes  even  then  rested  on  a  bending 
reed,  soon  to  be  broken.  But  he  and  those 
whom  he  had  induced  to  take  an  interest  in 
his  town  were  soon  made  to  taste  the  bitter- 
ness of  disappointment.  Before  the  town 
was  three  months  old  the  legislature  appar- 
ently had  fixed  its  doom.  The  formation  of 
Posey  county  in  the  southwestern  corner  of 
the  territory  so  altered  the  boundaries  of 
Warrick  county  as  to  place  Evansville  at  one 
extremity  of  the  river  border,  still  more  than 
fifty  miles  in  length.  Because  of  this  a  law 
was  enacted,  providing  for  the  removal  of 
the  seat  of  justice  of  Warrick  county  from 
Evansville  to  a  point  some  thirteen  miles 
eastward,  on  fractional  section  No.  7,  in 
township  7  south,  of  range  8  west,  which 
was  referred  to  in  the  act  directing  the 
change  as  "the  place  at  first  selected  bj-  the 
commissioners  appointed  for  the  purpose  by 
an  act  of  the  legislature  at  its  previous  ses- 
sion." There  is  no  ready  explanation  in  the 
public  records  of  these  significant  words. 
They  indicate  bej'ond  doubt  that  McGary's 
town  was  not  first  choice  with  the  locating 
commissioners,  and  was  decided  upon  only 
after    some   effort    on   the  part  of  McGary. 


The  act  was  approved  by  Thomas  Posey, 
governor,  September  i,  1814.  The  new 
town,  established  by  its  provisions,  was 
called  Darlington,  and  after  a  brief  and 
uneventful  career  passed  out  of  existence,  its 
decadence  beintr  due  to  the  removal  of 
the  scat  of  justice  for  Warrick  count}'  to 
the  town  of  Boonville.  This  legislation 
seemed  disastrous  to  Evansville.  As  if 
anticipating  an  entire  abandonment  of  the 
place,  the  legislature  provided  a  means  of 
escape  to  those  who  had  risked  money  on 
its  future  growth  by  investing  in  its  lots,  by 
authorizing  a  return  of  all  purchase  moneys 
and  a  cancellation  of  deeds,  etc.  Thus 
Evansville  was  practically  legislated  out  of 
existence ;  the  town,  as  the  work  of  a  sur- 
veyor was  left,  but  its  soul  was  taken 
away. 

McGary,  fearful  lest  he  might  be  unable 
to  stem  the  tide  setting  in  against  him,  and 
seekins  to  save  himself  to  some  extent,  be- 
came  a  purchaser  of  lots  in  the  new  town  of 
Darlington.  This  was  but  the  placing  of  an 
anchor,  not  a  removal  from  a  sinking  ship 
to  one  ttiat  seemed  starting  with  favorable 
winds  upon  a  promising  mission.  Instead  of 
surrendering  and  abandoning  hope,  he  busied 
his  brain  to  discover  some  means  of  avoid- 
ing disaster. 

In  the  summer  of  1815,  Hugh  McGary 
&  Co.  were  granted  a  license  to  vend  mer- 
chandise, by  the  board  of  commissioners  of 
Warrick  county,  and  at  that  time  opened 
the  first  store  in  the  village  of  Evansville. 
Near  the  mouth  of  Pigeon  creek,  at  an 
early  day,  probably  as  early  as  iSii,  a 
Frenchman,  whose  name  is  unknown,  estab- 
lished a  trading  post  where  he  exchanged 
trinkets  and  ammunition  for  the  furs  col- 
lected by  the  Indians.  But  the  hostilities 
incident  upon  the  war  of  181 2  drove  him 
from  these  parts,  and  when  McGary  com- 
menced merchandising  he  had  no  competitors 


AGAIN  A    CAPITAL. 


99 


near  at  hand.  In  the  following  year  Indiana 
was  admitted  to  the  Union;  immigration, 
receiving  fresh  impulses  from  this  fact,  was 
largely  increased;  good  health  generally 
prevailed,  and  an  era  of  prosperity  was  be- 
gun. Nevertheless,  Evansville  continued  to 
go  down.  Town  lots  decreased  in  value 
until  they  were  worth  little  more  than  neigh- 
boring wild  lands.  The  late  William  Linx- 
weiler  said,  "as  an  evidence  of  the  value  of 
real  estate  in  the  infancy  days  of  Evansville, 
I  may  mention  the  fact  that  Hugh  McGary 
offered  my  father  an  acre  of  ground  on  the 
corner  of  the  block  where  the  First  National 
Bank  now  stands,  for  thirty  hogs  which  had 
been  fatted  on  masf.  At  the  time  dressed 
pork  was  selling  for  one  dollar  and  a  quar- 
ter per  hundred  weight,  pajable  in  trade  or 
labor.  This  was  just  before  McGary  sold 
the  whole  of  that  part  of  the  town  site  lying 
above  Main  street  to  James  W.  Jones  and 
Gen.  Evans." 

In  the  meantime  McGary  was  not  idle. 
He  retained  his  residence  in  Evansville,  and 
made  his  hospitable  home  a  favorite  resort 
for  all  classes  of  citizens.  Two  years  had 
elapsed  since  what  seemed  to  be  the  death 
warrant  of  his  town  had  been  signed,  and  it 
still  kept  up  at  least  the  appearance  of  life. 
During  this  time  McGary  was  on  the  bench 
as  an  associate  judge,  and  made  himself  and 
his  house  so  popular  with  the  president 
judge  and  attorneys,  that  regardless  of  the 
law's  directions,  courts  were  frequently  held 
at  his  home  instead  of  at  that  of  Daniel 
Rhoads,  or  in  the  court-house  at  Darlington. 
Indeed,  the  validity  of  judgments  rendered 
under  these  circumstances  was  afterward 
questioned,  and  it  became  necessary  to  have 
the  legislature  pass  a  special  act  confirming 
and  legalizing  them. 

The  formation  of  a  new  county,  with 
Evansville  as  the  central  point,  was  the  idea 
which  suggested  itself  as  a  means  of    relief 


from  the  deplorable  condition  into  which  the 
town  was  rapidly  sinking,  and  from  the 
death  which  was  visibly  near  at  hand.  This 
McGary  set  about  to  accomplish  with  char- 
acteristic determination.  Had  the  choice  of 
a  town  been  left  to  a  popular  vote,  or  had  it 
been  possible  for  the  court,  as  was  done  in 
much  earlier  times,  to  establish  the  lines  of 
a  new  county,  his  designs  in  that  respect 
might  have  been  readily  gratified.  To  have 
the  plan  favorably  acted  on  by  the  legisla- 
ture was  not  so  free  from  difficulty.  A 
reformation  in  the  world's  affairs,  or  an 
important  step  in  the  advancement  or 
civiHzation  of  mankind,  is  seldom  the  result 
solely  of  individual  effort.  Conditions  slowly 
ripen,  circumstances  gradually  associate 
themselves  into  proper  relations,  when,  at 
the  right  juncture,  some  sagacious  agent  of 
the  times  enlists  the  aid  of  others,  perhaps 
more  able  than  himself  in  many  respects, 
and,  by  shaping  forces  and  directing  events, 
accomplishes  a  good  for  the  world  and  a 
name  for  himself.  But  he  who  sets  this 
train  in  motion,  and  then  so  governs  its 
movements  as  to  reap  a  reward,  is  not  so 
much  a  mere  "creature  of  circumstances  "  as  a 
skilled  workman  knowing  the  art  of  mould- 
ing the  frangible  and  stubborn  clay  of  events. 
The  county  had  within  its  borders  some 
discreet  politicians,  who  were  not  wiUing  to 
permit  their  welfare,  political  as  well  as 
financial,  to  be  put  in  jeopardy.  To  carry 
out  his  plan  the  necessity  for  influential  co- 
workers became  immediatelv  evident.  The 
active  interest  of  Gen.  Robert  M.  Evans  and 
James  W.  Jones  was  obtained  by  a  transfer 
to  them,  from  Hugh  McGary  and  Polly, 
his  wife,  for  $1,300,  on  June  20,  181 7, 
of  all  that  part  of  the  fractional  section 
on  which  Evansville  was  laid  out  lying 
above  Main  street,  except  thirty  acres  pre- 
viously conveyed  to  Carter  Beaman,  contain- 
ing about  130  acres. 


100 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


On  the  17th  of  July  following,  Evansville, 
it  may  be  said,  was  born  again.  On  that 
da}'  Evans,  Jones  and  McGary  prepared  a 
plan  for  a  town  ignoring  the  streets  and  lots 
as  previously  laid  out.  What  they  then 
platted  is  known  on  the  maps  of  to-dav  as 
the  "  original  plan,"  and  reaches,  north  and 
south,  from  Third  to  Water  streets,  and  east 
and  west,  from  Chestnut  to  Division  streets. 
One-half  of  the  public  square  as  shown  in 
the  plat  lav  above  Third  street.  There 
were  144  lots,  eight  of  which  constitute  a 
block,  and  the  following  statement  as  to  the 
plan  of  the  town  was  signed  by  the  propri- 
etors. 

"This  town  is  laid  out  in  squares  of 
eighteen  poles  by  eighteen  poles  and  eighteen 
links:  there  is  an  alley  of  twenty  feet  wide 
through  the  center  of  each  s(|uare,  and  at 
the  rear  of  each  lot;  the  lots  contain  one- 
fourth  of  an  acre  and  one-half  pole;  Water 
street  is  about  100  feet  wide.  Main  street  is 
seventv-six  feet  wide,  all  other  streets  are 
sixty  feet  wide  throughout ;  the  block  through 
which  Main  street  and  Third  passes  is  re- 
served as  a  public  square." 

The  men  whom  McGary  associated  with 
him  in  his  final  effort  to  put  new  life  and 
vigor  into  his  town  were  able,  by  reason  of 
their  large  accj^uaintance  and  influence,  and 
their  knowledge  of  men  and  affairs,  to  ren- 
der him  valuable  aid.  Gen.  Robert  Moro-an 
Evans,  whose  name  was  perpetuated  in 
christening  the  town,  was  born  in  1783,  in 
Frederick  county,  V^a. ;  and  at  Paris,  Kv.,  in 
1803,  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  Trimble,  a 
sister  of  Judge  Robert  Trimble  of  the  su- 
preme court  of  the  United  States.  When 
twenty-two  3'ears  of  age  he -came  to  Indiana 
territory,  his  richest  possessions  being  youth, 
health  and  intellect.  He  settled  in  the  wil- 
derness about  two  miles  north  of  where 
Princeton  now  is,  and  at  the  first  sale  of 
public  lands,  in  1S07,  bought  the  place  which 


his  fancv  had  selected  for  a  home.  After 
four  years  of  pioneer  life  in  the  woods  he 
went  to  \"incennes,  where  he  kept  a  tavern 
for  two  years,  returning  at  the  end  of  this 
time  to  his  home  in  the  woods.  When  the 
war  of  181 2  with  Great  Britain  was  begun, 
he  offered  his  services  to  his  country,  and  in 
the  campaigns  of  that  period  gained  distinc- 
tion, serving  with  such  gallantry  and  signal 
abilit}'  that  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  brigadier 
general.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  re- 
turned to  Gibson  county  and  resumed  the 
arduous  work  of  improving  his  homestead. 
His  fellow  citizens  soon  elected  him  to  the 
oflice  of  count}'  clerk,  in  which  capacity  he 
rendered  satisfactory  service.  It  was  not 
until  1S24  that  he  moved  to  Evansville,  and 
there  remained  but  one  year,  during  which 
time  he  resided  on  his  farm  near  the  strug- 
gling village.  Moving  then  to  New  Har- 
monv,  at  that  time  a  prosperous  village  un- 
der the  control  of  German  socialists,  he 
occupied  himself  as  the  landlord  of  a  hotel, 
at  the  same  time  engaging  in  agricultural 
pursuits  on  lands  near  that  place.  After  an 
absence  of  about  four  3'ears  he  returned  to 
Evansville,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death  in  1S44,  living  an  honorable  life  and 
holding  a  high  place  in  the  esteem  of  the 
people.  In  personal  appearance  he  was  tall 
and  commanding,  of  dignified  bearing,  with 
a  smooth  face  and  open  countenance,  always 
attracting  attention  and  admiration.  On  all 
occasions  he  was  agreeable  and  entertaining, 
and  in  business  transactions  a  man  of  sterling 
integrity.  In  the  combination  between  him- 
self, McGar}'  and  Jones  for  the  betterment 
of  their  fortunes  and  the  building  up  of  the 
town  of  Evansville,  he  was  the  man  of  power 
and  influence. 

James  W.Jones,  as  an  adventurous  pioneer, 
had  pushed  his  way  into  the  forests  of  Indi- 
ana territory'  soon  after  the  organization  of  a 
territorial  government,  and  settled  near  the 


OPPOSIXG  ELEMENTS. 


If)  I 


town  of  Princeton,  where,  as  a  neighbor,  he 
enjoyed  the  acijuaintance  of  Gen.  Evans  and 
Col.  McGary.  He  was  a  man  of  pleasing 
address,  a  clever  talker,  and  possessed  some 
means.  He,  however,  lacked  that  enterpris- 
ing, persisting  spirit  and  sharp  business 
abilitv  essential  to  a  successful  competition 
with  the  men  who  came  upon  the  stage  of 
action  in  the  business  life  of  Evansville  be- 
fore his  career  was  ended.  For  a  time  he 
succeeded  in  business  and  public  life.  His 
popularity  and  his  hold  upon  the  contidence 
of  the  people'  were  shown  by  the  fact  that 
for  several  years  he  was  selected  to  perform 
the  duties  of  clerk  of  the  circuit  court.  At 
the  same  time  he  prosecuted  his  business  in- 
terests with  profit,  but  in  the  latter  part  of 
his  career  he  sustained  losses  and  at  length 
returned  to  Gibson  county,  where  he  died. 
He  was  eminently  respectable,  always,  and 
his  sons  became  in  their  day  prominent  and 
useful  citizens. 

Having  thus  glanced  at  the  characters  of 
the  men  who  were  endea\oring  to  save  the  | 
young  town  from  abandonment,  it  may  be  of 
interest  to  know  somethin<r  of  those  who 
made  up  the  opposition.  These  were  chiefly 
Col.  Ratliff  Boon  and  Judge  Daniel  Grass, 
men  of  large  attainments  and  influence. 
Some  facts  as  to  their  personality  and  the 
manner  in  which  those  interested  in  the  suc- 
cess of  Evansville  at  length  obtained  the 
formation  of  a  new  countv  so  bounded  as  to 
make  Evans\ille  a  central  point  are  recited 
elsewhere  in  these  pages,  in  the  chapter 
concerning  the  organization  of  the  countv. 

A  short  time  before  his  death,  in  i8Si, 
Gen.  Joseph  Lane,  whose  name  occupies  an 
honorable  place  in  the  annals  of  this  county 
and  in  the  history  of  the  nation,  wrote  a  letter 
concerning  the  formation  of  Vanderburgh 
county  from  which  the  following  quotations 
are  made : 

"It  was  while  engaged  in  delivering  logs 
0 


(to  the  steam  saw-mill  of  J.  J.  Audubon  at 
Red  Banks  in  1816)  and  rowing  back  in  our 
skiff  that  I  got  acquainted  with  every  one 
living  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  especi- 
ally did  I  get  well  acquainted  with  Col.  Hugh 
McGary,  and  was  rather  pleased  with  him. 
He  talked  well  on  the  subject  of  his  town 
site  and  of  the  ultimate  greatness  of  his 
prospective  city.  With  him  I  walked  over 
a  portion  of  the  land.  A  portion  of  it  I  had 
walked  over  the  year  before,  solitary  and 
alone.  I  found  him  quite  in  earnest  about 
his  town.  Not  long  after  this  he  put  up  his 
hewed  log  house,  not  far  from  Mitchell's 
corner;  I  think  near  the  spot  where,  some 
time  after,  James  Lewis  built  his  dwelling 
house.  Upon  tiiis  occasion  we  camped  near 
his  house,  and  he  spent  most  of  the  night 
with  us,  and  talked  much  and  complained 
bitterly  of  Col.  Ratliff  Boon,  who  was,  as 
he  held,  the  only  obstacle  to  his  success; 
that  he.  Boon,  was  opposed  to  the  formation 
of  a  new  county  out  of  Warrick,  Posey  and 
Gibson,  and  so  arranging  the  boundaries  as 
to  make  his  town  site  central.  I  was  fond  of 
Boon  and  did  not  like  to  hear  him  abused, 
but  said  nothing  until  after  I  had  obtained  em- 
ployment in  theclerk's  office  (at  Darlington). 
Then  the  first  time  I  saw  Boon  I  took  the 
liberty  of  savnng  to  him  that,  perhaps  he 
had  it  in  his  power,  or  if  he  wished  he  could 
have  a  new  county  formed  out  of  the  coun- 
ties above  named  and  still  have  them  large 
enough,  and  by  so  doing  he  would  make 
many  friends.  A  few  months  after  I  hap- 
pened to  be  present  at  a  conversation  held 
in  the  clerk's  office  while  our  circuit  court 
was  in  session,  between  Boon,  McGary, 
Gen.  Evans  and  Judge  Daniel  Grass,  all 
leading  men,  in  which  the  whole  programme 
of  a  new  county  was  fullv  discussed.  Boon 
mentioned  that  such  chipping  of  Warrick 
county  would  necessitate  the  re-location  of 
the    county    seat,   and    the    probable    point 


102 


THE  CITY  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


would  be  at  or  near  Settee  Down's  vil- 
lage, where  he,  a  Shawnee  chief,  had  lived 
with  his  little  band  until  rSii,  and  who,  be- 
fore he  left  to  join  his  nation,  had  killed  some 
white  people  in  the  French  Island  neighbor- 
hood. He  was  followed  and  killed  by  a 
partv  of  citizens,  among  whom  Boon  figured 
conspicuously. 

"  The  count}-  seat  was  re-located  and 
located  as  above  mentioned,  or  suggested, 
and  Boon's  name  is,  and  rightly  should  be, 
perpetuated.  Boonville  is  still  the  C(junty 
seat  of  Warrick  county.  The  boundaries 
of  Spencer  countv  were  so  fixed  as  to 
insure  the  location  of  the  county  seat  at 
Rockport,  a  good  location.  Vanderburgh 
count\'  was  formed  so  as  to  make  McGary's 
town  site  fit  in  exactly.  Gen.  Evans  had  now 
become  part  owner.  The  count}-  seat  was 
located  and  the  name  of  the  new  proprietor 
was  perpetuated  in  the  now  famous  city  of 
Evansville.  *  -*  *  *  *  I  have 
endea^•ored  to  give  the  little  I  know  of  the 
influence  of  the  men  who  shaped  and 
formed  boundaries  of  counties  and  location 
of  county  seats,  all  of  which  was  understood 
by  the  actors  a  year  or  two  before  the  great 
work  was  accomplished,  all  of  them  more 
or  less  interested;  and  still  all  they  did 
resulted  in  great  public  good.  Ratliff 
Boon,  Daniel  Grass  and  Gen.  Robert  M. 
Evans  were  more  than  ordinarv  men  in 
their  day,  and  deserve  a  place  in  the  history 
of  Indiana." 

Confidence  in  the  ultimate  ratification  by 
the  legislature  of  the  plan  agreed  upon  in 
this  conference  at  Darlington  had  a  salutary 
effect  upon  the  town  of  Evansville.  Though 
this  legal  ratification  was  not  made  until 
January,  i8iS,  the  town  in  the  previous 
summer  had  been  replatted  and  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  contiguous  territory  had  passed 
into  the  possession  of  Gen.  Evans  and  Mr. 
Jones.     In  the  meantime,  in  1816,  J.  Vigus 


had  been  licensed  to  vend  foreign  merchan- 
dise in  the  place,  and  others  found  here  a 
favorable  place  for  permanent  location.  The 
enthusiasm  of  McGar\'  and  his  great  confi- 
dence in  the  future  greatness  of  his  town, 
no  doubt,  had  much  influence  in  causing  set- 
tlers to  locate  in  the  place.  He  evinced  his 
determination  to  achie\e  success  by  making- 
such  improvements  as  the  facilities  of  the 
times  afforded.  At  length  the  whole  plan 
received  legislative  approval.  The  bill  pro- 
vidinir  fir  the  organization  of  Vanderburgh 
countv  and  carrying  out  other  features  of 
the  scheme  became  a  law  on  January  7, 
1818,  and  McGary  was  permitted  to  enjoy  a 
triumph  and  a  gratification  of  his  ambition, 
such  as  seldom  comes  to  the  pioneer.  That 
his  hopes  had  been  almost  crushed  when  the 
tide  of  prosperity  seemed  turned  from  his 
doors  to  those  of  Darlington,  appears  in  the 
fact  that,  while  the  legislature  had  provided 
means  for  his  recovery  of  title  to  the  100  acres 
of  his  town  site  previouslj-  conveyed  to  War- 
rick county,  he  had  neglected  to  repossess 
himself  of  these  lands.  When  the  new 
county  of  Vanderburgh  was  formed,  it  was 
found  that  the  title  to  a  great  portion  of 
the  lands  on  which  the  new  Evansville 
stood  was  vested  in  Warrick  count}',  and 
there  seemed  to  be  some  doubt  as  to  the 
existence  of  a  lawful  warrant  for  their  trans- 
fer to  McGary.  To  correct  this  condition  of 
affairs  the  legislature  passed  an  act  to  au- 
thorize the  agent  of  Warrick  county  to  re- 
convey  to  Hugh  McGary,  the  lands  which  he 
had  previously-  conveyed  to  Warrick  county 
through  its  agent.  The  act  was  approved 
by  Jonathan  Jennings,  governor,  Januar}' 
28,  181S. 

About  this  time  Col.  McGary  succeeded 
in  having  a  post-office  established  at  Evans- 
ville with  himself  as  postmaster.  His  com- 
mission was  dated  February  20,  1818.  The 
mails  came  b}-  land  from  Vincennes  at  widel}' 


OFFJCJA  L  REPORTS. 


10.^ 


separated  inttTvaLs,  but  even  this  mail  ser- 
vice was  a  great  boon  to  the  settlers. 

As  commissioners  to  determine  the  loca- 
tion of  the  seat  of  government  for  the  new 
county  the  legislature  appointed  Wm.  Mar- 
grove,  Archibald  Scott,  Arthur  Harbison, 
John  Stephens,  and  John  x-Mlen.  Of  tiiese, 
only  the  two  first  named  appeared  at  the 
time  and  place  designated  for  their  meeting. 
To  till  the  \'acancies  occasioned  by  the  failure 
of  the  other  members  of  the  commission  to 
be  present,  Thomas  E.  Casselberry,  Wilson 
BuUett,  and  Elias  Barker  were  appointed. 
When  these  men  were  readv  for  the  trans- 
action of  business  the  following  proposition 
was  submitted  for  their  consideration  : 

T/ic  Hinwrablc,  the  Commiss.ioiiers  ap- 
fioinlcd  pitrsnant  to  lazv  to  Jix  the  pcnuanoit 
s.cat  of  justice  for  V^inderhurgh  county: 

Gentlemen: — The  undersigned  proprie- 
tors of  the  town  of  Evansville  beg  leave  to 
present  to  your  consideration  the  following 
proposition,  to-wit ;  Provided  you  shall  feel 
disposed  to  tix  the  seat  of  justice  for  the 
countN'  of  \'anderburgh  in  the  town  of  Evans- 
ville and  have  the  square  which  has  been 
designated  as  the  public  square  on  the 
plat  of  said  town  located  as  the  public 
S(]uare  for  the  said  seat  of  justice  on  which 
the  public  building  shall  be  erected,  we 
propose  to  give  as  a  donation  to  and  for 
the  use  of  said  county,  lOO  lots  includ- 
ing said  public  square,  that  is,  the  lots 
included  in  said  square  with  the  streets  and 
alle3's  appertaining  thereto,  according  to  the 
plan  of  said  town,  as  a  donation  for  the  use 
and  benefit  of  said  county  of  Vanderburgh, 
which  we  will  convey  on  the  terms  aforesaid 
to  such  persons  as  may  be  autliorized  to 
receive  a  conveyance  for  the  same,  for 
tile  purpose  aforesaid.  In  addition  to  the 
aforesaid  donation  we  are  authorized  by 
Mr.  John  Gwathne}-,  of  Louisville,  Ky., 
to   give    a    donation     to    the    use    of   said 


county  of   $500   in    cash    or  such   materials 
as    will    suit    in     the    erection    of    the    said 
public    buildings,    to    be    paid    by    the    said 
John    Gwathney  as  the   said   buildings    pro- 
gress  on   order    from    the    county   commis- 
sioners, for  which   donation   we   make   our- 
selves personally  and  individually  responsible. 
On  that  part  of  the  land  proposed  as  a  dona- 
tion  there  is  a  grave\ard,  which    is   on   the 
land  belonging  to  Hugh  McGary,  one  of  the 
proprietors;  at  this  place  the  said  Hugh  Mc- 
Gary reserves  one  acre  of  ground  to  include 
said  graveyard  in  such  manner  as  to  do  the 
least  possible   injury  to  said  town,  which  he 
reserves  as  a  graveyard,  the  title  of  which 
he   will   not   di\est   himself   of   in   any  wav. 
These  proposals  are  respectfully  submitted 
to  3'our  consideration.      Bv 

RoBT.  M.  Evans, 
James  W.  Jones, 
Hugh  McGary, 
March  11,  18 18.  Proprietors. 

Notwithstanding  the  pre-arranged  plan 
by  which  Evansville  was  to  be  chosen  as  the 
seat  of  government  for  the  county,  tradition 
says  that  another  aspirant  at  the  proper  time 
entered  the  lists  as  a  competitor  for  the  honor 
and  advantage.  This  was  Mechanicsville, 
then  an  insignificant  collection  of  cabins, 
whose  claims  were  pressed  because  of  its 
more  central  location.  The  inducements  and 
arguments  offered  by  the  promoters  of  this 
town  were  insufiicient  to  secure  for  it  the 
coveted  prize.  The  report  of  the  commis- 
sioners is  as  follows: 

"  Toihc  Honorable.,the  County  Coniiiiifsioncn: 
of  \'andcrbitr<yh  County: 

"Gentlemen: — Having  been  appointed 
agreeable  to  law  to  fix  the  permanent  seat  of 
justice  in  and  for  the  said  county  of  Wander- 
burgh,  being  first  duly  sworn,  we  therefore 
report  as  follows,  to  wit:  We  have  satisfac- 
toril}-  examined  the   situation  of  said  county 


]nA 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


and  having  taken  into  consideration  the  local 
advantages  of  said  county  have  determined 
on  fixing  the  permanent  seat  of  justice  for  the 
said  county  of  Vanderburgh  on  the  square 
designated  as  the  public  square  in  the  plan 
of  the  town  of  Evansville.  In  making  this 
selection  we  have  paid  respect  to  what  we 
consider  the  local  advantages  of  said  county, 
although  the  town  of  Evansville  is  not  pre- 
cisely the  center  of  said  county,  yet  we  find 
that  although  the  town  of  Evansville  is  on 
the  bank  of  the  Ohio  river,  yei  from  the 
bend  of  said  river  extending  into  said  county 
much  farther  than  the  general  course  of  said 
river  is  wont  to  do,  that  this  site  is  the  most 
eligible  situation  which  can  be  procured 
equall}^  near  the  center.  The  proprietors  of 
the  said  town  of  Evansville  have  proposed 
to  give  as  a  donation  to  the  use  of  said 
county  lOO  lots,  including  the  lots  contained 
in  the  public  square  agreeably  to  the  plan  of 
said  town,  or  in  other  words,  land  sufficient 
to  make  lOO  lots  as  aforesaid,  and  also  the 
sum  of  $500  in  cash  or  material  suitable  for 
the  use  of  the  public  building,  as  the)'  pro- 
gress, which  proposition  is  herewith  deliv- 
ered to  the  honorable,  the  commissioners  for 
the  said  county  of  Vanderburgh.  The  per- 
sons interested  in  the  establishment  of  the 
said  seat  of  justice  at  Evansville,  have  also 
delivered  over  to  your  commissioners  a  sub- 
scription list  amounting  to  $100,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  defraying  the  expense  of  the  com- 
missioners appointed  to  fix  the  seat  of  justice 
aforesaid;  your  commissioners  therefore  beg 
leave  to  report  that  they  have  accepted  of, 
and  fixed  and  established,  the  permanent  seat 
of  justice  for  the  county  of  Vanderburgh,  in 
the  said  town  of  Evansville  aforesaid,  agree- 
ably to  the  terms  aforesaid,  pursuant  to  the 
said  proposition  and  donation  aforesaid,  by  the 
said  proprietors  and  others  aforesaid  made. 
The  foregoing  report  is  most  respectfully 
submitted  by  William  Hargrove,  Archibald 


Scott,  Elias  Barker,  Wilson  Bullett,  Thomas 
E.  Casselberry. 

I      "March  11,  1818." 

The  deliberations  of  this  commission  were 

conducted  in  the  warehouse  of  Hugh  McGary. 

The  county  commissioners  who  accepted 

i  this  report  and  established  the  permanent 
seat  of  justice  at  Evansville,  were  James 
Anthony,  David  Brumfield  and  George 
Sirkle.  In  order  to  comply  with  the  terms 
of  the  proposition  to  convey  100  lots  to 
Vanderburgh  count)'  an  enlargement  to  the 
city  was  necessary.  This  was  called  "Do- 
nation Enlargement,"  and  appears  under 
that  name  upon  the  maps  of  to-da\ .  It  em- 
braced that  part  of  the  city  lying  between 
Third  and  Fifth  streets  and  with  eastern  and 
western  boundaries  that  coincided  with  those 
of  the  original  plan.  Donation  enlargement 
then  also  contained  thirty-three  out-lots 
lying  on  the  lands  of  Evans  and  Jones  above 
Main  street,  which  were  afterward  vacated, 
and  at  a  later  day  covered    by    the  Eastern 

:  enlargement.     Main  street  was  laid  out  sev- 

!  enty-six  feet  wide,  all  other  streets  sixty  feet 
wide,  and  alleys  twelve  feet  wide.  All  streets, 
including  those  passing  through 'the  public 
square,  were  given  to  the  people  as  public 
highways.     The  proprietors'  explanation  of 

!  the  plat  of  the  Donation  enlargement  con- 
tained these  words:  "Lots  beginning  at 
145  and  extending  to  217  in  arithmetical 
progression,  are  the  lots  given  by  the  under- 
signed proprietors  to  the  use  of  Vander- 
burgh county,  together  with  the  whole  of 
the  public  S(|uare  located  in  this  enlarge- 
ment, and  on  the  original  plan  of  said  town, 
as  a  donation  for  the  use  of  said  county." 
Thus  it  appears,  counting  the  public  square 
as  eight  lots,  that  being  the  number  in  other 
blocks  of  the  same  size,  the  actual  donation 
fell  ten  lots  short  of  the  proprietors' 
promise. 

Lots    in  Donation    enlargement  were  at 


FIRST  INCORPORATION. 


105 


once  offered  for  sale  by  the  county  agent, 
and  by  November  following  the  sales  had 
reached  $4,142.00.  The  public  square  had 
been  cleared,  but  at  that  time  the  lots  sold 
were  in  the  possession  of  the  primeval  for- 
ests. In  May,  1819,  and  again  in  August  of 
the  same  year,  efforts  were  made  to  dispose 
of  more  of  this  property,  to  enable  the  new 
county  to  construct  its  public  buildings.  The 
lots  were  sold  on  a  credit  of  six  and  twelve 
months,  and  notices  of  the  sales  were  made 
at  Princeton,  Vincennes,  Harmony,  Spring- 
field, Evansville,  Boonville  and  Henderson, 
Ky.  The  art  of  "  booming "  towns  and 
selling  lots  at  prices  fixed  by  a  confidence 
in  future  growth,  so  extensively  practiced  in 
late  years,  was  not  then  unknown.  Though 
purchases  were  freely  made,  considering  the 
newness  of  the  country  and  the  meagreness 
of  the  population,  some  of  the  lots  donated 
to  the  county  in  1818  remained  in  its  posses- 
sion unsold  as  late  as   1840. 

Thus  far  McGary  had  guided  his  boat 
with  safety  over  the  rocks  and  through  the 
shoals  of  adversity.  On  every  side  there 
were  evidences  of  improvement,  and  the 
future  held  out  in  her  extended  hand  the 
richest  of  promises.  An  era  of  general 
prosperity  throughout  the  new  state  was  at 
hand.  Immigrants,  industrious  and  intelli- 
gent, were  coming  in  great  numbers  from 
the  south  and  the  east,  and  from  beyond  the 
ocean,  to  take  possession  of  this  land  of 
promise.  Throughout  the  country  above 
and  below  the  little  village,  sturdy  pioneers 
of  strong  character  were  planting  their 
homes.  These  were  drifting  from  Ken- 
tucky, whither  they  had  previously  come 
from  Virginia,  Tennessee  and  the  Carolinas. 
Back  in  the  forests  north  of  the  town,  along 
the  road  leading  to  Princeton  and  Vincennes, 
men  of  equal  worth  were  establishing  them- 
selves. Some  of  them  had  left  the  homes  of 
their  fathers  across   the  sea,  ?nd  reaching, 


after  months  of  trial  and  hardship,  the  town 
of  Pittsburgh,  in  Pennsylvania,  had  there 
embarked  in  flat-boats  destined  for  this  coun- 
try, bringing  with  them  such  implements  as 
might  be  of  use  in  taming  the  wild  forests 
and  cultivating  the  soil.  Buoyant  with  hope, 
yet  ready  to  meet  and  remove  any  difficulty, 
and  to  adapt  themselves  to  any  combination 
of  circumstances,  they  proved  by  their 
conduct  that  they  possessed  heroic  mettle. 
In  the  village,  houses  were  being  erected, 
and  men  of  tact  and  energy  were  coming  to 
stay.  Hugh  McGary's  warehouse  was 
officially  declared  a  public  warehouse,  in- 
spectors of  produce  were  appointed,  roads 
were  opened  for  the  convenience  of  the 
public,  ferries  were  established,  and  every 
effort  to  encourage  and  advance  the  growth 
of  the  town  was  being  made. 

But  in  1819  and  1820  influences  were  in 
operation  which  soon  thereafter  produced  a 
period  of  business  depression  everywhere 
throughout  the  land,  but  the  waves  of  dis- 
tress did  not  reach  this  village  until  some- 
time during  the  second  year  named.  The 
population  of  Indiana  in  1800  was  4,875; 
1810,  24,500  and  in  1820,  147,178.  The 
greater  part  of  this  rapid  increase  was  along 
the  southern  border,  and  Evansville  and  the 
surroundings  country  received  a  fair  propor- 
tion of  it. 

In  1 819  the  question  of  incorporating  the 
village  was  submitted  to  a  popular  vote  for 
decision.  The  ancient  poll  book  and  cer- 
tificate of  election,  though  yellow  with  age, 
are  still  well  preserved,  being  at  this  time  in 
the  archives  of  the  county  clerk's  office  at 
the  court-house.  That  the  reader  may  have 
before  him  the  names  of  the  voters  of  that 
day,  many  of  historic  sound  and  some  famil- 
iar to  the  present  generation,  these  papers 
are  here  presented:  "At  a  meeting  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Evansville  in  the 
county  of  Vanderburgh  and  state  of  Indiana,on 


106 


THE  CITY  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


Monday,  the  first  day  of  March,  1819,  at  the 
house     of     Alfred      O.    Warner,     in     said 
town,  for  the  purpose  of   incorporating  said 
town  agreeable  to  the  provisions  of  an  act  of 
the  general  assembly  of  the  state  of  Indiana, 
entitled,     'An    act   providing  for  the  incor- 
poration of  towns  in  the  state  of  Indiana,"  ap- 
proved January  I,  1817,  Hugh  McGary  was 
elected  president  of  said  meeting  and  Amos 
Clark,  clerk,  who,  after  having  both  taken  the 
oath  required  of  them  agreeable  to  the  provis- 
ions of  said  act,  proceeded  to  secure  the  votes 
for   and   against    the   incorporation    of    said 
town,   which  votes   were  as   follows,  to-wit: 
Votes  in   favor:     Daniel    McDonald,    Isaac 
Fairchild,  John  Melvin,  Sylvester  Bordman, 
John  G.  Chandler,  John  M.  Dunham.  Porter 
Fuller,    Willard    Clark,    Hernon    Barrows, 
Alanson  Warner,  George  W.  Jacobs,  Hazael 
Putnam,     Simeon    Lewis,     Wilbur    Hoag, 
James  Russell,  Harley  B.  Chandler,  Alfred 
O.  Warner,  William  Trafton,  William  John- 
son, Elisha  Harrison,  James  A.  Boise,  Seth 
Fairchild,   Alpheus  Fairchild,  John  Baldwin, 
John  Conner,  Richard  Irvin,  James  Stinson, 
Thomas  Johnson,  Julius  Gibson  —  29.  Votes 
against,  none. 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  do  certify  the 
above  to  be  a  correct  statement  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  said  meeting,  and  of  the  voters 
present  as  they  voted  on  the  cpestion  of  in- 
corporating the  said  town. 

"  IIuiJH  McGary,  Pres.      |"Seal.] 

"Amos  Ci.ark,  Clk.  [Seal. J 

"  Dated,  Evansville,   12th  March,   1819." 

It  having  been  decided  by  this  expression 

of  the  popular  will  to  incorporate  the  village 

an  election    was    held    one    week    later,  on 

March  8th,  to  determine  who  should  serve  as 

justices  for  the  town.     The  certificate  as  to 

the  results   of  this    second    election   is  here 

presented:     "At    an    election    held    at   the 

house  of  Alfred  O.  Warner,  in   the  town  of 

Evansville,    on    Monday,    the     8th    day    of 


March,  1819,  for  the  purpose  of  electing 
five  trustees  for  said  town  agreeable  to  the 
provisions  of  an  act  of  the  general  assembly 
of  the  state  of  Indiana,  entitled  'An  act 
providing  for  the  incorporation  of  towns  in 
the  state  of  Indiana,'  approved  January  i, 
1817.  The  follosving  is  a  statement  of  the, 
proceedings  of  said  election: 

"Voters' names. —  William  Trafton,  Harley 
B.  Chandler,  Isaac  Fairchild,  Alpheus  Fair- 
child,  George  W.  Jacobs,  Elisha    Harrison, 
D.  A.  Richardson,  D.  F.  Goldsmith,  Thomas 
Johnson,  John  G.  Chandler,  Hugh  McGary, 
John  Baldwin,  Daniel  McDonald,  Seth  Fair- 
child,  Flam   Fairchild;   John    M.    Dunham, 
Alanson  Warner,   Hazael  Putnam,  Wilbur 
Hoag,  Raphael  Van  Horn,   Loring    Root, 
James  Russell,  Simeon  Lewis.      Total,  23. 
"  Hugh  McGary  received  23  votes. 
"  Elisha  Harrison  received  23  votes. 
"  Isaac  Fairchild  received  24  votes. 
"  Everton  Kennerly  received  24  votes. 
"  Francis  J.  Bentley  received  24  votes. 
"  Alfred  O.  Warner  received  i  vote. 
"We,  the  undersigned,  do  certify  the  abo\e 
to  be  a  true  statement  of  the  proceedings  of 
said    election,  but    Elisha  Harrison  having 
declined  serving  or  acting  as  a  trustee  for 
said  town,  we  do  therefore  certify  HughMc- 
Gary,   Isaac    Fairchild,  Everton    Kennerly, 
Francis  J.  Bentley,  and  Alfred  O.  Warner  to 
be  duly  elected  according  to  the  true  intent 
and  meaning  of  said  act.    In  witness  whereof 
we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and  seals  the 
1 2th  day  of  March,  18 19. 

"Hugh  McGary,  Pres.         [Seal. J 
"  Amos  Clark,  Clk.  [Seal.]" 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees, w-hich  was  held  on  the  20th  of  March, 
1819,  Hugh  McGary  was  chosen  president, 
Elisha  Harrison,  secretar}^  and  lister  of  tax- 
able property,  John  Conner,  treasurer,  and 
Alpheus  Fairchild,  collector  and  marshal. 
The  first  tax  lexy  was  twenty  cents  on  the 


PAXOHAMA  OF  IS.io. 


107 


oiiL-  hundred  dollars  worth  of  real  property 
and  a  specific  tax  on  several  kinds  of  per- 
sonal property,  the  total  taxes  for  the  year 
amountins''  to  $191.28 ){. 

At  that  time  there  were  about  lOO 
inhabitants  in  the  town,  and  it  was  now 
yrowin^  fast  enough  to  have  a  place  of  pub- 
lic entertainment.  The  hospitable  house  of 
Hugh  McGary  had  been  the  favorite  stop- 
ping place  for  all  travelers,  but  in  the  spring 
of  1819  Alfred  O.  Warner  and  James  Skid- 
more  were  granted  permission  to  keep 
taverns  at  their  houses.  In  those  days  licenses 
were  not  only  necessary  before  conducting  a 
business  of  this  kind,  but  rates  chargeable 
for  all  sorts  of  entertainmen^t  and  refreshment 
were  fixed  by  the  authorities.  Thus,  in  1S19 
the  rates  were,  for  each  diet,  3714  cents; 
horse  keeping,  50  cents;  lodging,  121^  cents; 
yi  pint  rum,  brandy,  or  wine,  50  cents; 
y,  pint  gin,  peach  or  apple  brandy,  or 
bounce,  25  cents;  and  ji  pint  whiskey, 
12  Yz  cents.  In  this  year  J.  \"irgus  opened  a 
country  store  near  the  river  bank.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Robert  Armstrong  and  the 
Lewis  Brothers.  Their  stocks  were  not 
extensive,  being  intended  to  supply  onl}' 
such  necessaries  as  were  absolutely  de- 
manded by  their  pioneer  customers.  Pro- 
fessional men,  skilled  and  able,  also  came  to 
the  village  about  this  time.  More  appro- 
priate mention  of  them  is  made  in  other 
connections. 

In  1820,  John  M.  Dunham,  Daniel  F. 
Goldsmith,  Presley  Pritchett,  William  Mills, 
Jr.,  and  John  A.  Chandler  were  elected 
trustees;  James  A.  Boise  was  appointed  sec- 
retarv,  and  Alanson  Warner,  treasurer.  At 
this  time,  with  the  advent  of  liard  times,  due 
in  part  to  causes  which  produced  general 
and  wide-spread  distress  in  the  east  as  well 
as  the  west,  and  in  part  to  other  causes 
wholly  of  a  local  nature,  the  growth  of  the 
\illage  was  checked.     Several  years  elapsed 


before  it  again  took  up  the  march  of  pro- 
gress. This  is,  therefore,  a  convenient 
point  in  the  story  of  its  career  to  view  the 
physical  aspect  of  the  little  village,  now 
grown  to  such  magnificent  proportions. 

The  name  of  John  S.  Hopkins  must  be 
familiar  to  all  who  have  given  the  histor}'  of 
Evansville  even  a  passing  thought.  From 
his  young  manhood  until  the  da}'  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1882,  he  was  conspicu- 
ously identified  with  the  progress  of  the 
place.  Possessing  a  sj'mpathetic  nature, 
ready  wit,  brilliant  talents,  and  unswerving 
integrit}',  he  was  well  equipped  to  lead  a 
useful  and  honorable  life.  Holding  at  the 
will  of  the  people,  many  offices  of  trust  and 
honor,  occupving  a  high  place  in  business  and 
social  circles,  and  watching  the  development 
of  the  city  from  very  early  times,  it  is  not 
strange  that  in  later  years  he  took  a  proud 
interest  in  its  early  history  and  attempted  to 
preserve  such  facts  concerning  the  pioneer 
era  as  might  be  of  interest  and  value.  With 
this  end  in  view,  assisted  bj'  a  skilled  artist, 
he  reproduced  upon  canvas,  from  the  tab- 
lets of  his  memorv,  a  view  of  Evansville  as 
it  appeared  to  him  in  1S20,  when  he  came 
with  his  father  to  make  this  his  permanent 
home.  A  description  of  the  town  as  it  was 
at  that  date  is  here  presented.  The  use  of 
the  names  of  streets,  the  numbers  of  lots, 
and  familiar  locations,  gives  the  reader  a 
correct  idea,  it  being  only  necessary  to  keep 
in  mind  the  general  plan  of  the  original 
town  as  platted  upon  the  maps  to  be  found 
in  almost  every  home. 

This  re\'iew  will  begin  at  the  upper  part 
of  the  town  and  run  down  the  river,  going 
outward  from  the  river  as  occasion  seems  to 
require.  On  the  river  side  of  Water  street, 
at  the  corner  of  Oak  street,  stood  a  preten- 
tious two-story  frame  house,  which  was  the 
residence  of  Elisha  Harrison,  one  of  the 
early  residents  and  men   of  enterprise  and 


108 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVlLLE. 


spirit,  of  the  town  of  Evansville.  The 
house  still  remains,  a  good  deal  changed  in 
its  general  outlines  and  appearance,  and  is 
well  known  as  the  old  frame  residence  of 
Robe'-t  Barnes.  On  lot  33,  of  the  Upper 
enlargement,  stood  a  two-stor}-  frame 
dwelling,  where  resided  J.  Morehouse,  also 
a  spirited  citizen  of  his  time.  On  the  oppo- 
site side  of  First  street,  upon  lot  40,  of  the 
Upper  enlargement,  stood  a  commodi- 
ous one-story  frame  house,  which  was 
the  residence  of  Dr.  Richardson.  In  the 
same  house  William  Caldwell,  "  Old  Part- 
ner," as  he  was  familiarly  called,  afterward 
resided.  On  lot  i,  of  the  Upper  enlarge- 
ment, at  the  upper  corner  of  Water  and 
Chestnut  streets,  there  was  a  two-story  frame 
house,  which  was  the  dwelling  of  A.  Chandler, 
the  father  of  the  well  remembered  citizens, 
William  J.  and  John  J.  Chandler.  Passingout 
Chestnut  street,  on  lot  97  of  the  old  plan,  at 
the  north  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Second 
streets,  opposite  the  Cumberland  Presbyte- 
rian church,  stood  a  comfortable  two-stor}- 
frame  house  which  was  the  property,  and 
perhaps  the  residence,  of  the  grandfather 
of  Col.  Jackson  McClain,  of  Henderson,  Ky. 
On  lot  40,  old  plan,  fronting  First  street, 
where  the  Hon.  Thomas  E.  Garvin  now 
resides,  was  a  one-story  frame  house  occu- 
pied, and  perhaps  built,  by  Flam  Fairchild. 

On  lot  4,  old  plan,  just  above  Walnut 
street,  was  a  one-storj-  frame  house  which 
is  still  standing,  and  was  for  a  number  of 
years  known  as  the  ferry  house.  Here 
hung  a  fair  sized  bell  which  was  rung  for 
the  purpose  of  calling  the  ferryman  across 
the  river.  The  rear  part  of  the  house  was 
built  on  piles  driven  in  a  ravine  or  natural 
water  course  which  put  into  the  river  im- 
mediately below  the  Sunset  park.  This 
house  was  erected  by  Benjamin  Jeffer}-,  on 
lot  6,  old  plan,  fronting  on  Water  street.  Be- 
tween Walnut  and   Locust  streets  was  the 


residence  of  John  Zimmerman,  who  served 
as  one  of  the  early  postmasters  of  Evans- 
ville, and  as  clerk  of  Vanderburgh  count)'. 
Adjoining  Mr.  Zimmerman's  residence  was 
a  diminutive  one-storv  frame  house  in  which 
a  Mr.  Crockwell  kept  a  bakery.  On  lot  7, 
old  plan,  stood  a  one-story  frame  house  in 
which  James  W.  Jones,  one  of  the  original 
proprietors  of  the  town  site,  had  the  office 
of  countv  clerk,  which  official  po.sition  he 
then  held.  On  lot  8  at  the  upper  corner  of 
Locust  and  Water  streets,  EHsha  Harrison 
had  erected  a  low  two-story  frame  house, 
which  in  1820,  was  occupied  as  a  store  and 
tavern.  When  Edward  Hopkins  and  family 
arrived  in  Evansville  from  the  east,  that 
gentlemen  became  in  due  time  the  proprietor 
of  this  establishment.  He  removed  first  to 
Saundersville  and  embarked  in  business  there ; 
but  returned  to  Evansville  after  the  experi- 
irent  of  building  a  town  at  Saundersville 
had  failed,  and  took  charge  of  the  tavern- 
stand  at  the  corner  of  Water  and  Locust 
streets.  After  Mr.  Hopkins  removed  from 
the  house,  it  was  continued  as  a  tavern  by 
John  Conner.  On  lot  31,  old  plan,  the  site  of 
the  St.  George  hotel,  stood  a  one-story 
frame  house,  with  porches  on  both  the  side 
streets,  which  was  the  residence  of  Amos 
Clark.  Lot  54,  old  plan,  fronting  on  First 
street,  where  the  Chandler  block  now  is,  was 
occupied  by  the  residence  of  Dr.  John  Shaw, 
which  was  a  commodious  two-story  frame 
dwelling.  Adjoining  the  residence  of  Dr. 
Shaw  was  the  residence  of  Dr.  William 
Trafton,  who  was  a  skillful  ph3sician  and 
one  of  the  best  known  citizens  of  his  time. 
Dr.  Trafton  subsequently  became  the  owner 
of  the  Shaw  property,  and  made  it  his  per- 
manent residence.  On  lot  89,  old  plan,  at 
the  corner  of  Locust  and  Second  streets,  Will- 
iam Warner,  the  father  of  Alfred  O.  Warner 
and  Major  Alanson  Warner,  and  who  was  the 
fourth  postmaster  at  Evansville,  had  a  two- 


PANORAMA  OF  1820. 


100 


story  frame  dwelling,  where  Alexander 
Johnson  afterward  kept  a  boarding  house. 
The  lot  passed  into  the  possession  of  Dr. 
Trafton,  thence  to  Marcus  Sherwood,  and 
was  by  him  sold  to  Major  B.  F.  Dupuy. 
Here  Maj.  Dupu\-  resided  till  the  time  of  his 
death. 

The  foregoing  were  all  the  houses  above 
Locust  street  in  1820,  which  portion  of  the 
city  embraces  most  of  the  fashionable 
and  costly  residences  of  the  present  day. 

On  lot  9,  old  plan,  at  the  lower  corner 
of  Locust  and  Water  streets,  where  White 
&  Dunkerson's  tobacco  ware-house  now 
stands,  was  a  one-story  log  house,  which 
was  occupied  as  a  store  by  Jones  & 
Harrison,  until  this  firm  gave  way  to 
Shanklin  &  Moffatt.  In  the  rear  of  Mr. 
Shanklin's  store  was  a  small  log  house, 
which  was,  in  1820,  the  residence  of  Will- 
iam Stinson.  On  lot  40,  old  plan,  now 
occupied  by  the  Opera-house,  stood  a  two- 
storj'  log  house  with  a  frame  addition  in  the 
rear  toward  the  river,  where  Alfred  O. 
Warner  kept  tavern.  He  was  succeeded 
by  his  brother,  Maj.  Alanson  Warner,  who 
built  the  Mansion  House,  the  first  brick 
hotel  in  Evansville.  This  house  was  subse- 
quently the  residence  of  Mr.  Francis  Linck, 
and  was  torn  down  when  the  Opera-house 
was  built.  On  lot  58,  old  plan,  fronting  on 
First  street,  where  the  residence  of  Dr.  M. 
J.  Bray  now  stands,  was  a  frame  house  in 
which  Presle}-  Pritchett  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness of  making  hats.  Mr.  Pritchett,  who 
was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  also  kept  his 
office  on  the  premises.  Returning  to  the 
river  front,  on  lot  10,  old  plan,  now  occupied 
by  the  American  hotel  buildinii,  there 
stood  a  two-story  frame  house,  which  was 
occupied  by  a  Mr.  Vernon,  and  by  Alexan- 
der Price  as  a  boarding  house.  Subse- 
quently Edward  Hopkins  and  his  son,  John. 
S.     Hopkins,  kept    grocery    in   the    same 


building.  The  next  lot  toward  Main 
street,  11,  contained  a  small  frame  house, 
painted  red,  and  in  its  day  ,kno\vn  far  and 
wide  as  "The  Little  Red,"  in  which  a  store 
was  kept  for  years,  first  by  Lister  & 
Wheeler,  next  by  Joseph  M.  Caldwell,  and 
afterward  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Parrett  and 
his  son,  John  Parrett.  On  the  rear  part  of 
the  same  lot  Nathan  Rowley  had  a  double 
one-story  log  house,  in  one  end  of  which  he 
conducted  a  shoemaker's  shop,  employing 
two  or  three  journeymen.  Mr.  Rowley 
was  also  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  had  his 
magistrate's  office  in  the  other  end  of  the 
building.  Lot  12,  old  plan,  at  the  upper 
corner  of  Main  and  Water  streets,  contained 
a  two-stor)-  frame  house,  which  was 
occupied  by  Robert  Barnes  when  he  first 
came  to  Evansville.  The  house,  however, 
was  built  and  in  use  long  before  Mr.  Barnes 
ever  saw  the  town.  There  was  also  another 
two-story  frame  house,  at  the  rear  or  alle}' 
part  of  lot  12.  It  was  sometimes  used  as  a 
dwelling  house,  and  occasionally  as  a  place 
of  business. 

At  the  corner  of  Main  and  First  streets, 
on  lot  38,  old  plan,  where  the  Kazar  House 
was  afterward  built,  and  which  is  now  occu- 
pied by  the  banking  house  of  the  First 
National  Bank,  was  a  two-story  frame 
dwelling,  the  residence  of  Dr.  Seaman.  On 
lot  39,  adjoining  the  Warner  tavern,  was  a 
two-story  frame  known  as"  Warner's  Den." 
It  was  here  that  the  fast  3'oung  men  of  the 
village  congregated  nightly  to  take  a  hand 
in  cards  and  other  games  of  chance,  and 
from  the  carousals  they  had  there  the  place 
took  its  name.  It  was  a  noted  (juarter  in 
the  early   days  of  the  town. 

Going  out  Main  street,  at  the  east  corner 
of  Main  and  First,  on  lot  59,  old  plan,  there 
was  a  one-story  frame  house  in  which  John 
M.  Lockw'ood  kept  a  grocerj-.  On  the  same 
lot,  fronting  on  First  street,  stood  a  tall  one- 


110 


THE  CITY  OF  ETANSVILLE. 


story  log  house,  entered  at  the  front  door 
by  a  flight  of  wooden  steps,  which  was  the 
residence  and  office  of  John  Conner,  then  a 
justice  of  the  peace.  On  lot  60,  the  next 
above  on  Main  street,  there  was  a  two- 
stor}-  frame  house,  which  was  the  property 
of  one  of  the  McClain  fanriily,  of  Henderson 
county,  Ky.  Next  to  the  alley,  on  lot  60,  a 
Mr.  Avery  had  a  cabinet  shop.  On  lot  85, 
across  the  allev,  was  a  large  two-story  frame, 
the  propert}'  of  Samuel  Mansel.  On  the 
next  blockbetween  Secondand  Third  streets, 
upon  lot  108,  and  adjoining  the  allev,  stood 
a  t\vo-stor\-  log  house,  where  x'Ynsel  Wood 
kept  a  tavern.  On  a  part  of  the  same  lot, 
but  a  few  feet  down  the  street  from  the 
tavern,  was  a  small  frame  house,  which  af- 
terward became  the  property  of  James 
Scantlin,  Sr.,  and  was  occupied  by  him  for  a 
series  of  years  as  a  tin  shop.  On  lot  234  of 
the  Donation  enlargement,  being  on  Fifth 
street  between  Locust  and  Walnut,  where 
Thomas  Bullen's  liver}-  stable  now  stands, 
was  a  two-storv  frame  dwelling,  the  resi- 
dence of  Judge  John  M.  Dunham.  His 
brother,  Horace  Dunham,  occupied  the 
same  house  for  man}-  years  afterward. 

On  the  "  Evans  homestead,"  which  em- 
braced the  entire  block  bounded  by  Main, 
Fifth,  Locust  and  Sixth  streets,  occupying  a 
gentle  rise  of  the  ground,  stood  a  prettv  one- 
story  cottage,  surrounded  by  trees  and 
shrubbery,  which  ivas  much  admired. 

The  old  court-house,  yet  standing,  but 
hemmed  in  b}'  other  buildings,  occupied  the 
south  corner  of  what  was  known  as  the 
"  public  square,"  at  the  intersection  of 
Main  and  Third  streets.  On  the  opposite 
diagonal  corner  of  the  public  square  where 
the  present  court-house  and  jail  stand,  and 
occupying  the  precise  location  of  the  present 
jail,  was  a  log  structure  twelve  feet  square 
in  the  clear,  inside,  but  with  walls  three  feet 
thick,   made  of  hewed    white  oak  timbers. 


which  was  the  first  jail  of  Vanderburgh 
county.  It  was  from  this  structure  that  John 
Harvey  was  taken  to  suffer  execution  June 
27,  1S23.  A  considerable  knoll  arose  in  the 
rear  of  the  court-house,  and  on  its  crest 
at  the  back  end  of  lot  135,  stood  a 
two-stoi;y  building  originally  a  log  structure, 
which  was  afterward  framed  over.  This 
house  stood  until  within  a  very  few  years 
past.  It  was  built  by  William  R.  McGary, 
a  brother  of  Col.  Hugh  McGary,  and  was 
for  some  }-ears  the  home  of  Capt.  James 
Newman,  and  while  he  lived  there  was  a 
fashionable  residence.  On  lot  136,  old  plan, 
at  the  west  corner  of  Third  and  Locust 
streets,  stood  the  blacksmith  shop  of  Col. 
Seth  Fairchild,  where  the  augers  were 
made  with  which  to  bore  salt  wells.  Near 
by,  on  the  same  block,  ornamenting  the 
crest  of  a  small  knoll  or  hill,  stood  the  two- 
story  house  built  by  Wm.  R.  McGary,  and 
which  for  a  time  was  the  fashionable  resi- 
dence of  Capt.  James  Newman. 

The  sketch  of  Evansville  on  the  upper 
side  of  Main  street  is  now  complete,  with  the 
addition  of  the  first  jail,  which  was  below- 
Main. 

On  lot  13,  old  plan,  at  the  lower  corner 
of  Main  and  Water  streets,  stood  a  two- 
story  frame  building,  the  property  of  Will- 
iam and  James  Lewis,  wherein  these  gen- 
tlemen kept  a  miscellaneous  store,  dealing  in 
most  all  kinds  of  wares  sold  in  the  market. 
It  was  the  principal  store  of  the  town  for  a 
considerable  time.  On  the  same  lot  adjoin- 
ing Lewis'  store,  Robert  Armstrong  also 
kept  a  store. 

Fronting  on  Main  street  adjacent  to  the 
alley  that  runs  at  the  rear  end  of  lot  13, 
stood  the  warehouse  of  Col.  Hugh  McGary 
in  which  the  first  court  was  held  in  Vander- 
burgh county.  The  courts  continued  to  be  held 
in  McGar}-"s  warehouse  until  the  first  court- 
house had  sufficiently  progressed  to  be  used 


PANOBAMA  OF  mo. 


Ill 


for  court  purposes.  During  all  this  time  the 
warehouse  continued  to  be  used  for  com- 
mercial purposes.  In  later  years  Bement  & 
Viele  opened  a  wholesale  grocery  in  this 
same  warehouse,  presenting  to  their  cus- 
tomers the  largest  stock  of  goods  that  had 
ever  been  brought  to  Evansville.  The  tirm 
continued  to  do  business  in  •  the  premises 
until  they  finally  erected  their  own  -store- 
house. Subsequently  this  celebrated  ware- 
house was  removed  to  Sycamore  street, 
between  Fourth  and  Fifth,  where  it  was  util- 
ized by  John  Gavisk  and  others  for  packing 
pork.  It  is  still  standing,  now  in  use  as  a 
livery  stable,  and  may  be  regarded  as  a  relic 
of  former  days  closely  identified  with  the 
history  of  Evansville. 

Where  the  Evansville  National  Bank 
building  now  stands,  there  was  a  one-story 
log  house  in  which  J.  V.  Robinson  kept  store. 
It  was  afterward  occupied  b\-  Garrett  Jones, 
a  brother  of  James  W.  Jones.  Two  or  three 
years  later,  J.  V.  Robinson  built  a  frame 
warehouse  on  the  corner  of  First  and  Main, 
lot  36,  old  plan,  which  was  afterward  occu- 
pied at  various  times  as  a  store  by  Charles 
Stewart,  John  S.  Hopkins,  and  probably 
others.  In  this  building  W.  &  C.  Bell 
opened  their  drug  store  in  later  years.  On 
lot  83,  old  plan,  where  the  Lahr-Hopkins 
dry  goods  house  now  is,  Mr.  Posey  had  a 
two-story  frame  house.  At  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Fifth  streets  there  was  an  odd  kind 
of  a  rookery  somewhat  resembling  a  huge 
chicken  coop. 

Returning  to  Water  street,  on  lot  14,  old 
plan,  the  second  lot  below  Main  street, 
stood  the  historical  hewed  log  house  of  Col. 
Hugh  McGary.  It  was  one  story  and  a 
half  high.  36  feet  long  by  18  feet  wide,  with 
an  L  running  back  and  connecting  at  the 
rear  with  the  warehouse  which  fronted  on 
Main  street,  as  above  described.  This  house 
of  Col.  McGary  was  a  marked  feature  of  tlie 


pioneer  era.  Before  the  plan  of  Evansville 
had  an  existence,  there  was  a  small  store 
kept  there,  and  it  was  the  hostelry  for  per- 
sons passing  through  the  wilderness  who 
sought  temporary-  accommodations.  In  that 
house  the  first  post-office  was  opened  in  181 8, 
and  there  the  county  commissioners  held 
their  early  meetings. 

Fronting  on  First  street,  on  the  rear  part 
of  lot  61,  old  plan,  Daniel  Tool  had  a  small 
frame  tailor  shop.  Tool  was  an  Irishman 
and  a  Catholic.  One  of  his  failings  was  that 
he  would  occasionally  get  drunk  and  have  a 
light.  On  such  occasions,  there  being  no 
Catholic  priest  at  hand,  as  soon  as  he  got 
over  his  little  spree  he  would  mount  his 
horse,  ride  to  Vincennes,  visit  the  prie.st 
stationed  there,  and  confessing  his  error  ask 
for  absolution. 

Next  to  Tool's  shop  there  was  a  two-stor}' 
frame  house  occupied  by  William  Kelly  as 
a  residence.  On  lot  ill,  old  plan,  near  the 
corner  of  Sycamore  and  Second  streets,  was 
the  two-stor}'  frame  residence  of  Andrew 
Graham,  who  was  a  son-in-law  of  Mr.  King, 
a  long  time  resident  of  the  farm  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  river  from  Evansville. 
After  several  transfers,  the  Graham  property 
was  purchased  by  the  Reverend  Father 
Devdier  for  the  use  of  the  Catholic  church, 
and  upon  the  ruins  of  the  old  frame  house  of 
1820  arose  the  walls  of  the  first  Church  of  the 
Assumption,  some  twenty  years  later.  The 
church  building,  later  known  as  Viele  hall, 
has  been  torn  down  within  the  present  year 
and  on  its  site  the  building  of  the  Business 
Men's  association  is  being  erected. 

On  lot  65,  old  plan,  at  the  corner  of  First 
and  Sycamore  streets,  where  Sweetser  & 
Caldwell  now  have  their  wholesale  notion 
store,  there  stood  a  two-stor\-  log  dwelling 
house,  and  one  of  similar  size  and  material 
stood  on  the  adjacen  t  corner  across  First 
street,  being  lot  32  of  the  old  plan. 


112 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


Farther  down  First  street,  on  lot  30,  old 
plan,  stood  the  finest  brick  residence  of  the 
cit}'.  This  was  a  large,  double  front,  two- 
stor}'  brick  dwelling,  built  by  Nicholas 
Thompson,  and  occupied  at  different  times 
by  various  old  residents.  Mr.  Edward  Hop- 
kins resided  there  for  a  while  after  returning 
from  Saundersville,  and  partially  put  the 
finishing  touches  upon  its  construction.  In 
after  years  a  large  public  hall  was  attached 
in  the  rear  and  the  premises  converted  into 
a  restaurant  and  theater.  It  was  first  called 
the  Apollo,  and  subsequently  the  Mozart 
hall.  On  the  opposite  side  of  First  street 
from  this  building,  on  lot  67,  old  plan,  stood 
a  one-storv  loc  hut  in  which  dwelt  a  man 
named  Paxton. 

On  lot  1 20,  old  plan,  where  the  city  hos- 
pital now  stands,  stood  a  commodious  two- 
story  frame  dwelling,  erected  by  Varner 
Satterlee.  On  lot  3,  Douglas  addition,  at 
the  north  corner  of  Division  and  First  streets, 
was  a  large  two-story  log  house,  occupied 
by  the  Sullivan  girls.  On  lots  i,  3,  and  4  of 
the  Lower  or  McGary's  enlargement  there 
stood  three  two-story  log  houses. 

The  fore  coin  c  were  all  the  houses  of  the 
embr3-o  city  in  1820,  except  two  which  were 
far  removed  from  the  center  of  the  village. 
One  of  these  was  a  good  sized  two-story 
frame  dwelling,  which  stood  below  Goodsell 
street,  and  the  other  a  two-story  log  house 
in  the  Upper  enlargement,  occupying  a  part 
of  the  site  of  the  present  water  works,  which 
was  for  a  considerable  time  the  residence  of 
William  Stinson,  the  father  of  Thomas  J. 
Stinson,  the  well  known  river  pilot. 

The  drive  down  the  rugged  river  bank 
at  that  time  was  protected  from  caving  b}- 
interlaced  wooden  buttresses.  Some  old 
citizens  have  believed  that  this  work  was 
constructed  nearly  a  generation  after  the 
time  here  mentioned.  In  support  of  their 
belief  they  assert  that  they  saw  the  laborers 


preparing  and  putting  the  timbers  together. 
This  is  possibly  true,  but  the  work  then 
being  done  was  probabl_v  repairing  and  not 
original  construction.  Taken  altogether  the 
description  of  the  town  as  outlined  above  is 
very  nearly  perfect.  The  picture  from 
which  it  is  taken  stood  the  severe  test  of  a 
critical  examipation  by  man}-  old  residents, 
now  gone  forever,  who  pronounced  it  accu- 
rate in  all  its  details. 

In  viewing  Evansville's  condition  during 
the  'period  of  adversity  following  1820,  it 
may  be  well  to  examine  briefly  the  causes 
of  that  condition.  During  the  war  of  1S12, 
manufactories  had  grown  up  in  the  eastern 
and  middle  states,  which  emplo}'ed  much  of 
the  capital  and  industry  that  had  previously 
been  engaged  in  commerce.  This  created 
a  demand  for  western  produce,  which  con- 
tinued active  until  the  change  of  times  soon 
after  the  peace  was  effected,  when  large  im- 
portations of  foreign  goods  induced  many 
of  the  manufacturers  to  relinquish  the  busi- 
ness for  a  time  and  engage  in  commerce  or 
emigrate  west.  Prices  of  produce  were, 
however,  kept  near  the  previous  rates  until 
after  1819.  In  this  year  the  banking  sys- 
tem of  the  west  began  to  be  seriously  con- 
vulsed. Specie  payments  were  suspended 
in  all  the  states  south  of  New  England. 
The  government  paid  its  soldiery  in  the  west 
and  bought  provisions  for  them  in  money 
issued  by  the  banks  of  Ohio.  A  large  cir- 
culation was  required,  and  banks  were  estab- 
ished  on  fictitious  capital,  and,  as  a  naturall 
consequence,  the  country  soon  became 
flooded  with  a  depreciated  and  often  worth- 
less currenc}-.  By  1822  the  western  banks 
had  failed,  and  there  was  no  longer  any  cir- 
culating medium.  Even  cut  silver  (which 
has  been  facetiously  described  as  an  at- 
tempted division  of  a  dollar  into  five  quar- 
ters) disappeared,  and  the  coonskin  became 
the  basis  for  all  financial  transactions  of  lim- 


PERIOD  OF  ADVEKSITY. 


lis 


itod  dimensions.  Tlie  Bank  of  Vincennes 
had  been  established  in  1S14,  and  was  pru- 
dently managed  at  first,  but  its  failure  was 
one  of  the  most  discreditable  occurring  in 
the  country.  Its  paper  became  entirely 
worthless,  and  the  go\ernment  received  onh' 
a  small  proportion  of  some  $200,000  which, 
as  the  proceeds  of  public  land  sales,  had 
been  deposited  with  the  bank. 

The  commercial  disasters  and  the  wide- 
spread want  among  the  people  are  a  part  of  i 
the  nation's  histor\'.  The  village  of  Evans-  I 
ville  shared  the  general  distress  pre\alent 
throughout  the  states  of  the  nation,  and  iiad 
additional  woes  of  a  local  nature  to  endure. 
The  years  1820,  1821  and  1822  were  at- 
tended with  more  general  and  fatal  sickness 
than  ever  before  had  been  experienced. 
Bilious  and  intermitting  fe\'ers  were  pre\'a- 
lent  in  all  parts  of  the  state.  Not  a  neigh-  ; 
borhood,  and,  indeed,  hardly  an  individual, 
escaped  the  ravages  of  some  form  of  mala- 
rial poison.  The  larger  towns  in  the  state  | 
lost  from  one-fourth  to  one-half  of  their 
population,  and  some  villages  were  entirely 
depopulated.  All  business  was,  in  a  meas- 
ure, suspended,  not  because  of  any  general 
seriousness  produced  b\'  so  much  sickness, 
for  even  in  the  chambers  of  death  and  at  the 
grave  there  was  much  apparent  levitv,  but  I 
more  on  account  of  a  carelessness  respecting 
all  kinds  of  business,  that  seemed  to  possess 
all  alike.  As  a  direct  result  of  the  hard 
times  and  the  general  sickness,  immigration 
almost  wholly  ceased.  The  price  of  lands  i 
went  down  rapidlv,  and  there  seemed  no 
limit  to  the  decline  in  values.  There  was 
absolutely  no  mone\-  to  be  had,  and  it  was 
one  of  the  pioneer's  misfortunes  that  the 
government  would  not  accept  produce  or 
coonskins  for  land,  but  insisted  on  receiving 
cash.  The  county  of  Vanderburgh  was 
suing,  or  threatening  to  sue,  all  who  had 
bought  lots    m    the   Donation     enlargement 


and  had  failed  to  pay  for  them.  Property 
to  large  amounts  was  sacrificed  for  costs 
merely,  and  even  creditors  got  no  benefit. 
The  details  of  many  cases  are  almost  beyond 
behef.  In  one  instance,  the  purchaser  of 
certain  lands  had  paid  three-fourths  of  the 
purchase  money,  and  had  mortgaged  the 
property  to  secure  the  payment  of  the  re- 
maining one-fourth;  on  a  foreclosure  of  the 
mortgage,  the  propert}-  was  sold  for  one- 
half  the  amount  due  —  that  is,  for  one-eighth 
of  the  original  purchase  money:  and  the 
mortgagee,  after  the  return  of  better  times, 
collected  the  one-half  remaining  unpaid  from 
the  debtor  out  of  other  resources.  Relief 
laws,  the  fruits  of  wrong  principles  and 
wrong  feelings,  were  enacted,  and  efforts 
were  made  to  prevent  the  collection  of 
debts.  These  but  added  to  the  business 
stagnation.  Congress  lowered  the  price  of 
public  lands,  extended  the  time  of  payment 
on  lands  already  entered  by  settlers,  at- 
tempted to  afford  relief  against  forfeitures, 
and  in  various  ways  sought  to  relieve  the 
general  distress,  but  with  little  success. 

For  a  time  after  this  period  of  adversity 
was  begun,  some  imagining  it  to  be  only 
temporar\-,  continued  to  invest  their  means 
in  business  ventures.  In  1S21  the  publica- 
tion of  a  newspaper  was  commenced  in  the 
village.  This  was  the  Eiausvillc  Gazette, 
established,  and  for  a  time  conducted,  by 
Gen.  Elisha  Harrison,  a  prominent  man  of 
his  day,  self-taught,  energetic  and  able,  and 
William  Monroe,  a  practical  printer,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Harrison  &  Monroe.  Later  it 
passed  into  the  individual  ownership  of  Mr. 
Monroe  and  after  a  brief  struggle  for  life 
passed  out  of  existence  about  the  latter  part 
of  1824.  William  and  James  Lewis,  Robert 
Barnes  and  John  Mitchell  were  then  ensfaired 
in  mercantile  pursuits  here,  and  during  this 
period  of  depression,  probablv  about  1823, 
the  firm  of  ^hanklin  &  Moffatt  was  estab- 


^u 


THE  CITY  OF  F.VAXSVILLE. 


lished.  The  first-named  member  of  this 
firm,  the  late  Jolin  Shanklin,  on  account  of 
his  probity,  integrity,  and  intelHgence  in  busi- 
ness, drew  about  his  name  a  kistre  which 
time  has  not  yet  dimmed. 

Among  the  impro\emenis  in  the  town 
which  evidenced  the  faith  that  some  had 
in  its  abilit}'  to  withstand  tlie  storm  and  come 
out  safely  in  the  future,  were  the  first 
brick  houses  erected.  The  old  court- 
house still  standing  at  the  southeast 
corner  of  Third  and  Main  streets,  was 
the  first  structure  of  this  kind  erected  in  the 
village.  Various  make-shifts  were  resorted 
to  b\'  the  county  officials  to  meet  the  de- 
mands of  the  contractors.  Lots  in  Donation 
enlargement,  the  notes  of  purchasers  of 
other  lots,  judgments  secured  by  the  county 
against  individuals,  and  other  credits  of  a  like 
nature,  in  the  absence  of  read}-  money,  were 
used  to  keep  up  the  work  on  this  public 
building.  The  bricks  for  its  construction 
were  burned  on  the  northwest  (Quarter  of  the 
public  square,  on  the  site  of  the  court  house 
now  in  use,  the  wood  for  the  purpose  being 
cut  from  the  forests  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 
The  first  brick  residence  was  quite  a  preten- 
tious two-storj-  dwelling  built  by  Nicholas 
Thompson,  on  First  street,  between  Vine 
and  Sycamore.  The  next  brick  house  was 
erected  on  Main  street  just  below  the  cor- 
ner of  First,  by  J.  V.  Robinson,  about  1S25. 
This  building  was  one  of  the  most  preten- 
tious habitations  in  ihe  town  in  its  day,  and 
stood  for  nearly  a  generation.  It  was  after- 
ward occupied  for  several  3-earsby  Mr.  John 
Walsh  as  a  residence,  and  was  finally  torn 
down  by  Judge  M.  W.  Foster,  when  he 
erected  the  storehouses  now  standing  on 
that  corner. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  know  that  in  1824, 
for  the  first  time,  the  assessed  value  of  real 
estate  appears  upon  the  public  records,  as 
follows : 


Original  plan $21,681   00 

Donation    enlargement 2,115   06 

Upper    enlargement 2,690  00 

Lower    enlargement 848  00 

Total $27,334  06 

At  this  time  the  following  persons  were  the 
trustees  of  the  town :  Amos  Clark,  presi- 
dent; Charles  I.  Battell,  Harley  B.  Chan- 
dler, Nathan  Rowley,  and  Josluia  V.  Rob- 
inson. 

Like  a  pall,  hard  times  settled  down  upon 
the  village.  Taxes  were  unpaid  and  the 
collector  was  without  a  remedy.  He  might 
levy  upon  property  and  expose  it  to  sale,  but 
he  found  no  purchasers.  There  was  plenty 
of  produce,  and  the  spectre  Famine  was 
not  in\-ading  the  homes  of  the  poor,  but 
business  was  paralyzed  and  motionless. 
Men  ceased  to  make  efforts  to  enhven  trade, 
their  apparently  sole  aim  being  to  exist  and, 
Micawber-like,  wait  for  something  to  turn 
up.  The  maintenance  of  civil  government 
in  the  village  received  no  thought  or  care. 
From  March  14,  1825,  to  January  28,  1828, 
there  appears  to  have  been  no  meeting  of 
the  town  trustees,  and  E\ansville  almost 
ceased  to  maintain  its  existence  as  a  cor- 
porate body.  There  were  few  accjuisitions 
to  business  circles,  and  some  who  had  estab- 
lished themselves  in  a  period  of  brighter 
hopes,  were  forced  to  retire  and  resort  to 
other  means  of  gaining  a  support. 

It  is  a  pleasure  to  turn  from  this  dark  pic- 
ture and  look  upon  a  can\'as  illumined  with 
brighter  tints.  Congress,  by  legislative  en- 
actments, guaranteed  a  degree  of  protec- 
tion to  home  industries  against  disastrous 
foreign  competition,  and  in  the  larger  cities 
of  the  land,  and  in  the  country  generally, 
the  beneficial  effects  of  the  polic}'  adopted 
were  soon  apparent.  Here,  in  the  immedi- 
ate vicinity  of  Evansville,  about  182S,  steady 
industry  and  economy  had   paid  off  most  of 


BE'rUBX  OF  I'L'OSrEEITY. 


11-^ 


the  individual  debt  of  the  countn-;  the  peo- 
ple   had     accustomed     themselves'    to    hard 
times,  and  bv  the  tireless  work  of  their  own 
hands  brought  back  prosperity.     Tlie  com- 
mencement of  the  national  road  to  the  slate 
capitol,   which    in    1825    had   been    removed 
from    Cor\-don    to    hidianapolis,  turned   the  j 
attention   of    emi<^rrants    towards    the    state:  [ 
the  interior  counties  of  the  state  were  tilling  ; 
with    a   class  of   good    citizens,  progressive : 
and  industrious;  congress  had  made  its  first 
grant  of  lands- to  the  Wabash   &  Erie  canal,  j 
and    the   subject   of    internal    impro\'ements  ■ 
had   begun    to    wield   its   exciting   influence  [ 
upon   the  minds   of   men.     The  great   west, 
with     its     apparently     boundless    stores    of  j 
wealth,     with     the     revival    of     prosperity 
throughout  the  country,  began  to  attract  the  ■ 
capitalist  seeking    profitable   in\-estment  for 
his    means,    as    well    as     the    impoverished 
pioneer   who  came   seeking   a   home   and  a 
lield  for  the  display  of  his  energy  and  native 
shrewdness,  his  onlv  talents. 

On  the  2Sth  of  March,  1828,  a  board  ot 
trustees  was  again  organized,  and  Evansville 
revived.  John  Shanklin,  president,  John 
Conner,  Alanson  Warner,  Jay  Morehouse 
and  William  Lewis,  all  men  of  more  than 
t)rdinary  abilit\-,  whose  names  were  subse- 
quently conspicuous  in  public  affairs  in  the 
town  and  county,  were  chosen  as  trustees. 
The  tax  duplicate  for  that  ^ear  shows 
that  the  assessment  of  taxes  amounted  to 
$107.28  Vi,  a  sum  considerably  less  than  that 
which  appeared  upon  the  duplicate  nine 
years  earlier,  when  the  town  was  more  pop- 
ulous and  flourishing.  But  from  that  time 
onward  the  pulsations  of  new  life  were  felt, 
and  these  grew  in  strength  as  the  rears 
advanced.  l^p  to  this  time  Evanss'ille 
had  not  e\en  boasted  of  a  blacksmith's 
shop,  one  of  the  earliest  conveniences  de- 
manded by  an  agricultural  communitv.  To 
supply    the     demand    for    a    smith}-,  Gen. 


Evans  brought  a  negro,  by  the  name  of 
Worsham,  from  Kentucky,  for  the  purpose 
of  ojierating  his  trade.  In  the  course  of  a 
year  or  two  Jonathan  Fairchild  and  his  sons 
emigrated  from  New  York,  and  established 
a  smithv  in  the  village  of  Mechanicsville, 
wliich  became  quite  an  institution  in  its  da}'. 
For  several  }-ears  all  the  livery  horses  in 
Evansville  were  taken  to  Fairchild's  shop  to 
be  shod.  All  kinds  of  iron  work  was  exe- 
cuted there,  the  smithy  running  live  forges 
a  good  deal  of  the  time. 

Other  mechanical  industries  began  to  be 
represented,  and  the  list  of  merchants  grew 
in  length.  Stocks  carried  were  enlarged  in 
(juantity  and  improved  in  variety  to  satisfy 
the  growing  demands  of  a  diversified  popu- 
lation. Concerning  this  period,  Judge  Will- 
iam F.  Parrett,  in  an  address  delivered  in 
1880,  used  these  words:  "  You  ma}-  readily 
imagine  those  who  were  engaged  in  business 
here  as  merchants  closely  scanning  the  natu- 
ral advantages  of  this  locality.  They  saw, 
200  miles  above  us,  the  falls  of  the 
Ohio,  and  about  the  same  distance  to  the 
northwest  the  old  cit}-  of  St.  Louis,  which 
had  been  established  a  little  more  than  a 
half  century  before  by  a  trader  by  the  name 
of  Laclede,  the  navigable  condition  of  the 
Wabash  river  for  the  greater  part  of  each 
year,  the  elegant  and  almost  continuous  fit- 
ness for  navigation  the  year  round  of  the 
Ohio  river  to  the  Mississippi  river,  and 
thence  to  the  Gulf:  they  saw  Green  river 
and  other  tributaries  aboxe,  and  the  Wabash, 
Cumberland  and  Tennessee  below,  not  only 
supplving  the  Ohio  \\ilh  water,  but  these 
were  themselves  destined,  at  an  early  day, 
to  be  made  to  contribute  largely  to  the  trade 
and  commerce  of  this  city  and  locality. 
They  also  saw  the  feasibilit}-  of  good  roads 
by  the  way  of  Princeton  and  Vincennes  to 
the  prairies  of  Indiana  and  Illinois,  and  also 
by  the  way  of   Petersburgh  to  the  rich  lands 


116 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


bordering  on  the  Patoka  and  White  rivers; 
nor  did  they  forget  that  unsurpassed  and 
almost  unequalled  body  of  land  near  by, 
lying  in  the  counties  of  Spencer,  Warrick, 
Gibson  and  Posey.  These  merchants  were 
soon  joined  by  others,  both  German  and 
American,  of  whom  the  late  Asa  B.  Bement, 
Samuel  Orr  and  others  were  true  types. 
Ships  began  to  run  from  New  York  and 
the  Atlantic  coast  to  New  Orleans,  and  a 
superior  class  of  steamboats  began  to  move 
like  '  things  of  life '  upon  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  rivers;  and  there  are  men  here 
who  well  remember  the  trains  of  large 
wagons  heavily  loaded  going  out  to,  and 
coming  in  from  as  far  out  as,  Rockville, 
Terre  Haute,  Vincennes  and  many  interior 
towns  both  in  Illinois  and  Indiana.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  under  such  men  and 
conditions  all  the  diversifications  of  commer- 
cial business  prospered,  and  the  citizens 
generally  hailed  a  bright  prospect  in  the 
near  future,  and  yet  it  may  well  be  said  of 
these  men  that  the}-  builded  wiser  than  they 
knew." 

In  mentioning  the  period  of  depression  in 
Evansville,  from  1820  to  1828,  it  was  no- 
ticed that  the  change  from  good  to  bad  was 
not  sudden  but  gradual.  So  the  commence- 
ment of  a  better  era  was  not  sharply  marked, 
and  during  the  first  few  years  the  progress 
was  not  easily  discernible.  As  description 
of  the  town  and  its  inhabitants  in  1831,  the 
words  of  Hon.  John  M.  Lockwood,  of  Posey 
count}',  are  here  quoted:  "In  1831  I  located 
there  (in  Evansville),  boarding  with  Robert 
M.  Evans  —  price  of  board  per  week  $1.25. 
His  residence  was  on  his  farm  over  the  canal 
outside  of  the  corporation,  on  the  state  road. 
From  the  Ohio  river  to  Evan's  farm  up 
Main  street  there  were  five  buildings  on  the 
west  side  and  seven  on  the  east  side,  and 
some  other  streets  were  built  in  about  the 
same  proportion.     I   found  the  town  small 


and  dull;  plenty  of  vacant  lots  and  no  sales 
mentioned;  any  number  could  be  had  for 
$20  or  $25;  dog-fennel  and  stumps  in  every 
direction.  *  .  *  *  Of  the  early  inhab- 
itants, the  men  having  families  in  1S31,  were: 
Gen.  Robert  M.  E\ans,  Dr.  William  Trafton, 
John  Mitchell,  Amos  Clark,  Thomas  Johnson, 
Silas  Stephens,  John  M.  Dunham,  Mr. 
Ruark,  Capt.  James  Newman,  Maj.  Alanson 
Warner,  William  McNitt,  William  Lewis, 
Joseph  Hughe\',  Alpheus  Fairchild,  John  W. 
Lilliston,  William  Scates,  Camillus  Evans, 
Edward  Hopkins,  Robert  Barnes,  Alex 
Johnson,  William  Dougherty,  Daniel  Tool, 
Alex  McCallister,  Henry  Greek,  Levi  Price, 
L.  J.  Stinson,  Dr.  Phillips,  James  Lewis, 
Samuel  Mansel,  Abel  Sullivan,  Daniel  Sul- 
livan, Clark  Lewis.  The  unmarried  men  in 
Evansville,  in  1831,  were:  John  Shanklin, 
John  S.  Hopkins,  John  M.  Lockwood,  Will- 
iam Caldwell,  William  Campbell,  John 
Mansel,  Horace  Dunham,  Henry  Carring- 
ton,  George  Thompson,  James  Johnson, 
Joseph  Leonard,  John  Young,  Marcus  Sher- 
wood, Jolin  Newman,  William  T.  T.  Jones, 
James  Johnson,  William  Johnson,  Capt.  Bar- 
ber, Nathan  Rowley,  David  McArthur, 
John  Ross,  George  Leonard,  Richard 
Leonard,  Stephen  Woodrow.  Allowing  six 
for  each  family,  the  population  of  Evansville 
at  that  time  was  about  216.  The  following 
are  the  names  of  farmers  living  in  the  vicinity 
in  1831:  Robert  Parrett,  Emanuel  Hall, 
Charles  Dunk,  John  Duncan,  James  Neal, 
George  W.  Lindsey,  Luke  Wood,  John  B. 
Stinson,  Benoni  Stinson  and  Daniel  Miller." 
The  absence  of  Hugh  McGary's  name 
from  this  list  ma}-  cause  an  inquiry  as  to  the 
whereabouts  at  that  time  of  the  founder  of 
the  village.  Up  to  this  time  he  had 
remained  a  citizen  of  the  village,  engaged 
in  merchandising  and  trading,  and  it  was 
probably  not  earlier  than  1832  that  he  took 
his  final  departure    from    this    place.     This 


JCHF^'-         -tV^-:- 


*SSI*» 


John      Shanklin 


-l.V  EVKXTFl'L  YEAR. 


iia 


man,  whose  energies  were  spent  in  fouiuling 
and  fostering  a  village  which  has  grown   to 
be  one  of  the  largest  and  most    magnificent 
cities  of  a  great  state,  left  the  scene  of  his 
early  struggles  and  triumph  under  a  cloud. 
He  went  away  in  humiliation   and   disgrace, 
—  a  soldier  drummed  out  of  a  camp    which 
he  had  been  most  instrumental  in  erecting. 
About  1832  he  was  charged  before  Esquire 
Jacobs,  of  Scott   township,  with   stealing   a 
horse  from  Mark  Wheeler.      In   those   daws 
a    charge   of    homicide     was     perhaps     less 
disgraceful  than  that  of  horse  stealinsj.       A 
warrant    was    issued   for  his    arrest.     The 
constable,     Samuel      Hooker,    anticipating 
resistance,      look      five     men,    Joshua     \V. 
Stephens,   Silas    Stephens,     Wilson    Short, 
John    C.    Henson  and  Wm.  Linxweiler,  to 
assist  him  in  making  the  arrest,  and  proceed- 
ing   with    this    martial    array   against     tlie 
accused  culprit,  found  him  astride  the  stolen 
horse.     Surrendering    without    a   murmur, 
McGary  returned  with  his  captors,  and  was 
arraigned   at    the    bar    of    justice.     When 
called   upon    to   plead    he    claimed    to  have 
purchased  the    horse    from    a    man    named 
Wasson,  and  this  account  of  the  matter  was 
generally    believed    by    fair-minded    men. 
Wasson  had  run  off  and  could  not  be  found ; 
the  prosecution  was  not   pushed:  the    horse 
was  returned  to  its  rightful  owner,  and  the 
matter  was  dropped  except  by  the  enemies 
of  McGary,   who   with  busy  tongues    kept 
the  evil    story    fresh    in    the    minds    of   the 
people.     For    awhile    he    bore    up   braveh' 
against    all    taunts,  but    his   rough    exterior 
covered  a   tender  heart,  which    bled   under 
the    piercing    blows    of    slander.     He  con- 
tinued apparently  attentive  to   business,  but 
at  times  was  unable  to  conceal   his  discom- 
fort and  chagrin.     At  length  he  went  south, 
ostensibly  on  business,  and   never  returned. 
Concerning    .some   events   of   the    times 
under  consideration  the   followinir  extracts 


are  made  from  the  reminiscences  of  Mr.  Lock- 
wood  :  "  The  most  pernicious  and  deleterious 
events  that  occurred  in  1S32  were  the  cold 
weather,  the  great  flood,  and  the  cholera. 
The  ice  froze  to  the  thickness  of  twenty 
inches  on  the  Ohio.  There  were  no  ther- 
mometers in  the  town,  and  the  degree  of 
coldness  was  not  known,  but  to  sav  that  it 
was  cold,  cold,  bitter  cold,  iiitciisc/v  cold, 
does  not  fully  explain  the  extreme  bitterness 
of  the  winter  weather.  The  average  cit- 
izen, thinly  clad,  suffered  intensely;  heavy 
cloaks  and  wraps  were  not  the  fashion; 
frosted  feet,  ears,  and  even  noses  caused 
much  complaint.  Dr.  WiUiam  Trafton  crossed 
over  on  the  ice  and  married  his  second  wife, 
a  Miss  Butler,  whose  father  was  then  living 
some  distance  above  town.  She  was  among 
the  first  of  the  Kentucky  girls  brought  over 
on  the  ice. 

"  Finally  spring  weather  came  with  a  lush ; 
the  rain  poured  down  in  torrents;  the  snow 
and  ice  melted;  the  Ohio  rose  and  over- 
flowed her  banks,  and  Evansville  lacked  but 
about  six  inches  of  being  on  an  island.  The 
surging  waters  backed  up  Pigeon  creek, 
rushed  over  the  banks  and  up  a  deep  ravine 
from  the  mouth  of  Pigeon  and  up  northeast 
through  the  woods  to  the  west  side  of  Evans' 
farm,  advancing  until  it  was  checked  by  a 
small  ridge  of  land  in  the  east  part  above 
town,  lacking  about  six  inches  of  connecting 
with  water  that  came  down  through  a  ravine 
from  the  river  near  the  Parrett  and  Lindsev 
farms,  southeast  of  town.  This  great  flood 
caused  immense  destruction  of  stock  and 
property.  Several  farmers  living  opposite 
and  above  town  moved  over  to  escape  being 
drowned.  Houses,  barns,  fences,  and  dead 
animals  floated  down.  A  steamboat  passed 
up  through  the  cut-off  above  town  (the 
Green  river  bayou)  on  the  Indiana  side,  all 
in  plain  \ie\\  of  a  number  of  citizens  on  the 
river  bank. 


im 


THE  crrV  OF  EVAXaVILLE. 


'•  The  beautiful  Oliio  river  had  no  sand-bars 
visible  at  any  season"  of  the  year.  Its  deli- 
cious water  was  drawn  up  and  stored  in 
whiskey  barrels  at  most  of  the  dwelling 
houses  and  cabins  in  town.  The  probable 
cause  of  the  cholera  in  September,  1S32, 
that  proved  so  fatal,  may  be  charged  to  the 
dailv  use  for  drinking  and  culinary  purposes 
of  water  standing  in  whiskey  barrels.  About 
twent\'-five  or  thirty  died,  which  was  a  large 
fatality  considering  the  population,  which 
was  only  about  225.  This  great,  calamity 
had  a  depressing  tendency  —  so  much  so  that 
no  sales  of  real  estate  were  reported,  exx'ept 
lot  number  60,  old  plan,  for  $200. 

"The  United  States  mail  arrived  once  each 
week  from  Vincennes  in  a  small  two-horse 
stage,  or  on  horseback  when  the  roads  were 
bad.  Coal  and  cook-stoves  were  unheard  of. 
Cooking  on  the  liearth  by  the  fire-place  was 
the  order  of  the  day,  using  "Dutch  ovens,'" 
skillets  and  lids,  frying  pans,  etc.  Not  a 
newspaper  was  published  nearer  than  Vin- 
cennes. Steamboats  seldom  passed  or  stopped. 
Once  in  a  while  a  high  pressure  pU'ing  be- 
tween Cincinnati  and  New  Orleans  passed 
up  or  down. 

"In  1833  times  began  to  improve.  A  slight 
advance  was  made  in  the  price  of  lots,  but 
few  sales  were  reported.  A  small  increase 
was  also  made  in  population.  Dr.  Lane,  Dr. 
A.  P.  Hutchinson  and  a  few  others  came  in. 
In  the  month  of  November  in  this  year,  on 
the  morning  of  the  13th,  before  da\-light,  the 
citizens  were  aroused  to  see  the  rain  of  me- 
teors that  were  falling  thick  as  hail.  It 
looked  as  if  the  stars  had  all  broken  loose 
and  were  descending  to  the  earth.  The 
sight  was  sublime." 

From  1831  to  1835  quite  a  number  of 
deaths  were  reported  in  the  village  and  vi- 
cinity from  a  disease  called  milk-sickness. 
There  were  shaking  ague,  chills  and  fever, 
but  no  disease  called  "  snakes  in  the  boots '" 


was  heard  of  at  that  time.  Evidences  of 
prosperit\'  became  clearly  visible  in  1834.  ^" 
the  spring  of  that  year  William  Town  settled 
in  the  village  and  immediately  made  known 
his  purpose  of  establishing  a  newspaper, 
which  was  accepted  as  joyful  news  b)'  the 
citizens  of  the  place.  His  means  were  lim- 
ited, and  while  teaching  school,  he  set  up  a 
printing  press  in  the  old  Mansel  House,  a 
frame  on  Main  street,  and  commenced  the 
publication  of  the  £!i'aiisz'ille  'foiinuil.  In 
the  same  year  upon  the  establishment  of  the 
first  state  bank,  Evansville  was  designated 
as  a  point  for  the  organization  of  one  of  its 
branches.  These  two  institutions  gave  the 
town  a  metropolitan  air  and  attracted  toward 
it  the  favorable  notice  of  other  communities. 
The  bank  especially,  by  enlarging  the  finan- 
cial facilities  of  the  town  gave  an  impetus  to 
all  departments  of  business.  New  energv 
and  high  hopes  for  the  future  sprang  up  in 
the  village  and  encouraged  the  citizens  to 
more  than  ordinar}^  effort.  The  news  that 
Evansville  was  of  suflicient  importance  to 
ha\e  a  branch  of  the  state  bank  and  a  ne\vs- 
paper,  went  abroad,  and  immigration  was 
measurably  increased.  A  steady  demand 
for  real  estate  grew  up,  and  improvement 
and  development  were  obser\able  on  all 
sides. 

About  this  time  the  spirit  of  progress 
was  thoroughly  aroused  throughout  the 
state.  It  clamored  for  the  development  of 
Indiana's  natural  resources.  The  construc- 
tion of  railroads  and  canals  became  the  all- 
absorbing  theme,  not  only  among  legislators 
but  also  among  the  people,  who,  acting 
under  the  frenzy  of  excitement,  asked  for 
legislation  authorizing  a  gigantic  scheme  of 
internal  improvements  far  beyond  the  actual 
needs  of  the  country  and  impossible  of 
realization.  In  1835-6  a  bill  providing  for  a 
general  system  of  improvements  throughout 
the  state  became  a  law.     It  might  have  been 


WABASH  d-  ERIE  CAXAL. 


121 


salutary  and  beneficial  if  prudence  and  com- 
mon sense  had  confined  it  to  proper  limits, 
but  instead  of  this  it  brou"-ht  sufferint;  to 
the  state's  character  and  resources,  and  in 
the  general  crash  that  followed  destro\ed 
many  pri\ate  fortunes.  The  completion  of 
the  \arious  works  authorized  would  have 
cost  thirt\'  millions  of  dollars,  and  in  the 
expenditure  of  this  vast  sum  many 
individuals  hoped  for,  and  expected,  large 
personal  benefits  of  a  legitimate  character. 
The  citizens  of  Evansville  were  to  be 
favored  with  a  railroad,  but  their  brightest 
hopes  were  based  upon  the  construction  of 
the  Wabash  &  Erie  canal,  for  which  liberal 
provisions  had  been  made  in  the  bill  This 
great  thoroughfare,  commencing  at  Toledo, 
Ohio,  was  to  strike  the  head  waters  of  the 
Wabash  river  and,  following  the  fertile 
valleys  of  that  and  White  ri\er,  was  to  ter- 
minate on  the  Ohio  at  Evansville.  The 
Central  canal  was  to  form  a  part  of  the 
same  great  system,  pouring  the  surplus 
wealth  of  a  large  territory  into  the  world's 
markets  through  the  town  of  Evansville. 
This  canal  was  intended  to  pass  from 
Muncie-town  through  Indianapolis  to  Point 
Commerce,  on  White  river,  where  it  would 
be  united  to  the  Wabash  &  Erie  canal. 
Thus  Evansville  was  to  be  placed  in  the 
most  favorable  position  that  could  then  be 
conceived  of  for  a  commercial  center,  com- 
manding the  outlet  of  two  of  the  richest  and 
most  productive  valleys  on  the  hemisphere. 
An  incident  illustrating  the  customs  of  the 
times  occurred  in  connection  with  the  loca- 
tion of  the  southern  terminus  of  the  proposed 
canal,  in  the  summer  before  the  passage  of 
the  bill.  The  construction  of  its  northern 
portion,  based  on  the  land  grants  of  1827, 
by  the  general  government,  was  authorized 
by  the  legislature  in  1 830-1,  and  during  the 
following  year  its  actual  construction  with 
pick  and  shoxel  was  commenced.     The  great 


e\ent  in  1833  in  Evans\'ille  was  the  establish- 
ment here  of  the  southern   terminus  of  the 
thoroughfare.       What    was    known    as    the 
canal  dinner  was  one  of  the  most  interesting 
events  of   the   important    occasion.     Strong 
drinks  were  freely  indulged  in,  as  was, cus- 
tomary at    that    time,  and    as    a    result,  so 
remarkable   was  the  occasion,  nearly  everv 
man  in  town,  it  has  been  asserted,  was  reel- 
:  ing,    staggering,    whooping    drunk     in    the 
i  streets.     The  senators,  representatives,  and 
'  other  in\ited  guests,  with  reckless  abandon, 
j  gave  themselves  up  to  the  most  unbecoming 
'  indulgences.     The  event  exceeded  anv  dem- 
onstration of  popular  joy  that  up  to  that  time 
had  been  witnessed  in  the  town.     When  the 
[  internal  improvement  bill  had  become  a  law, 
I  business  received  an  impetus  such  as  it  had 
never  known  before.     The  vast  plan  of  pub- 
lic w'ork  attracted  the  attention  of  the  adven- 
turous spirit  of  the  east,  and  immigrants  from 
bevond   the    seas.      A   tide   of   immigration 
swept  into  the  state  such  as  always  follows 
the   announcement  of  facts   that    appeal   to 
man's  cupidity.     The   public   lands  of  Van- 
derburgh county  had  for  a  few  years  been 
passing   into    the    possession   of  mdustrious 
!  and  frugal  settlers  from  Germany  and  other 
j  parts  of  the  old  world.     About  this  time  the 
!  influx  of    settlers    was    at    its  height.     The 
town   of  Evansville   was  rapidly  growing  in 
size    and  commercial  importance.     The   im- 
mediate   and    large    success    of    the    place 
seemed  assured. 

But  within  a  year  the  gigantic  scheme  of 
development  began  to  crumble  and  fall. 
Some  capitalists  in  the  east  had  purchased 
the  state  bonds  on  terms  that  placed  but 
little  money  in  the  hands  of  the  authorities 
for  immediate  use.  It  became  evident  at 
once  that  the  times  were  not  ripe  for  the 
progressive  steps  that  had  been  contemp- 
lated and  authorized  by  legislative  enact- 
ments.    The   state's   credit  failed,  and    this 


122 


THE  CITY  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


occurred  fortunately  before  the  immense 
debt  at  first  intended  to  be  incurred  was 
fastened  on  the  people.  However,  even 
when  it  was  evident  that  the  work  could  not 
be  carried  to  completion,  vast  sums  of 
money  were  expended  in  pushing  forward 
the  plan,  the  indecision  of  the  public  officials 
permitting  a  great  waste  of  monev.  Rail- 
roads in  various  parts  of  the  stale  were  left 
in  an  incomplete  condition  and  were  soon 
abandoned  altogether.  The  system  of  ca- 
nals terminating  at  Evansville  formed  a  part 
of  this  extensive  and  ill-advised  plan  of  im- 
provement. As  soon  as  practicable  ground 
was  broken  at  this  end  of  the  gi-eat  highway, 
and  the  work  was  pushed  forward  sufli- 
ciently  to  provide  an  excellent  skating  place 
for  the  bovs  of  the  town  in  the  winter  of 
1S37,  but  no  better  results  were  achieved 
before  the  '-state  s\stem"'  broke  down. 
With  aggressive  zeal,  commendable  and 
characteristic  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of 
that  day,  in  order  to  be  readv  for  business 
as  soon  as  the  canal  was  opened,  a  passenger 
boat,  of  good  appearance,  substantial  and 
commodious,  was  built,  named  in  honor  of 
that  manlv  pioneer,  Nathan  Rowlev, 
launched  upon  the  waters  and  there  allowed 
to  float  until  she  became  a  useless,  rotten 
hulk.  At  this  time,  when  the  system  had 
collapsed,  the  state  in  general  and  this  city 
were  in  a  far  worse  condition  than  they 
could  possibly  ha\e  been  had  the  work  com- 
menced never  been  thought  of.  All  hope 
of  improvement  from  this  source  was  aban- 
doned. The  rapid  filling  of  the  country 
with  industrious  people  was  supporting  the 
growth  of  the  town,  independently  of  the 
canal.  A  large  surplus  of  produce  was  an- 
nually brought  to  Evansville  for  shipment. 
Steamers  began  to  pl\'  regularly  between 
Pittsburg  and  St.  Louis,  or  Cincinnati  and 
New  Orleans,  and  Evansville  was  the  ship- 
ping point  for  a  large  area  of  fertile  country-. 


Not  content  with  using  the  boats  that  were 
brought  here  from  other  docks  the  same  en- 
terprising spirit  that  was  visible  in  other 
branches  of  business  led  to  the  construction 
of  a  steamer  here.  An  account  of  the  build- 
ing of  the  first  boat  in  the  town  of  Evans- 
ville has  been  given  to  the  public  by  Dr. 
Floyd  Stinson,  and  is  here  quoted:  -'The 
Otsego  was  probably  built  in  1S34. 

"  The  hull  of  the  steamer  was  built  on  the 
bank  of  the   Ohio  river,  near  the   mouth   of 

,  Pigeon  creek.  The  lumber  used  in  building 
its  hull  was  principally  procured  in  the  woods 
within  600  yards  of  the  site  of  building,  and 

j  was  hewed  and  sawed  out  by  hand.  She 
was  built  by  Joseph  Lane,  Frederick  E. 
Goodsell,  and  John  M.  Ham  jointly.  Mr. 
Sampson  was  the  boss  ship  carpenter,  and 
Joseph  Lane,  F.  E.  Goodsell,  John  M.  Ham, 
W.   Kirby   Ham,  John    M.  Stinson,   W.    H. 

j  Stinson,  Thomas  J.  Stinson,  James  McCorkle 
and  others  \vere  carpenters  who  assisted  in 
the  building.  When  the  hull  was  finished  it 
was  launched  into  Pigeon  creek.  Thomas 
Scantlin  says  that  he  was  at  the  launching, 
and  saw  the  bottle  of  wine  broken  on  the 
hull  as  she  went  down,  that  being  the  cus- 
tom on  such  occasions  in  those  da\'s. 

"  The  boilers  and  engine  of  the  O/scgv 
were  otit  of  the  steamer  Dchn.:arc  which 
had  l)een  wrecked  on  the  ScufTietown  bar. 
They  were  used  in  a  saw-mill  in  Evansville 
prior  to  being  put  into  the  Ohcgo.  There 
were  three  boilers  each  twenty-four  inches 
in  diameter,  single  fiued,  sixteen  feet  long. 
The  engine  had  three  feet  stroke.  The 
wheels  were  fourteen  feet  in  diameter. 
When  she  was   finished  she  was  named   Ol- 

I  scgo  for  the  town  of  Otsego,  New  York, 
Mr.  Goodsell's  native  town.  Her  officers 
and  crew  were  as  follows:  Captain,  Joseph 
Lane  for  a  time,  and  John  M.  Ham  perma- 
nenth:  clerk,  William   Lockhart;  engineers, 

James  Brown  and  Dow  Talbott:  pilots,  Sam- 


I 


A  FROtiFEROUS  ERA. 


12.3 


iiel  Lun  and  James  Terry:  carpenter,  Wm. 
H.  Stinson. 

"  Her  trial  trip  was  up  to  Joseph  Lane's 
iandin<j^  and  back.  In  a  short  time  after- 
ward slie  was  run  to  Henderson  on  an  ex- 
cursion trip.  Among  the  passengers 
on  board  were  Miss  Mary  McNitt, 
(afterward  Mrs.  James  Steele),  Miss 
Amanda  Miller  (^afterward  Mrs.  Gro\'es), 
Thomas  Scantlin  and  Thomas  J.  Stinson. 
The  boat  was  put  into  the  trade  from 
Louisville  to  St.  Louis,  making  the  round 
trip  in  a  week.  She  was  running  in  this 
trade  in  1S36.  Some  persons  sa}'  that  she 
was  run  up  the  Wabash  but  her  power  was 
suc'.i  that  she  had  to  be  cordelled  over 
the  rapids.  She  was  bought  by  Capt. 
Crochan  and  put  in  the  Yazoo  river  trade, 
\'icksburg  being  her  objective  point.  The 
next  we  hear  of  her,  is  that  she  was  tied  up 
at  St.  Louis  for  debt.  From  there  she  was 
'  sneaked  out  '  and  run  to  Evansville 
where  she  was  again  tied  up  for  debt.  She 
lav  at  this  place  for  some  months,  part  of 
the  time  sunk  upon  the  sand-bar  just  above 
the  cit}-.  She  was  raised  and  again  sold. 
Mr.  Henry  B.  Oldham  says  that  she  was,  in 
the  3'ear  1S39,  run  up  the  Waba.sh  river, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Alf.  Bellwood,  and 
at  that  Point  Coupee  or  Nine  Points,  she 
struck  a  snag,  sunk  and  was  wrecked." 

Witli  the  departure  of  the  prosperous 
times  of  1834-36  this  enterprise,  like  many 
others  of  less  magnitude,  was  entirely 
checked.  However,  in  later  years  boat 
building  and  repairing  assumed  some 
prominence.  Some  of  the  boats  built  here 
compared  fa\orably  in  material  and  work- 
manship with  an}'  boats  of  like  dimensions 
built  on  the  western  waters. 

Before  passing  from  this  fortunate  era, 
whose  general  prosperity  w;fs  e\idenced  by 
the  fact  that  in  1834,  of  the  net  revenue  of 
the    state  — ■  $45,945 /(".<.<    I/kiii    one  per 


rent,  was  unpaid  at  the  treasury  when  it 
became  due,  to  that  which  followed  the 
financial  crisis  of  1837,  of  national  propor- 
tions. Some  reminiscences  illustrating 
the  condition  of  the  town  and  the  char- 
acteristics of  its  people  at  that  time,  con- 
tributed in  1 88 1  by  William  Brown  Butler, 
a  distintfuished  citizen  of  early  times,  who 
represented  the  county  in  the  state  legisla- 
ture and  occupied  other  places  of  trust  and 
honor  in  the  community,  are  here    inserted: 

"In  the  autumn  of  1835  I  left  New  York 
to  visit  different  places  in  Indiana  on  the 
Ohio  river  with  a  view  of  locatin<j  and  doinsr 
a  wholesale  or  jobbing  dry  goods  business. 
After  visiting  Madison  and  New  Albany,  I 
arrived  in  Evansville  in  November,  and  re- 
mained until  the  last  of  December.  I  was 
most  favorably  impressed  after  my  lirst  visit 
there,  and  became  satisfied  that  Evansville 
at  no  distant  period  must  become  a  business 
place  of  note,  with  no  rival  in  the  state  on 
the  Ohio  river  below  New  Albany.  It  be- 
ing the  natural  landing  point  on  the  river  of 
the  great  Wabash  region,  must  make  it  a 
prominent  business  place  independent  of  the 
advantages  which  would  accrue  to  it  in  con- 
sequence of  being  the  terminus  of  the  grand 
artery  of  the  internal  improvement  system. 

"My  great  trouble,  after  deciding  to  lo- 
cate in  Evansville,  was  to  secure  a  suitable 
store.  The  onlv  one  \acant  that  would  an- 
swer my  purpose  was  on  the  northwest 
corner  of  Main  and  Water  streets  belonging 
to  the  Messrs.  Lewis.  I  had  much  ditliculty 
in  getting  a  lease  of  it.  Mr.  James  Lewis' 
course  in  the  matter  grew  out  of  the  impres- 
sion that  I  did  not  mean  business.  When  I 
proposed  good  security,  Horace  Dunham 
was  instructed  to  write  out  a  lease  at  once. 
As  soon  as  it  became  known  what  my  object 
in  coming  to  Evansville  was,  I  was  most 
kindly  received  bv  all  and  prompth'  furnished 
with    desired    information    and    proffers    of 


l^i 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


assistance  in  getting  established.  First  among 
the  citizens  of  Evansville  who  paid  me  par- 
ticular attention  was  the  late  Hon.  James 
Lockhart.  For  several  of  my  first  days 
there  he  was  much  with  me,  inducing  me  to 
believe  I  had  made  a  favorable  impression 
on  him.  When  the  fact  leaked  out  I  ascer- 
tained that  I  was  indebted  for  his  kindness 
to  a  rather  singular  mistake  on  his  part.  He 
mistook  me  for  a  Mr.  Barlow,  an  absconding 
cashier  of  the  Commercial  Bank  in  Albany, 
N.  Y.,  for  whose  arrest  a  reward  of  $3,000 
was  offered. 

"  I  found  Evansville  without  a  schoolmaster 
and  no  settled  minister.  Fathers  Wheeler 
and  Parrett,  and  the  Rev.  Benoni  Stinson 
preached  occasionally,  I  was  told.  The  first 
religious  service  I  attended  there  was  when 
Bishop  Kemper  preached  in  the  little  school- 
house  on  the  public  square.  Tlie  mud  was 
terrible.  Mr.  A.  B.  Carpenter,  who  had  at- 
tended the  morning  service,  proffered  with 
his  lantern  to  pilot  all  who  wanted  to  attend 
in  the  evening.  Quite  a  number  accepted. 
On  our  arrival  at  the  school-house  the  con- 
dition of  our  pants  and  boots  was  lament- 
able. I  said  to  a  young  stranger,  one  of  the 
party,  'Mr.  Carpenter  is  a  first  rate  pilot,  is 
he  not  ?  '  'First  rate,"  he  responded.  'He 
struck  the  channel  all  the  way.' 

"The  seating  accommodations  of  the 
school-house  were  simply  loose  boards  on 
blocks  of  wood.  It  had  a  fire-place,  however, 
which  neither  the  court-house  nor  the  church 
had.  The  old  Presbyterian  church  on  Sec- 
ond street,  between  Main  and  J^ocust  streets, 
was  the  only  church  in  Evansville  at  the 
time,  and  it  was  in  an  unfinished  condition. 
Bishop  Kemper's  visit  suggested  the  pro- 
priety of  making  the  church  more  comfort- 
able. On  mentioning  the  subject  to  Gen. 
Evans,  he  approved  of  it,  and  proffered  to 
contribute  as  much  toward  it  as  I  would,  and 
said  that  his  son  would  do  the  same.     I  at 


once  wrote  a  brief  heading  to  a  sheet  of 
foolscap,  stating  the  object  desired,  and  my 
subscription  to  the  fund.  Gen.  Evans'  and 
his  son's  names  followed,  with  others  who 
were  present.  In  two  or  three  days  an 
amount  sufficient  was  subscribed  to  procure 
comfortable  benches  with  backs,  in  place  of 
boards  on  blocks,  for  the  audience,  and  a 
plain,  respectable  looking  pulpit  in  place  of 
the  dry  goods  box  with  John  Shanklin  &  Co. 
on  it  in  bold  letters  facing  the  audience.  On 
my  way  to  the  east  a  few  days  afterward,  I 
purchased  in  Cincinnati  a  large  stove  with 
pipe  for  the  church,  which  arrived  and  was 
put  in  its  place  the  following  week,  when  the 
carpenters  had  completed  their  part  of  the 
improvements. 

"The  court-house  was  in  a  more  unfin- 
ished state  than  the  church.  The  floor  was 
brick  paved.  There  were  wooden  shutters, 
but  no  sash  or  glass  in  the  windows.  It  was 
all  open  to  the  roof.  Nothing  had  been 
done  toward  finishing  or  flooring  the  second 
stor}^  Benches  with  backs,  for  the  jurors,  one 
large  and  one  small  plain  table  for  the  use  of 
the  clerks,  lawvers  and  court,  with  sundry 
spHt-bottom  chairs,  comprised  the  furniture 
of  the  room. 

"  The  jail,  to  me,  was  a  great  curiosity,  the 
first  and  only  one  I  ever  saw  built  of  logs. 
While  Mr.  William  H.  Walker  was  sheriff, 
a  notorious  Texas  counterfeiter  was  arrested 
and  lodged  in  the  strong  room  of  the  jail,  to 
await  the  sitting  of  the  court.  To  insure 
his  forthcoming  when  wanted,  Mr.  James  T. 
Walker,  supported  with  a  well  charged 
double-barrelled  shot-gun,  slept  in  the  room 
over  the  prisoner.  All  went  well  for  awhile, 
until  one  night,  after  locking  the  outside 
door  and  proceeding  to  his  room,  Mr. 
Walker  found  himself  confronted  by  his 
prisoner,  shot-gun  in  hand,  calling  on  him  to 
quietly  surrender  the  fort,  which  he,  know- 
ing  the   desperate  character  of  the  culprit, 


THE  TOWN  IN  ism. 


Ho 


did  without  ;i  murmur.  Mr.  Walker  soon 
found  himself  the  prisoner,  and  the  man  en 
route  for  Texas,  taking  the  gun,  and,  I  be- 
lieve, tlie  ke\'  of  the  jail  with  him.  It  re- 
quired some  nerve  to  occupy  lodgings  over 
so  desperate  a  scoundrel." 

Mr.  Boyd  Bullock,  a  well-known  old-time 
resident  of  the  city  gives  this  general  des- 
cription of  the  town  as  it  appeared  in 
1836,  showing  but  little  improvement  in 
its  appearance  in  sixteen  years:  "My 
first  sight  of  Evansville,  was  in  1836. 
There  was  a  ragged  bluff  bank  prob- 
abl\-  fort}-  feet  high,  with  a  winding 
track  along  the  river  front  wide  enough 
for  two  carts  or  drays  to  pass.  There  were 
but  two  persons  in  the  village  who  followed 
the  business  of  draying.  On  reaching  the 
top  of  the  bank  I  found  a  few  scattering 
buildings,  most  of  Which  were  small  frames. 
There  were  two  hotels,  or  taverns,  as  they 
were  called  in  those  davs,  one  an  old  frame 
building  kept  by  Mr.  Thomas  Johnson,  and 
the  other  a  two-story  brick  kept  Maj.  Alan- 
son  Warner.  The  latter  was  a  pretentious 
edifice,  in  fact,  extra  fine  for  those  days. 
There  were  about  fifteen  buildings  of  all 
kinds  on  Water  street,  log  and  frame  for  the 
most  part,  with  two  or  three  of  brick.  On 
First  street  there  were  more  houses  than  on 
any  other  thoroughfare  —  twenty-six  in 
number.  Main  street  at  that  time  was  ver}^ 
poorly  built  up.  On  the  upper  corner  of 
Main  and  Water  streets  was  John  Mitchell's 
store  and  residence.  On  the  opposite  corner 
was  an  old  establishment  belonsrinir  to  the 
Lewis  Brothers,  with  the  old  warehouse  in 
tlie  rear,  in  which  was  held  the  first  court. 
In  this  building  the  fashionable  balls  were 
held,  it  being  the  onh'  suitable  place  for  a 
pastime  of  that  character.  Here  apple- 
toddy  was  wont  to  be  served  to  the  company 
in  an  indescribable  style,  with  gingerbread 
as  an  accompaniment.     Across  Main  street 


was  another  old  warehouse  belonging  to  Mr. 
Mitchell.  In  the  rear  of  his  store  on  the  cor- 
ner, stood  the  Kazar  House.  On  the  west 
side  of  Main  street  was  an  old  frame,  whereW. 
&  C.  Bell  afterward  kept  a  drug  store.  Next 
came  Sherwood  &  Rowley's  two-story  brick 
store,  which  was  torn  down  when  the  Mer- 
chants' National  Bank  building  \\'as  erected. 
Opposite  this  on  the  corner  of  Main  and 
First  stood  an  old  log  cabin  and  another  loff 
house  next  to  the  alley,  opposite  which  stood 
Mr.  Samuel  Mansel's  dwelling  house  weath- 

'  erboarded  with  clapboards,  .\bove  Second 
street  on  the  lower  side  of  Main  were  two 

I  or  three  small  frames,  in  one  of  which  Mr. 
James  Scantlin,  Sr.,  kept  a  tin  shop.  There 
was  nothing  on  the  other  side.  The  old 
court-house  stood  on  the  corner  of  Main  and 

I  Third  streets.  Court  was  held  up  stairs, 
while  hogs  and  sheep  contended  for  posses- 
sion below.      Across  the  public  square  was 

I  a  small  brick  school-house.  Where  the 
court-house  now  stands  there  was  what 
seemed  to  be  an  old  brick  pond  from  which 
I  often  gave  my  cow  water.  The  other  cor- 
ner of  the  square  contained  the  old  jail, 
which  stood  a  little  off  the  street.  Farther 
out  above  Fourth  street,  stood  Mr.  Varner 
Satterlee's  frame  residence,  and  across  the 
street  Mr.  Henson's  brick.  At  that  time 
there  were  ponds,  sloughs,  gullies,  and 
places  for  back-water,  running  nearly  from 
Main  street  to  the  river  and  Pigeon  creek, 
near  its  mouth.  There  was  an  old 
graveyard  between  Third  and  Fourth 
streets,  two  blocks  below  Main,  and  when 
there  was  a  funeral,  which  occasionally  took 
place,  it  was  no  light  task  to  cut  the  way 
into  it,  such  a  thicket  of  brushwood  and 
briers  covered  the  ground." 

In  1837  the  real  estate  and  personal 
property  in  Evansville  was  valued  at 
^863,675,  and  the  taxes  assessed  reached 
the   sum    of    $3,266.06 ;/.     The    following 


IVl 


THE  Cirr  OF  EVANSVtLLE. 


citizens,  all  prominent  men  of  that  day  and 
of  later  years,  formed  the  board  of  trustees 
and  filled  the  town  offices:  Robert  M. 
Evans,  president;  James  Lockhart,  Wm. 
Walker,  Edward  Hopkins,  Abraham  B. 
Coleman,  John  Douglass,  Thomas  F. 
Stockwell  and  Francis  Amory,  trustees; 
Joseph  Bowles,  clerk ;  James  Cawson,  treas- 
urer; John  S.  Hopkins,  collector ;  and  Amos 
Clark,  attorney. 

In  this  year  the  march  of  Evansville's 
progress  and  prosperity  was  checked  and 
the  extravagant  hopes  of  her  people  were 
dashed  to  the  ground.  The  financial  crisis 
of  1837  is  a  part  of  the  country's  history. 
The  banks  suspended  specie  payments,  real 
estate  everywhere  declined  in  value,  and 
distress  prevailed  in  all  parts  of  the  countr}'. 
Evansville,  instead  of  enjo3ing  any  immunity 
from  the  general  calamity,  received  a 
greater  blow,  perhaps,  than  towns  in  other 
states,  because  of  the  downfall  of  the 
internal  improvement  system.  The  period 
from  1838  to  1844  was  indeed  gloomy; 
much  property  in  the  town  passed  into  the 
hands  of  eastern  creditors,  in  payment  of 
the  indebtedness  of  merchants  and  specula- 
tors, and  for  several  years  possessed  verj' 
little  market  value;  many  were  forced  out 
of  business  and  a  considerable  number  left 
the  town  for  other  and  better  fields.  The 
town  decreased  in  population,  wealth  and 
commercial  importance.  For  a  time  some 
struggled  against  the  calamity  and  hoped 
for  a  betterment  of  condition.s,  but  at  length, 
with  courage  and  patience  exhausted,  went 
into  bankruptcy  or  turned  over  their  posses- 
sions to  creditors  and  migrated  elsewhere  to 
start  anew.  Amongf  these  was  Amos 
Clark,  Esq.,  a  lawyer  of  early  times,  who 
maintained  a  high  position  at  the  bar  and 
before  the  people.  Col.  Dobyns,  of 
Tennessee,  married  Clarissa,  daughter  of 
Hugh  McGary,  and  thus  became   possessed 


of  certain  property  interests  in  and 
about  Evansville,  which  were  entrusted  to 
the  management  of  Mr.  Clark.  The  condi- 
tion of  the  times  preceding  and  following 
the  financial  panic  of  1837,  is  well  shown  by 
the  personal  letters  which  passed  between 
these  gentlemen  at  that  time,  from  which 
some  extracts  are  here  made. 

Mr.  Clark  wrote  to  Col.  Dobyns 
January  20,    1S37,  as  follows: 

"■Dear  Sir: — I  have  been  applied  to  re- 
peatedly for  leases  upon  the  land  adjoining 
town,  but  have  not  yet  given  any,  and  think 
it  best  not  to  offer  the  land  for  sale.  The 
favorable  terniination  of  the  canal  renders 
the  land  extremely  valuable.  I  have  no 
doubt  but  if  it  were  laid  out  in  lots  it  might, 
a  considerable  portion  of  it,  sell  from  one  to 
two  thousand  dollars  per  acre.  The  canal 
terminates  in  a  large  basin  at  the  end  of  the 
street  which  leads  out  from  the  public  square, 
and  by  opening  a  street  to  the  Princeton 
road  following  the  course  of  the  street  which 
divides  the  Lower  enlargement  from  the 
original  plat,  will  render  this  land  of  incalcu- 
able  value.  Laughlin  has  done  nothing 
concerningr  the  six  acres  on  which  the  old 
Steam  mill  stood.  That  piece  is  now  worth 
not  less  than  twenty  thousand  dollars.  *  *  * 
Our  railroad,  I  have  no  doubt,  will  be  com- 
menced this  year.  The  canal  on  this  end 
of  the  line  is  under  contract  and  the  work 
is  progressing." 

Soon  afterward  conditions  changed.  On 
February  21,  1838,  Mr.  Clark  wrote  thus: 
"As  to  money,  there  is  none  in  mv  hands  or 
anj'body's  else  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
It  is  an  article  now  more  difficult  to  obtain 
than  I  ever  knew  it."  He  proceeded  to  tell  of 
failures,  assignments,  the  taking  of  mortgages 
and  judgments  to  secure  claims,  and  pictured 
the  greatest  financial  distress.  Again,  June 
6,  1838,  he  said:  "As  to  getting  money  out 
of  Walker,  it  is   out  of  the  question  at  pres- 


FINANCIAL  DISASTERS. 


121 


ent.  *  *  *  It  is  impossible  now  to 
collect  money  except  by  suing,  and  under 
existing  circumstances  1  would  hardly  ad- 
vise that  course."  More  than  two  years 
later,  on  Jul}'  2d,  1840,  he  wrote,  "I  tried 
everv  means  in  m}'  power  to  raise  some 
cash  for  you,  but  it  was  out  of  the  question. 
In  fact  there  is  no  cash  here.  Town  is  dead 
and  his  estate  is  not  settled.  Goodsell  is 
doing  all  he  can,  and  will  get  through. 
Walker  is  worth  money,  but  has  got  none, 
and  says  this  week  he  expects  to  be  pro- 
tested in  bank.  As  to  myself  I  shall  recover 
judgments  next  term  against  some  of  the 
best  men  in  the  place  sufficient  to  pav  all  I 
owe,  and  am  determined  to  close  my  busi- 
ness as  soon  as  the  law  will  let  me,  so  there 
is  no  use  suing  me."  With  an  account  of 
foreclosures,  ejectments,  etc.,  he  portra\  ed 
greater  distress  than  prevailed  two  and  a 
half  years  earlier.  The  following  letter  is 
presented  in  full: 

"EvANsviLLE,  4th  March,  1840. 
"/?rr/;-  Sir: — I  have  not  heard  from  you 
this  winter,  except  Mr.  Goodsell  told  me  on 
my  return  from  Harrisburgh,  where  I  at- 
tended as  a  delegate  to  the  National  conven- 
tion, that  he  had  received  a  letter  from  you. 
It  will  be  advisable  for  you  to  be  here  at  our 
court,  b}'  all  means.  The  New  Yorkers 
have  brought  their  suit  now  for  the  land  in 
an  action  of  ejectment,  of  which  I  am  this 
moment  apprised,  and  it  renders  it  still  more 
necessary  for  you  to  be  here.  I  have  an- 
other reason  why  I  want  yi^u  to  come.  I 
have  a  good  little  steamboat  exactly  calcu- 
lated for  your  trade  which  I  want  to  sell 
you.  She  sold  last  summer  at  $3,500.00, 
and  an  additional  $500.00  was  laid  out  on 
her.  I  will  let  you  take  her  at  a  fair  price 
and  take  claims  here  and  property  for  her. 
By  this  means  you  will  get  your  pa\-  and 
have  it  under  j-our  control.  She  is  a  sound, 
good  boat  and  will  carrv  I  suppose  sixtv  or 


sevent}-  tons.  As  to  any  money  being  now  col- 
lected, or  for  years  to  come,  it  is  out  of  the 
question.  Our  legislature  has  passed  a  most 
extraordinar\-  law  with  a  view  to  relieve  the 
people,  by  which  it  will  be  next  to  impos- 
sible to  collect  debts,  and  have  taken  away 
one  term  of  our  court.  Our  public  works 
are  stopped,  the  state  is  bankrupt  and  half 
the  people  in  it.  Produce  is  low  and  falling, 
and  what  is  to  be  done  God  only  knows.  I 
returned  last  night  from  a  trip  far  up  the 
Wabash  and  found  times  harder  there  than 
here,  if  possible.  Property  here  can  not  be 
sold  at  an}'  price,  and  I  am  well  satisfied  I 
can  make  you  a  trade  in  this  steamboat  that 
will  be  much  better  to  you  than  to  have 
your  concerns  hing  as  they  now  do.  You 
will,  of  course,  be  here  as  soon  as  a  letter 
could  reach  me;  if  not,  write  immediately. 
"  Yours  trulv, 

"Amos  Clark." 

In  1838  the  census  showed  a  population 
in  Evansville  of  1,228,  represented  as  follows: 
white  males,  567;  white  females,  621;  col- 
ored males,  24;  colored  females,  16.  In 
1840  the  population  of  the  county  was  6,250, 
and  of  the  town  2,121.  In  the  last  named 
}'ear,  the  mercantile  interests  of  Evansville 
were  represented  by  the  following  individ- 
uals and  firms:  Shanklin  &  Johnson,  Row- 
ley &  Sherwood,  Henry  D.  Allis,  John 
Mitchell,  John  M.  Stockw'ell  &  Co.,  Burbank 
&  Co.,  Jones  &  Royston,  Jerome  B.  Lamp- 
hear,  John  R.  Wilcox,  F.  C.  Gwathne}', 
Alexander  Price,  S.  W.  Townsend,  Edward 
Hopkins,  John  H.  Maghee,  William  Cald- 
well, Fred  Wetsell,  Martin  Schovel,  A.  B. 
Carpenter  &  Co.,  Charles  L.  Rhomann,  C. 
M.  Griffith,  Robert  Barnes,  Thomas  Gedney, 
Charles  Folmen,  Bittrolff  &  Geissler,  Joseph 
Raim,  P.  Wise  &  Co.,  G.  A.  Meyers.  G. 
Venneman  »S:  Co.,  J.  E.  Wood.  1>. 
Jacobs  &  Co.,  Daniel  Wolsey,  John 
Greek,     Edward    Jewell,    W.     cS:    C.    Bell, 


128 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


Decker  &  Kramer,  L.  &  P.  Hornbrook, 
A.  M.  Klein,  C.  Newburgher  &  Co.,  T.  G. 
Thurston,  Peter  Vaughn,  John  S.  Hopkins, 
A.  Laughlin,  J.  Farquher,  G.  W.  Miller, 
Harrison  &  Walker,  C  D.  Bourne,  C.  Lev}- 
&  Co.,  and  J.  W.  Tileston  &  Son. 

In  the  midst  of  these  hard  times  the  bril- 
liant and  spirited  campaign  of  1840  was 
fought,  and  William  Henry  Harrison  was 
triumphantly  elected.  The  stirring  scenes 
of  that  campaign  can  never  be  forgotten  by 
those  who  witnessed  them,  and  they  form  an 
interesting  chapter  in  our  national  history. 

About  1842  wise  legislation  and  private 
thrift  and  economy  brought  back  a  fair  de- 
gree of  prosperity,  and  the  countr}-  began 
to  recover  from  the  results  of  the  panic. 
Evansville  shared  in  the  improved  condition 
of  affairs,  but  her  revival  was  more  largely 
due  to  favorable  causes  of  a  local  nature. 
Faith  in  the  future  of  the  town,  however, 
was  not  firmly  fixed  until  about  1845.  In 
the  midst  of  the  distress  attending  the  busi- 
ness stagnation,  in  November,  1842,  the 
town  was  swept  by  the  most  destructive  fire 
that  thus  far  had  ever  occurred  in  its  limits. 
All  the  houses  fronting  on  the  east  side  of 
Main  street,  between  First  and  Second,  were 
destroyed.  There  were  no  fire  engines  in 
those  days,  and  the  citizens  were  compelled 
to  carry  water  in  buckets  from  a  cistern  lo- 
cated in  the  yard  of  the  old  State  Bank,  and 
had  great  difficultly  in  controlling  the  flames. 

Work  on  the  northern  portion  of  the 
Wabash  &  Erie  canal  had  been  pushed  for- 
ward as  much  as  possible.  It  was  completed 
to  La  Fayette  in  1841,  in  which  year  a  sec- 
ond grant  of  land  was  made  bv  the  general 
government.  The  sagacious  and  far-seeing 
men  of  that  day  held  tenaciously  to  the  idea 
that  Evansville's  location  was  exceptionally 
favorable  for  the  building  of  a  great  city, 
and  they  set  about  industriouslv  to  work  a 
realization   of  their  hopes.     The  state  debt 


was  honorably  compromised,  but  there  was 
no  possibility  of  inducing  the  legislature  to 
undertake  anew  the  scheme  of  internal  im- 
provement, and  the  national  congress  was 
again  looked  to  for  aid.  Hon.  Conrad 
Baker,  Gen.  Joseph  Lane,  Hon.  William 
j  Brown  Butler,  Willard  Carpenter  and  other 
prominent  men  did  their  part  in  effecting  an 
1  honorable  settlement  of  the  state  debts,  and 
!  in  securing  favorable  legislation  bv  congress. 
In  1845  the  third  grant  of  lands  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  canal  was  made.  It  included 
one-half  of  all  unsold  lands  in  the  \'incennes 
land  district.  The  completion  of  the  canal 
j  thus  became  assured,  and  the  anticipation  of 
the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  its  success- 
i  ful  workings  strengthened  confidence  in  fu- 
j  ture  growth,  and  gave  an  impetus  to  business 
such  as  it  had  not  felt  before.  At  once  hopes 
began  to  crvstalize  into  facts,  not  so 
much  through  the  agencv  of  the  canal 
when  constructed  (for,  indeed,  of  itself 
it  was  a  disappointment)  but  through  the 
agency  of  other  conditions  and  facts  pro- 
duced by  the  anticipation  of  benefits  to 
flow  from  the  construction  of  this  waterway. 
When  pursuing  wealth  and  prosperity  in 
one  direction  other  means  silently  combine 
to  produce  the  desired  results  regardless  of 
the  touchstone  sought  after.  Evansville  be- 
came an  El  Dorado  to  which  men  of  all 
classes  flocked  to  better  their  conditions. 
Speculators  visited  the  town,  examined  its 
advantages  and  prospects,  pushed  on  across 
the  prairies  to  Chicago,  or  went  by  steamer 
to  St.  Louis,  investigated  those  places  and 
returned  to  Evansville  as  the  land  of  greater 
promise.  Life,  hope,  and  energy  were  in- 
fused into  ever}-  branch  of  business.  The 
surrounding  lands  far  to  the  interior  had 
by  this  time  passed  from  the  possession  of 
the  government  into  the  hands  of  individuals, 
and  the  agriculturist  seeking  a  new  home 
was  forced  to  induce  some  earlier  settler  to 


FORTY  TEARS  AGO. 


129 


part  with  some  of  his  holdings.  Vahies  of 
real  estate  in  town  and  country  rapidly  ad- 
yanced.  New  farms  were  fast  brought  into 
culLixation,  forests  fell  before  the  ax  of  prog- 
ress, and  because  of  the  productiyeness  of 
the  soil,  which  had  garnered  in  its  pores  the 
accumulating  richness  of  ages,  yast  quantities 
of  farm  products  found  their  way  into  the 
markets  of  E\ansyille.  Merchants  buying 
produce  and  shipping  it  southward  and  fur- 
nishing supplies  of  tea,  coffee,  sugar,  spices, 
and  manufactured  goods  to  the  farmers  mul- 
tiplied and  the  yolume  of  business  transacted 
increased  so  rapidly  as  to  occasion  wonder 
and  amazement.  Long  lines  of  wagons  from 
points  as  far  inward  as  Vincennes,  La  Fay- 
ette, and  Terre  Haute  came  to  Eyansyille 
to  effect  these  exchan<res.  Mairnificent 
steamers  daily  landed  at  the  wharf  and  lay 
for  hours  discharging  and  receiving  freight. 
The  levee  as  soon  as  it  was  constructed,  in 
1848,  and  prior  to  that  time  the  river  bank 
in  front  of  the  city,  from  end  to  end  was 
stacked  with  produce  of  all  kinds.  This  was 
the  commencement  of  Evansville's  career  as 
a  great  commercial  city.  Her  favorable 
position  for  handling  the  products  of  a  \ast 
and  productive  region,  recognized  for  years 
and,  indeed,  from  the  first  looked  forward 
to  as  a  source  of  greatness  onl\-  awaiting 
development,  was  now  yielding  the  rich 
fruits  so  long  anticipated. 

Men  of  large  attainments,  broad  experi  ■ 
ence  and  dauntless  energy  were  coming 
from  lands  beyond  the  sea,  England,  Ireland 
and  especially  Germany,  and  from  distant 
states,  to  engage  in  mercantile  or  profes- 
sional pursuits  in  this  thriving  place.  Skilled 
artisans  and  manufacturing  laborers  were 
also  seeking  here  a  home.  The  descend- 
ants of  the  earlier  pioneers  in  various  parts 
of  the  country,  of  strong  character  and  sterl- 
ing worth,  in  the  vigor  of  youth,  left  the 
farms  of  their  fathers  and  came  to  the  town, 


to  enter  upon  broader  fields  of  usefulness 
than  were  promised  at  the  old  homesteads. 
Evansville  soon  became  a  city  in  its  pro- 
portions, its  advantages  and  its    importance. 

On  the  29th  day  of  January,  1847,  the 
governor  of  Indiana  approved  an  act  of  the 
state  legislature,  granting  to  the  citizens  of 
the  town  of  Evansville  a  city  charter.  Its 
mayor,  the  members  of  its  first  council,  and 
its  officers  chosen  at  an  election  held  on  the 
first  Monday  in  April,  1847,  were  all  men  of 
distinction  and  recognized  ability.  Hon. 
James  G.  Jones,  a  distinguished  lawyer  and 
citizen,  was  selected  as  mayor.  In  the 
council,  which  met  for  the  first  time  on 
April  12,  1847,  there  were:  L.  L.  Lajcock, 
First  ward;  Silas  Stephens,  Second  ward; 
Willard  Carpenter,  Third  ward;  C.  M. 
Griffith,  Fourth  ward:  L.  Howes,  Fifth 
Ward;  John  Hewson,  Sixth  ward.  The 
first  oflicers  of  the  city  were:  John  J. 
Chandler,  clerk;  William  Bell,  assessor,  col- 
lector and  marshal;  Samuel  Orr,  treasurer; 
James  E.  Blythe,  attorney,  and  Wm.  M. 
Walker,  surveyor.  At  the  time  of  its  char- 
ter as  a  cit}',  the  area  covered  by  its 
corporate  authority'  was  about  2S0  acres. 
It  had  within  its  limits  about  4,000 souls;  the 
valuation  of  its  real  estate  and  personal  prop- 
erty was  $901,324;  and  the  amount  of  taxes 
assessed  on  this  valuation  was  $3,319.47,  a 
sum  adequate  for  the  needs  of  the  young 
city,  though  insignificant  when  compared 
with  the  annual  expenses  of  to-day. 

"Up  to  this  period,  notwithstanding 
Evansville  had  become  the  most  important 
shipping  point  between  Louis\'ille  and  the 
mouth  of  the  Ohio,  a  distance  of  400 
miles,  very  little  wharf  improvements 
had  been  made  other  than  the  cuttinc:  of 
roads  through  the  high  and  almost  perpen- 
dicular banks  to  the  landing  places.  Hut 
the  constantly  growing  commerce  and 
increased  shipping  interests  made  it   neces- 


130 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


sarv  to  construct  a  wharf  commensuratt" 
with  the  extensive  business  which  was  being 
established;  and  in  March,  1848,  the  city 
entered  into  a  contract  with  John  Mitcliell, 
Marcus  Sherwood  and  Moses  Ross  to  grade 
the  river  bank  and  complete  a  wharf  having 
frontage  on  five  squares,  a  length  of  nearly 
2,000  feet.  This  at  the  time  was  consid- 
ered a  great  work,  and  was  an  important 
step  forward  in  the  commercial  history  of  a 
place  now  dignified  with  municipal  propor- 
tions and  recognized  by  the  important 
appellation  of  a  City."' 

About  this  time  saw-  and  grist-mills  were 
springing  into  existence,  some  propelled  by 
water  and  some  by  steam:  a  small  foundry 
and  machine  shop  and  various  other  indus- 
tries which  have  since  grown  to  huge  pro- 
portions were  begun  on  a  small  scale.  The 
growth  of  schools  and  churches,  as  else- 
where noted,  was  commensurate  with  the 
industrial  advancement,  and  the  community 
was  supplied  with  an  ade(i[uate  number  of 
those  practicing  the  learned  professions.  In 
1850,  the  census  showed  a  population  of 
5,105,  and  at  that  time  there  were  in  the 
city,  10  grist- and  saw-mills, —  4  propelled  by 
water;  — about  100  stores,  groceries  and 
warehouses:  3  printing  offices  each  issuing 
a  daily  newspaper;  I5law3"ers;  16  physicians; 
13  preachers,  and  a  great  varietv  of 
mechanical,  manufacturing  and  mining 
laborers,  all  afforded  constant  emplovment  bv 
the  abundance  of  coal  in  the  vicinity  and  the 
demands  of  the  large  region  of  productive 
country  which  made  Evansville  its  supplv 
depot.  At  this  time  the  annual  exports 
from  Evansville  amounted  in  round  numbers 
to  about  600,000  bushels  of  corn,  100,000 
bushels  of  oats,  1,500  tons  of  hay,  1,500,000 
pounds  of  pork  and  bacon,  and  large  quan- 
tities of  tobacco,  wheat,  potatoes  and  other 
products  of  the  farm. 

And    now    began    the    era    of   railroads. 


For  several  years  this  means  of  transporta- 
tion was  more  a  feeder  to  the  carrying 
trade  of  the  river  than  a  rival  to  it,  but  at 
length  a  revolution  was  wrought  in  the  con- 
tinued progressive  development,  and  the 
railway  became  the  king  of  transportation. 
The  canal  was  in  course  of  construction 
when  the  feasibility  of  a  railroad  northward 
from  the  young  city  began  to  be  seriously 
considered.  Indeed,  it  was  not  completed 
and  made  read\-  for  boats  until  1853,  and 
then  it  had  but  little  influence  on  the  growth 
of  the  city.  Awaited  for  anxiouslv,  in  its 
coming  it  brought  no  fulfillment  of  promises. 
A  few  warehouse  were  constructed  on  its 
banks  and  there  was  some  handling  of 
freight,  but  the  anticipated  business  activity 
was  not  realized,  even  to  the  tenth  part.  Its 
meatrer  usefulness  was  of  short  duration,  it 
being  entirely  abandoned  about  1864,  the 
railroads  by  that  time  having  absorbed  the 
whole  of  its  business  as  a  common  carrier. 
The  practicabifity  of  railroads  had  been 
demonstrated,  and  progressive  citizens  were 
on  the  alert  to  keep  Evansville  fully  abreast 
of  the  times.  Early  in  1849,  the  matter  was 
thoroughly  discussed,  and  at  the  March  term 
in  that  year,  of  the  board  of  commissioners, 
an  election  was  ordered  to  be  held  on  the 
following  April  12,  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
the  sense  of  the  people  on  the  question  of 
aidiuFf  in  the  construction  of  the  Evansville  & 
Indianapolis  Railroad,  b}'  subscribing  for 
$100,000  worth  of  stock  to  be  issued 
by  the  company  proposing  to  build 
the  road.  At  the  election  there  were 
cast  624  votes  in  favor  of  the  proposition  and 
288  against  it.  The  county  treasury  at  this 
time  was  in  a  depleted  condition,  and  when 
in  June  following,  it  became  necessary  for 
the  county  to  pay  $2.00  per  share  on  the  500 
shares  required  to  be  taken  at  once  (the 
taking  of  the  additional  1,500  shares  being 
postponed  tmtil  the    company   was  propei^ly 


BEFORE  THE  WAR. 


1.31 


organized,  etc.),  it  was  forced  to  negotiate  a 
note  in  bank  to  raise  the  necessary  $i,ooo. 
At  the  same  time  the  city,  as  a  separate  cor- 
porate boch',  also  aided  in  the  construction 
of  the  road  by  subscribing  for  $100,000  of 
its  stock.  The  president  of  the  company 
was  Samuel  Hall  of  Gibson  countw  This 
pioneer  railroad,  whose  construction  was 
commenced  in  1S50,  was  subseijuenth' 
known  as  the  Evansxille  &  Crawfordsville, 
and  at  present  as  the  Evansville  &  Terre 
Haute  Railroad.  Besides  the  incalculable 
value  of  this  railroad  to  the  citv  and  county 
in  developing  their  natural  resources,  both 
cit\'  antl  counts'  realizedhandsomely  on  their 
investments,  the  stock  subscribed  b^y  each 
being  sold  in  1S81  for  $150,000,  to  Mr.  D. 
J.  Mackey,  whose  energy  and  great  execu- 
tive ability,  as  well  as  the  public  spirit  con- 
trolling his  actions,  have  made  the  property 
a  great  agent  for  good  to  the  city  of  Evans- 
ville. 

In  1 85 3  the  \aluation  of  real  and  personal 
propert\'  had  increased  to  $2,537,965.00, 
and  the  amount  of  taxes  levied  was 
$29,799.60.  The  growth  of  the  city  con- 
tinued, and  in  the  tenth  year  of  its  career  as 
a  city,  in  1857,  the  valuation  of  real  and  per- 
sonal property  was  $4,399,040.00,  and  tlie 
taxes  levied  amounted  to  $58,285.21. 

In  1857  the  adjoining  corporations  of 
Evansville  and  Lamasco,  which  had  existed 
up  to  this  time  as  separate  municipalities, 
were  consolidated,  by  the  annexation  of  La- 
masco to  Evansville.  In  location,  business 
and  social  interests  they  had  been  one,  and 
their  union  under  one  city  government  was 
a  consummation  which  added  materialh'  to 
their  prosperity.  The  citv  of  Lamasco  in- 
cluded that  portion  of  the  present  city  lying 
between  Division  street  and  Pigeon  creek. 
It  was  laid  out  bv  four  gentlemen,  Messrs. 
John  and  William  Law,  and  Macalland  Scott, 
who  gave  the  place  a  no\el  title,  taking  the 


first  two  letters  of  Laiv  and  Macall  and  the 
first  three  of  Scot/,  thus  succeeding  in  pro- 
ducing a  distinctive  and  hitherto  unheard  of 
name.  Later  an  unsuccessful  attempt  was 
made  to  change  the  name  of  the  city  of 
Evans\ille  to  Lamasco,  the  friends  of  the 
mo\ement  setting  forth  the  ad\antage  to  re- 
sult from  general  advertisement  over  the 
countrw  The  proposition,  however,  was  not 
adopted. 

Evansville  had  been  made  a  port  of  entr\' 
in  1856,  at  which  time  trace  chains  and  other 
staples  of  hardware  were  brought  here"  from 
foreign  countries.  Manufacturing  industries, 
however,  were  gaining  a  foothold,  and  in 
some  branches  an  advanced  position  had 
been  reached.  But  the  chief  cause  of  the 
prosperit}-  enjoyed  at  that  time  was  co»i- 
iiicirc.  The  wholesale  and  jobbing  trade 
had  attained  large  proportions,  and  the  ship- 
ments to  the  south  of  agricultural  products 
were  great.  The  board  of  trade  report  for 
1857,  prepared  under  the  supervision  of 
Judge  M.  W.  Foster,  gave  the  following 
figures  as  representing  the  sales  of  mer- 
chandise in  the  city  for  that  year: 

Groceries $2,034,629 

Dry  goods 845,271 

Iron  and  hardware 275,000 

Boots  and  shoes 123,000 

Drugs  and  medicines 69,095 

Queensware 61,000 

In  the  table  of  "exports,"  in  this  report, 
there  were  the  following  items: 

Corn,  sacks 101,683 

Oats,  sacks 19,770 

Wheat,  bushels 62,699 

Flour,  barrels 62,228 

Pork,  barrels 49,628 

Bacon,  hogsheads 10,480 

Lard,  kegs 58,885 

Tobacco,  hogsheads 9^781 

The  report  shows  the  extent  to  which 
manufacturing  had  grown  b\-  the  following 
items,  indicating  the  amount  of  some  manu- 
factured articles  in  that  year: 


132 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


Flour  and  shipstuff $477,000 

Stoves  and  castings 120,000 

Steam  engines 165,000 

Steam  boilers 33,000 

Saw-mill  products 62,000 

Planing-mill  products .  35,000 

Furniture 96.000 

Wagons  and  blacksmiths"  iron  .  .  65,500 

Brewer}-  products 58,000 

Tannery  products 58,835 

The  banking  capital  in  that  year,  as  rep- 
resented by  the  public  banks,  was  $325,- 
000.00.  The  population  of  the  cit)-  was 
12,250,  and  it  was  estimated  that  during  the 
year  100  houses  had  been  erected,  yalued  at 
a  (juarter  of  a  million  dollars. 

In  this  year  there  came  to  the  country  at 
large  another  linancial  crisis  and  period  of 
business  depression,  from  which  there  was  no 
recoyery  before  the  outbreak  of  the  civil 
war  had  changed  social  and  business  con- 
ditions. The  workinir  classes  in  Evansville 
had  betrun  to  feel  the  influence  of  hard 
times  before  enlistments  for  the  army  were 
called  for.  Some  shops  had  closed  their 
doors  and  operati\'es  were  forced  into  idle- 
ness and  want.  The  favorable  position 
occupied  by  Evansville  with  reference  to 
the  commerce  of  the  Ohio  river,  prevented 
the  distress  from  becoming  general.  Its 
shipments  were  constantly  increasing,  its 
population  and  wealth  were  growing,  its 
trade  was  being  extended  and  the  city  was 
apparently  maintaining  a  steady  and  healthy 
progress  up  to  the  commencement  of  hos- 
tilities, but  there  were  nevertheless  man\- 
niechanics  and  shopmen  out  of  employ- 
ment. Indeed,  the  manufacturing  industries 
of  the  cit}'  were  languisliing;  they  were 
not  keeping  pace  with  the  ad\ancement 
being  made  in  trade  and  agriculture. 

In  i860  the  citizens  of  Evansville  wit- 
nessed the  most  hotly  contested  and  exciting 
political  campaign  known  in  her  history. 
The  rail-splitter,   Abraham    Lincoln,    in    the 


simplicity  and  purity  of  his  manhood,  ex- 
hibited such  elements  of  strength,  that  the 
people  were  wildly  enthusiastic  over  his 
canvass.  Gorgeous  street  parades  with  ban- 
ners, emblems  and  various  spectacular  con- 
trivances, soul-stirring  discussions  of  issues 
finall}-  submitted  to  the  '•  fierce  arbitrament 
of  the  sword"  for  decision,  and  massive 
assemblies  of  people  from  the  surrounding 
country,  fanned  the  fires  of  patriotism  and 
encouraged  the  enthusiasm  of  the  people. 
Following  this  came  the  firing  upon  Fort 
Sumter  bv  an  armed  force  in  rebellion 
against  the  authority  of  the  nation,  and  then 
in  (juick  succession  the  scenes  of  a  civil  war, 
which  laid  waste  a  great  area  of  rich  and 
prosperous  territory,  consumed  unreckoned 
quantities  of  individual  and  public  wealth, 
and  sending  desolation  and  woe  to  the 
homes  and  hearts  of  many  people.  An  at- 
tempt to  describe  these  scenes  so  far  as 
they  concern  this  locality,  to  give  some 
account  of  what  the  loval  people  of  Evans- 
ville did  in  those  trying  times,  and  what 
occurred  in  and  about  the  city  as  incident  to 
the  prosecution  of  the  war,  is  made  in  an- 
other chapter.  As  to  the  business  interests 
of  that  period  Hon.  John  W.  Foster,  the 
distinguished  soldier,  citizen,  and  diplomat, 
in  a  compilation  of  facts  made  by  him  in 
1868,  when  acting  under  the'  authority  of 
the  board  of  trade,  and  basing  his  com- 
parisons on  the  tables  quoted  above,  said: 

"In  1861,  at  the  commencement  o^  our 
late  civil  war,  Evansville  was  one  of  the  most 
important  ports  of  southern  shipments  on 
the  western  waters.  In  the  leading  articles 
of  produce  and  provisions  it  compared  fav- 
orably with  St.  Louis  and  Louisville  (ex- 
ceeding in  many  articles  the  latter  city),  as 
its  shipments  had  largely  increased  since 
'  1857.  There  was  established  a  regular  tri- 
weekly line  of  packets  to  Cairo,  mainly 
owned  and  controlled  here.   Regular  packets 


THE  WAR  PERIOD. 


his 


were  maintained  between  Evansville  and 
Bowling  Green,  Kv.,  on  Green  ri\er.  The 
Wabash  packets  made  this  their  iiome  port. 
Its  steamboat  interests  were  ver\-  considera- 
ble and  rapidlv  mcreasing.  The  whole 
trade  of  the  city  came  from  the  border 
counties  of  Kentuck^•  on  the  lower  Ohio  and 
Illinois,  the  Green  river  xallew  in  Kentucky, 
the  Lower  Wabash  valle\',  and  the  regions 
of  country  traversed  bv  the  Evansville  & 
Crawfordsville  railroad  and  the  Wabash  & 
Erie  canal,  for  a  distance  of  se\entv-five 
miles.  The  war  caused  material  chan<ces  in 
these  interests  and  the  circle  of  trade.  For 
a  time  the  steamboat  interest  was  apparently 
destroyed.  Communication  with  the  Lower 
Mississippi  was  entirely  cut  off,  and  nearly 
so  with  Green  river.  The  Cairo  packet 
line  was  greatly  hampered  and  harassed 
by  military  restrictions.  The  immense  pro- 
duce and  provision  carrying  trade  from  the 
Wabash  ceased  with  the  closing  of  business 
relations  with  the  South.  The  freijjht  busi- 
ness  of  the  E\ans\ille  &  Crawfordsville 
railroad  was,  for  a  like  reason,  materially 
lessened.  About  this  time  the  navigation  of 
the  Wabash  &  Erie  canal  became  uncer- 
tain and  finally  closed.  A  valuable  part  of 
the  trade,  on  this  account  and  the  cutting  off 
of  our  New  Orleans  communication,  was 
lost  to  this  citv.  Under  these  circumstances 
the  future  of  Evansville  at  that  time  looked 
gloomy  in  the  extreme.  Hut  steamboat 
owners,  merchants  and  manufacturers,  in  a 
little  while  began  to  experience  a  more  hope- 
ful state  of  affairs.  The  wants  of  the  gov- 
ernment gave  employment  at  remunerative 
rates  to  such  of  the  steamboats  as  were 
not  protitably  engaged  in  the  carrying  busi- 
ness of  the  city.  The  grocery  merchants, 
whose  supply^  market  at  New  Orleans  had 
been  cut  off,  found  a  more  enlarged  depot 
of  supplies  at  New  York,  to  wiiich  place 
the  operations  of  the  war   turned  all  whole- 


sale merchandise  dealers.  As  the  field  of 
occupancy  of  the  federal  army  was  enlarged, 
the  enterprise  of  our  merchants  and  manu- 
facturers extended.  The  old  packet  lines 
were  re-established,  and  new  lines  opened 
up  the  Tennessee  and  Cumberland  rivers, 
and  down  the  Mississippi  to  Memphis. 
Evans\ille  became  the  most  convenient 
point  of  supply  for  western  Kentucky,  and 
for  the  rich  valleys  of  the  Cumberland  and 
I  Tennessee,  and  received  a  very  considerable 
trade  from  Memphis  and  the  country  bor- 
dering the  Mississippi,  between  that  citv  and 
Cairo.  From  1S62  forward  the  business  of 
this  city  began  to  re\i\'e, and  in  a  little  while 
it  exceeded  that  done  before  the  war.  The 
restoration  of  peace  found  it  greatly  in- 
creased in  population  and  wealth,  its  area  of 
trade  enlarged  threefold,  its  steamboat  in- 
terests more  than  doubled,  its  manufactories 
much  more  numerous  and  their  product 
largely  multiplied,  and  the  various  depart- 
ments of  industry  iiuickened  into  new  life 
and  activity.  Since'  the  close  of  the  war, 
with  all  the  channels  of  trade  and  commerce 
1  open  and  unrestricted,  and  with  all  the  em- 
barrassments of  finances  and  the  fluctuation 
of  values,  Evansville  has  been  enabled,  not 
only  to  retain  the  business  which  was  at- 
tracted to  it  b\'  the  changed  condition  of  af- 
fairs, but  has  reached  out  into  new  fields  of 
enterprise." 

The  second  decade  in  the  hislor\-  of 
Evans\ille  as  a  city,  ending  in  1S67,  not- 
withstanding some  unfavorable  circum- 
stances at  its  commencement,  was,  in  its 
entirety,  one  of  progress  and  prosperity. 
The  war.  blighting  in  its  first  effects,  event- 
ually proved  a  cause  of  lasting  good.  Never 
before  had  the  commercial  interests  of  the 
city  been  so  well  served  by  its  location  on 
the  di\iding  line  between  a  bod\'  of  pro- 
ducers and  a  bod\'  of  consumers  as  at  the 
restoration   of  peace.     The    South,  wealthy 


13A 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


at  the  commencement  of  hostilities  in  1861, 
"  found  itself  as  the  result  of  four  years  of 
civil  war  entirely  prostrate,  without  industry, 
without  tools,  without  money,  credit  or 
crops;  deprived  of  local  self-government, 
and,  to  a  great  extent,  of  political  privileges; 
the  flower  of  its  youth  in  hospitals,  or  dead 
upon  the  bloody,  storm-rent  battle-fields; 
with  society  disorganized,  and  starvation  im- 
minent or  actuallv  present."  The  first 
efforts  of  the  people  to  lift  themselves  from 
this  gloomy  and  depressing  condition  were 
opposed  by  great  obstacles.  For  two  }-ears 
the  cotton  and  grain  crops  were,  to  a  great 
extent,  failures,  and  much  difticultv  was  ex- 
perienced in  making  .satisfactor\-  arrange- 
ments for  the  employment  of  labor.  The 
South  had  not  been  supplied  with  manu- 
facturing establishments,  and  was,  therefore, 
compelled  to  seek  a  suppl}'  of  breadstuffs 
and  clothing,  of  mechanical  tools  and  a^ri- 
cultural  implements,  in  other  than  home 
markets.  This  she  had  been  accustomed  to 
doing,  and,  therefore,  while  vast  quantities 
of  the  raw  material  used  in  forminp-  the 
products  which  she  consumed  were  in  her 
possession  and  easy  of  access,  no  efforts 
were  as  yet  made  to  utilize  these  great 
sources  of  wealth. 

The  heavy  duties  placed  upon  imported 
articles  during  the  war  bv  the  national 
congress  encouraged  manufacturing  and 
rendered  successful  competition  bv  foreign 
competitors  impossible.  To  a  large  portion 
of  the  South,  Evansville  was  the  most  con- 
venient depot  for  supplies.  Her  marts  were 
well  supplied  with  every  necessar}-  of  life, 
her  factories  and  furnaces  were  in  full  blast, 
her  merchants  were  liberal,  conscientious, 
accommodating,  honorable.  Business  grew 
rapidly  under  this  new  stimulus.  The  steam- 
boat carrying  trade  was  then  appoaching 
the  height  of  its  importance.  From  Pitts- 
burgh to  Cairo  the  towns  along  the  course 


of  the  Ohio  ri\-er  and  those  along  its  tribu- 
taries were  growing  in  wealth  and  popula- 
tion. At  Evansville  the  steamboat  arrivals 
had  grown  from  1,493  in  1861  to  2,580  in 
1 868,  and  some  of  the  exports  during  the 
last  named  year  were  as  follows:  Corn, 
2,017,794  bushels;  flour,  58,840  barrels; 
hay,  12,045  bales;  meal,  16,728  barrels; 
oats,  54-595  bushels;  pork,  12,374  barrels; 
tobacco,  19,758  hogsheads;  wheat,  175,410 
bushels.  In  1867  there  were  354  houses 
built  in  the  city,  their  estimated  value  being 
$1,131,700.00.  The  assessed  value  of  real 
and  personal  property  was  $i:5'7^S5555' 
and  the  taxes  levied  amounted  to  $165,- 
004.10.  The  merchandise  sales  amounted 
to  $12,763,690.00;  those  in  dry  goods  and 
groceries  each  exceeding  three  and  a  third 
millions  of  dollars.  Of  manufactured  articles 
produced  there  were  $2,890,202.00  worth. 
The  banking  capital,  as  represented  by  Na- 
tional bank  stocks,  was  $1,550,000.00,  and 
the  deposits  ranged  from  $399,397.00  to 
$692,308.00.  The  discounts  ran,  per  quar- 
ter, from  $1,423,174.00  to  $1,547,222.00. 
This  was  an  era  of  general  prosperit}-  and 
improvement.  The  favorable  outlook  begat 
confidence,  and  the  growth  of  the  city  was 
then  more  rapid  perhaps  than  at  any  other 
period  of  its  career.  Cotton  mills,  the  largest 
in  the  west,  and  other  large  and  important 
mills  and  factories  were  put  in  operation, 
street  cars  and  other  public  conveniences  be- 
gan to  be  provided,  and  on  every  hand  there 
were  striking;  evidences  of  individual  and 
public  prosperitv.  The  cit\-  was  receiving 
valuable  additions  to  its  population  bv  an  in- 
flux of  intelligent  citizens  from  the  south  and 
east.  Business  and  professional  circles  were 
being  recruited  with  a  class  of  people  that 
was  in  all  respects  highly  beneficial  to  the 
communitv.  In  1867  the  enrollment  for 
schools  and  estimates  based  on  the  \'Otes 
cast  at  the  elections  indicated  a  population 


BUSIXESS  STAG X A TIOX. 


1S5 


of  22,000   inhabitants.     Three   years   hiter, 
however,  in  1870,  the  United  States  census 
credited  the   city  with    only    21,830   inhabi- 
tants, but   this   seemed  so  manifestly  a  mis- 
take that  it  caused    L,n-eat    dissatisfaction    to 
those    interested  in  ha\ing  Evans\ille's  im- 
portance as  a  city  undiminished  by  incorrect 
statements   rej^arding   its   size.     The   votes 
cast  in  October  of  that  year  at  the  congres- 
sional  election   numbered  4,665,  and  if  one 
vote    represented    fi\e     people,  a    basis    of 
computation    accepted    by   statisticians,    the 
population  was  about  23,325;  and  estimat- 
ing one  vote  for  everv  six  inhabitants,  there 
were  at  that  time  28,990  residents  of  the  city. 
The  year    186S  marked   the    commence- 
ment of  a  period  of  depression.     While  the 
growth  of  the  city  continued  it  was  not  with 
the  rapid   strides    which   had  characterized 
its  movements  from  1862  to  1867.     An    ab- 
normal  condition    of    affairs    continued    for 
some    \-ears    after    the     close    of    the    war. 
Among  its  results    were    an   inflated    paper 
currenc}-,    high     prices,    and     a    stimulated 
demand  for  articles  of  trade  which   was  not 
abated  while  people  were  forced  to    restrict 
their  purchases  and  accommodate  themselves 
to    their    chan<red   conditions.      During  this 
settling  process,  or  the   period  in  which   the 
public    was  learning  its  true  condition,   and 
especially  that  portion  of    the   public    which 
was   drawing   most   heavily  upon   the    mer- 
chants and  manufacturers    of   Evansville  for 
its  supplies,  there    was  a  marked  decline  in 
prices,  a  contraction  of    business,    a    repres- 
sion of  speculation,  a  reduction  of  public  and 
private    expenditures,    and   a   restriction    of 
commercial  enterprises  and    improvements. 
These,  together    \\'ith    tinancial    embarrass- 
ment and    uncertainty  growing    out    of    the 
questions    of    national    currency,     banking 
taxation,   debt,    and   the    aspect    of    political 
affairs,    upon    the    peaceful    settlement    of 
which    naturally  depended    the    commercial 
8 


operations  of   the  countrv,  caused  a   ireneral 
depression     affecting    the     mercantile     and 
manufacturing  interests  of   the  entire   coun- 
try.    The  chief   influence    affecting   Evans- 
\ille    locallv    was    the    business    rivalry    of 
other  cities   in   the   Ohio  valley.     The   mer- 
chants of  Cincinnati,    Louisville,    St.  Louis, 
Cairo  and   Paducah    made    \igorous    efforts 
to    di\'ert    from    E\ans\ille    the    large    and 
valuable  trade  of  the    lower   Ohio,  and    the 
rich    \allevs    of    Green,    Cumberland,    and 
Tennessee  rivers.     Rival   packet   lines    and 
mercantile    agents   used  every  exertion   and 
resorted    to    ever}-    expedient    to   draw    the 
trade  away  from   this  city,  and  while  at   the 
close  of  the  vear  the    business    men    viewed 
the  operations  of  the  year  with   satisfaction, 
there  was  not    that   increase  in    the  volume 
of  business  transacted,  which   under    fa\or- 
able  conditions,  the  results  of    the    previous 
years  would  have    justified.      While    an    in- 
crease in  the  general   business   of    the   city 
was  observed,  there  was  a  decre  ase  in  some 
articles  of    export  or  departments     of  trade 
and  manufactures,  when  reckoned  in  dollars 
and  cents.     It  is  possible  that  there   was  no 
actual  fallinij   off    in    the    amount  of    LToods 
handled  and   that   the   decrease    obser\able 
was  due  to  the  decline  in  prices.      However, 
this  was  a  decrease  in  griicral  bii^incsf. 

The  year  was  the  first  of  the  national 
bankrupt  act,  and  there  were  widespread 
financial  embarrassment  and  distrust,  but  no 
large  and  disastrous  failures  occurred  in 
this  city.  Some  individuals  were  forced  to 
yield  before  the  storm  of  adversitv,  but  there 
were  no  failures  of  moment.  The  substan- 
tial character  and  reliabilit\-  of  the  business 
men  of  this  communit\-,  were  attested  b\- 
the  fact  that  the  credit  of  but  few  leading 
merchants  or  manufactures  was  seriousl\- 
impaired.  While  conducting  their  business 
with  just  liberality  toward  their  customers, 
and  with  a  reasonable  degree  of   enterprise 


136 


THE  CITY  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


and  spirit,  tliev  engaged  in  no  unhealth}- 
speculations  and  did  not  seek  to  extend  their 
business  beyond  their  capital  or  abilitj-  to 
control  it.  At  that  time  there  was  no  ap- 
preciable decline  in  real  estate  values,  thus 
showing  that  confidence  in  future  develop- 
ment was  unshaken.  Rents,  especially  of 
business  houses,  were  reduced  to  conform  to 
the  reduction  in  profits  of  trade,  wages  and 
the  prices  of  building  materials,  and  the 
value  of  improvements  depreciated,  but  real 
property  was  maintained  at  its  highest  quo- 
tations throughout  the  vear.  A  revival  of 
business  was  confidentlv  hoped  for,  but  these 
hopes  rested  on  an  unsound  basis.  The 
bursting  of  the  storm  and  the  crash  of  fail- 
ures was  not  long  postponed.  The  crisis 
was  reached  in  1S73;  panic  and  dismay  were 
the  results. 

Just  prior  to  this  time  many  valuable  im- 
provements, public  and  private,  were  pro- 
vided for.  A  large  rolling  mill,  now  out  of 
operation,  extensive  additions  to  the  cotton 
mill,  which  had  proved  to  be  a  successful 
venture,  manv  fine  buildings  for  manufac- 
turing and  commercial  purposes,  and  many 
elegant  private  residences  were  erected. 
Congress  had  appropriated  the  money  for 
the  erection  of  a  postoffice  and  custom  house 
building,  although  work  on  it  was  not  im- 
mediately commenced.  The  St.  George 
hotel,  a  magnificent  building,  costing  in  the 
neighborhood  of  $200,000.00,  was  con- 
structed in  response  to  the  demands  of  the 
tra\-eling  public  and  to  push  forward  the 
growth  of  the  cit}'.  Improvements  in  the 
streets,  wharves,  and  elsewhere  through  the 
city  were  undertaken. 

The  extent  and  diversity  of  the  manufac- 
turing industries  were  b\-  this  time  very 
great.  The  list  included  150  different 
classes  of  articles,  and  almost  every- 
thing of  importance  in  the  way  of  ordi- 
nary    manufactures    was    comprised    in   it. 


The  total  \alue  of  articles  manufactured 
3'early  was  then  estimated  at  $12,000,- 
000.00.  The  most  extensive  manufactures 
were  heavy  machinerv,  such  as  mills,  en- 
gines, etc.,  and  furniture.  The  milling 
interests  had  assumed  large  proportions  and 
the  products  in  breadstuffs  was  up  to  this 
time  annually  increased.  There  were  about 
150  wholesale  houses,  and  a  very  con- 
siderable proportion  of  them  carried  as 
large  stocks  as  could  be  found  in  the 
leadinij  houses  of  similar  branches  in  the 
principal  cities  of  the  West.  Commodious 
business  buildings  were  erected  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  this  rapidly  growing  trade, 
until  there  were  man\-  blocks  in  the  lower 
or  wholesale  part  of  the  city  that  would 
have  ornamented  the  chief  wholesale  streets 
of  Cincinnati  or  St.  Louis. 

The  commission  business  had  attained 
considerable  importance.  Large  assign- 
ments of  flour,  grain,  salt,  seed,  tobacco,  cot- 
ton, meats  and  every  article  of  commerce, 
of  large  or  small  bulk,  were  made  to  the 
houses  of  this  city.  The  growth  of  the  re- 
tail trade  had  been  commensurate  with  that 
in  other  departments.  The  progressive  men 
of  that  period,  many  of  whom  are  still  in  the 
van  and  forefront  of  the  fight  for  indus- 
trial supremacy,  were  not  standing  with  idle 
han.-ls  and  watching  with  CDmplaisance  the 
efforts  of  other  cities  to  outstrip  Evansville 
in  the  race  for  advantage.  Railroads  were 
planned  in  various  directions,  and  active 
steps  were  taken  to  secure  their  construc- 
tion. Far-seeing  men  realized  that  the  day 
was  at  hand  for  the  railroad  to  usurp,  or 
rather,  by  right  to  succeed  to  the  throne, 
so  long  and  so  well  occupied  by  the  majestic 
river,  from  w'hich  w'as  ruled  the  growing 
empire  of  the  great  West. 

At  length,  however,  the  climax  was 
reached  in  the  business  stagnation  of  the 
country.       Industries     that    had    languishes} 


TUL'CHIXG  BOTTOM. 


137 


since  iS6S,  were  now  to  bu  (.'iit^ulfed  in  lh(_' 
t^eneral  ruin.  The  linanciai  panic  of  1873, 
national  in  its  proportions,  swept  across  the 
land,  bliijhting  hopes  and  wrecking  fortunes. 
The  convulsions  of  the  storm  were  felt  in 
E\-ansville,  as  in  other  cities  of  like  size  and 
like  environments.  Many  private  enterprises 
were  abandoned.  Business  men  were  dri\en 
to  the  wall,  and  their  failures  increased  the 
general  feelings  of  distrust.  Capital  was 
ti  nid.  Its  investment  was  withheld  for  signs 
of  bjtter  promise.  Projectors  of  railroads 
gave  up  their  plans  to  await  a  recoverv  from 
the  season  of  distress.  Private  improve- 
ments were  suspended  and  real  estate  values 
declined.  Few  exchanges  were  made  and 
there  was  no  active  demand.  The  banks 
and  leading  commercial  houses,  however, 
w  eathered  the  storm  and  there  was  no  disas- 
trous or  sensational  collapse  of  business. 

The  condition  resulting  immediately  from 
this  panic  was  not  long  continued,  but  after 
passing  out  of  the  trying  experience,  the  city 
resumed  the  march  of  progress  with  slow 
and  cautious  steps.  There  was  visible  ad- 
vancement within  a  year,  but  entire  confi- 
dence was  not  immediately  restored,  and 
improvement  was  consequently  slow.  Real 
estate  soon  recovered,  though  there  was 
no  immediate  demand.  Holders  had  un- 
shaken confidence  in  ultimate  prosperity,  and 
were  not  anxious  to  dispossess  themselves  at 
a  sacrifice.  The  valuation  of  real  and  per- 
sonal property'  in  1S74  was  $24,758,355.00, 
and  for  the  twelve  months  ending  with 
Aufjust  of  that  year,  the  sales  of  real  estate 
numbered  8i4and  aggregated  $2,307,562.00 
These  changes  in  possession  occurred  be- 
tween individual  residents  principally.  There 
was  no  attempt  to  inflate  values  or  raise 
prices  by  fictitious  means.  The  Courier 
of  May  2  of  that  year,  contained  this  perti- 
nent statement: 

"  Real  estate  has  no  fanciful  or  feverish 


values  here,  raised  b\'  rings  of  speculators. 
Good  lots  can  be  had  for  from  $100  to 
$1,500  according  to  location  and  improve- 
ments. There  has  been  a  steady  advance- 
ment in  the  value  of  property  with  each 
successi\'e  yeai'.  Some  \'ast  tracts  in  the 
suburbs  of  the  city  are  held  by  foreign  capi- 
talists, and  they  have  no  doubt  found  a  profit- 
able investment.  There  has,  however, 
been  but  little  spiculatioa  outside  of  purely 
legitimate  channels.  Property  is  regarded 
here  b\'  all  a-;  certain  to  p.i\-  hiadsom.'lv, 
and  there  are  splendid  opportunities  for  in- 
vestments of  all  kinds."' 

That  the  financial  crisis  and  the  resulting 
depression  did  not  long  deter  citizens  from 
progressive  activity  is  attested  by  the  follow- 
ing statement  from  the  same  paper: 

"The  present  building  season  is  only 
about  one-third  over,  and  }-et  our  contractors 
and  architects  have  been  engaged  for  work 
till  the  end  of  the  season,  while  building 
material  can  scarcely  be  manufactured  to 
meet  the  steady  demand.  At  the  opening 
of  the  present  season,  it  was  predicted  that 
the  financial  stringency  would  affect  our 
building  operations  disastrously,  but  such  has 
not  been  the  case.  On  the  other  hand  it 
will  e\en  show  much  larger  results.  In 
addition  to  the  large  business  blocks  being 
erected,  the  number  of  private  residences 
going  up  was  never  in  numbers  so  great  as 
in  the  present  season.  This  is  attested  by 
all  persons  who  are  associated  with  this  de- 
partment of  business.  At  least  two  millions 
and  a  half  dollars  will  be  expended  in  build- 
incfs  alone  this  season.  A  list  of  these 
blocks  and  houses,  which  we  have  secured, 
would  cover  four  columns  of  this  copy  of 
the  Courier.  We  have  passed  that  period 
of  development  when  all  buildings  are  con- 
structed for  use  without  regard  to  the 
beauties  of  architecture  or  the  satisfaction 
of  taste,  and   the  city  rejoices   in   scores  of 


]38 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


private  residences  which  are  perfect  models 
of  beauty  and  taste.  In  the  rapid  manner 
in  which  the  city  grew,  no  attention  was 
paid  to  these  essential  elements  in  making  a 
city  attractive  and  beautiful,  but  that  era  has 
been  passed,  and  in  the  next  three  years 
even  greater  progress  will  be  made." 

The  number  of  houses  erected  during 
the  year  was  estimated  at  fully  5°° 
and  the  amount  expended  in  the  season's 
work  and  on  buildings  completed  in  that 
year,  though  commenced  at  an  earlier  date, 
at  $3,000,000. 

With  the  emplo^'ment  to  labor  afforded 
by  so  much  building  in  addition  to  that 
engaged  in  the  commercial  and  manufact- 
uring pursuits  of  the  city,  which,  though 
jielding  in  some  particulars,  were  generally 
holding  the  station  gained  before  the 
panic,  if  they  were  not  advancing,  general 
distress  and  pressing  want  could  not,  and 
did  not,  prevail  among  the  people.  The 
improvement  of  Evansville  from  that  time 
has  continued.  She  has  taken  no  back- 
ward step,  never  essaying  a  mushroom 
growth,  such  as  has  occurred  in  many 
"  boomed"  cities  of  late  years;  her  advance- 
ment has  been  constant  and  substantial.  The 
scenes  of  activity  may  have  shifted  and  in 
many  departments  of  industry  "  good  old 
days  "  may  have  gone,  never  to  return,  but 
the  general  improvement  of  the  city  has 
been  maintained.  The  population  has  con- 
stantly increased  in  numbers,  its  aggregate 
wealth  has  grown,  and  the  individual  pros- 
perity of  the  masses  has  been  preserved. 
This  is  particularly  evidenced  by  the  fact 
that  its  laboring  classes,  its  mechanics, 
miners  and  toilers  of  every  sort,  enjoy  not 
only  an  abundance  of  the  necessaries  of  life 
but  also  many  of  its  comforts  and  luxuries. 
A  very  large  proportion  of  these  people  — 
about  85  per  cent  of  them — because  of 
regular  employment,  good  wages,  thrift  and 


industry,  own  their  own  homes,  and,  to  say 
nothing  of  tlie  wage-workers"  earnings  held 
by  numerous  building  associations,  the 
People's  Savings  Bank,  an  institution  whose 
patrons  are  chiefly  among  the  laboring 
classes,  has  over  $650,000  in  deposits, 
representing  a  portion  of  the  savings  of 
2,500  people.  This  is  the  condition  of  the 
wage-worker  at  this  time,  and  it  fairh- 
represents  his  condition  at  all  times  since 
1874,  '^o'"  while  the  agencies  of  Evansville's 
advancement  have  changed  and  in  the 
changes  invested  capital  has  suffered,  the 
laborer,  shifting  and  becoming  an  adjunct  of 
each  new  agency,  has  encountered  no 
serious  harm. 

The  population  of  Evansville  is  and  has 
been  since  a  time  antedating  its  corporation 
as  a  city,  largely  of  German  descent,  though 
other  nationalities  are  well  represented. 
The  greatest  of  harmony  and  best  of  feel- 
ing, generally  considered,  have  prevailed  be- 
tween employers  and  employes.  The  city 
has  enjoyed  a  pleasing  immunity  from  strikes 
and  labor  troubles  of  all  kinds.  The  wage- 
workers  are  intelligent  and  enjoy  undis- 
turbed the  highest  rights  of  citizenship. 
The  dignity  of  labor  is  recognized  by  all, 
and  it  is  only  the  idler  who  provokes  con- 
tempt. 

In  the  early  development  of  the  vast  em- 
pire of  the  west,  the  Ohio  river  was  the 
main  thoroughfare  upon  which  the  products 
of  the  mill  and  factory  were  brought  from 
the  east  to  their  consumers  in  the  new 
country.  The  wealth  of  surplus  products 
of  the  rich  lands  of  the  west  were  put  upon 
the  same  highway  to  find  their  way  into  the 
distant  markets  of  the  world;  and  the 
staples  of  the  tropics  were  distributed  to  the 
agricultural  and  manufacturin<j  centers  of 
the  north  by  the  same  means.  In  this  era 
producer  and  consumer  were  separated  by 
many  miles  of  distj\nce;  and  commerce  was 


WHEN  THE  RIVER  WAS  KING. 


139 


the  soul  of  business  activit}-.  Wlien  the 
citizen  of  Evansville  desired  to  witness 
scenes  of  life  and  restless  action  he  went  to 
the  river  front.  There,  upon  the  levee,  pon- 
tlerous  wagons,  c.irts,  and  dra3-s,  crowded 
each  other  for  space,  and  workmen  hurried 
from  place  to  place  in  every  sort  of  occu-  i 
pation.  Vast  quantities  of  produce,  of  lum- 
ber, salt,  cotton,  tobacco,  grain,  agricultural 
implements,  furniture  and  what  not  were 
piled  on  the  wharves  and  on  the  river  bank. 
Warerooms,  commission  houses,  and  store- 
rooms soujiht  convenient  locations  on  Water 
street.  Then,  indeed,  the  river  was  king, 
and  when  the  first  railroad  was  built  it  be- 
came an  obedient  subject  to  the  power  on 
the  throne.  But  at  length  the  general  con- 
struction of  railroads  commenced,  and 
marked  the  decline  of  the  river  trade. 
Rapid  transit  was  the  great  desideratum. 
In  earlier  days  merchants  received  their 
goods  by  steamer  from  the  eastern  cities, 
and  they  were  sometimes  long  delayed  by 
obstructions  to  navigation.  It  was  soon 
found  that  by  using  the  facilities  for  ship- 
ping afforded  by  railroads,  goods  could  be 
received  and  in  a  large  measure  sold,  before 
the  arrival  of  goods  ordered  at  the  same 
time  and  shipped  by  boat.  Merchants  de- 
siring to  turn  their  capital  frequentl}-  soon 
gave  their  undivided  patronage,  in  through 
freights,  to  the  railroads.  Gradually  the 
through  lines  of  steamers  were  abandoned. 
The  effects  of  this  change  were  seriously 
felt  by  many  prosperous  villages  along  the 
Ohio  river.  To  many  it  was  a  death  blow. 
From  Pittsburgh  to  Cairo  to-da}-,  there  are 
to  be  seen  at  short  intervals,  towns  with 
abandoned  houses  and  shops,  dilapidated 
mines,  silent  mills,  and  all  the  essentials  to  a 
picture  of  "  the  deserted  village. "  The 
commerce  of  the  Ohio  gave  them  life. 
When  that  went  down,  or  to  speak  more 
accuratelv,  was  altered   from    what    mav   be 


called  a  "  long  haul  "  to  a  "  short  haul  " 
system,  their  occupation  was  gone,  and 
when  they  were  unable  to  attach  themsehes 
to  some  other  life-giving  agency,  thev  suf- 
fered the  long-continued  agonies  of  a  living 
death. 

Through  the  aggressive  spirit  and  broad 
understanding  of  its  leading  men,  Evansville 
was  not  doomed  to  such  a  condition.  When 
the  through  freight  from  the  commercial 
centers  of  the  east  came  westward  by  rail, 
the  steamers  that  made  long  trips,  for  ex- 
ample from  Pittsburgh  to  St.  Louis,  or  from 
Pittsburgh  to  New  Orleans,  were  taken  off 
and  put  in  other  trades  —  shorter  trades  to 
suppl\-  different  demands.  River  towns  at 
the  termini  of  railway  branches  running  from 
the  trunk  lines  were  made  points  of  distribu- 
tion for  a  rapidly  growing  countr)-,  and  in 
many  cases  the  towns  so  utilized  enjoyed  a 
greater  degree  of  prosperity  for  a  time,  by 
reason  of  the  change.  Merchants  at  smaller 
towns  for  forty  or  fifty  miles  around  such  a 
place,  were  forced  by  this  change  of  con- 
ditions to  make  the  railroad  point  the  base 
of  supplies,  where  previously  they  had 
drawn  upon  the  east  directly,  by  means  of 
through  steamers.  This  was  true  of  Evans- 
ville. Far  up  and  down  the  river  and  to  all 
the  towns  along  the  tributaries  of  the  Ohio 
the  commercial  emissaries  found  their  way 
and  following  them  were  large  shipments  of 
merchandise.  To  the  commission  men  and 
merchants  of  Evansville  came  the  surplus 
products  of  the  same  rich  country,  instead  of 
going  directl}-  to  distant  points  by  water 
transportation  as  in  earlier  times. 

Under  these  circumstances  the  river  trade 
grew  iinmensely,  but  this  was  in  the  infancy 
of  the  giant  railroad  system.  When  the 
country,  thus  supplied  by  steamers,  making 
daily  and  tri-weekly  trips,  became  covered 
with  a  network  of  railroads,  it  could  not  be 
expected  that  the  same  amount  and  kind  of 


no 


THE  CITY  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


business  would  be  transacted  on  tlie  water. 
If  Evansville  had  blindlv  clung  to  commerce 
to  the  exxlusion  of  other  factors  that  enter 
largel}'  into  the  growth  of  modern  cities  in 
the  middle  states,  her  people  would  have 
suffered  for  the  want  of  employment,  or  her 
population  would  have  decreased  and  her 
growth  been  effectually  checked.  For  when 
supply  depots,  themselves  directlv  connected 
b}'  rail  with  producers  and  consumers,  multi- 
plied, the  usefulness  of  Evansville  would 
have  been  diminished,  and  at  length,  it  seems 
reasonable  to  believe,  the  city  would  have 
been  of  little  more  importance  than  other 
towns  that  supply  a  limited  agricultural 
region.  But  early  in  her  career  the  mer- 
chant and  manufacturer  joined  hands.  Be- 
fore passing,  however,  to  the  consideration 
of  the  relative  influence  of  manufacturing 
upon  the  growth  of  the  city,  the  results  of 
her  commerce  may  profitably  engage  some 
attention. 

The  cheapness  of  water  transportation 
makes  the  river  a  desirable  means  of  get- 
ting many  kinds  of  produce  to  market,  and 
there  are  many  portions  of  an  exceedingly 
productive  country  still  directly  dependent 
upon  the  river  as  the  carrier  of  its  supplies, 
with  Evansville  as  a  supply  depot.  These 
considerations  serve  to  keep  up  the  business 
about  the  wharves,  though  its  volume  is  not 
so  great  as  formerly.  At  the  present  time 
there  are  as  many  steamers  registered  at 
this  port  as  there  have  been  at  any  previous 
time,  and  regular  packet  lines  to  all  the 
principal  places  between  Louisville  and 
Paducah,  and  along  the  Tennessee,  Cum- 
berland and  Green  rivers,  make  Evans\ille 
their  home  port.  But  the  commerce  of  the 
place  has,  especiall}-  in  late  years,  drawn 
the  railroad  into  its  service.  The  pioneer 
road,  the  Evansville  &  Terre  Haute,  is 
splendidly  equipped,  and  handles  large 
quantities  of  freight.     In  1872  the  St.  Louis 


&  Southeastern,  running  from  St.  Louis  to 
Evansville,  was  consolidated  with  the  Evans- 
ville, Henderson  &  Nashville,  and  thus 
through  trains  to  the  south  were  supplied. 
Subsequently  these  Hnes  became  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Louisville  &  Nashville  Railroad 
Company.  Its  trains  were  transferred  bv 
boat  between  Evansville  and  Henderson  un- 
til 1885,  when  the  Ohio  river  was  spanned 
by  a  steel  bridge,  3,686  feet  long,  and  cost- 
ing $3,000,000,  which  connects  Evansville 
directly  with  the  wealth  of  the  south,  so 
extensively  traversed  by  the  great  L.  &  N. 
system.  Later,  the  Louisville,  Evansville 
&  St.  Louis  railroad  (air  line)  furnishing  a 
direct  route  to  the  East,  the  Peoria,  Decatur 
&  Evansville  railroad  traversing  the  rich 
lands  of  eastern  Illinois,  the  Evansville  & 
Indianapolis  railroad  (straight  line)  afford- 
ing an  outlet  for  a  mining  and  agricultural 
region  of  great  wealth,  the  Ohio  Valley 
railroad  and  the  Belt  Line,  have  been  con- 
structed. Aid  has  been  voted  to  other  lines, 
and  many  additions  to  the  alread}'  splendid 
system  of  railroads  centering  here  are  pro- 
posed. To  any  one  familiar  with  the  good 
results  that  flow  in  such  large  streams  from 
these  powerful  agencies  in  the  development 
of  cities,  the  fact  that  Evansville  maintains  a 
stead}'  growth  can  bring  no  surprise.  In 
1880  the  population  of  the  city,  by  the  cen- 
sus report,  was  a  little  in  excess  of  29,000. 
This  census  was  probably  not  well  taken, 
for,  b}'  careful  estimates,  based  on  the  num- 
ber of  voters  in  the  citv  at  that  time,  the 
number  of  children  in  the  schools,  and  the 
number  of  names  in  the  city  directory,  the 
population  was  shown  to  be  at  least  40,000. 
The  assessed  valuation  of  propert}'  amount- 
ed to  $18,152,005,  being  divided  as  follows: 
Real  estate,  $7,769,805;  improvements, 
$5>i49'5S.'5;  personal  property,  $5,232,645. 
In  that  year  the  wholesale  and  jobbing  trade 
was    very  large   in    all    classes  of    articles. 


RAILROAD  DEVELOPMENT. 


m 


The  annual  sales  of  some  of  these,  as  estimated 
upon  merchants'  reports,  are  here  (juoted: 
Groceries, $3, S50,ooo;dry  goods  and  notions, 
$2,Soo,ooo;  hardware,  $180,000;  boots  and 
shoes,  $1,800,000;  leather,  $500,000;  drugs, 
$740,000;  clothing,  $1,500,000;  hats,  caps 
and  furs,  $500,000;  china,  glass  and  queens- 
ware,  $350,000;  pork  packers,  $700,000. 

Those  who,  as  thev  grew  up  into  a 
knowledge  of  affairs,  and  in  the  active 
periods  of  their  careers  saw  that  Evans- 
ville's  prosperity  was  drawn  almost  entirely 
from  the  river  trade,  as  was  the  fact  in 
earlier  days,  may  view  the  alterations  in 
that  trade  as  a  mark  of  the  cit3''s  decline.  If 
so,  they  err,  for  not  onl)'  is  the  number  of 
boats  registered  larger  than  ever  before, 
but  the  changes  in  the  character  of  their 
business  have  been  such  as  to  furnish 
employment  to  a  greater  number  of  men 
and  women  residing  in  Evansville.  For- 
merl\-  steamers  brought  raw  materials  and 
manufactured  goods  here  from  different 
localities,  and  E\-ansville  merely  effected  an 
exchange  between  the  separated  consumers 
and  producers.  Now  these  steamers  bring 
crude  materials  and  carry  away  manufact- 
ured goods,  the  transformation  from  one 
condition  to  the  other  being  effected  by  the 
brains  and  hands  of  the  toilers  here. 
Besides  the  steamers,  in  this  work  there  are 
the  great  steel  highways  leading  in  all 
directions,  over  which  are  run,  with  system- 
atic regularity,  thousands  of  freighted  cars 
in  every  month  of  the  year,  themselves 
furnishing  employment  to  a  vast  number  of 
workmen  whose  families  are  a  portion  of 
Evansville's  societ\-,  assisting  to  support  its 
schools  and  churches,  and  each  doing  some- 
thing to  enhance  the  public  welfare. 

That  the  founders  and  earh'  settlers  of 
this  citj-  builded  better  than  they  knew  is 
nowhere  more  strikingly  exhibited  than  in 
tiie  fact  thai  the  place  selected  by  them  is  so 


favorably  located  for  the  development  of 
vast  stores  of  natural  wealth  of  the  existence 
of  which  they  at  that  time  had  no  knowl- 
edge. That  immeasurable  quantities  of 
coal  la}'  under  the  surface  of  the  new  land 
where  the}-  were  raising  their  rude  cabins, 
that  the  extensive  forests  of  hard  wood,  with 
the  passage  of  years,  would  enter  into  the 
world's  consumption  at  so  great  a  value,  and 
that  mountains  of  building  stone  and  rich 
ores,  so  essential  to  the  satisfaction  of  needs 
they  could  not  dream  of  then,  were  to  the 
southward,  within  easy  access,  could  not 
possibly  ha\-e  entered  into  their  considera- 
tion. The  trials  and  misfortunes  that 
checked  immigration  to  the  stjite  of  Indiana 
at  various  times,  and  the  causes  which  made 
the  incoming  of  settlers  spasmodic,  have 
already  received  some  consideration  in  these 
pages.  When  that  great  tide  of  immi- 
grants poured  in  between  the  years  1835  and 
1840,  the  easy-going  habits  of  earlier  pio- 
neers were  abandoned.  There  was  a  c'en- 
eral  awakening,  and  ever\-  new  demand 
evoked  an  attempt  to  supply  it.  Some  of 
the  most  ordinary  farm  implements  were 
neither  made  in  Evans\ille,  nor  were  thev 
to  be  had  at  the  stores  in  the  place.  But 
the  importance  of  manufacturing,  as  the 
most  reliable  source  of  substantial  growth, 
was  recognized  soon  thereafter,  and  from 
the  time  when  the  work  of  utilizing  the 
wealth  of  the  forests  and  the  fields  by  con- 
verting their  wild  products  into  implements 
and  articles  of  use  was  begun,  the  mer- 
chants and  capitalists  of  the  city,  with  un- 
flagging zeal,  have  sought  to  encourage  and 
foster  this  interest  in  its  varied  branches, 
until  to-da\'  there  is  probablv  no  city  in  the 
United  States,  of  equal  population,  that  has  a 
greater  diversity  of  established  manufactur- 
ing industries. 

The  growth  of  the  city  in  this  particular 
has    been    gratifying,    but    perhaps    not    so 


in 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


great  as  might  reasonably  have  been  ex- 
pected when  the  vast  possibihties  and  means 
of  advancement  are  considered.  There  has 
been  a  constant  increase  in  the  variety  of 
these  interests  and  the  aggregate  volume 
of  their  output.  At  times  the  progress  has 
been  slow,  and  some  enterprises  have  failed 
because  of  faultj^  management  or  financial 
depression  of  more  than  local  proportions, 
but  nevertheless  the  aggregate  of  the  work 
done  has  grown  from  period  to  period. 
Manufacturing,  in  its  relation  to  the  general 
commerce  of  the  present  day,  is  the  chief 
organ  in  the  industrial  anatomy.  Through 
the  vast  channels  of  commerce,  millions  of 
values  annually  find  their  way  to  the  arti- 
sans, mechanics  and  wage-workers  of  the 
world,  and  by  them  are  worked  up  into  new 
articles  of  usefulness,  again  to  be  sent  out 
on  missions  of  advancement  and  upbuild- 
ing. Manufacturing  and  commerce,  then, 
are  mutually  dependent,  and  in  the  developed 
conditions  of  this  age  and  place,  "useless 
each  without  the  other." 

It  is  estimated  with  acceptable  accuracy 
that  at  this  time  fully  $3,500,000.00  of  cap- 
ital are  invested  here  in  manufacturing- 
plants  engaged  in  producing  various  lines  of 
merchandise.  The  following  is  a  partial 
list  of  the  number  and  variety  of  these  estab- 
lishments now   in  successful  operation : 

Agricultural  implements,  4;  architectural 
iron  works,  5;  awnings  and  tents,  2;  bag 
manufacturer,  i ;  bakery,  cracker,  i ;  bak- 
ing powder,  2;  barrel  hoops,  i;  barrel 
heading,  i ;  bedstead,  i ;  bent  material,  i ; 
blank  books,  4;  boiler  makers,  5;  boot,  shoe 
and  gaiter  uppers,  3;  box  manufacturer, 
wood,  I ;  brass  founders,  2 ;  breweries,  3 ; 
brickyards,  12;  broom  manufacturers,  3; 
candy  manufacturers,  4;  carriage  manufac- 
turers, 10;  carriage  springs,  i;  chair  manu- 
facturers, 6;  cigar  box  manufacturer,  i; 
coal   mines,  8;    coffin    manufactory,  i ;    corn 


meal  mills,  4;  cotton  mill  (largest  west  of 
New  England),  i;  excelsior  manufacturing 
machine,  i ;  feather  reno\'ating  machines,  i ; 
files  and  rasps,  r;  flour  mills,  8;  furniture 
factories,  8;  galvanized  iron  work,  6:  hoe 
manufacturer,  i ;  homin\-  mill,  i ;  horse 
collars,  8 ;  ice  factory,  i ;  iron  foundries, 
10;  jeans  clothing  manufacturers,  4;  jewel- 
ers, manufacturing,  4:  laboratory,  i;  lum- 
ber manufacturers,  8:  machinery  builders,  5; 
malt  manufacturers,  2;  metallic  bottle  caps, 
I ;  paper  box  manufacturers,  i ;  piano  maker, 
I ;  picture  frarhe  makers,  3 ;  planing-mills, 
7  ;  plow  handles,  i ;  plow  manufacturers,  3 ; 
potteries,  3;  saddles,  harness,  etc.,  17;  sash, 
doors,  etc.,  8;  saw-mills,  11;  shoe  factory, 
ladies',  i ;  shirt  factory,  i ;  soap  manufac- 
turer, i;  stave  factories,  3;  steam  engine 
builders,  5 ;  stone  yards,  3 ;  stove  foundries, 
6;  sugarcane  mills,  2;  table  manufactory, 
I ;  tanneries,  2 ;  tin,  copper  and  sheet  iron, 
20;  tobacco  manufacturers,  3;  tool  manu- 
facturer, I ;  trunk  manufacturer,  i ;  uphol- 
stery manufacturers,  4;  veneers  and  veneer 
goods,  i;  wagon  makers,  13;  washboard 
manufacturers,  2;  whip  maker,  i;  woolen 
mill,  I ;    miscellaneous,  50. 

The  extent  of  the  flour  milling  interest  is 
already  considerable,  and  the  extraordinary 
advantages  afforded  by  cheap  fuel  and  loca- 
tion in  the  grain  growing  region,  and  near 
the  consuming  population  of  the  great  South, 
is  already  attracting  the  attention  of  millers 
elsewhere,  with  every  prospect  that  this  in- 
terest will  be  enormously  increased.  The 
following  is  a  statement  of  the  flour  business 
under  the  present  capacity: 

Total  output  of  flour  per  day,  2,100  bar- 
rels; total  output  of  flour  per  week,  12,600 
barrels;  total  output  of  flour  per  year,  630,- 
000  barrels;  consumption  of  wheat  per  da}', 
9,500  bushels;  consumption  of  wheat  per 
week,  57,000  bushels;  consumption  of  wheat 
per  j'ear,  2,736,000  bushels;  average  cost  of 


MANUFA  C  TURING. 


m 


wlieat  per  da}'  at  8o  cents,  $7,600;  average 
cost  of  wheat  per  week  at  80  cents,  $45,000; 
average  cost  of  wheat  per  year  at  80  cents, 
$2,188,800;  average  cost  of  packages  per 
day,  $546;  average  cost  of  packages  per 
week,  $3,276;  average  cost  of  packages  per 
year,  $157,248;  average  cost  to  manufacture 
per  day,  at  40  cents  a  barrel,  $840;  average 
cost  to  manufacture  per  week,  at  40  cents  a 
barrel,  $5,040;  average  cost  to  manufacture 
per  year,  at  40  cents  a  barrel,  $241,920. 

This  represents  the  output  of  seven  mills, 
and  it  is  believed  that  notwithstanding  the 
capacity  of  all  of  them  is  small,  as  compared 
with  that  of  the  mammoth  mills  at  Minne- 
apolis, the  cost  of  production  is  as  small  as 
the  cost  at  Minneapolis,  due  in  large  part  to 
the  low  price  of  coal  and  nearness  to  the 
grain,  while  the  cost  of  marketing  is  very 
considerably  less.  Evansville,  therefore,  may 
justly  claim  an  unequaled  location  for  the 
profitable  production  of  flour. 

That  Evansville  should  be  a  large  manu- 
facturer of  furniture  and  woodenwares  of 
all  kinds  can  not  occasion  surprise,  when  it 
is  known  that  the  last  United  States  census 
showed  tills  city  to  be  the  largest  hardwood 
lumber  market  in  the  United  States. 

Some  conception  of  the  magnitude  of  the 
saw-mill  and  lumber  interests  m;x\-  be  had 
from  the  following  statistical  data,  gathered 
from  the  books  of  those  engaged  in  these 
enterprises:  number  of  saw-mills,  11;  num- 
ber of  men  employed,  855;  amount  of  wages 
paid  yearly,  $385,000;  feet  of  lumber  sawed, 
107,500,000;  capital  invested,  $500,000; 
yearly  business,  $2,545,000;  amount  of 
ground  occupied  by  mills,  about  40  acres. 

Another  evidence  of  the  city's  growth  is 
the  immense  trade  in  building  brick.  There 
are  fourteen  brickyards  within,  or  just 
outside,  the  city  limits,  with  an  aggregate 
daily  output  of  90,000,  and  an  annual  output 
of  more    than    15,000,000.     There  are  200 


hands  employed.  The  increase  in  the  growth 
of  the  cit}^  is  partially  represented  by  the 
increase  in  the  output  of  these  brick- 
yards, which  is  about  thirty  per  cent  over 
the  product  of  last  year.  The  entire  output 
of  1887  was  sold  before  the  beginning  of 
the  spring  trade  of  18S8,  and  8,000,000  of 
the  present  year's  make  have  already  been 
sold  for  future  delivery.  The  brickyards 
not  only  make  the  common  building  brick, 
but  two  of  them  are  manufacturing  stock  or 
repressed  and  ornamental  brick  the  equal  of 
any  to  be  found  west  of  the  Alleghany 
mountains.  The  makers  of  brick  here  now 
ship  from  600,000  to  1,000,000  a  month  to 
southern  states. 

One  of  the  most  faithful  handmaids  of 
manufacturing  is  mining,  the  growth  of 
which  industry  has  been  commensurate  with 
that  concerning  which  some  statistics  have 
just  been  given.  In  earl}-  days  the  only  fuel 
used  was  wood.  Manv  pioneer  farmers 
along  the  river  bank  laid  the  foundations  of 
their  fortunes  by  establishing  woodyards 
and  furnishing  fuel  to  the  steamboats.  The 
towing  of  coal  from  the  mines  far  up  the 
river  was  commenced  in  1850,  and  a  few 
years  later  collieries  were  established  in  this 
vicinity  and  operated  with  great  success. 
The  amount  of  coal  within  easy  access  of 
the  furnaces  of  Evansville  is  beyond  com- 
putation. The  great  abundance  of  this 
product  of  nature  and  the  comparative  ease 
with  which  it  is  brought  to  market,  the 
chief  item  of  cost  bein<j  the  labor-cost  in  its 
mining,  makes  its  price  to  the  consumer 
very  low.  Under  the  city  there  are  two 
veins  of  soft  coal  which  are  reached  by  ten 
different  shafts  within  or  near  the  city 
limits.  Vast  quantities  are  transported  here 
by  rail  and  water,  there  being  within  a  radius 
of  thirty  miles  no  less  than  sixty  shafts  in 
operation.  A  coal  famine  has  never  been 
known    in    Evansville,  and  it  is  now  recog- 


lU 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


nized  as  an  impossibility,  so  varied  are  the 
sources  of  supply.  The  cost  of  coal  is  from 
fifty  to  seventv-five  cents  per  ton.  With 
such  cheap  fuel  there  has  not  been 
here,  as  in  many  other  places,  that  intense 
anxiety  for  the  discovery  of  natural  gas,  a 
substance  recently  thought  to  promise  a 
revolution  in  manufacturing  industries;  how- 
ever, wells  are  being  sunk  in  close  proximity 
to  the  city  limits,  and  gas  has  been  secured 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  cit}-. 

In  this  connection  attention  mav  be  di- 
rected to  the  vast  areas  of  rich  iron  ore  in 
the  states  immediately  south  of  Evansville, 
and  to  the  fact  that  for  the  purposes  of  com- 
bining the  two  substances,  iron  and  fuel,  in 
manufacturing  enterprises,  the  advantages 
of  this  cit}-  are  unecjualed.  Statisticians 
show  that  the  values  of  farm  lands  in  any 
prescribed  area  increase  in  direct  proportion 
with  the  per  cent  of  the  population  engaged 
in  other  than  agricultural  pursuits.  The 
farmer  earh'  learned  that  surplus  produce 
without  a  market  was  not  wealth.  The  dis- 
tance between  him  and  the  consumers  of 
his  products  measures  the  extent  of  his  pros- 
perity. The  same  rule  governs  the  pros- 
perit}'  of  the  producers  of  other  commodities. 
A  diversity  of  interests  and  a  diversity  of 
employment,  call  into  action  the  highest  de- 
gree of  mental  force  and  make  a  community 
great.  Evansville  is  in  the  center  of  a  great 
corn  producing  country,  in  the  midst  of 
what  is  known  and  recognized  as  the  corn 
belt.  _  Three-fifths  of  all  the  tobacco  grown 
in  the  United  States  is  produced  within  a 
circle  described  about  Evansville  as  a  center 
with  a  radius  loo  miles  in  length.  Ten 
thousand  hogsheads  were  sold  on  the 
"breaks"  here  last  year,  and  from  the  ear- 
liest times  the  business  of  handling  this  pro- 
duct has  been  engaged  in  extensively  by 
men  of  high  business  standing  and  of  great 
financial    strength.     The    grain    producing 


country  directly  tributar}-  to  Evansville,  ex- 
tends over  a  large  portion  of  three  great 
states.  All  forms  of  produce  find  here  a 
read}'  market.  Very  recently  the  canning 
industrj-  has  been  entered  upon,  and  the  cul- 
tivation of  vegetables  and  small  fruits  is  re- 
ceiving proper  encouragement. 

If  diversity  of  interests  is  the  touchstone 
of  municipal  greatness,  the  magnificent 
growth  of  this  city  need  not  occasion  won- 
der; indeed,  the  only  cause  for  wonderment 
is  that  with  its  great  natural  advantages  the 
city  has  not  moved  forward  with  more  rapid 
and  more  gigantic  strides.  At  this  time  the 
population  of  the  city,  based  upon  the  most 
reliable  data,  is  53,000:  and  the  assessed 
value  of  real  and  personal  property  within 
the  city  limits  is  $20,825,708.00,  to  which, 
to  obtain  the  actual  amount  of  the  city's 
wealth,  must  be  added  the  value  of  many 
factories,  among  them  the  cotton  mill  and 
the  potteries,  and  many  residences  located 
beyond  the  city  limits,  as  well  as  from  35  to 
50  per  cent  upon  the  figures  quoted,  that 
being  the  difference  between  assessed  and 
actual  values.  That  extensive  improvement 
is  being  made  is  apparent  to  the  most  casual 
observer.  On  every  hand  can  be  seen  evi- 
dences of  continuous  and  health}'  growth 
and  sound  prosperity.  Many  handsome 
buildings  are  being  erected,  and  the  hum  of 
industry  is  everywhere  heard.  In  18S7 
the  estimated  cost  of  improvements  was 
$276,500.00,  while  up  to  the  middle  of  Octo- 
ber of  the  present  \'ear  it  was  $294,260.00. 
The  city  directory  now  being  made  shows 
an  estimated  increase  of  4,000  or  5,000  in 
the  city's  population  during  the  present  year. 

Much  of  the  recent  growth  has  been 
due  to  an  organized  effort  on  the  part  of 
progressive  citizens  to  utilize  the  gifts  of 
Providence,  showered  in  such  abundance  at 
the  feet  of  this  city.  A  Business  Men's 
Association    has    been    formed,    its    objects 


PRESENT  AND  FUTURE. 


145 


being  to  effect  the  betterment  of  the  city  and 
its  people  in  every  possible  way,  and  by 
developing  its  natural  resources  to  earn  for 
Evansville  that  rank  and  reco<rnition  aniontj 
the  cities  of  the  world  which  it  ought  to 
receive.  The  association  has  already  done 
much  good  by  inducing  the  establishment 
here  of  labor-employing  enterprises,  and  by 
planning  for  a  magnificent  opera-house  and 
public  building,  now  in  course  of  construc- 
tion, to  cost  $100,000.00.  Its  officers  are 
M.  J.  Bray,  Jr.,  president;  W.  J.  Wood,  first 
vice  president;  Samuel  Vickery,  second  vice 
president;  S.  S.  Scantlin,  treasurer,  and  W. 
S.  French,  secretar\-,  and  among  its  mem- 
bers are  about  500  of  the  most  progressive 
and  advanced  citizens  of  the  place. 

The  development  thus  far  made  and  past 
achievements  in  the  various  divisions  of 
human  effort,  suggest  the  possibilities  of  the 
future.  Nature  with  lavish  hand  has  be- 
stowed her  favors;  the  rapidity  and  extent 
of  Evansville's  growth  hereafter  must  de- 
pend wholly  upon  the  amount  of  wisdom 
and  enterprise  exercised  by  its  citizens.  But 
it  is  attempted  here  to  record  onl}'  the 
works  of  the  past  and  the  present  status  of 
the  city.  To  recite  achieved  facts,  not  to 
utter  hopes,  speculate  upon  possibilities, 
suggest  public  needs,  or  means  of  quick 
development,  is  the  sole  privilege  of  the 
writer.  The  "  lamps  of  prophecy  "  can  not 
be  lighted;  the  realms  of  the  future  can  not 
be  invaded. 

With  its  population  of  53,000,  Evansville 
is  already  the  second  city  in  a  state  having 
over  2,000,000  intelligent  and  progressive 
inhabitants.  Located  on  the  Ohio  river, 
above  the  reach  of  the  highest  waters 
known  to  history,  commanding  the  trade 
of  the  great  south,  with  eight  steamboat 
lines,  five  of  them  daily  packets  with  this 
as  a  terminal  point,  sixty   registered   steam- 


boats, and  seven  well  constructed  and 
admirably  equipped  railroad  lines,  the  com- 
mercial advantages  of  the  city  are  patent 
to  all.  Fron;  the  earliest  times,  with  every 
change  in  the  commercial  facilities  and 
methods  of  the  west,  Evansville  has  had  a 
most  enviable  position.  When  the  water- 
ways were  in  the  ascendency  she  com- 
manded a  great  trade;  as  they  are  par- 
alleled and  perhaps  worsted  in  the  sharp 
contest  for  supremacy  in  the  commercial 
world  by  their  great  competitor,  the  iron 
horse,  Evansville  becomes  a  railroad  center 
and  maintains  a  high  position  among  the  chief 
cities  of  the  middle  states.  The  fittest  sur- 
vives always,  in  means  of  transportation  as 
well  as  all  things  else.  Great  streams  like 
the  Mississippi,  the  Missouri  and  the  Ohio 
have  already  lost  much  of  their  commercial 
value.  They  may  continue  to  lose  through- 
out the  coming  half  centurj'.  That  this 
city  may  maintain  its  commercial  standing, 
its  large  minded  citizens  will  doubtless  see 
to  it  that  its  advantages  are  not  curtailed 
by  any  neglect  in  the  construction  of  rail- 
roads, the  only  means  of  securing  its  proper 
relation  to  the  surrounding  countr}-,  now 
rapidly  developing. 

With  cheap  fuel  and  cheap  transportation 
from  the  cotton  fields  and  iron  mines  of  the 
south,  as  the  center  of  an  almost  limitless 
supply  of  hard  wood,  and  with  every  facility 
for  manufacturing,  it  is  not  surprising  that 
no  place  of  equal  population  throughout  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  land  has  a  greater 
diversit}-  of  manufacturing  interests.  The 
largest  cotton  mills  west  of  New  England, 
and  over  300  manufacturing  establish- 
ments in  operation,  give  the  citv  a 
prominent  place  among  producers  of  manu- 
factured goods.  With  a  banking  capital  of 
$3,000,000,  and  surrounded  on  all  sides  by 
the  richest  agricultural  region,  her  mercan- 
tile exploits  are  of   necessity  very  extensive. 


H.6 


THE  CITY  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


With  artificial  gas  and  electric  light  plants, 
waterworks,  street  railways,  well  improved  ! 
streets,  manv  miles  of  free  gravel-roads, 
elegant  and  commodious  pubhc  buildings, 
and  every  public  convenience;  with  schools, 
churches  and  libraries  worth}'  her  industrial 
importance,  unsurpassed  social  advantages, 
many  elegant  private  residences,  and  numer- 
ous cottages  owned  by  their  occupants;  and 
with  several  extensive  and  important  enter- 
prises projected  and  in  process  of  establish- 
ment, Evansville,  as  it  now  is,  may  be  truly 
called  a  great  city.  And,  further,  its  varied 
and  extensive  natural  advantages,  inexhaust- 
ible sources  of  wealth,  already'  referred  to 
in  detail,  lead  to  the  conclusion  and  warrant 
the  assertion  that  this  city  has  nothing  for 
which  it  may  be  more  thankful  than  its 
future. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 
Hon.  William  Heilman  was  born  in 
Albig,  Rhenish  Hesse,  Germany,  October 
II,  1S24.  His  father,  Valentine  Heilman, 
was  a  reputable  farmer  who  died  in  1826. 
For  her  second  husband  Mrs.  Heilman 
married  Peter  Weintz,  and  in  1843  the  fam- 
ily came  to  America,  landing  in  New 
Orleans.  Thence  they  moved  to  St.  Louis 
and  shortly  afterward  to  Pose}'  countv,  Ind., 
where  Mr.  Weintz  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. William  was  at  this  time  a  sturdy  lad 
of  nineteen  years  and  had  evidenced  the 
possession  of  those  traits  of  character  which 
have  since  contributed  so  largely  to  his  suc- 
cess. Life  on  a  farm  was  not  congenial  and 
he  resolved  to  seek  a  more  profitable  voca- 
tion. In  1847  he  came  to  Evansville,  and 
in  company  with  his  brother-in-law.  Chris- 
tian Kratz,  established  a  small  machine  shop 
and  foundry  on  Pine  street,  using  two  blind 
horses  to  supply  the  motive  power.  In  a 
comparatively  short  time  the  tact  and  sa- 
gacity of  Mr.  Heilman  as  a  man  of  affairs 
began    to    attract    attention.      Three    years 


later  the  business  had  increased  to  such  an 
extent  that  increased  facilities  became  abso- 
lutely necessary,  and  the  firm  built  a  com- 
modious brick  shop  and  commenced  using 
steam  power.  In  1854  thev  manufactured 
their  first  portable  engine,  and  in  1859  their 
first  thresher.  Upon  the  breaking  out  of 
the  war  of  the  rebellion  many  of  Mr. 
Heilman's  business  associates  were  in  doubt 
as  to  the  ultimate  success  of  the  Union 
armies.  Mr.  Heilman  and  his  partner  took 
a  decided  stand  for  the  preservation  of  the 
union  of  the  states,  and  it  was  here  that  that 
business  forecast  so  essential  to  the  success- 
ful business  man  was  exhibited  in  its  strong- 
est light.  In  1864  Mr.  Kratz,  receiving  for 
his  interest  $100,000,  thus  showing  with  what 
success  they  had  worked  up  to  that  time, 
retired  from  the  firm,  since  which  time  Mr. 
Heilman  has  conducted  the  business  alone. 
Through  his  energy  the  establishment  has 
grown  to  massive  proportions,  occupying 
nearly  an  entire  block.  While  so  deeply 
engrossed  in  business,  matters  of  public  im- 
port have  always  received  Mr.  Heilman's 
careful  attention.  In  1852  he  was  elected 
councilman,  and  for  many  years  discharged 
the  duties  of  that  office  with  credit  to  him- 
self and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  con- 
stituents. Mr.  Heilman  has  always  been  a 
staunch  republican.  In  1870  he  was  elected 
to  the  state  legislature,  and  in  1872  was 
nominated  for  congress,  and  although  the  dis- 
trict was  democratic  by  2500  votes,  he  reduced 
his  opponent's  majority  to  112.  In  1876  he 
was  elected  to  the  state  senate,  and  while  in 
Europe  in  1878  the  republicans  of  the  First 
congressional  district  of  Indiana  again  se- 
lected him  as  their  standard  bearer.  He  ac- 
cepted the  proffered  honor,  and  after  a  short 
stay  in  his  nadve  land,  returned,  and  at  the 
close  of  a  spirited  canvass  of  sixteen  days,  was 
elected  by  a  flattering  majority.  In  congress 
as  everywhere  else,  Mr.  Heilman  evidenced 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


U7 


that  keen  perception  and  sterling  good  sense 
which  ha\ebeen  conspicuous  in  all  his  under- 
takings. In  evidence  of  this  fact,  a  portion 
of  a  speech  delivered  in  the  house  in 
1879,'  on  the  "Warner  Coinage  Bill,"'  a 
measure  intended  to  enrich  the  holders  of 
silver  bullion  at  the  expense  of  the  people, 
lo  the  extent  of  15  cents  on  the  dollar  is 
quoted  below.  Mr.  Heilman  was  thoroughh' 
convinced  that  the  success  of  the  important 
measure  of  resumption,  then  but  a  few 
months  old,  required  nothing  but  letting 
alone.  He  insisted  that  "honesty  is  the 
best  polic\-"  in  governmental  matters  as  well 
as  in  everything  else,  and  while  denied  a  fin- 
ished education  in  books,  he  had  always  been 
an  apt  pupil  in  that  other  school  in  which  the 
teachers  are  observation  and  experience. 
In  his  speech  his  business  acumen  asserted 
itself.  He  thus  expressed  his  views  on  the 
bill :  '•  I  am  stronglv  in  favor  of  well  con- 
sidered, practical  legislation  to  benefit  the 
agricultural  and  manufacturing  interests,  to 
increase  our  commerce  and  wealth,  but  by 
all  means  let  us  have  some  stabilitv  in  our 
financial  legislation.  The  condition  of  the 
countr\-  is  at  last  sureh,  although  perhaps 
slowly,  getting  better,  and  what  commerce 
and  finance  need  just  now  more  than  an^•- 
thing  else  is  to  be  let  alone." 

In  congress  he  was  noted  for  his  keen 
foresight  and  watchful  study  of  |iublic  affairs, 
and  he  was  regarded  by  his  fellow  members 
as  one  of  the  best  of  business  leirislators. 
His  views  were  always  practical  and  his 
advice  sound.  While  Mr.  Heilman's  polit- 
ical record  is  enviable,  his  pre-eminence  lies 
in  his  career  as  a  man  of  affairs,  and  it  is 
safe  to  assert  that  what  his  enterprise  and 
genius  have  done  to  advance"and  foster  the 
commercial  prosperity  of  the  citv  of  Evans- 
ville  has  not  been  excelled  by  the  efforts  of 
any  other  individual.  The  cotton  mill  owes 
its  existence  to   his   energy  and  capacity  in 


financial  investments,  and  the  same  remarks 
will  apply  to  many  other  important  enter- 
prises. Every  project  having  for  its  object 
the  adxancement  of  the  interests  of  the  citv 
of  Evansville  has  always  found  in  him  a 
warm  friend  and  supporter.  To  him  the 
Latin  phrase  '■'■  fabcr  suae  fortuiiac^'  is  em- 
inently applicable.  Beginning  \vith  little 
more  than  his  natural  endowments  as  his 
caj-iital.  he  has  achieved  success  in  all  de- 
partments of  life,  and  his  course  is  worthy 
of  emulation  by  all  classes  of  vountr  men. 
Commencing  at  the  bottom  round  of  the 
ladder  with  a  borrowed  capital  of  $500,  he 
is  now  regarded  as  one  of  the  wealthiest 
manufacturers  of  the  state.  His  capacity 
for  work  has  been  great  and  his  dispatch  of 
business  rapid.  He  is  now  sixty-four  years 
of  age,  but  is  still  an  indefatigable  worker 
and  always  punctual.  These  characteristics 
ha\e  contributed  largely  to  the  successful 
achievements  of  his  life. 

In  1848  Mr.  Heilman  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Jenner.  She  was  born  in  German\', 
and  came  to  this  country  when  nine  years  of 
age.  The  result  of  this  union  is  a  family  of 
nine  children.  His  sons,  George  P.  and 
William  A.,  are  prominent  business  men,  the 
former  manager  of  the  Heilman  Hominy  Mills 
and  the  latter  associated  with  his  father  in 
the  Heilman  Machine  Works.  Mr.  Heil- 
man has  been  a  consistent  member  of  St. 
Jolin's  Evangelical  church  since  its  organ- 
ization in  1851. 

John  Sha.nklix,  one  of  those  whose 
honored  names  are  imperishablv  written 
in  the  history  of  southern  Indiana,  had  a 
career  that  is  a  notable  illustration  of 
the  possibilities  of  life  in  a  land  of  freedom 
to  an  energetic  and  indomitable  spirit. 
When  he  was  a  babe  of  two  j-ears,  the 
father,  who  bore  the  same  name,  fell  in 
the  Irish  rebellion  of  1798,  fighting  for  the 
liberties    of    his    native    land.       For    this 


US 


THE  CITY  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


orphaned  child,  born  at  Carrick  Magra, 
county  Donegal,  on  the  17th  of  February, 
1 796,  there  surely  could  have  been,  in  those 
troublous  times,  no  augur\-  of  a  prosperous 
future.  At  the  tender  age  of  thirteen  years, 
after  receiving  such  education  as  could  then 
and  there  be  obtained,  he  began  the  battle 
of  life  as  an  apprentice  in  a  general  store  at 
Donegal,  and  remained  there  five  years. 
Then  the  story  of  the  new  world  drew  him, 
and  on  the  5th  of  August,  1815,  after  a  six- 
weeks'  voyage  in  a  sailing  vessel,  he  set  foot 
on  American  soil  at  New  York.  I  lis 
apprentice  lessons  then  stood  him  in  good 
stead,  and  he  immediatelv  began  an 
engagement,  which  lasted  three  vears,  with 
Samuel  &  James  Lambert,  wholesale  hard- 
ware merchants  on  Pearl  street,  New  York. 
The  end  of  this  engagement  was  caused, 
again,  by  tidings  of  the  promise  for  young 
men  further  west.  He  talked  with  a  hard- 
ware dealer  from  Frankfort,  Ky.,  a  Mr. 
Miles,  who  invited  \'Oung  Shanklin  to 
become  a  salesman  for  him,  and  the  offer 
was  accepted.  At  this  new  pioneer  home,  a 
great  misfortune  befell  him,  onl\'  a  few  days 
after  his  arrival,  an  accident  which  caused  the 
amputation  of  his  right  foot!  This  at  fii'st 
seemed  to  force  him  to  abandon  business, 
and  he  essayed  teaching,  in  which  he  had 
fair  success,  at  Shelbyville  and  vicinitv,  for 
about  three  years.  Then  he  went  back  to 
trade,  entering  the  extensive  auction  store 
of  Robert  J.  Ormsby,  at  Louisville. 
Ormsby  pro\ed  to  be  a  good  friend,  and 
established  Mr.  Shanklin  in  the  dry-goods 
business  at  Newcastle,  Ky.  But  the 
hopes  of  the  voung  merchant  were  [ 
speedily  crushed.  Ormsby  failed,  and  a 
nice  sense  of  honor  impelled  the  voung  man 
to  send  back  to  Louisville  all  the  goods  he 
had  received.  He  had  nothing  of  com- 
mercial  \alue  left  but  a  horse  and  saddle 
and  a  good  credit.      The  latter  enabled  him 


to  obtain   a   stock   of  goods    at   Shelbyville, 
Ky.,    and    he    estabHshed    himself  again    in 
business,    this    time    at    Hardenburgh,   Kj-., 
with    one    Moffatt    as    partner.       In    a    few 
months  they  moved  to  Evansville,  beginning 
business  life  in  this  city,  December  3d,  1823. 
Their  stock  was  too  large  for  the  town,  and 
the  partner,  Moffatt,  took  half  the  goods  to 
Cynthiana.     Under  the  firm  name  of  Shank- 
lin &  Moffatt,  Mr.   Shanklin   conducted   the 
business  at  the  corner  of  Locust  and  Water 
streets   until    1827,  when    the   firm   was   dis- 
solved.    Then  for  five  vears  the   firm   name 
was   Shanklin  &   Co.,  changing  to  Shanklin 
&  Johnson  in  1837,  and  afterward  to  Shank- 
lin &  Reilh".     Until  1853,  the  original  busi- 
ness stand  was  occupied.       On   the   first    of 
January,    1872,    Mr.   Shanklin   retired  from 
trade,    and   devoted  himself  to    the   care  of 
his  pri\-ate  affairs,  and    five  years   later,    on 
the  nth  day  of  January,  1877,  he  was  called 
to   rest,  peacefully  closing  a   long    life  well 
spent,     in  business  he  was  active  and  saga- 
cious.     His  enterprises  were  grand  in  scope 
and  remarkably  successful.    For  many  years 
he  engaged  in  shipping  the  agricultural  pro- 
ducts of  the  region,  first  by  flat-boat,  and  then 
bv  steamers,  to  New  Orleans,    and  through- 
out the   great  region  in  which  his  trade  ex- 
tended,  his  name    was    always    untarnished 
and  his  honor  and   his   credit   unquestioned. 
Not  onl\-  in  business  was   he   active,   but   in 
those  enterprises  which  make  men    beloved 
of  their  fellow  citizens,  in  those  things  which 
work  for  the  general  good,  and   in   his  atti- 
tude  toward   the    religious    and    benevolent 
movements  of  societv,  he  was    readv,    sym- 
pathetic  and  open-handed.       His   estimable 
wife  was  trul}-  a  helpmeet  in  these  functions, 
and  to   her   as   the    founder  of  the  Sunday- 
school    movement    in    Evansville,  the    com- 
munity of  to-da}'  owes  a  deep  debt  of  grati- 
tude.      Her   zealous,    self-sacrificing    spirit 
will  be  immortal  here,   in   the  good  that  she 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


lAO 


has  done.  As  time  lolls  on,  the  memories 
of  these  two  noble  lixes  will  grow  fresher 
and  sweeter,  an  inspiration  to  all  earnest 
souls  who  would  achieve  honest  success  for 
themselves,  and  lend  an  ever-ready  hand  of 
aid  and  encouragement  to  others. 

Foster  Family. — ^Judge  Matthew  Wat- 
son Foster,  and  his  descendants,  have  occu- 
pied a  conspicuous  place  in  the  annals  of 
V^anderburgh  countv  from  very  earlv  times 
to  the  present.  Judge  Foster  was  born  in 
Gilestield,  count\-  of  Durham,  England,  June 
22,  iSoo.  When  a  bo}-  he  was  apprenticed 
to  a  bookseller,  and  through  the  opportun- 
ities thus  afforded,  became  remarkably  well 
informed  both  upon  literarv  and  legal  topics. 
Leaving  his  native  country  he  came  to  New 
York  in  1S12,  five  years  later  removed  to 
Edwards  county,  111.,  and  in  1819  settled 
in  Pike  county,  Ind.  He  occupied  a  prom- 
inent place  in  the  early  annals  of  Pike 
county,  and  for  several  years  served  as  as- 
sociate judge  of  the  circuit  court.  lie  was 
engaged  as  a  farmer,  miller  and  merchant 
in  that  county  until  1846,  when  he  came  to 
Evansville,  then  attaining  sufficient  promi- 
nence to  claim  recognition  as  a  citv.  Here 
he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
April  13,  1S63.  Upon  his  arrival  in  Evans- 
ville he  engaged  activeh*  in  business,  and 
immediatelv  took  a  prominent  position  as  a 
most  enterprising,  upright,  enlightened  and 
philanthropic  citizen.  Concerning  everj- 
public  enterprise  his  advice  had  great  weight. 
The  city's  railroads,  churches,  free  schools 
and  public  libraries  were  all  aided  b\'  his 
generous  heart  and  enlightened  mind. 
When  the  ci\il  war  broke  out  his  patriotism 
early  proved  itself.  Too  far  advanced  in 
life  for  personal  service  in  the  field,  he  was 
among  the  first  to  raise  his  voice  and  open 
his  purse  to  secure  recruits.  Three  of  his 
sons  enlisted  in  the  federal  army  and  ren- 
dered   effective   and    distinguished    service. 


Judge  Foster  was  one  of  the  most  prominent 
men  of  the  city  during  his  day,  and  contrib- 
uted largeh-  to  the  general  advancement  of 
E\'ans\ille.  In  e\er\'  relation  of  life  his  con- 
duct was  characteristic  of  a  true,  pure  and 
upright  man.  He  was  married  June  18, 
1829,  to  Miss  Eleanor  Johnson,  who  died 
September  22, 1S49,  aged  thirty-seven  vears. 
To  this  union  eight  children  were  born. 
In  1 85 1  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Sarah 
Kazar,  widow  of  Nelson  Kazar,  who  died  in 
California  in  1849.  Two  children  were 
born  of  the  second  marriage:  William  M. 
Foster  and  Elizabeth  Clifford.  George 
Foster,  eldest  son  of  Judge  Foster,  now  re- 
sides at  San  Diego,  Cal.  He  was  born  in 
Pike  countv,  Ind..,  about  1831,  and  from  1855 
to  1863  was  wholesale  merchant  and  pork 
packer,  doing  a  large  business.  Eliza, 
the  second  daughter  of  Judge  Foster,  is  the 
wife  of  Guild  Copeland,  Es(].,  a  prominent 
banker  and  broker  of  Passaic,  N.  J. 

Col.  John  W.  Foster,  the  third  child,  a 
distinguished  citizen,  soldier  and  diplomat, 
was  born  in  Pike  countv,  Ind.,  March  2, 
1836.  His  early  education  was  obtained  in 
the  schools  of  this  cit\-.  He  studied  law  and 
activelv  engaged  in  the  practice,  but  when 
the  civil  war  broke  out  he  left  his  private 
affairs  and  went  to  the  front.  His  service 
commenced  with  the  Twent_\'-tifth  Indiana 
Infantry  —  the  first  regiment  that  went  out 
as  a  distinctively  Vanderburgh  count)-  or- 
ganization. He  was  commissioned  major, 
and  April  30,  1862,  was  promoted  to  lieu- 
tenant-colonel. On  the  following  August 
4,  he  left  the  regiment  to  take  command  of 
the  Sixty-fifth  Indiana  Infantrv,  as  colonel 
of  which  organization  he  served  until  No- 
vember  10,  1864,  when  he  was  induced  to 
resign  because  of  ph3-sical  disability.  Re- 
cuperating his  health  somewhat,  on  May  21, 
1864,  he  was  commissioned  colonel  of  the 
One    Hundred    and    Twenty-sixth    Indiana 


!■')') 


THE  CITY  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


Infantry,  and  served  through  the  campaign 
of  that  year,  being  mustered  out  with  his 
regiment  on  November  lo,  1864.  Returning 
home  he  occupied  a  prominent  place  as  a 
citizen,  and  in  1S66,  became  interested  in 
the  Evansvillc  Journal,  as  one  of  its  editors 
and  proprietors.  In  1868,  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  of  Evansville  by  Gen.  Grant, 
which  otfice  he  resigned  later  to  enter  the 
diplomatic  service  of  the  government.  As 
minister  of  the  United  States  to  Mexico, 
Russia  and  Spain,  he  has  rendered  distin- 
guished service.  Throughout  his  career  he 
has  been  a  staunch  republican,  a  wise  and 
judicious  politician.  His  abilities  are  such 
that  he  was  sent  abroad  by  President  Cleve- 
land to  attend  to  particular  matters  of 
state,  requiring  the  highest  degree  of  skilled 
diplomac}-  for  their  proper  settlement.  He 
now  resides  in  Washington,  D.  C,  practic- 
ing international  law,  but  is  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  welfare  of  Evansville.  He  is  a 
member  of  Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R.  He 
w  as  married  to  Miss  Mary  Park  McPherson, 
to  whom  four  children  have  been  born. 

Eleanor,  the  second  daughter  and  fourth 
child  of  Judge  Foster,  was  born  in  Peters- 
burgh,  and  died  in  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Alexander  H.  Foster,  a  leading  citizen  of 
Evansville,  was  born  in  Petersburgh,  Ind., 
March  i,  1S38.  He  was  educated  in  the 
State  Universit}'  of  Indiana.  In  July,  1861, 
he  entered  the  federal  army  as  regimental 
quartermaster  of  the  Twenty-fifth  In- 
diana Infantry,  and  served  two  years.  Later, 
he  was  engaged  in  the  wholesale  grocery 
business  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  Memphis, 
Tenn.  He  returned  to  Evansville  in  1866, 
and  engaged  in  the  pork  packing  business. 
He  served  three  years  as  a  member  of  the 
Evansville  city  council,  and  on  January  11, 
1888,  was  appointed  metropolitan  police  com- 
missioner of  Evans\ille.  In  1S82,  he  began 
business  as  a  grain  broker,  and  has  continued 


the  same  up  to  present.  Mr.  Foster  was 
married  April  11,  1861,  to  Martha  Hopkins, 
daughter  of  the  late  Hon.  John  S.  Hopkins, 
one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  citv  and  state, 
and  to  this  union  four  children  have  been 
born.  John  H.,  an  attorney  at  law  in  this 
city;  Frank,  bank  clerk  in  First  National 
Bank;  George,  assistant  city  assessor,  and 
Marv. 

James  H.  Foster,  youngest  son  of  Judge 
M.  W.  and  Eleanor  Foster,  was  born  in 
Pike  county,  Ind.,  March  12,  1844.  He 
was  graduated  from  the  State  University  at 
Bloomington,  Ind.,  in  1864,  receiving  the 
degree  of  A.  M.  and  delivering  the  master's 
oration.  A  few  months  before  his  gradua- 
tion  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-sixth  Indiana  Infantry,  and  served 
with  that  regiment  until  mustered  out 
in  September,  1864.  For  a  time  after 
the  war  he  was  engaged  as  a  wholesale 
grocer  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  Memphis,  Tenn.; 
and  New  Orleans,  La.  He  remained  in  the 
south  until  1884,  engaged  until  1872  in 
mercantile  pursuits,  and  later  as  a  planter  in 
Mississippi.  Coming  to  Evansville,  he  was 
elected  city  auditor  in  1S86,  and  was  re- 
elected in  188S.  He  is  an  efficient  and  pop- 
ular officer.  He  was  married  in  1868  to 
Miss  Retta  Riggs,  daughter  of  Judge 
Riggs,  of  Sulli\an  count}',  Ind.  Of  this 
union  three  children  have  been  born :  Riggs, 
who  died  when  twelve  years  of  age;  Guild 
C.  and  Matthew  W.  Mr.  Foster_  is  a  re- 
publican in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the 
following  fraternities:  F.  &  A.  M.,  K.  of  P., 
K.  of  H.  and  G.  A.  R. 

Samuel  Orr,  an  early  merchant  of  E\ans- 
ville,  and  prominent]}-  identified  with  the 
best  interests  of  the  city  throughout  a  long 
and  honorable  career,  was  one  of  the  enter- 
prising, benevolent  and  Christian  citizens,  to 
whom  the  cit\-  is  indebted  for  much  of  its 
wealth,  prosperity,  and  high  commercial  and 


li^f/. 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


ins 


social  standing.     lie  was  born  in  the  village 
of    Nevvtownards,    count\-    Down,     Ireland, 
in  1810.      He  married,  in  his  native  country, 
Miss  Martha  Lowry,  and  in  1833  the  young 
couple  came  to  America.      Landing  in  Balti- 
more, they  proceeded  thence  to  Pittsburgh, 
where  Mr.  Orr  obtained  emplo^-ment  in  the 
store  of  a  Mr.  Fairman.    His  ability, integrity, 
and  industrv  soon  made  for  him  a  reputation. 
Attracting    the    attention     of     the    Messrs. 
Laughlin,  of   that  city,  they  induced  him,  in 
1835,  to  come  to  Evansville  in  their  interest, 
where  they  began  a   pork  and  general  mer- 
chandise   business.     In    the    following    year 
he  became  a  partner  in  the  concern,  and  for 
many  years,  with   the  Laughlins,  carried  on 
a    wholesale    grocery   and    iron   trade.      In 
1855   the   business  was    separated   into   two 
departments.      In    the    grocery    department, 
his  son,  James  L.  Orr,  and  Matthew  Dalzell, 
were  admitted  as  partners,  and  under  the  tirm 
name   of  Orr,  Dalzell    &   Co.,  business  was 
transacted   until    the    beginning  of   the  war. 
The  iron  department  was  carried  on  in  the 
name  of  Samuel  Orr  until  1866,  when  James 
Davidson  and  James  L.   Orr  were  admitted 
to  an  interest,  and  the  firm  st3le  was  changed 
to    Samuel    Orr   &  Co.,  by    which    it    con- 
tinued  until   the  change    occasioned    by  the 
death  of    Mr.    Orr.     It  is  one  of  the  oldest 
and  largest   iron   houses   in  the    west.     Mr. 
Orr's  integrity  and  high  character  permitted 
only  the  use  of  the  most   honorable  methods 
in  the  conduct  of  all  his  business  affairs,  and 
because  of  this  the  reputation  of   the  house 
for  fair  dealing  has  never   been  questioned. 
Its  trade  is  large,  extending  in  all  directions 
throughout    the     surrounding    countrv,    and 
at    all    times    it   has    been    considered     one 
of    the     soundest    concerns     in     the     city. 
The  career  of    Samuel    Orr    as   a    business 
man    was   not  confined    to    the     house     he 
founded.     The  imprint    of  his   individuality 
is  found  on    nearly  all  the  great    enterprises 
9 


of*  the  city,   for  he    was    enterprising,  pro- 
gressix'e  and  public  spirited.      He    was    one 
of    the    incorporators    of    what  is   now  the 
Evansville    cS:    Terre  Haute  Railroad  Com- 
pany; for  many  3'ears  was  a  director  in   the 
Evansville  branch  of   the  Bank  of  the  State 
of  Indiana,  and  one  of  the  original  directors 
of   the  E\-ansville    National   Bank  (the   suc- 
cessor  of   the    old   State    Bank],  which,  as 
reorganized,  is  known  as  the    Old  National 
Bank.     When  the  German   National  Bank 
secured    its  charter  he   was  made   its  presi- 
dent and  held  the  important  position  as  its 
chief  executive  until  his  death.     This   brief 
outline  of  his  business  life  shows  his  capacity 
and  ability,  but    it   was  not  in  business  alone 
that  the  best  traits  of  his  character  displayed 
themselves.      His  kindness   of   heart,   liber- 
ality and  pure  ever^'-day  conduct    drew    to 
him  a  vast  number  of   friends,  and  probably 
no  on  eever  lived  in   Evansville   who    was 
known  and  beloved  by  a  greater  number  of 
people  in  all  classes.      His  charity  was   pro- 
verbial.    He  used  to  sav:    "I    love  to  help 
worthy  objects.    I  love  to  give  for  the  good 
it  does  me,  as  well  as  the  good  it  does  those 
receiving."     His    hand  was  ever   ready  to 
help  the  needy  who  were  worthy  objects  of 
charity.      He   was    a  prominent  member  of 
the    Walnut    Street    Presbyterian     church 
and  carried  his  religion  into  all  the  affairs  of 
everv-day    life.     The    handsome  parsonage 
of  that  church  is  a  memorial  to  him  and    his 
wife,  erected  by  a  loving  son  and    daughter. 
His  was  a  long   life  of  noble  effort,  and  his 
death,   which   occurred    February    8,    1882, 
was  by  all  regarded  as  an   irreparable    loss. 
Mrs.     Martha    Lowry     Orr    was     born     in 
Ireland,   and    died  in   this   city    October  9, 
1882,  after  a  long  life  of  usefulness,    full    of 
good    and   charitable  acts.     She  was  a  true 
Christian,  exemplifying  in  her  life  the  ideals 
of  perfect  womanliness.     Mr.  and   Mrs.  Orr 
were    the   parents   of  three  children,  two  of 


hU 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANHVILLE. 


whom  survive,  Mrs.  Martha  J.  Bavard    and 
James  L.  Orr. 

An  illustrious  name  in  the  history  of 
Evansville  is  that  of  Joiix  Ingle.  For  three 
generations  the  name  has  been  borne  by 
men  of  celebrity  in  their  time.  The  first 
John  Ingle  that  Evansville  knew  arrived  here 
from  England  on  the  first  Monday  in  August, 
1818.  He  was  born  in  Somersham,  Hunt- 
ingdon, in  178S,  where  he  had  been  raised 
to  the  career  of  a  farmer  and  was  in  good 
circumstances  until  the  close  of  the  war  with 
Napoleon  of  the  allied  powers.  Having  a 
strong  belief  in  America,  he  had  come  to 
the  new  land.  After  his  arrival  at  Evans- 
ville he  chartered  a  wagon  and  proceeded 
to  Princeton,  where  he  purchased  a  house. 
Soon  after,  he  returned  to  Vanderburgh 
county  and  bought  a  farm  in  Scott  township, 
at  the  place  now  known  as  Inglefield.  He 
was  appointed  postmaster  by  President 
Monroe  and  retained  that  office  for  over 
forty-five  years.  He  was  a  hospitable  gen- 
tleman, and  "John  Ingle's  cabin"'  became 
known  as  a  place  where  the  latch-string  vvas 
out  for  the  itinerant  preacher  and  the  way- 
faring emigrant.  Plain  and  simple  in  his 
habits,  he  lived  to  his  eighty-sixth  year.  The 
eldest  son,  John  Ingle,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Som- 
ersham, England,  Januar}-  29,  1812.  He 
attended  for  some  time  a  "dame  school," 
taught  b}'  an  elderlv  lad\'  who  tried  to  keep 
the  children  out  of  mischief.  After  coming 
to  this  country,  he  was  a  student  for  a  }-ear 
and  a  half  in  the  common  schools  of  Prince- 
ton, and  at  home  read  over  and  over  the 
small  but  select  librar}*  of  his  father,  while 
the  wolves  howled  about  the  clearing.  He 
applied  himself  to  cabinet-making,  and  after 
learning  his  trade,  started  south  in  1833  and 
first  worked  as  a  journeyman  cabinet-maker 
at  Vicksburg  at  the  time  of  the  great  cholera 
excitement.  He  went  on  to  New  Orleans, 
worked   there   eight  weeks,  and  then  by  a 


steerage  passage  reached  Philadelphia.  For 
two  weeks  he  walked  the  streets  of  the 
Quaker  City  seeking  work,  and  no  doubt 
attracting  much  attention  with  his  hog-skin 
cap  and  clothing  of  Kentucky  jeans.  Finally 
he  found  employment,  and  then  not  satisfied 
with  ten  hours  of  labor  daily,  he  managed 
to  read  law  of  evenings  in  an  oftice  where 
George  R.  Graham,  afterward  editor  of 
GrahanCs  Magazine,  and  Charles  J.  Peter- 
son, since  publisher  of  Peterson's  Magazine, 
were  also  students.  Their  preceptor, Thomas 
Armstrong,  Jr.,  since  celebrated  in  his  pro- 
fession, was  president  of  a  debating  society, 
in  which  John  Ingle  became  noted  for  his 
skill  in  defending  the  unpopular  side  of  many 
a  knott}'  (]uestion.  After  three  \ears  of 
reading,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  in 
March,  1838.  He  came  to  Evansville  and 
opened  an  office  with  Hon.  James  Lockhart, 
which  partnership  was  dissolved  a  year  later 
and  he  became  associated  with  Charles  I. 
Battell.  His  career  as  a  lawyer  was  highly 
creditable  to  him,  and  he  obtained  a  leading 
position.  In  1846  he  and  E.  Q.  Wheeler 
became  law  partners,  and  in  1849  Asa 
Iglehart  was  adnfitted  as  a  junior  member. 
In  1850  Mr.  Ingle  turned  awa\-  from  the 
practice  of  law  and  de\oted  himself  to  the 
Evansville  &  Crawfordsville  railroad  en- 
terprise, \vhich  had  been  started  by  Judge 
Lockhart,  Judge  Jones,  himself,  and  others. 
Judge  Hall  was  afterward  associated  with 
the  movement.  That  was  a  gloomy  period 
for  Evansville;  the  town  was  poor  and  un- 
promising in  appearance,  the  canal  had 
proven  an  utter  failure,  and  something  must 
be  done  for  the  town.  Mr.  Ingle  was  one 
of  those  who  inspired  the  railroad  movement 
with  life  and  energ)',  and  made  it  a  success, 
by  his  indomitable  courage  and  perseverance, 
in  spite  of  unpromising  surroundings.  He 
was  an  invaluable  superintendent,  and  as 
president  of  the  company  he  displayed  finan- 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


loo 


cial  and  executive  talent  of  a  rare  degree  of 
development.  He  was  married  in  1842  at 
Madison,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Isabella  C.  Davidson, 
daughter  of  William  Davidson,  formerly  of 
Scotland.  Seven  children  were  the  fruit  of 
this  union.  On  account  of  failing  health 
he  resigned  the  railroad  presidency  in 
1873,  and  his  death  occurred  October 
7,  1875.  One  of  the  far-reaching  deeds 
of  John  Ingle,  Jr.,  was  the  establishment,  in 
I  "i^SS,  of  the  firm  of  John  Ingle  &  Co.,  miners 
and  dealers  in  coal.  The  products  of  this 
famous  firm  are  indeed  the  -'black diamonds" 
in  the  crown  of  Evansville.  Their  business 
has  assumed  enormous  proportions,  and  un- 
der the  sagacious  management  of  the  third 
generation  of  the  Ingle  family,  the  head  of 
the  firm  being  John  Ingle,  son  of  John 
Ingle,  Jr.,  there  seems  to  be  no  limit  to  the 
future  of  the  business.  The  firm  possesses 
5.^.2  acres  of  coal  near  the  citv  limits,  known 
as  the  "Ingleside"  mine.  From  this  are 
extracted  annually  900,000  bushels  of  coal 
and  $55,000  paid  out  annually  in  wages. 

Major  Albert  C.  Rosencranz,  member 
of  the  citv  council  and  manajrer  of  the  Heil- 
man  Plow  Works,  was  born  in  Baerwalde  near 
the  city  of  Berlin,  Prussia,  October  26, 
1842.  His  father,  C.  F.  Rosencranz,  a 
watchmaker  by  trade,  was  a  man  of  promi- 
nence in  his  native  village,  and  took  an  ac- 
tive part  in  the  German  revolution  of  184S. 
Ha\ing  taken  up  arms  against  the  king,  he 
was  obliged  to  leave  his  native  countr\-,  and 
in  1850,  emigrating  to  America,  settled  near 
Evansville.  About  a  year  later  he  located 
in  the  citv  and  resumed  his  business  as  a 
watchmaker.  He  returned  to  Europe  in 
1867  and  died  twenty  years  later.  His  wife, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Dorothea  Nohse, 
died  in  1S84.  .\lbert  was  educated  in  pri- 
vate schools,  and  at  the  age  of  twelve  years 
learned  the  trade  of  a  watchmaker  under  his 
father's  directions,  at  the  same  time  pursuing 


his  studies.  When  the  civil  war  broke  out 
he  was  engaged  in  his  father's  shop.  In 
1 86 1  he  aided  in  the  organization  of  Com- 
pany A,  First  Regiment  Indi.ma  Legion, 
and  upon  the  muster  in  of  the  companv  be- 
came orderly  sergeant.  In  Julv,  1862,  he 
recruited  Company  F,  Fourth  Indiana  Cav- 
alry, and  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant, 
and  in  1863  was  promoted  to  the  captaincy. 
His  first  service  in  the  field  was  as  bod\- 
guard  to  General  Ebenezer  Dumont,  a  Mex- 
ican officer  of  prominence.  He  followed  the 
fortunes  of  his  regiment,  and  was  engaged 
in  several  important  battles,  notably  among 
the     number,     Chickamauga.      In     March, 

1864,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  join 
Sherman  on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea. 
Near  Buzzard's  Roost  the  brigade  to  which 
he  was  attached,  while  making  a  recon- 
noissance  in  front  of  the  left  flank  of  Sher- 
man's army,  was  attacked  by  the  enemy  and 
lost  heavilv.  Eight  officers  were  lost. 
Capt.  Rosencranz  was  slightlv  wounded  and 
captured;  he  was  confined  in  rebel  prisons 
at  Macon  and  Savannah,  Ga.,  Charleston 
and  Columbia,  S.  C,  and  Charlotte,  N.  C. 
March  i,  1865,  he  was  paroled,  and  on  May 
3  following,  was  exchanged.  He  rejoined 
his  command  and  was  mustered  out  June  29, 

1865.  During  the  winter  of  1863-4, 
he  had  at  limes  been  in  command  of  the 
regiment,  and  soon  after  his  release  from 
prison  was  commissioned  major,  his  com- 
mission being  dated  Mav  i,  1S65. 
Returning  to  Evansville  he  succeeded  his 
father  in  business,  in  which  he  remained 
until  1868.  In  that  year  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  Hon.  Wm.  Heil- 
man,  and  shortly  afterward  took  charge  of 
the  office  business  of  the  Heilman  Machine 
Works.  In  1873,  his  health  became  im- 
paired by  overwork.  On  this  account  he 
went  to  Missouri  and  engaged  in  stock- 
raising,  in  which  he  was  highly  successful, 


156 


THE  CITY  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


Losing  both  his   children   by   sudden   death, 
he  disposed   of  his   interests  there    in    1876 
and  returned  to   Evansville.       On  the  ist  of 
the  following  January  he  took  charge  of  the 
works  of  the  Heilman-Urie  Plow  Company. 
In  187S  Mr.  Urie  retired,  since   which    time 
Maj.  Rosencranz  has  been  in   exxlusive  con- 
trol of  the  business.       His   executive  ability 
and  his  clo->e  attention  to  business  have  made 
his  management  eminently  successful.     The 
company  is  now  manufacturing  chilled  plows, 
in    addition    to  their   steel   goods,  for  which 
patents  were  obtained  in  1888,  and  to  meet 
the    extensive   demand   the   capacity    of  the 
works  has  been  doubled.     Maj.  Rosencranz 
has  not    confined   his   abilities   and    energies 
to  the  prosecution  of  his  own  business  enter- 
prises, but  has  taken  a  proper  interest  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the    public   good.       In 
March,  18S7,  when  the  question    of  settling 
the   city  debt   in   some    way    was    seriously 
disturbing  the  public  mind,  the   city    council 
appointed  an  advisory   committee   of  promi- 
nent citizens  to  consider  the  subject.       Maj. 
Rosencranz    was  placed  on  this    committee 
and  took    a   leading   part  in    the  discussions 
engaged  in.     His  capacity  for  handling   im- 
portant public  questions  was  at  once  recog- 
nized, and  in  April  following  he  was  elected 
to  the  council  from  the  Fifth  ward.       Upon 
the  oriranization  of  the  council  he  was  made 
chairman  of  the  finance   committee.       Here 
his  skill   as   a  financier  soon  showed  itself, 
and  he  did  much  valuable  service  in  shaping 
financial  interests,  and   especially  in   making 
satisfactory  arrangements   for   the   payment 
of  the  cit}-  debt.       He   has   also  served  as 
chairman     of    the    water-works    committee 
and  in  other  important  relations.    His  career 
as  a  public   officer  is   beyond   reproach:  he 
performs  every  duty  fearlessly  in   the    man- 
ner suggested  by  his   conscience   and   judg- 
ment;   he  places    himself  under  obligations 
to  no  man  or  party  of  men,  and  acts  always 


for  the  public  good.  In  politics  he  is  a 
staunch  republican,  but  by  no  means  a  ward 
politician  in  the  common  acceptance  of  that 
term.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  Farra- 
gut  Post,  No.  27,  G.  A.  R. 

E,-\iERSON  B.  Morgan,  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Mackey,  Nisbet  &  Co.,  the  largest 
wholesale  dry  goods  merchants  in  Evans- 
ville, was  born  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  Feb- 
ruary 19,  1844.  His  early  life  was  spent  in 
Meriden,  Conn.  In  the  public  schools  of 
that  place  and  at  Norwalk,  in  the  same  state, 
he  received  his  education.  When  about 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  went  to  New  York 
city,  and  for  five  years  was  engaged  as  a 
book-keeper.  In  Januar\-,  1865,  he  came  to 
Evansville  with  Isaac  Keen,  a  prominent  and 
well-known  citizen  of  this  place,  and  took  a 
posi^'on  in  the  dry  goods  house  of  that  gen- 
tleman. He  entered  the  house  of  Mackey, 
Nisbet  &  Co.  as  a  book-keeper  in  1868,  and 
seven  years  later  was  admitted  to  the  firm 
as  a  partner.  His  excellent  business  ijuali- 
fications  have  made  him  an  influential  fac- 
tor in  working  out  the  great  degree  of  suc- 
cess achieved  by  this  enterprising  house.  In 
social  as  well  as  business  circles  he  enjoys 
an  enviable  prominence.  As  a  member  of 
the  order  of  F.  &  A.  M.  he  has  attained  the 
degrees  of  templarism.  July  i,  1869,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Kate  M.  Laughlin,  a 
native  of  Evansville,  and  the  daughter  of 
James  Laughlin,  a  prominent  man  here  in 
his  day. 

L.  M.  Baird,  produce  and  commission 
merchant -at  No.  220  Upper  Water  street, 
was  born  in  Spencer  county,  K\-.,  Septem- 
ber 22,  1 83 1.  His  father,  Stephen  Baird,  a 
Virginian,  early  moved  to  Kentucky,  there 
married  Mrs.  Sarah  Pierson,  iicc  McDonald, 
a  native  of  that  state,  owned  a  plantation 
worked  bv  slave  labor,  and  was  prosperous. 
Selling  his  farm,  he  distributed  some  of  his 
slaves    among  his   children,   took    some    to 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


157 


Vigo  count\-,  Ind.,  whitlier  he  moved,  and 
gave  them  their  freedom.  Purchasing  a 
tract  of  land  near  Terre  Haute,  he  settled 
there  in  1833,  and  remained  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  six  years  later.  Seven  years 
after  his  father's  death,  at  the  age  of  fifteen, 
the  subject  of  this  mention  accepted  employ- 
ment as  a  clerk,  and  remained  so  engaged 
in  various  positions  until  October,  185^^; 
when,  yielding  to  the  excitement  caused  by 
the  rich  discoveries  of  gold  on  the  Pacific 
coast,  in  company  with  Robert  N.  Gilmore,  he 
he  went  to  California  by  New  York  and  the 
Isthmus.  Returning  to  Terre  Haute  in  the 
spring  of  1853,  he  entered  the  clothing 
store  of  Samuel  Mack,  where  he  remained 
until  the  beginning  of  the'  next  year,  when 
he  embarked  in  the  clothing  business  for 
himself  at  Worthington,  Green  count}-,  Ind. 
At  this  place,  on  Christmas  day,  1856,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  D.  H. 
Blount,  who,  two  years  later,  passed  away, 
leaving  a  little  daughter  six  months  old.  In 
May,  1859,  '^^  ^^'^^  married  a  second  time, 
to  Miss  Ann  E.  Blount,  a  sister  of  his  first 
wife.  It  was  in  April,  1861,  that  he  moved 
to  Evansville.  After  traveling  about  a  year 
in  the  interest  of  Roelker,  Bloant  &  Co.,  he 
accepted  a  situation  as  book-keeper  with 
W.  M.  Aikman  &  Co.,  at  220  Upper  Water 
street,  remaining  in  that  capacity  until  the 
summer  of  1865,  when  the  firm  failed  in 
business,  Mr.  Baird  buying  the  stock,  etc. 
In  September,  1S65,  he  formed  a  copartner- 
ship with  George  H.  Start,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Baird  &  Start,  which  was  dissolved 
after  nine  vears  of  successful  operation. 
For  fourteen  3'ears  past  the  business  has 
been  continued  by  Mr.  Baird  alone,  thus 
making  more  than  twentv-six  vears  of  occu- 
pancy of  the  same  building,  first  as  book- 
keeper and  then  as  proprietor.  Industry, 
integrity  and  wise  management  have  been 
the  chief  factors  in  building  his  prosperit\-. 


The  fruits  of  his  efforts  embrace,  not  only 
the  commodities  purchasable  with  mone}-,  • 
but  also  the  more  valued  comforts  which  a 
good  reputation  and  a  high  standing  in  the 
community  afford.  In  politics  he  is  an  ar- 
dent republican,  alwavs  ably  championing 
the  principles  of  that  party.  During  the 
campaign  of  1888,  as  a  clear  and  forcible 
card-writer,  he  contributed  largel}'  to  the 
success  of  the  triumphant  party.  He  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 
having  attained  the  degree  of  Knight  Tem- 
plar. Mr.  Baird's  second  wife  died  in  Jan- 
uar}-,  1873.  She  was  the  mother  of  nine 
children,  five  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  On 
December  25,  1873,  his  marriage  to  Mrs. 
Mary  Peterson  occurred.  She  was  the 
mother  of  two  children  at  the  time  of  his 
marriage,  since  which  six  more  have  been 
born. 

Capt.  Charles  H.  Myerhoff  was  born 
at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  March  10,  1842.  His 
mother  dj'ing  when  he  was  but  six  j-ears 
old  he  was  sent  to  live  with  an  uncle 
residing  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  count}-,  Ind., 
with  whom,  and  with  John  J.  Cummins,  a 
lawyer  of  the  same  county,  he  remained 
until  1856,  when  he  returned  to  live  with 
his  father  who  had  again  married.  His 
father's  death  occurring  two  years  later,  he 
hired  to  a  gardener  near  Newport,  Ky.,  but 
soon  thereafter  moved  to  Grandview-,  Ind., 
where  he  was  occupied  as  a  laborer.  He 
made  a  trip  to  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  ^n  a  flat- 
boat,  and  in  1859  started  out  in  a  sail-boat 
with  three  others  to  seek  ad\-enture  and 
employment.  A  storm  drove  them  to 
shore  near  Hickman,  Ky.,  where  the}-  took 
possession  of  a  cabin,  and  for  so  doing  were 
]  set  upon  by  a  planter  and  his  hounds. 
j  They  were  thought  to  be  hard  characters 
I  and  were  roundly  abused  by  the  irate 
1  planter,  but  when  he  learned  the  truth  he 
was    profuse   in   his    apologies    and    offered 


IBs 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


the  men  employment.  The  next  morning 
all  went  to  work  in  the  woods,  and  while 
absent  the  cabin  burned  to  the  ground,  by 
which  mishap  all  their  clothes  were  lost. 
Young  Myerhoff  was  sent  to  interview  the 
planter,  who  furnished  what  mone}'  the}' 
needed,  declining  to  take  a  note  for  the 
amount,  considering  the  young  man's  ver- 
bal promise  to  pay  sufficient.  After  some 
hard  work  in  the  woods  and  in  the  employ 
of  a  store  boatman,  the  young  man  retracing 
his  steps  reached  Evansville,  at  the  time 
carrying  all  his  possessions  in  a  bandanna. 
His  brother,  John  H.  Myerhoff,  was 
foreman  in  the  Armstrong  Furniture  Factory, 
and  here  he  obtained  employment,  remaining 
until  the  tocsin  of  war  was  sounded  in  1861. 
He  attended  the  meeting  in  the  old  Cres- 
cent Cit}'  hall,  when  the  two  tirst  home 
guard  companies  were  organized.  His 
name  was  entered  on  Gen.  BlAthe's  com- 
pany roll,  but  when  Biythe  Hynes  moved 
down  the  aisle  rapidly,  vaulted  upon  the 
platform  and  announced  that  Dr.  Noah  S. 
Thompson  had  received  a  commission  as 
captain  and  orders  to  organize  a  volunter 
company  to  start  for  Washington,  D.  C,  at 
once,  to  defend  the  capital,  young  Myerhoff 
arose  from  his  seat  and  asked  that  his  name 
be  taken  from  the  roll  of  the  home  iruard. 
In  a  few  minutes  he  presented  himself  to 
Capt.  Thompson,  offering  to  enHst,  but  was 
refused  because  he  was  too  young  and  too 
frail.  He  persisted,  however,  and  after  an 
examination,  in  which  he  showed  a  familiar- 
ity with  military  tactics,  was  accepted,  being 
the  first  accepted  man  in  the  first  company 
that  left  Evansville  for  the  war.  While 
company  drill  was  being  conducted  in 
Klausman's  hall  he  was  armed  with  a 
broomstick  and  detailed  as  guard  at  the 
front  door  of  the  building.  His  general 
bearing  and  sternness  made  such  an 
mpression      on    the     boys    that     when     he 


returned  to  the  city  as  a  first  lieutenant  in 
1863,  on  recruiting  service,  they  remem- 
bered him  as  the  man  who  kept  them  from 
seeing  the  first  soldiers  in  compan}'  drill. 
He  was  in  all  the  battles  participated  in  b}' 
the  Fourteenth  Indiana  Infantry,  except 
those  fought  while  he  was  on  recruiting 
service  or  in  prison.  He  was  appointed 
corporal;  was  promoted  on  Cheat 
Mountain  to  sergeant;  to  orderly  ser- 
geant October  i,  1862;  to  first  lieu- 
tenant Ma}'  7,  1863;  was  in  command  of 
the  company  in  the  famous  charge  of  Car- 
roll's brigade  on  east  Cemetery  hill  at 
Gettvsburtj;  had  command  of  Co.  H  in  the 
battles  of  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania, 
North  Anna  and  Cold  Harbor.  Of  the 
twenty-three  that  he  started  with  on  the 
4th  of  May,  1S64,  only  two  were  left  to 
leave  the  works  when  the  regiment's  term 
of  service  expired  on  the  7th  of  June,  1864. 
Capt.  Mj'erhoff  was  seriously  wounded 
while  in  front  of  his  men  at  Cold  Harbor  — 
the  ball  being  still  in  his  bod}'  —  and  was 
sent  to  hospital,  where  he  effected  some 
heroic  reforms,  for  which  he  received  the 
thanks  of  every  patient.  His  regiment  wai 
mustered  out  long  before  he  was  able  to 
leave  the  hospital.  When  at  length  he  was 
discharged,  he  came  to  Evansville,  and  soon 
became  interested  in  a  saw-mill  at  Grand- 
view.  But  this  work  was  too  heavy  for  him 
because  of  his  wounds,  and  he  entered  the 
employ  of  Philip  Decker,  who  was  then 
sutler  of  the  Tenth  Tennessee  Infantry,  sta- 
tioned at  Nashville.  While  attempting  to 
go  to  Nashville  he  was  arrested  four  times 
on  grave  charges,  but  he  was  not  long  de- 
layed. He  remained  with  Mr.  Decker  as  a 
clerk  until  the  war  was  over.  .  Returning 
to  Evansville,  he  entered  the  Commercial 
College  of  Jeremiah  Behme  and  studied 
book  keeping.  In  1866  he  entered  the  em- 
ployment of  Keller  &  White  as  book-keeper, 


BIOORAPHICAL. 


1.59 


and  in   the  next  year  went  with  Boetticher, 
Kellogg  &  Co.  in  the  same  capacity.     Here 
he   remained   for   nearly   twenty-one  years, 
and  is  now  a  member  of  the  tirm  of  Harri- 
son,   Goodwin    &    Co.,    proprietors    of    the 
Evansville  Stove  Works.      He   is  also   sec- 
retary and  treasurer  of  the  Evansville  Union 
Stock.   Yards  Companv.      His  ci\'ic  promi- 
nence consists    principallv  in   his  connection 
with   drill   organizations.      He    was    elected 
three    times  successively  as   captain   of  the 
Evansville  Light  Guard,  a  prosperous  organ- 
ization   during    his    captainc\';    was    elected 
captain  of  Orion   Drill   Corps,  K.  of  P.,  and 
was  so  thorough  as  an  officer  that  the  corps 
took    three    prizes,    and    he    himself    was 
awarded    a   magnificent   gold  medal  as  first 
prize  for  excellenc}-  as  a  commander  at  St. 
Louis,    Mo.,    August    25,    1880.     His  drill 
companies.    Red    Shirts    and    Zouaves,    in 
political    processions,    have    attracted  much 
favorable  notice.      As  chief  marshal  of  sev- 
eral large  processions  he  has  acquitted  him- 
self with  credit.     He  was  on  the   staffs   of 
National    Commanders    Kountz    and    Fair- 
child,  of  the  G.  A.  R. ;  district  delegate  to 
the  National  Encampment  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
at  St.  Louis,  in  1887;  was  strongly  urged 
for  department  commander  of  the  G.  A.  R., 
in  1888;  was  the  second  commander  of  Far- 
ragut  Post,  and  is  now  serving  as  oflicer  of 
the  day.     Capt.  Mverhoff  was  married  De- 
cember I,  1867,  to  Miss  Jennie,  daughter  of 
Alexander  Sharn,  of  Evansville.     Two  chil- 
dren havevbeen  born  of  this  union,  as  fol- 
low's:    Carl  S.,  born  September   22,  1868, 
and    Zulma   Lois,  born   October    17,   1888. 
Misses  Emma  Wollner   and   Fannie   Sharro 
have   made  their  home  with  them  for  years. 
Hiram  E.  Rr:.\i)  was    born  at   Princeton, 
Caldwell    county,    Ky.,  February    9,   1823. 
When  he  was  three  years  of  age  his  parents 
removed  to  Logan  countv,  Ky.,  where  they 
purchased  a  farm  of  several  hundred  acres, 


on  which  Hiram  was   reared,  working   with 
fifty  or  sixt)-  negroes  belonging  to  the  f  amil}-. 
In  the  fall  and  winter  months  he  attended  a 
country  school.     In  a    few  years    thereafter 
his    father,  DeGrafton  Read,  who  was  born 
in    Butler    county,    Ky.,    in    1802,    and    his 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Eliza  May 
Hunter,  of  Logan  county,  Ky.,  born  in  1805, 
built  what  was  very  familiarly  known  as  the 
Rockspring  male  and  female   academy,  and 
in  1834  purchased  White  Hall  in  Russellville, 
establishing  a  female  academy,  which  had  a 
large  patronage  from  many  of  the   southern 
states.      DeGrafton  Read  was  known  in  his 
day  as  a   great   educator,  being  thoroughl}' 
versed  in  general  literature  and  the  classics. 
His  death  occurred  in  1838,  after  which  Mrs. 
Read  conducted  the  academy  until  her  death 
in    1841.     They  were    the    parents  of   eight 
children  —  three  boys  and  five  girls  —  Hiram 
being  the  eldest.     At  the  academy  conducted 
by  his  parents,  facilities  were  afforded  Hiram 
for    obtaining  a     good    English    education. 
Later  he    was  sent  to  the    seminary    taught 
by  Prof.  John  P.    French,    in    Russellville, 
where  he  completed  his  education,  becoming 
thoroughly  versed  in    the  Greek  and    Latin 
classics.     In  1839  he  came  to  Evansville,  and 
obtained  a  situation  as  salesman,  with  Robert 
Barnes,     Esq.,     one     of    the     principal    dry 
goods    merchants    of    the    then    flourishing 
town  of  Evansville,  and  remained  with  him 
until  the  death  of   his  mother  in  1841.     He 
then  went  to  Owensboro,  Ky.,  to  take  charge 
of  his  younger  brothers  and  sisters  and  bought 
a   farm   near   that    place.     The    farm    was 
worked  by  negroes,  and  Hiram  and  a  sister, 
Emma,  taught  school  until    the  girls    wer(! 
nearly  all  married.     He  returned  to  Evans- 
ville in  1850,  and  taught  an   English   school 
in  the  old  Methodist  church  on  Locust  street. 
While  so  engaged,  one  day  he  whipped  a 
bov   for  disobedience  and  idleness.     At  re- 
cess  the  bov   went   home  and  informed   his 


IGO 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


uncle  of  the  fact.  The  uncle  came  at  once 
to  demand  an  apology,  instead  of  receiving 
which  he  was  hustled  into  the  street  and 
badly  beaten  b}'  the  indignant  school-master. 
Two  law-suits  were  immediately  brought 
against  Mr.  Read,  one  for  whipping  the  man, 
and  one  for  assault  and  battery  on  the  boy. 
He  paid  the  fines  and  costs  in  both  cases, 
returned  to  the  school-room,  rang  the  bell 
"for  books,"  gave  each  pupil  an  affec- 
tionate good-bye  and  dismissed  school  for 
the  last  time.  Thus  ended  his  career  as  a 
teacher.  He  then  accepted  a  situation  with 
J.  H.  Morgan,  Esq.,  a  retail  dry  goods  mer- 
chant. The  firm  soon  thereafter  became 
Morgan  &  Keen,  and  later  Morgan,  Keen 
&  Preston,  wholesale  dr\-  goods  and  notions, 
and  Mr.  Read  remained  with  them  as  prin- 
cipal salesman.  The  manner  of  his  leaving 
the  house  was  characteristic  of  the  man,  who 
never  allows  his  rights  to  be  trampled  on. 
One  day  Mr.  Read  had  shown  a  customer 
through  the  stock,  when  one  of  the  propri- 
etors undertook  to  sell  him  what  he  wanted. 
Mr.  Read  claimed  the  customer  and  insisted 
on  waiting  on  him ;  words  passed,  Mr.  Read 
demanded  his  rights,  was  denied,  then 
walked  to  the  desk  and  asked  for  settlement. 
He  left  the  house,  and  in  thirtv  minutes  had 
engaged  his  services  to  Merritt,  Field  &  Co., 
then  the  largest  wholesale  dr\-  goods  and 
notion  house  in  the  city,  at  double  his  former 
salary,  and  afterward  sold  the  customer  whom 
he  had  shown  through  the  stock  of  Mor- 
gan, Keen  &  Preston.  Two  years  later  Mr. 
Read  accepted  a  situation  in  the  large  dry 
goods  jobbing  house  of  Conkling,  Barnes 
&  Shephard,  of  New  York,  where  he  had 
a  large  and  profitable  trade.  In  a  short 
time  Merritt,  Field  &  Co.  offered  him  the 
same  salary  he  was  recei\ing  in  New  York, 
with  an  assurance  of  an  interest  in  the 
house  at  the  expiration  of  two  years.  He 
accepted  the  offer  and  returned  to  Evans- 


ville.  At  the  end  of  two  years  with  J.  S. 
Jaquess  and  H.  C.  Gwathney,  he  bought  out 
the  house  in  which  he  was  employed  and 
later  sold  his  interest  to  his  partners.  The 
firm  of  Read  &  Burrow  was  then  formed 
for  transacting  a  whol  esale  boot  and  shoe 
business.  This  house  was  succeeded  by 
Read  &  Lawrence,  and  this  by  Morgan, 
Read  &  Co.  During  the  war  the  firm  sold 
annually  between  $500,000  and  $600,000 
worth  of  boots,  shoes  and  hats.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  a  large  stock  of  goods 
was  on  hand  and  the  styles  had  changed.  It 
became  imperative  to  dispose  of  the  stock 
as  speedily  as  possible.  For  this  purpose 
the  house  of  Read,  Morgan  &  Co.  was 
established  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1866. 
After  disposing  of  his  interests  in  Cincinnati, 
Mr.  Read  returned  to  Evansville  and  re- 
entered the  old  firm  of  Morgan,  Read  & 
Co.  He  began  then  to  enlarge  his  opera- 
tions, and  for  a  time  was  engaged  in  buying 
leaf  tobacco  in  Evansville,  Louisville,  and 
Paducah,  his  purchases  in  the  three  mar- 
kets often  amounting  to  $10,000  per 
day.  It  was  often  said  then  that  "it  would 
take  the  largest  bank  in  Evansville  to  run 
Hi  Read."  The  closing  of  the  Prussian 
and  French  ports  to  export  tobacco  during 
the  Franco-Prussian  war  of  1870,  caused 
a  verv  heavy  decline  in  tobacco  that 
entailed  a  heavy  loss  on  him,  which  was 
added  to  by  heavy  losses  through  the 
bankruptcies  of  his  customers.  He 
tried  hard  to  extricate  himself  from  embar- 
rassment by  selling  between  $75,000  and 
$100,000  worth  of  valuable  real  estate. 
Finally  he  sold  out  his  interest  to  his  partners, 
they  obligating  themselves  to  assume  the 
indebtedness  of  the  firm.  He  then  accepted 
a  situation  as  salesman  in  the  wholesale  dry 
goods  house  of  Jaquess,  Hudspeth  &Co.  for 
one  year.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time 
he  opened    a  real  estate  office  in  Evansville 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


161 


and  has  so  continued  since  except  for  about 
three  years,  when  he  was  disabled  by  a 
stroke  of  paralysis.  The  character  of  the 
man,  his  progressive  spirit,  his  activity  and 
boldness,  his  honesty  and  philosophical 
acceptance  of  reverses,  are  shown  in  this 
narrative  of  the  chief  events  of  his 
career.  His  efforts  for  the  public  good 
illustrate  another  important  phase  of  his 
character.  In  iS8o  a  tax  league  was 
formed  by  the  business  men  of  Evansville 
to  check  the  lavish  expenditure  of  the 
public  funds  by  the  board  of  county 
commissioners.  Mr.  Read  was  appointed 
by  the  league  to  watch  the  actions  of  the 
board  and  stop  questionable  allowances.  It 
was  not  an  uncommon  occurrence  for  two 
or  three  injunctions  to  be  taken  out  daily. 
As  a  result  of  his  watchfulness  many 
improper  allowances  were  prevented  and 
much  money  saved  to  the  public.  Mr. 
Read  is  now  sixty-five  years  of  age  and 
seems  as  buoyant  and  as  ambitious  as  a 
young  man,  to  sell  propert}'  and  in  ever}'^ 
way  to  keep  pace  with  this  progressive 
age.  He  has  used  all  his  influence  to  make 
Evansville  a  railroad  center,  and  every  effort 
to  advance  the  general  good  has  found  in 
him  a  ready,  willing  and  influential  sup- 
porter. Mr.  Read  was  once  passing  around 
a  petition  with  the  view  of  getting  lOO  free- 
holders to  sign  it,  asking  the  city  council  to 
order  an  election  to  take  stock  in  the  Peoria, 
Decatur  &  Evansville  Railroad  to  the 
amount  of  $125,000.  He  accosted  a  prom- 
inent citizen  and  asked  for  his  signature. 
"No!"  said  the  man.  "I  would  like  to 
shoot  about  half  a  dozen  men  who  have  run 
us  in  debt  so  for  railroads."  "  I  hope,"  said 
Read,  "  30U  would  let  me  pass."  "No, 
sir,  I  would  shoot  you  the  first  man,"  was 
the  (juick  reply.  He  is  perfectly  alive  to 
the  interests  of  Evansville,  and  fondly  hopes 
to  see  100,000  inhabitants  of  the  city  before 


he  gives  up  business.  Mr.  Read  has  been 
married  three  times.  In  1846  Miss  Torisa 
A.  Jones  became  his  wife.  She  died  in 
1853,  leaving  three  sons.  In  1856  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Angle  A.  Combs,  of  Evans- 
ville, Ind.  Of  this  union  thirteen  children 
were  born.  The  death  of  his  second  wife 
occurred  in  1876.  His  marriage  to  Miss 
Virffinia  Conn,  of  Evansville,  was  solem- 
nized  in  1878. 

Laban  M.  Rice,  one  of  the  leading  cot- 
!  ton  and  tobacco  commission  merchants  of 
'  Evansville,  doing  business  at  No.  414  Water 
:  street,  is  a  native  of  Webster  county,  Ky., 
born  March  6,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  James 
R.  and  Elizabeth  (Nichols)  Rice.  His  father 
j  was  born  m  North  Carolina  in  1790,  and 
when  a  young  man  emigrated  to  Kentuck}-, 
settling  in  what  is  now  Webster  county, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1852. 
His  mother  was  born  in  Caldwell  county, 
Ky.,  in  1807,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Noah 
Nichols,  a  Virginian  who  moved  to  Ken- 
tucky in  the  pioneer  era.  She  died  in  1S73, 
after  a  long  and  useful  life.  Their  family 
consisted  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom 
survive.  Laban  M.  Rice  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  and  was  forced  to  depend  on 
the  imperfect  neighborhood  schools  of  early 
days  for  his  mental  training.  Howevc-, 
possessing  studious  habits,  he  obtained  a 
fair  education.  When  the  civil  war  was 
commenced  his  sympathies  were  with  the 
south,  and  acting  upon  the  honest  convic- 
tions of  his  conscience  he  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  the  First  Kentucky  Cavalry  and  for  about 
fifteen  months  served  faithfully  with  that 
organization.  Returning  home  after  the 
war,  he  engaged  in  merchandise  at  Dixon, 
Ky.,  for  about  ten  years.  During  that 
period  he  was  also  engaged  as  a  banker  and 
dealer  in  leaf  tobacco.  In  October,  1878, 
he    located    in    Evansville    and    began    the 


162 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


cotton  and  tobacco  commission  business  with 
the  firm  of  Rice,  Givens  &  Headley,  of 
which  he  was  the  senior  member.  In  1885 
Messrs.  Givens  &  Headley  retired,  since 
which  time  Mr.  Rice  has  conducted  the 
business  alone,  being  ably  assisted  by  his  sons. 
His  sagacit}'  and  the  honorable  methods 
pursued  in  the  conduct  of  his  business  have 
won  for  him  a  hiijh  rank  amon«-  the  able 
merchants  of  the  city.  Mr.  Rice  has  been 
married  three  times.  First,  in  November, 
i860,  to  Ann  E.  Wilson,  of  Webster  count}^ 
Ky.,  who  died  in  August,  1861,  leaving  one 
child,  John  T.  In  March,  1866,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Mattie  M.  Lacv,  of 
Providence,   Ky.,   who   died    February    15, 

1882,  leaving  five  children  as  follows:  Her- 
schel  T.,  Lacy  L.,  C.  G.,  Goldie  N.,  and 
Cottie  M.,  all  of  whom  are  li\-ing.    In  April, 

1883,  he  was  married  to  Goldie  N.  Lacv 
of  this  city,  to  whom  one  child,  now  deceased, 
has  been  born. 

W.  B.  HiXKLE,  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Hinkle,  Nisbet  &  Co..  the  largest 
wholesale  boot  and  shoe  house  in  Evans- 
ville,  if  not  in  the  state,  was  born  in  Robert- 
son countv,  middle  Tennessee,  September  4, 
1838,  and  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Doxey 
(Tate)  Hinkle,  both  Tennesseans.  He  was 
reared  and  educated  in  his  native  state. 
Coming  to  Evansville  in  1863,  he  entered  the 
old  dry  goods  store  of  Archer,  Mackev  & 
Co.,  and  for  eleven  _years  remained  in  that 
house,  during  all  the  changes  in  the  hrm. 
In  1874  he  engaged  in  the  wholesale  boot 
and  shoe  business,  being  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Minor,  Dicke\-  &  Hinklp,  which 
continued  for  three  years,  when  Mr.  Minor 
withdrew.  The  business  was  then  con- 
ducted for  two  years  by  the  firm  of  Dickey 
&  Hinkle,  when  Mr.  Dickey  withdrew,  and 
the  firm  became  that  of  Hinkle,  Nisbet 
&  Co.,  continuing  so  to  the  present.  Mr. 
Hinkle  is  a  member  of   the   Business  Men's 


Association,  in  which  he  is  at  present  a 
director.  Coming  to  Evansville  a  poor 
man,  he  began  with  no  capital,  save  his 
abilit\'  as  a  thorough  business  man, 
and  has  passed  through  the  ordeal  success- 
fully, being  now  one  of  the  substantial  and 
influential  men  of  Evansville.  In  1866  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Willie 
Eveas,  of  Greenville,  Ky.  To  this  union 
three  children  have  been  born,  as  follows: 
Clarence  L.,  born  in  1867,  now  traveling 
salesman  for  his  father:  Mary  L.,  born  in 
1877,  and  David  M.,born  in  1879.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hinkle  are  members  of  Trinity  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church. 

Lewis  Seitz,  of  the  firm  of  Bement  & 
Seitz,  wholesale  grocers,  was  born  in  Mt. 
Carmel,  111.,  November  23,  184S,  and  is  the 
son  of  William  and  Mary  (Schafer)  Seitz. 
He  received  a  common  school  education  in 
the  schools  of  his  native  place,  and  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  came  to  Evansville,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  His  first  engagement 
here  was  with  the  house  of  Venemann  & 
Behme,  well-known  wholesale  grocers, 
where  he  was  employed  as  book-keeper. 
He  continued  so  engaged  until  1S80,  when 
the  firm  of  Behme  &  Seitz  was  formed  by 
his  admission  to  partnership  with  Anthony 
Behme,  who  had  previously  purchased  the 
interest  of  Mr.  Venemann.  This  firm  con- 
tinued with  an  annually  increasinfj  business 
until  1887,  when  the  interest  of  jNfr.  Behme 
was  d'sposed  of  to  C.  R.  Bement,  the  style 
of  the  firm  becoming  Bement  &  Seitz.  For 
more  than  twenty  years  Mr.  Seitz  has  been 
identified  with  this  house,  first  as  book- 
keeper and  later  as  proprietor,  in  every  ca- 
pacity giving  faithful  and  valuable  service. 
The  house  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  cit\', 
and  through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  trade  has 
maintained  a  steady  advancement,  its  trans- 
actions increasing  year  by  year,  and  its  po- 
sition   in     the    commercial   world    growing 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


IfJS 


more  prominent.  Actual  merit  and  con- 
tinued fair  dealing  have  been  the  main  fac- 
tors in  the  achie\-ement  of  its  success,  and 
the  reputation  of  the  house  is  established  on 
a  firm  basis.  It  now  ranks  as  one  of  the 
solid  institutions  of  Evansville,  and  probable- 
does  the  largest  wholesale  grocery  business 
in  the  city.  Its  trade  extends  through  In- 
diana, Kentucky,  Illinois,  and  other  west- 
ern and  southern  states.  Public-spirited, 
energetic  and  liberal,  Mr.  Seitz  is  a  highly- 
respected  and  honored  citizen  in  all  the 
various  walks  of  life,  and  his  able  and  ju- 
dicious management  has  contributed  largelj- 
to  the  success  of  the  house,  which  has  be- 
come justly  celebrated  as  one  of  the  most 
enterprising  and  complete  establishments  in 
the  southwest.  In  187 1  Mr.  Seitz  was 
married  to  Miss  Allie  T.  Fuller,  whose 
death  occurred  December  8,  1888,  at  the 
age  of  37  vears.  Of  this  union  three  chil- 
dren were  born,  all  of  whom  survive,  as  fol- 
lows: Addie,  aged  16;  Percy,  aged  14,  and 
Charles,  aged  11  years. 

John  A.  Reitz  &  Sons. — The  impor- 
tance of  Evansville  as  the  largest  hardwood 
lumber  market  in  the  world,  and  the  extent 
of  the  saw-mill  interests,  have  been  adverted 
to  elsewhere  in  these  pages.  The  firm  of 
John  A.  Reitz  &  Sons  conducts  one  of  the 
largest  lumber  mills  in  the  countr3\  with  the 
prestige  of  nearly  forty -five  3'ears"  success- 
ful business.  John  A.  Reitz,  Sr.,  started 
this  business  in  1845,  not  amply  provided 
with  capital,  but  backed  by  his  own  good 
business  qualities  and  determination  to 
succeed.  As  the  business  prospered,  he 
found  it  necessary  to  have  help  in  its  manage- 
ment, and  his  sons,  Francis  J.  Reitz,  John 
A.  Reitz,  Jr.,  and  Edward  Reitz,  have  be- 
come associated  with  the  firm,  and  their  mill, 
located  at  the  mouth  of  Pigeon  creek,  is  one 
of  the  most  extensive  of  the  region,  em- 
ploying  a   large   number   of  men,  and  is  of 


great  capacity  and  supplied  with  the  most 
recent  and  perfect  machinery  obtainable. 
The  members  of  the  firm  are  remarkably 
skillful  in  business,  and  have  not  only  reaped 
ample  personal  reward,  but  have  done  much 
toward  making  Evansville  famous.  On  ac- 
count of  the  advanced  age  of  the  father,  the 
management  of  the  business  de\olves  upon 
Francis  J.  Reitz.  For  twenty-four  years 
the  latter  was  connected  with  the  foundry 
business  of  Reitz  &  Hanev,  in  charge  of 
office  and  financial  matters,  and  now  has 
control  of  this  extensive  lumbering  business. 
He  is  also  a  director  in  the  First  National 
Bank,  and  a  stockholder  in  the  German 
National  Bank,  and  president  of  the  Evans- 
ville Electric  Light  Company. 

Little  &  Croft  Lumber  Company. — 
Another  extensive  mill  operated  until  re- 
cently, was  that  of  the  Little  &  Croft  Lum- 
ber Co.,  incorporated.  Samuel  W.  Little, 
president  and  general  manager  of  the  com- 
pany, was  born  in  South  Carolina,  June  17, 
I  1832,  being  the  youngest  son  in  a  family  of 
seven  children.     His   father,  Samuel   Croft, 

i  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  came  to  Indiana 

!  . 

i  m  1835,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Monroe  county. 

!  His  mother.  Mar}-  (Erwin)  Little,  of  Scotch- 

j  Irish  descent,  was  born  in  Ireland.     In  1853 

Samuel  W.  Little,  who,  up  to  that  time,  had 

been  engaged  at  farming,  on   and  near  his 

father's    homestead,   moved    to    Iowa,   and 

three  years  later    came  to    Evansville.     His 

first  employment  here  was   in  the  old  Canal 

Flour  Mills,  where  he  remained  for  several 

vears.     The  civil  war  cominir  on  he  entered 

j  the  service  of  his  countrv  as  a  sailor  on  the 

Mississippi  flotilla,  continuing    therein    one 

year.     Returning  to   Evansville,  he   began 

the  manufacture  of  shingles  and  staves,  and 

conducted  a  cooper  shop.     In  1871  he  began 

the  lumber  business,  with  which  he  has  since 

been   prominently  connected.      In    1886   the 

company  was    incorporated  under  the  state 


161 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


law  and  did  an  extensive  business  until 
its  mill  was  destroyed  by  fii'e  in  the 
summer  of  1888,  at  great  loss.  Samuel 
Little  is  an  active,  public-spirited  citizen, 
and  has  aided  in  many  ways  to  advance 
the  general  prosperit}-  of  the  city,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  has  attained  for  himself  a  com- 
petence, by  dint  of  his  industry  and  good 
management.  He  was  married,  in  1S70,  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  Macer,  a  native  of  Evansville, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Macer.  They  have 
two  children,  Chas.  S.,  and  Harry  W.,  aged 
respectively  fifteen  and  thirteen  years.  Mr. 
Little  and  his  famil\-  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

Benjamin  F.  Croft,  vice-president  of  the 
company,  was  born  in  Richland  county,  Ohio, 
May  30,  1848,  being  the  youngest  in  a  fam- 
ily of  seven  children,  born  to  Benjamin  and 
Mary  (Buckingham)  Croft.  His  father,  a 
native  of  England,  was  a  man  of  great  force 
of  character,  and  possessed  of  an  iron  will. 
Upon  emigrating  to  America  he  settled  in 
Maryland  and  moved  thence  to  Richland 
county,  Ohio,  where  he  successfully  con- 
ducted a  woolen  mill,  and  became  one  of  the 
prominent  men  in  that  locality.  B.  F.  Croft 
was  educated  in  his  native  country,  and  when 
eighteen  years  of  age,  embarked  in  the  saw- 
mill and  lumber  business.  After  two  years 
he  removed  to  Eaton  Rapids,  Mich.,  where 
he  sustained  a  heavy  loss  by  fire,  but  un- 
daunted b)'  this  he  threw  new  energy  into 
his  business  and  achieved  success.  Later, 
at  Saginaw,  Mich.,  Albion,  Ind.,  and  Chicago, 
111.,  he  engajred  in  the  same  business. 
Coming  to  Evansville,  he  joined  Samuel  W. 
Little  as  a  partner,  and  when,  in  1886,  the 
Little  &  Croft  Lumber  Co.  was  formed 
he  became  its  vice-president.  A  large  de- 
gree of  the  company's  success  was  due  to 
'  his  skill  in  management,  and  his  indus- 
trious and  systematic  habits.  He  was  mar- 
ried  in    Albion,     Ind.,    August,    1870,    to 


Miss  Lucy  E.  Thomas,  a  nati\-e  of  Morrow 
county,  Ohio. 

Jacob  Meyers  &  Bro. — The  Southern 
Planing  Mill,  employing  no  less  than  fifty 
men,  and  doing  an  extensive  business,  occu- 
pies a  prominent  position  among  the  indus- 
tries of  the  city.  Its  proprietors  are  recog- 
nized as  enterprising  and  progressive 
business  men,  and,  by  fair  and  honorable 
conduct,  have  estabHshed  themselves  in  the 
good-will  of  the  people.  Jacob  and  Michael 
Meyers  are  brothers.  They  were  born  in 
Bavaria,  the  former  December  25,  1828,  the 
latter  July  12,  1837.  Their  parents  were 
Michael  and  Catherine  (Alexander)  Meyers, 
natives  of  Germany,  born  respectively  in 
1795  and  1797-  The  father  served  honor- 
ably in  the  armies  of  his  native  country,  and 
came  to  his  death  by  an  unfortunate  acci- 
dent occurring  in  1845.  Two  years  later 
the  mother,  with  her  children,  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  settling  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  in  185 1  removing  to  Indiana. 
The  Meyers  brothers,  the  immediate  subjects 
of  mention  in  this  connection,  received  the 
rudiments  of  a  fair  education  in  the  schools 
of  their  native  land.  Both  were  apprenticed 
to  carpenters,  and  learning  the  trade,  worked 
for  a  time  as  journeymen  carpenters.  In 
1856  Jacob  began  the  business  of  a  con- 
tractor, and,  ten  years  later,  was  joined  by 
his  brother  Michael,  who,  from  1862,  had 
been  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  Pru- 
dent and  economical,  they  had  accumulated 
a  nice  capital,  and  being  practical  workmen, 
determined  to  embark  in  a  more  extensive 
enterprise.  They  purchased  what  was  then 
known  as  the  Steel  &  Trible  planing-mill, 
located  on  Second  street,  between  Chestnut 
and  Cherry  streets,  and  operated  it  for  one 
year,  when  they  removed  to  their  present 
place  of  business,  at  the  corner  of  Water 
and  Goodsell  streets.  Success  followed  in- 
dustry   and    wise    management.       In     1887 


BIOURAPHICAL. 


165 


their  continued  prosperity  warranted  the 
tearing  down  of  the  old  building  and  the 
erection  of  one  of  the  finest  and  best 
equipped  planing-niills  in  the  state.  The 
new  building  is  of  brick,  the  main  structure 
bt-'ing  two  stories  high,  62x192  feet,  with 
engine-room,  boiler-house  and  extensive 
lumber  sheds  in  addition.  The  manufacture 
of  doors,  sash,  blinds,  frames,  mouldings 
and  all  manner  of  builders'  supplies,  is  here 
extensively  engaged  in.  The  proprietors  ot 
this  mill  are  justly  accredited  with  being 
among  the  most  enterprising  and  prosperous 
business  men  of  the  city.  Both  have  been 
twice  married  and  have  interesting  families. 
Jacob  Meyers,  in  November,  1851,  took  for 
his  wife  Henrietta  Plensinger,  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  in  1832.  She  was  the 
mother  of  four  children :  George  W.,  Mary 
E.,  Laura  E.,  and  Addie.  Her  death 
occurred  in  this  city  in  August,  1862.  In 
July,  1863,  Mr.  Meyers  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Anna  B.  Keck,  born  in  Posey 
county,  Ind.,  in  1840,  daughter  of  Andrew 
and  Rosanna  Keck,  and  a  very  worthy 
woman.  Of  this  union  four  children  have 
have  been  born:  Edwin  J.,Lillie,  Estella  and 
Clinton  K.  Michael  Meyers  was  fii'st  married 
in  185S  to  Mary  Becker,  a  native  of  Indiana, 
born  in  1838,  who  died  August  15,  1864, 
leaving  two  children,  Anna  A.  and  Frank  B. 
Mis  second  marriage  occurred  in  1865  to 
Isabella  Metz,  then  twenty-five  years  of 
age,  and  to  whom  four  children  have  been 
born :  Alexander  M.,  Nellie  B.,  Emma  C, 
and  Alice  U.  Both  of  these  families  belong 
to  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Bernhard  Schuttler,  the  foreman  of 
Meyers  Bros.'  planing-mill,  was  born  in 
German  township,  this  county,  March  10, 
1843.  His  parents,  David  and  Caroline 
(Sincich )  Schuttler,  natives  of  Germany, 
came  to  this  country  in  1840,  and  lived  in 
German  township  until  their    deaths,   which 


occurred  in  1858  and  1852,  respectively. 
Bernhard  Schuttler  is  third  in  a  family  of 
nine  children,  five  of  whom  survive.  His 
boyhood  was  spent  on  the  farm.  At  six- 
teen vears  of  age  he  removed  to  Evansville, 
and  began  ser\-ing  an  apprenticeship  at  the 
carpenter's  trade  under  Jacob  Meyer.  Two 
N'ears  later,  in  1S61,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A., 
Fortj'-second  Indiana  Volunteers,  and, 
going  to  the  front,  was  in  the  engagements 
at  Champion  Hills  and  Stone  River,  where 
he  was  wounded,  and  participated  in  the 
brilliant  Atlanta  campaign.     He  was  honor- 

'  abh'  discharged  October  17,  1864,  at 
Villanow,  Ga.  Returning  to  civil  life  he 
entered  the  service  of  Jacob  Meyers  &  Bro., 
and  has  since  continued  with  this  firm,  being 
for  the  past  sixteen  j-ears  foreman    of    their 

"  extensive  mills.  September  8,  1868,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  Damm,  born  Septem- 
ber 28,  1845,  in  Posey  county,  daughter  of 
Christopher  and  Christina  (Bunde)  Damm. 
His  family  consists  of  eight  children :  Emma 

\  K.,  Edward  E.,  Ida  R.,  Adolph  W.,  Julius 
U.,  Benjamin  J.,  Albert  P.,  and  Oscar  C. 
Politically,  Mr.  Schuttler  is  a  republican. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  St.  John's  Luth- 
eran  church. 

RiET.MAX  &  ScHUi/n-:. — This  well-known 
firm,  manufacturers  of  hardwood  lumber, 
railroad  lumber  and  bridge  timber,  have 
attained  a  leading  position  among  the  wood- 
workers of  the  city.  Their  mills  are  ex- 
tensive and  employ  regularly  about  100 
men.  Henry  Rietman,  who,  by  dint  of 
industry  and  close  attention  to  business 
has  risen  from  a  wage-worker  to  a  promi- 
nent place  among  the  business  men  of  this 
city,  was  born  in  Germany,  July  31st,  1823. 
His  father,  J.  II.  Rietman,  was  a  respectable 
farmer  who  lived  and  died  in  the  land  of  his 
nativity.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  place,  spent   his  youth  upon   a 


}m 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


farm,  served  three  years  in  the  German 
armv,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years 
came  to  Evansville.  He  was  then  a  single 
man  and  for  a  time  worked  as  a  day  laborer 
in  a  saw-mill.  He  was  energetic,  eco- 
nomical and  ambitious.  By  i860  he  had 
saved  enough  to  embark  in  business  for  him- 
self,  and  in  company  with  B.  Nurre  com- 
menced the  operation  of  a  mill.  This  part- 
nership was  soon  dissolved,  Charles  Schulte 
joining  Mr.  Rietman  in  the  business.  In 
1865  the  mill  was  destroyed  by  tire.  It 
was  rapidly  rebuilt.  In  three  months  from 
the  time  of  its  destruction  it  was  again  run- 
ning. Since  that  time  by  good  manage- 
ment the  business  of  the  lirm  has  been  mul- 
tiplied manv  fold.  Mr.  Rietman  was  mar-  ' 
ried  October  20,  1857,  to  Miss  B.  W. 
Ilanselelman,  a  native  of  Holland  and  \ 
daughter  of  John  Ilanselelman.  They  have  ^ 
three  children:  Ben  H.,  Henry  H.,  and  i 
Elizabeth.  The  family  are  members  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  church. 

Charles  Schulte,  one  of  Evansville's 
leading  business  men,  is  a  native  of  the  king-  | 
dom  of  Prussia,  where  he  was  born  on  the 
15th  day  of  May,  1838.  We  find  him 
twenty  years  afterward  on  his  wa}-  to  Amer- 
ica seeking  fortune  and  a  new  home.  He 
came  directly  to  Evansville,  and  although 
unaccjuainted  with  the  ways  and  language 
of  the  new  world,  he  proceeded  to  engage 
at  once  in  business  with  his  accustomed  en- 
ergy and  push.  His  first  venture  was  flour 
milling,  then  dealing  in  grain  and  produce, 
until  1S63.  when  he  became  associated  with 
his  present  partner,  Henry  Rietman,  in  the 
saw-mill  business.  This  was  then  in  its  in- 
fancy, but  with  close  application  and  energy, 
he  was  soon  able  to  bring  the  business  up 
to  its  present  capacity  and  prosperity, 
makmg  it  one  of  the  largest  enterprises  of 
the  city,  and  e.xtending  their  trade  in  hard- 
wood lumber  over  this  country  and  Europe. 


Mr.  Schulte  is  part  owner  of  the  Fulton  Av- 
enue Brewery,  one  of  the  largest  establish- 
ments of  the  kind  in  this  part  of  the  state. 
He  is  a  large  stockholder  and  director  in 
the  German  National  Bank  of  Evansville, 
and  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Schulte, 
Lohoff  &  Co.,  manufacturers  of  edge  tools. 
There  are  employed  in  these  different  enter- 
prises seyeral  hundred  men.  Mr.  Schulte 
has  done  much  to  build  up  the  city  where 
he  has  spent  the  better  part  of  his  life. 
Although  a  gentleman  of  ample  means  and 
able  to  enjoy  the  ease  and  comforts  of  life, 
he  is  nevertheless  constantly  engaged  in 
overseeing,  managing  and  directing  his  di- 
verse interests.,  which  are  all  flourishinjr. 
Highh'  fortunate  is  the  cit\'  which  can  boast 
of  many  men  of  equal  push  and  energy. 
In  1 86 1  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sophia  Summers,  who  was  born  in  1843, 
and  with  whom  he  is  still  living  in  happ}- 
wedlock,  surrounded  with  seven  children. 
He  and  his  wife  are  consistent  members  of 
the  Catholic  church,  and  are  connected 
with  the  church  of  St.  Boniface,  which  has 
often  been  the  recipient  of  their  liberality. 
Mr.  Schulte  is  a  notable  example  of  what  a 
prudent  and  careful  man,  full  of  energy  and 
ambition,  may  accomplish  in  this  country 
under  adverse  circumstances. 

Joseph  A.  Nurre,  traveling  agent  for 
Rietman  &  Schulte,  lumbermen,  was  born 
in  Evansville,  Ind.,  April  13,  1852,  being 
the  son  of  Bernard  and  Elizabeth  Nurre. 
Bernard  Nurre  was  born  in  Germany  in 
iSo7,and  emigrated  to  America  about  1835, 
locating  first  at  Dayton,  Ohio.  From  that 
city  he  and  his  wife  traveled  on  foot  to  Cin- 
cinnati, where  he  went  to  work  at  his  trade 
in  a  foundry.  About  1839  ^^  came  to 
Evansville  and  was  employed  in  the  one 
foundry  then  in  existence  in  the  town.  At 
an  early  date  he  engaged  in  the  hotel  busi- 
ness and  for  many  years  was  proprietor  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


167 


the  Washiiitrton  House  on  the  corner  of 
Third  and  Main  streets,  at  that  time  the 
leading  hotel  in  the  cit\-.  After  leaving  the 
hotel  he  en<iaired  in  the  saw-mill  business 
in  copartnership  with  II.  Brommelhaus,  and 
afterward  purchased  the  old  Simp5on  mill- 
site,  and  taking  Mr.  II.  Rietman  in  partner- 
ship, established  the  present  mill  of  Rietman 
&  Schulte.  Later  he  sold  his  interest  to  Mr. 
Schulte  and  retired  from  active  business. 
.Mr.  Xurre  was  a  strong  democrat  and  was  so 
well  and  favorablv  known  that  he  was 
elected  by  his  party  to  the  office  of  county 
commissioner,  a  thing  seldom  accomplished 
at  that  time,  the  republicans  being  largeh' 
in  the  majority.  He  served  but  one  term, 
declining  to  stand  for  re-election.  His  death 
occurred  x\pril  ii,  1885.  Elizabeth  Nurre 
was  born  in  Germany  in  18 16,  and  died  in 
1853  when  her  son  Joseph  was  an  infant. 
Her  husband  subsequently  remarried,  and 
his  widow  survives  him.  Joseph  A.  Nurre 
was  reared  in  Evansville.  He  attended  the 
public  schools  of  the  cit}-  and  completed  his 
education  at  Teutopolis  (111.)  College.  He 
be<ran  life  for  himself  when  a  small  boy  as 
bundle  wrapper  for  Schapker  &  Bussing,  dry 
goods  merchants  of  this  citv.  From  this 
humble  position  he  worked  up  in  the  same 
house  to  book-keeper.  In  1873  ^^^  entered 
the  L.  &  X.  railroad  freiglit  otiice  as  receiv- 
ing clerk,  which  position  he  held  for  one 
year.  He  then  began  as  a  laborer  with 
Messrs.  Rietman  &.  Schulte,  and  bv  dint  of 
persistent  effort  and  close  attention  to  busi- 
ness worked  up  to  his  present  position,  after 
twelve  }ears  of  service.  He  is  well  known 
as  a  business  man  and  enjoys  a  high  stand- 
ing in  the  community.  In  politics  he  is  a 
democrat;  and  is  a  member  of  the  Iron  Hall. 
In  18S0  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  New- 
man, an  estimable  ladv,  who  was  born  in 
Evansville  in  1852.  She  is  the  daughter 
of  Mason  Newman. 


The  Helfukh  Saw  and  Plamnc;  Mill 
Co.MP.^NY  holds  a  high  rank  among  the  work- 
ers in  wood.  It  deals  in  hardwood  lumber  and 
building  materials  of  all  kinds.  Its  presi- 
dent, Adam  Helfrich,  oldest  son  of  the  pio- 
neers, John  and  Anna  (Barbey)  Helfrich, 
was  born  in  Germany,  January  17,  1832. 
His  parents  emigrating  to  this  countr\-  in 
earh'  days,  settled  in  German  township  and 
were  there  known  for  many  \ears  as  indus- 
trious, frugal,  and  well-to-do  people.  They 
were  among  the  organizers  of  St.  Jos- 
eph's Catholic  church,  and  remained  its 
devoted  members  until  their  earthly  careers 
were  ended.  Adam  Helfrich  worked  on 
his  father's  farm  until  twent\--three  years  of 
age,  when,  having  married  on  May  17,  1854, 
Theresa  Hilderbrandt,  a  native  of  Virginia, 
daughter  of  Christian  Hilderbrandt,  he  be- 
gan to  work  for  himself  on  a  farm,  the  gift 
of  his  father.  Selling  his  farm  after  a  time, 
he  purchased  a  portable  saw-mill.  By  wise 
management  he  accumulated  enough  to 
start,  in  company  with  John  T.  Rechtin,  a 
saw-mill  on  Pigeon  creek,  in  Independence. 
This  mill  was  operated  for  some  time,  but 
was  eventually  destroyed  by  lire,  Mr.  Helf- 
rich having  purchased  the  entire  interest 
but  a  short  time  prior  to  its  destruction.  A 
new  mill  was  bought,  and  in  1883,  a  stock 
compan\-  was  organized,  with  Adam  Helf- 
rich as  president,  and  William  Hardy  as 
vice-president,  through  whose  ability  and  en- 
terprise the  business  of  the  concern  has 
been  trreath'  extended  and  successfully  con- 
ducted.  This  company  owns  and  operates 
the  extensive  brick-yard  known  as  the  pro- 
perty of  the  Evansville  Pressed  Brick  Com- 
pany. Mr.  Helfrich's  ability  as  a  man  of  af- 
fairs has  been  publicly  recognized  by  his 
election  to  the  city  council.  Politically,  he  is 
a  democrat.  He  is  the  father  of  eleven  child- 
ren, eight  living:  William.  Frank,  Michael, 
Kate,  John,  Annie,  Joseph  and  Edward, 


ms 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


In  the  dawn  of  civilization  in  southwestern 
Indiana,  the  state  of  North  CaroHna  gave 
many  valuable  citizens  to  the  new  common- 
wealth. The}'  came  with  no  richer  posses- 
sions than  pure  purposes  and  dauntless 
courage,  ready  and  willing  to  meet  any  fate. 
James  McCorkle  and  his  wife  Dorcas,  who 
was  a  Mclntyre,  left  their  native  state,  in 
1828,  with  a  family  of  seven  children  which 
afterward  grew  to  eleven,  and  came  down 
the  Tennessee  river  in  a  small  boat  or  canoe 
to  the  shoals  below  Nashville.  From  there 
they  made  their  way  overland  to  Gibson 
county,  Indiana,  where  they  erected  a  cabin 
such  as  pioneer  settlers  hastily  raised  when 
a  spot  that  suited  their  fancy  was  found,  and 
there  February  9th,  1829,  was  born  John 
S.  McCorkle,  now  proprietor  of  the  Cit}' 
Planing  and  Flouring  Mills,  and  long  known 
in  Evansville  as  a  progressive,  public-spirited 
and  benevolent  citizen.  In  the  spring  of 
1832,  the  family  moved  to  Evansville,  then  a 
small  village.  Soon  after  coming  here  the 
death  of  Mrs.  McCorkle  occurred.  The 
father  of  the  family  lived  until  Evansville 
assumed  the  dignity  and  designation  of  a 
city  in  1847,  and  was  identified  with  the 
early  growth  of  the  place.  At  the  date  of 
his  death  he  was  sixty-four  years  of  age. 
With  the  exception  of  about  two  years, 
when  he  resided  in  Kansas,  ever  since  1832 
John  S.  McCorkle  has  been  a  resident  of 
Evansville.  His  father's  circumstances  were 
such  that  opportunities  for  laying  the  founda- 
tion of  a  polite  education  were  wanting  to 
him  in  his  vouth  and  young  manhood. 
Naturally  studious,  however,  in  the  course 
of  a  long  and  active  life  he  has  stored  his 
mind  with  a  fund  of  useful  information.  At 
the  age  of  se^•enteen  he  undertook  to  learn 
the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  as 
an  apprentice  and  journe3'man  until  1866. 
During  the  civil  war  period  he  was  in  the 
service  of  the    United    States    government. 


building  and  repairing  hospitals  for  the  sick 
and  wounded  who  were  brought  to  Evans- 
ville for  care  and  treatment.  In  1866,  Mr. 
McCorkle  built  his  first  planing-mill,  which 
was  successfulh'  operated  until  April,  1870, 
when  it  was  destroyed  b}'  fire.  The  mill 
was  immediately  rebuilt  and  the  business 
continued.  His  twenty-two  years'  career  in 
this  business  makes  him  the  oldest  planing- 
mill  proprietor  in  the  city.  From  his  youth 
he  has  made  his  own  way  in  life  and  has 
been  eminenth'  successful.  His  entire  atten- 
tion has  not,  however,  been  absorbed  by  his 
business  pursuits.  An  ardent  republican,  he 
is  deeply  concerned  in  the  welfare  of  his 
j  party.  For  many  years  he  has  been  con- 
spicuousty  identified  with  the  work  of  the 
temperance  cause,  and  he  and  his  wife  have 
been  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  As  a  member  of  the 
Business  Men's  Association  he  has  taken  a 
li\'ely  interest  in  all  matters  affecting  the 
welfare  and  progress  of  the  cit\'.  His  life 
has  been  one  of  industry  and  constant  effort. 
The  success  which  has  come  to  him  has 
been  well  deserved.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  December  31,  1850,  to  Miss  Mary 
I.  Thorne,  a  lady  of  worth,  born  in  Vin- 
cennes,  Ind.,  in  1836,  the  daughter  of 
Charles  E.  and  Nancy  (Oliver)  Thorne.  Of 
this  union  four  children  have  been  born: 
John  D.,  in  1S53;  Charles  R.,  in  i860;  Josie 
C,  in  1862,  and  George  A.,  in  1S65. 

ScHULTZE,  Thuman  &  Co.  —  The  Me- 
chanics' Foundry  at  the  corner  of  First  street 
and  Third  avenue  is  an  evidence  of  what 
thrift  and  industry  can  accomplish.  This  in- 
stitution,' employing  about  fifty  workmen 
and  manufacturing  steam-engines,  boilers, 
saw-  and  grist-mills  and  all  kinds  of  ma- 
chinery, is  owned  by  five  of  Evansville's 
enterprising  citizens,  who  in  early  hfe  had 
no  capital  except  the  endowments  of  nature. 
Some  facts  concerning  the    lives    of  Henry 


^ 


/,T^^   ■   /^/      X^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


169 


A.  Schultze,  Charles  H.  Thuman,  John  II. 
Thuman,  Alexander  Jack,  and  Michael 
Becker  can  not  fail  to  possess  interest.  Mr. 
Schultze  was  born  in  Prussia,  April  19, 
I  S3 1.  When  he  was  eleven  years  of  age, 
his  parents,  George  and  Annie  M.  (Wayne') 
Scluiltze,  came  to  Evansville,  and  were 
known  here  for  many  years  as  inilustrious 
and  respectable  people.  They  lived  through 
the  allotted  three  score  vears  and  ten, 
each  spending  a  useful  and  honorable 
life.  Henrv  A.  was  the  voungest  son  in  a  ' 
familv  of  eleven  children.  When  sixteen  i 
\ears  of  age  he  entered  a  foundry'  with  a 
view  of  learning  a  trade  and  thus  fitting 
himself  for  the  higher  grades  of  employ- 
ment. For  eighteen  vears  he  applied  him- 
self industriously,  saving  and  wisely 
investing  his  earnings  until  he  had  accumu- 
lated a  considerable  sum  of  money.  In  1S65 
the  Mechanics'  Foundry  was  established, 
and  since  that  time  he  has  expended  most  of 
his  energies  in  building  up  the  concern  and 
extending  its  business.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican.  He  and  his  familv  are  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  has  been  mar- 
ried twice.  His  first  wife  was  Martha 
Schulz,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  died  in 
1873,  leaving  five  children,  George,  Theo- 
dore, Gustavus,  Julius  and  Louisa.  Six 
years  later  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Sarah  Clark,  a  native  of  Kentuckv. 

John  H.  and  Charles  H.  Thuman, 
brothers,  were  born  in  the  dukedom  of 
Baden,  Germany,  1819  and  1831,  respect- 
ivel\-.  They  immigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1837,  and  came  to  Evansville 
about  1 85 1  with  their  parents,  who  settled 
near  Darmstadt,  where  the  mother  died  in 
1851  and  the  father  in  1853.  Their  father 
was  a  carpenter,  and  both  boys  learned  the 
same  trade,  though  John  worked  at  farming 
in  this  county  for  sixteen  years.  For  a 
time  Charles  was  employed  at  pattern-mak- 
10 


ing,  but  both  eventually  became  part  owners 
in  the  Mechanics"  Foundry,  and  for  many 
3ears  have  been  connected  with  its  manage- 
ment. Mr.  John  Thuman  was  married  in 
1845  to  Miss  Rosina  Scheckel,  who  died 
five  years  later,  leaving  one  child,  Mina. 
Subse(juently  he  married  a  sister  of  his  first 
wife,  Philippina  Scheckel,  to  whom  eight 
children  have  been  born,  seven  of  whom  are 
living:  Mary,  Louisa,  Carrie,  Lena,  Dora, 
John,  Frederick  and  Edward.  Mr.  Charles 
Thuman  was  married  in  August,  1853,  to 
Miss  Barbara  Fuchs,  a  native  of  Germany, 
who  came  to  this  country  in  1S50.  Of  this 
union  eight  children  have  been  born,  seven 
of  whom  are  living:  Annie,  Lizzie  Amelia, 
Lena,  Charles  Christian,  Charles  J.,  William 
and  Jacob  L.  This  \ounger  generation  is 
rapidly  advancing,  and  taking  an  honorable 
position  in  social  and  business  circles. 

Alexander  Jack  was  born  in  Scotland, 
at  the  city  of  Glasgow,  1S33.  He  is  the 
sixth  son  of  Robert  Jack,  a  weaver,  who 
lived  and  died  in  Scotland.  The  family  con- 
tained eleven  children,  all  but  three  of  whom 
are  dead.  i.\lexander  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  his  native  country.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  he  started  out  alone  foi'  America. 
He  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  and  there  learned 
1  the  trade  of  a  machinist  and  engineer. 
Coming  west,  he  assisted  in  putting  up  a 
i  pig-iron  furnace  on  Green  river,  in  Mulilen- 
burg  countv,  Kv.,  where  he  remained  for 
some  time.  He  came  to  Evansville  about 
tliirty  years  ago,  and  first  worked  at  his 
trade  for  Kratz  &  Ileilman,  and  later  for 
Reitz  &  Ilanev.  Since  the  establishment 
of  the  foundry  with  wliich  he  is  now  con- 
nected, his  attention  has  been  devoted  prin- 
cipallv  to  its  advancement.  He  is  also  a 
stockholder  and  director  in  the  N.itural  Gas 
and  Oil  Company  of  this  place.  His  good 
judgment  has  earned  him  the  confidence  of 
business  men  generally,  and  his  sturdy  char- 


no 


THE  CITY  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


acter  has  made  him  popular.  In  the  spring 
of  i88She  was  nominated  by  the  repubhcan 
party  and  elected  to  the  office  of  water- 
works trustee.  He  is  a  Knight  of  Honor, 
and,  with  his  family,  belongs  to  the  First 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  Janu- 
ary 2,  1S54,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Snedden,  a  native  of  Scotland,  who,  in 
the  midst  of  a  useful  life,  passed  away  July 
21,  18S7,  leaving  five  children,  Nellie,  Rich- 
ard, John,  Robert,  and  Bethia. 

Michael  Becker  was  born  in  Prussia, 
May  28,  1823,  being  the  oldest  son  of  John 
and  Catherine  (Kreppert)  Becker,  natives 
of  Prussia,  who  came  to  Evansville  in  1846, 
lived  many  years  on  a  farm,  and  died  in  this 
count}-,  aged  seventy-eight  and  sixty-five, 
respectively.  In  his  native  country,  Michael 
learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  and  for 
about  ten  years  followed  it  at  McCutchan- 
ville.  Coming  to  Evansville,  he  was  invited 
to  connect  himself  with  the  Mechanics'  Foun- 
dry, and  has  since  been  identified  with  this 
establishment.  In  1862  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Reis,  who  was  born  at  Darm- 
stadt, in  this  county.  Of  this  union  eleven 
children  have  been  born,  four  of  whom  are 
living.  William  H.,  Frank,  Catherine  A., 
and  Elizabeth  J.  The  members  of  this  firm, 
known  to  the  business  community  as 
Schultze,  Thuman  &  Co.,  have  pursued 
honorable  methods  in  the  conduct  of  their 
business,  and  by  industr\%  econom}-  and  wise 
management,  have  attained  success. 

F.  W.  Cook  Brewing  Co.  — F.  W.  Cook 
and  L,ouis  Reis,  under  the  firm  name  of 
"Cook  &  Reis,"  estabhshed  and  built  the 
City  Brewery  in  1853,  the  site  then  being 
a  corn-field.  They  continued  together 
until  1S57,  when  Louis  Reis  sold  his  inter- 
est in  the  brew'ery  to  his  brother,  Jacob  Reis 
(the  step-father  of  Mr.  Cook),  leaving  the 
style  of  the  firm  unchanged.  In  1873  ^^• 
Reis  met  with  an   accident   which    resulte^j 


in  his  death,  whereupon  Mr.  Cook  became 
sole  proprietor.  In  1885  the  City  Brew- 
ery was  converted  into  a  stock  company 
under  the  corporate  name  of  F.  W.  Cook 
Brewing  Co.  with  the  following  stock- 
i  holders:  F.  W.  Cook,  sr.,  F.  W.  Cook, 
I  jr.,  H.  E.  Cook,  Andrew  Wollenberger, 
G.  M.  Daussman,  Philip  P.  Puder  and  Gus 
B.  Mann.  F.  W.  Cook,  sr.,  F.  W.  Cook, 
jr.,  H.  E.  Cook,  Andrew  Wollenberger  and 
G.  M.  Daussman  are  the  directors  of  the 
company,  and  its  officers  are  as  follows: 
F.  W.  Cook,  sr.,  president  and  general 
manager;  F.  W.  Cook,  jr.,  vice  president: 
Andrew  Wollenberger,  superintendent;  G. 
M.  Daussman,  secretary  and  treasurer; 
Philip  P.  Puder,  general  agent.  The  sales 
of  the  establishment  for  the  present  year 
(1888-89)  ^^"^^^  amount  to  75.000  barrels; 
no  men  are  employed  in  its  \-arious  de- 
partments and  $75,000.00  is  paid  annually 
in  wages.  The  consumption  of  malt  and 
hops  for  the  year  will  be  185,000  bushels 
of  the  former,  and  115,000  pounds  of  the 
latter.  While  the  product  of  the  F.  W. 
Cook  Brewing  Co. — the  famous  "Pilsener 
Beer  "  —  has  become  a  household  word  and 
is  the  most  popular  beverage  in  this  part 
of  the  country,  it  has  also  won  an  enviable 
reputation  abroad,  especially  in  the  south- 
ern states,  and  large  quantities  of  it  are 
daily  being  shipped  to  all  the  principal  cities 
of  the  south.  Purity,  brilliancy  and  de- 
liciousness  of  the  flavor,  together  wjth  its 
sparkling,  foaming  qualities,  is  what  has 
made  the  Pilsener  of  the  F.  W.  Cook 
Brewing  Co.  so  popular  wherever  it  has 
been  introduced. 

Fred  W.  Cook,  sr.,  president  of  the  F 
W.  Cook  Brewing  Company,  an  enterpris- 
ing citizen  closely  identified  with  many 
causes  of  the  city's  growth  and  prosperity, 
began  his  business  career  as  a  poor  lad,  and. 
now  as  the  fruits  of  his  industry  enjoys  pos- 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


171 


sessions  value  d  at  not  less  than  a  ([uarter  of 
a  million  dollars.  He  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  February  i,  1S32.  His  father, 
Fred  Cook,  a  baker,  native  of  Germany) 
long  li\ed  at  Washington  Citv,  and  died  in 
Virginia  when  on  his  way  to  Cincinnati, 
1S34.  ^^'5  mother,  Christiana  Cook,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Kroener,  subsequenth* 
married  Jacob  Reis,  and  after  a  brief  resi- 
dence at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  came  to  E\ans- 
ville,  reaching  here  in  1^36.  The  earlv 
education  of  Mr.  Cook  was  meagre,  his 
schooling  being  confined  to  about  eighteen 
months'  study,  distributed  through  a  period 
of  six  years.  His  first  emplo\'ment  was  in 
the  drv  goods  house  of  L.  W.  Ileberd.  He 
then  spent  two  years  and  a  half  in  a  small 
brewery  owned  b}'  his  step-father.  By  the 
end  of  this  time  he  had  accumulated  $135. 
His  uncle,  Louis  Reis,  having  a  like  amount 
in  cash,  the  two  formed  a  partnership,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1853  bought  the  ground, 
then  a  cornfield,  on  which  their  extensive 
brewery  now  stands.  A  small  brewery  was 
built  on  credit,  and  in  four  j-ears  Mr.  Reis, 
withdrawing  from  the  firm,  was  paid  for 
his  interest  $3,500.  Later,  Jacob  Reis, 
the  stepfather,  putting  in  $6,000  capital, 
entered  the  firm,  which  again  was  known 
as  Cook  &  Reis,  until  the  incorporation  of  the 
company  January  i,  1885.  As  a  director  in 
the  Citizens'  National  Bank,  director  in  the 
Evansville  &  Terre  Haute  Railroad  Com- 
pany, president  of  the  I^istrict  Telegraph 
Company,  president  of  the  F.  W.  Cook 
Bottling  Works,  director  and  secretary  of 
the  Bernardin  Bottle  Cap  Company, 
and  as  a  large  stockholder  in  the  Indiana 
Canning  Compan}',  Mr.  Cook  has  done 
much  to  secure  the  success  of  these  enter- 
prises and  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  city, 
always  exhibiting  in  the  highest  degree  the 
qualities  essential  to  a  successful  financier 
and  man  of  affairs.   The  public,  recognizing 


his  capacity  for   the    management  of    great 
interests,   has  called  him    to    its    service    in 
various  relations.      He     has     several    times 
represented  his  ward   in  the  city  council  and 
his    county    in    the    state    legislature.      His 
career,  pri\ate  and  public,  has  been  charac- 
terized   by    energy,    integrity,    ability     and 
honor.      He    is    a   prominent  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  fraternities  and 
of  St.  John's  church.     In   1857  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Louisa   Hilt,  of  Louisville,  Ky., 
who    died    in    1877,    leaving    four  children, 
Fred     W.,    jr.,    Heniy  E.,  Charles  W.,  and 
Ada   L.     In    November,    1878,  his  second 
marriage  was  solemnized  with    Miss    Jennie 
Himmeline,  of   Kelh's  Island,  Ohio,   whose 
death  occurred  in   January,    1884.     Of   this 
union  three  children  were  born,  Arthur   B., 
Helen    and     Albert    L.     The  older  of  Mr. 
Cook's  children  are  well  educated  and    pos- 
sess   the     accomplishments      which      adorn 
polite   society.     Fred.  W.   Cook,  jr.,    vice- 
president    of    the    brewing    company,  is   an 
alumnus    of    Wabash  College,    Crawfords- 
ville,    Ind.,    and    after    his  graduation    from 
that  institution  pursued  his   studies   for    two 
years    at  the  famous  University  of   Heidel- 
berg.    Henry    E.    graduated    at  the  State 
University  at    Bloamington,    and    for    three 
years  past  has  been  perfecting  his  education 
at  the  ancient  German  institution  pre\'iously 
attended  bv  his  brother,    where    also     Miss 
Ada  L.  has  been  pursuing  a  special    course 
of  instruction  in  music  and  the   modern    lan- 
guages.       Charles    W.   is    now    an    under- 
graduate at  the  Indiana  State  University. 

The  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  brew- 
ing company,  George  M.  Daussman,  was 
born  at  Willzartswiesen,  Rhein-Pfalz,  Ba- 
varia, March  8,  1847.  His  parents,  Jacob 
and  Eva  (Veibert)  Daussman,  came  to 
America  in  1855,  and  have  since  resided  in 
this  city.  He  was  educated  at  the  public 
schools  of  the  city,  and  received  his  training 


172 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


for  a  business  career  in  tlie  Evans\ille  Com- 
mercial College.  At  a  verv  early  age  he 
was  employed  as  a  clerk  and  then  as  book- 
keeper, at  various  places  in  this  city.  In 
1866  he  accepted  a  position  as  book-keeper 
for  Cook  &  Reis,  brewers,  and  has  been 
with  that  company  ever  since.  He  is  now 
a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  company, 
and  since  January  i,  1885,  has  been  its  sec- 
retary and  treasurer.  His  efficiency,  integ- 
rity and  close  attention  to  business,  render 
his  services  of  great  value  to  the  company. 
He  occupies  a  high  social  position,  is  promi- 
nent in  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  K.  of  P.  frater- 
nities, the  Business  Men's  Association  and 
Liederkranz  singing  society.  He  was  mar- 
ried September  18,  1880,  to  Miss  Anna 
Platz,  daughter  of  Charles  Platz,  the  well- 
known  manufacturer,  of  this  city.  They 
have  four  children,  George  M.,  Ida,  Louisa, 
and  Elsa,  the  tirst-born.  Bertha,  having  died 
in  infancy. 

The  superintendent  of  the  brewery,  An- 
drew WoUenberger,  was  born  in  Ba- 
varia, May  16,  1841,  being  the  son  of  Louis 
and  Mina  WoUenberger.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  of  his  native  country 
and  was  emplo3'ed  there  as  foreman  in  a 
brewery.  He  served  in  the  German  army, 
was  a  non-commissioned  officer  in  the  war 
of  1866,  and  two  years  later  came  to  Amer- 
ica. For  several  years  he  was  engaged  in 
the  breweries  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  In  1S81 
he  came  to  Evansville  and  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  Cook  &  Reis  as  foreman.  When 
the  stock  company  was  organized  he  became 
a  stockholder  and  superintendent,  which 
position  he  has  since  satisfactorily  held.  In 
1869  he  was  married  to  Miss  Tillie  Uhl,  a 
native  of  German^-,  daughter  of  John  L^hl. 
They  have  one  child,  Andrew  Louis. 

The  chief  engineer  of  this  extensive  brewery 
is  Henrv  F.  Froelich,  a  native  of  Gibson 
county,     Ind.,    born     April     14,    1851,    the 


oldest  son  of  Jacob  and  Catharine  (Oswald) 
Froelich,  natives  of  Germany.  He  received 
a  common  school  and  business  education  in 
this  citv,  kept  books  for  a  time,  and  then 
learned  the  trade  of  a  machinist,  at  which 
he  worked  both  here  and  in  Germany. 
Later  he  was  employed  as  engineer  at  the 
city  water-works,  and  in  1S7S  entered  the 
service  of  the  brewing  companv.  Since 
1887  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of 
water-works  trustees.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  K.  of  H.  order,  of  the  Zither  club,  and  the 
Association  of  Engineers.  August  12,  1S77, 
he  was  married  to  Johanna  Laubmerheimer, 
a  native  of  Germany.  Of  this  union  two 
children  have  been  born:  Clara,  aged  ten 
years,  and  one  who  died  in  infancv. 
Mr.  Froelich  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
St.  John's  Evangelical  churcli. 

The  general  agent  of  the  Cook  Brewing 
Co.,  Philip  P.  Puder,  was  born  in  Germany, 
December  17,  1845.  His  parents,  Gottlieb 
and  Katharina  (Becker)  Puder,  borniniSip 
and  1822,  respectively,  lived  and  died  in  the 
fatherland.  He  is  the  oldest  in  a  family  of 
live  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  He 
was  educated  in  Germany  and  came  to 
Evansville  in  1864.  He  was  a  machinist  by 
trade,  and  for  four  years  was  employed  in  the 
foundry  of  Hon.  Wm.  Ileilman,  after  which 
he  conducted  a  stove  and  tinware  store,  in 
partnership  with  his  brother,  Gottlieb  Puder. 
In  1876  he  accepted  a  position  as  traveling 
salesman,  with  Cook  &  Reis,  and  upon  the 
organization  of  the  stock  compam',  became 
a  stockholder.  His  thorough  business  train- 
ing and  qualifications  have  contributed 
largely  to  the  extension  of  the  business.  He 
is  a  K.  of  H.  and  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 
In  1 868  he  was  married  to  Miss  AI- 
wine  Schnakenburg,  a  native  of  Germany, 
born  in  1847.  Of  this  union  three  children 
have  been  born:  Otto,  Dora  and  Philip. 
The  father    of    Mrs.    Puder,    Col.    William 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


173 


Schnakenburg,  attained  distinction  as  a  sol- 
dier in  the  late  war.  He  was  born  in  Prus- 
sia, August  3,  1817,  being  the  son  of  Rev. 
William  and  Emily  Schnakenburg.  In  1854 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in 
southern  Ohio,  and  coming  to  this  city  two 
years  later.  Since  then  he  has  continuously 
resided  in  this  place,  being  engaged  as  a 
merchant  and  accountant.  In  i86r  he 
began  his  military  service  with  the  Thirt}-- 
second  Indiana  Infantrv,  rose  to  the  rank  of 
lieutenant-colonel,  and  after  a  faithful  and 
honorable  service  of  eighteen  months,  re- 
signed. He  was  married  in  1S43,  to  Miss 
Minna  Lohse,  a  native  of  Prussia,  to  whom 
four  children  were  born. 

Fulton   i\vExuE  Brewery.  —  A    well- 
known  building  in  Evansville   was   the    Old 
Brewery.     This   was    occupied  bv   the    fa- 
mous firm  of    Ullmer  &  Hoedt,  from  1877, 
until  1 88 1,  and  here  they  achieved  for  their 
product  a  reputation   unsurpassed  by  none. 
Among  the  consumers  of    malt   liquors    the 
reputation  of   Evansville  beer    has    become 
wide-spread  and  most  flattering  to  the  manu- 
acturers  of    this   city.     The    strong   points 
of  the  product  are  purity,  brilliancy  of  color, 
richness  of  flavor,  and  non-liability  to  deter- 
ioration  bv    cHmate,   and    in   all  these,   the 
Evansville  beer  is  unsurpassed.     The  form- 
ation of  this  creditable  reputation  is  in  large 
part  due  to  the  skill  and  business  ability  of 
Messrs.   Ullmer   &    Hoedt.     These    gentle- 
men came  to  the  city  in  1877  ready  to  begin 
on  November    ist.     They  made    their    first 
brewingonthe  27th  of  that  month, and  turned 
out  the    first  beer    December   31st.     They 
prospered     from     the     first,     their    product 
sprang  at  once  into   popular   favor,    and    in 
less  than  thirty  months  they    were    able   to 
add  one  of  the  most  handsome   and    com- 
plete breweries  in  the  country  to  the  indus- 
tries o'f    Evansville.     The   members  of  the 
firm  are  Charles   Wilhelm   Ullmer.  a  native 


of  Russia,  and  the  business  manager  of  the 
establishment,  who  came  to  this  country  in 
1868,  and  Ferdinand  Hoedt,  a  native  of 
Baden,  who  came  to  America  in  1S65. 
The  latter  is  naturally  a  brewer,  his  father 
and  grandfather  having  been  in  the  business, 
and  he  learned  his  trade  so  thoroughly  that 
he  now  has  no  superior  in  the  country,  in 
his  father's  brewery  at  Heidelberg.  The 
new  brewery,  which  the  firm  has  occupied 
for  several  years,  is  74x116  feet,  four 
stories  high,  and  fitted  at  a  cost  of  $45,000 
with  all  that  science  and  art  has  devised  for 
the  best  production  of  the  beverage  under 
the  most  healthful  and  attractive  conditions. 
The  brewery  has  a  cellar  capacity  of  3,000 
barrels  constantly  on  hand,  and  a  selling 
capacity  of  18,000  barrels  per  annum.  Be- 
sides the  beer  kettle  with  a  capacity  of  125 
barrels,  there  is  a  mash  tub  with  a  capacity 
of  150  barrels,  and  two  steam  tubs  of 
lOO  and  300  barrels  each.  The  ice 
as  it  melts  is  caught  and  conveyed  to  cis- 
terns underneath  the  beer  cellar,  which  is 
40x18  feet,  and  a  capacity  of  29.000  gallons. 
This  establishment  maintains  a  large  num- 
ber of  employes,  and  the  weekly  pa}-roll 
is  no  inconsiderable  item. 

August  Brentano,  of  the  firm  of  Kiechle, 
Brentano  &  Oberdorfer,  was  born  at  Hohen- 
Ems,  Austria,  December  18,  1845,  and 
is  the  son  of  Nestor  Brentano,  a  native  of 
Austria,  born  August  15,  it?20,  whose  death 
occurred  in  his  native  country,  November 
10,  1859.  He  was  educated  at  the  famous 
schools  of  Heidelberg,  graduating  there  in 
i860.  In  the  same  year  he  came  to 
America,  settling  in  New  York  city,  and  re- 
maining there  for  one  year  in  the  employ  of 
Brentano's  Literary  Emporium.  In  1861 
he  went  to  Oregon,  and,  after  a  residence  of 
three  years  there,  remo\ed  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  for  some  time  was  engaged  as  a 
book-keeper  for  E.  Brentano  &  Co.    Coming 


17^ 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


to  Evansville  in  iS66,  he  then  entered  the 
wholesale  house  of  L.  Loewenthal  &  Co.  as 
a  book-keeper,  and  retained  that  position 
durincr  the  following  ten  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  became  a  partner  in  the 
business,  and  remained  in  that  relation  ten 
years  longer.  When  the  Business  Men's 
Association  was  formed  in  1887,  for  the 
purpose  of  advancing  the  general  welfare  of 
the  city,  b}-  bringing  about  harmonious  ac- 
tion on  the  part  of  all  interested  in  Evans- 
ville's  progress,  Mr.  Brentano  was  selected 
as  secretary  of  the  association.  His  duties 
were  particularl)-  arduous  and  tr3ing,  but 
they  were  discharged  with  rare  skill  and 
good  judgment,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of 
all.  Unswerving  devotion  to  correct  prin- 
ciples, enterprising  activity,  guided  by  un- 
usual public  spiritedness  and  business 
sagacity,  have  combined  to  make  his  career 
successful.  In  1888  the  partnership  with 
which  he  is  now  connected  was  formed.  He 
is  prominently  connected  with  the  lodges  of 
the  following  orders:  F.  &  A.  M.,  K.  of  P., 
A.  O.  U.  W.,  B'nai  B'rith  and  Kesher  Shel 
Barsel.     In  politics   he  is    a  democrat.     In 

1883,  and  again  in  1885,  he  was  elected  to 
the  city  council.  As  chairman  of  the  demo- 
cratic central   committee   for    this  county  in 

1884,  by  his  wise  management  he  contrib- 
uted largeh'  to  the  success  of  the  campaign. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  in  1868  to  Miss 
Mahla  Kahn,  of  this  city,  daughter  of  Solo- 
mon Kahn.  Seven  children  have  been  born 
of  this  union,  five  of  whom  survive. 

Capt.  Otto  F.  Jacobi,  a  native  of  Saxe- 
Meiningen,   Germany,    was    born    Novem- 
ber  28,    1835.     His    parents,   Gottlieb   and  i 
Frederika  (Dietsch)  Jacobi,  were    born    in; 
Germany,  in    1804  and    1814,   respectively.  I 
Their  lives  were  spent  in  the  fatherland,  and 
there    they    died,    the    father    in    1849,   ^^^ 
mother   eight   years    earlier.     Capt.  Jacobi 
was  the  eldest  son  in  a  family  of  four,  three  | 


of    whom    are    now  living.      His    education 
was  obtained  in  his  native  country.     Emi- 
grating to  the  United  States  in  1852,  he  set- 
tled   at    Philadelphia,  Pa.     There   in   1855, 
being  then  a   j^oung   man,  though  of  strong 
and     well     developed     character,    he     en- 
listed in   Compan\'    D,  First   United  States 
Infantr}-.      He    soon    attained    the    rank    of 
first     sergeant,     which     he     held     for    sev- 
eral   years,    being    brave    and    ever    read}' 
for    duty,    and    thus     gaining    the     esteem 
of    his    superior    officers.     When    the    civil 
war  broke   out,  he    was    with   his  regiment, 
then    stationed    at   Fort  Cobb,  Indian  Terri- 
tory.     He   remained    in    the    regular    army 
until    1862,  when  he  received  a  commission 
in  the  volunteer  service,  and  was   appointed 
commissary  of  musters  by  the   secretarv  of 
war,    being     attached    to   the  first    cavalry 
division   in  the  Department  of   the  Cumber- 
land.    January    i,    1863,    he    was   commis- 
sioned first  lieutenant  of  Company  G,  Tenth 
Tennessee  Infantr}',  and  because  of  faithful 
and  efficient  service,  was   promoted   to  the 
captaincy  of  the  same  company  on  the  23d 
of  June  following.      He  acted  a  conspicuous 
part  in  the  engagements  at  Duck   Springs, 
Wilson's    Creek,    and    New    Madrid,    Mo., 
Island  No.  10,  in   the  siege   of   Corinth  and 
the  battle  at  that  place,  at  Big  Black  River, 
Miss.,  and  in  the   siege  of  Vicksburg,  where 
he  received  a  disabling  wound.     His  honor- 
able discharge  from  the  service  followed  in 
July,  1865.      He  is  now  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R.     His  long 
military  career  was  full  of  honorable  service. 
It  was  in  the  year  1866  that    he  came  to 
Evansville,  since  which  time  his  prominence 
and  usefulness  as  a  citizen   have   increased 
from  year  to  year.    Soon  after  locating  here 
he  began  the   wholesale  tobacco  and  cigar 
business.     This  he   sold  out  in  1869,  and  in 
the  next   year  entered  the  employ  of  H.  F. 
Blount  as  book-keeper.     His  business  affairs 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


115 


were  prudently  managed,  and  his  earnings 
economically  cared  for.  His  services  be- 
came so  valuable  to  those  interested  in  the 
works  with  which  he  was  connected,  that 
he  was  admitted  to  an  interest  in  the  profits 
in  1883.  Honorable  and  upright  in  all  of 
life's  relations,  he  commands  universal  re- 
spect. His  public  spirit  has  not  permitted 
his  whole  interest  to  be  engrossed  in  the 
cares  of  his  own  business  concerns.  He 
early  joined  the  Masonic  order,  and  has  at- 
tained the  rank  of  Knight  Templar.  He 
and  his  wife  are  prominent  members  of  the 
First  Avenue  Presbyterian  church.  By 
wise  action  as  a  trustee  and  devotion  as  a 
member,  he  has  contributed  largely  to  the 
prosperity  of  the  church.  His  public  trusts 
have  been*  numerous,  and  all  failhfuU}'  exe- 
cuted. As  a  trustee  of  Evans  Hall,  and  as 
trustee  and  treasurer  of  Willard  Library,  he 
has  rendered  useful  service  to  the  public. 
His  ability  as  a  financier  caused  his  selection 
as  vice-president  of  the  Fidelity  Loan  and 
Savings  Association,  the  successful  manage- 
ment of  which  has  secured  to  many  vvork- 
ingmen  the  ownership  of  homes.  His  mar- 
riage occurred  in  1862  to  Mary  E.  Sawyer, 
of  Corinth,  Miss.  Of  this  union  five  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  of  whom  two,  Otto  L. 
and  Sidne}'  F.,  are  living,  and  three  are  de- 
ceased: Alvin  G.,  L-vin,  and  Harry  B. ;  the 
latter  died  July  17,  188S. 

It  is  generally  conceded  that  the  extent  of 
Evansville's  future  greatness  will  be  meas- 
ured by  the  amount  of  attention  paid  to 
manufacturing  industries.  Of  late  years  the 
city's  advancement  has  been  due  largely  to 
this  agency.  The  Evansville  Cotton  Mills 
are  the  largest  of  their  kind  west  of  the  Al- 
leghanies,  and  the  city  is  justly  proud  of 
them.  At  the  time  of  the  publication  of  this 
work  the  company  is  building  a  new  mill 
adjoining  the  old,  two  stories,  168x313,  and 
an  L  addition  50x80,  which  will   accommo- 


date a  plant  of  50,000  spindles.  The  success- 
ful management  of  these  mills  may  be  attrib- 
uted largely  to  the  efficiency  of  the  superin- 
tendent John  H.  Osborn,  whose  fitness  for  his 
present  responsible  position  is  the  result  of 
long  practical  training.  He  is  a  native  of  Boone 
county.  111.,  where  he  was  born  July  20,  1849. 
His  father,  William  Osborn,  was  born  in 
Ireland  about  the  year  1822,  and  now  resides 
in  this  cit}'.  His  mother,  Ann  (Burrell) 
Osborn,  was  a  native  of  Glasgow,  Scotland, 
and  died  at  Cannelton,  Ind.,  1872.  His  par- 
ents came  to  the  United  States  in  earl}- 
childhood  and  settled  in  Rhode  Island.  In 
1849,  the}'  came  west,  seeking  a  betterment 
of  their  condition,  and  temporarily  settled  in 
Boone  county.  111.  Three  years  later  they 
moved  to  Cannelton,  Ind.  In  the  schools  of 
that  place,  John  Osborn,  who  was  the  sec- 
ond of  six  children,  received  his  education, 
and  there  learned  the  trade  of  a  machinist. 
For  about  fifteen  }'ears  he  was  employed  in 
the  Indiana  Cotton  Mills  at  Cannelton,  and 
for  some  time  at  Louisville  and  Owensboro, 
in  Kentucky,  in  various  foundries  and  ma- 
chine shops,  working  at  his  trade.  Coming 
to  Evansville  in  1875,  he  was  engaged  as 
master  mechanic  at  the  cotton  mills,  and  in 
1884,  was  promoted  to  the  superintendency 
of  the  mills.  He  is  intrusted  with  the  super- 
vision of  400  workmen,  and  has  the  care  of  vast 
monetary  interests.  By  natural  acumen  and 
thorough  practical  training,  he  is  well  quali- 
fied for  the  proper  discharge  of  this  important 
trust.  His  enterprising  public  spirit,  and 
the  general  esteem  in  which  he  is  held,  are 
attested  by  his  selection  as  a  director  in  the 
Business  Men's  Association.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  June,  1878,  to  Mary  A.  White,  who 
was  born  in  Evansville  in  1858.  Two 
children,  John  W.  and  Charles  A.,  have  been 
born  of  this  union. 

Louis   Ichexhauser,  a  prominent  citizen 
and  the  leading  importer  and  wholesale  dealer 


176 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


in    glass     and    queenswaie    of     Evansville, 
is  a  native    of    Bavaria,   Germany,  born  in 
the  town  of  Ichenhausen  (which  place  was 
named    in     honor  of    his    grandparents),  on 
September  30,  1832.      He  came  to  America 
twelve  years  later,  located  in  Hardinsburg, 
K}'.,  and  engaged  in  merchandise.  He  re- 
moved to  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1864,  and  con- 
tinued merchandising  for  one  year.   Coming 
to  Evansville  in   1866,  he  formed  a  copart- 
nership with  Charles  Lichten,  and  engaged 
in  the  glass  and  queensware  business  under 
the  tirm   name   of    Lichten   &   Ichenhauser. 
This  tirm  was  dissolved  in    1880  by  the  re- 
tirement of  Mr.  Lichten.       Mr.  Ichenhauser 
continued  the  business,    adding  thereto  the 
importation  of  china  and  queensware  in  1883. 
The  business  has  grown  from  year  to  year, 
until  it  is   the  leading  house   of  the  kind   in 
the  citv,  and  is  second  to  none  in  the  state. 
He  occupies  a  large  brick  business  house  at 
No.  114  Upper  First  street,  which   is  four 
stories  and  a  basement  in  height  and   150 
feet    deep;   and    also    the    four-story    brick 
building  at  No.  23    Upper  First,   which   is 
used  as  a  warehouse.     Mr.  Ichenhauser  is  a 
member  of  the  Evansville    Business  Men's 
Association,  and  of  the  following  -secret  so- 
cieties:    Blue  Lodge,  Chapter  and  Council 
of  the    Masonic    fraternity:    Thisbe   Lodge 
No.  24,  Independent  Order  B'nai  B'rith,   of 
which  he  was  secretary  for  fourteen  consec- 
utive years,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge;  Centennial  Lodge,  No.  157,  Kesher 
Shel  Barsel,  of  which  he  was  the  founder  in 
1876,  and  in  1877  was  elected  recording  and 
financial  secretary,  which  position  he   holds 
at  present,  and  is  also  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge ;  Red  Cloud   Lodge  No.   640,  K.  of 
H.  and   Leni   Leoti  Lodge,  No.  43,  A.    O. 
U.  W.  He  was  for  five  years  treasurer  of  the 
Germania  Building  and    Loan    Association, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Sixth  Street  Jewish 
temple,  in  which  he  has  held  various  official 


positions.  Mr.  Ichenhauser  was  married  in 
Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1859,  ^^  Therese  Ober- 
dorfer,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1S42, 
and  to  this  union  eleven  children  have  been 
born,  nine  of  whom  survive.  Three  sons, 
Silas,  Nathan  and  Sidney  L.,  are  engaged 
with  their  father  as  clerks. 

William  Rahm,  jr.,  whose  commercial 
success  has  won  for  him  the  title  of  the 
"  Corn  King  of  the  Lower  Ohio,"  was  born 
in  the  city  of  Heukeswagen,  Prussia, 
October  27,  1837.  In  the  public  schools  of 
that  state,  well-known  for  their  excellence, 
voung  Rahm  made  considerable  progress  be- 
fore cominir  with  his  father's  familv  to  New 
Orleans,  in  1849.  The  parents  and  the 
eight  children  who  came  over  at  that  time 
are  still  living  and  prospering.  They  came 
to  Evansville,  and  the  young  man  was 
placed  in  the  public  schools,  where  he 
remained  until  his  German-English  edu- 
cation was  completed.  Afterward  his 
business  education  was  begun  in  a  mer- 
cantile establishment,  from  which  he  was 
called,  later,  to  assist  his  father  in  a  dry 
goods  and  grocery  store.  In  this  he  speed- 
ily advanced  to  a  partnership,  and  finally 
purchased  his  father's  interest.  He  has 
ever  since  continued  in  business,  though  he 
has  disposed  of  the  dry  goods  and  grocery 
departments,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  corn 
tradt.  His  business  has  prospered  beyond 
expectation,  apparently  more  than  keeping 
pace  with  the  rapid  progress  of  the  countr\'. 
His  transactions  in  the  cereal  which  is  pro- 
duced in  such  profusion  in  the  rich  bottom 
farms  of  the  Ohio  valley,  are  unrivalled  in 
magnitude,  and  the  regal  title  he  has  won 
in  trade  he  well  merits.  Such  is  the  scope 
of  his  business  that  he  has  become  the 
acquaintance  and  friend  of  the  army  of  pro- 
ducers, as  well  as  all  the  river  men,  and  not 
a  small  element  in  the  causes  of  his  success 
is  his  power  of  making   and  holding  friends. 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


J77 


In  addition  to  his  commercial  occupations, 
he  has  acquired  and  successfully  managed 
extensive  farms,  and  since  1S79  '^'^^  been 
one  of  the  directors  of  the  German  National 
Bank.  For  six  vears  he  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  city  council,  elected  as  a 
democrat  from  a  ward  with  a  republican 
preponderance,  his  majorities  varying  from 
93  at  first  to  363  at  last.  In  1880,  without 
premeditation  on  his  part,  he  was  nominated 
for  state  senator.  It  was  urged  that  he 
alone  could  carry  the  election  against  an 
adverse  republican  majority.  His  friends 
were  right  in  their  prediction,  and  again  in 
1S84  he  was  honored  by  re-election  to  the 
senate,  and  was  elected  in  1889  a  trustee  for 
the  Southern  Indiana  Hospital  for  the  Insane, 
near  Evansville,  by  the  state  legislature.  In 
1862  Mr.  Rahm  was  married  to  Miss  Rose 
Hart,  who  was  reared  and  educated  in  New 
York.  To  this  union  four  children  were 
born,  of  whom  but  two  are  living.  The 
elder,  a  son,  graduated  from  Mt. 
St.  Mary's  College,  Maryland,  and  is  now 
deputy  township  trustee.  One  of  Mr. 
Rahm's  brothers,  Emil,  has  held  the  office 
of  treasurer  of  Vanderburgh  county.  A 
sister,  Miss  Hulda  Rahm,  has  attained  dis- 
tinction in  the  Evansville  schools,  and  hold- 
ing the  highest  certiticate,  is  no  longer  sub- 
ject to  examination.  The  venerable  parents 
are  still  hale  and  hearty,  and  devote  their 
attention  to  the  manaijement  of  a  fine  fruit 
and  veiretable  farm  close  to  the  cit\'. 

Jacob  Miller,  one  of  the  leading  mer- 
chants of  Evansville,  and  a  member  of 
the  Gilbert-  Miller  Dry  Goods  Company,  the 
largest  retail  drv  goods  house  in  the  state  of 
Indiana,  was  born  in  E\ai)sville,  April  3, 
1845.  His  parents  were  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Klein)  Miller,  both  natives  of  Germany, 
The  parents  were  married  in  their  native 
country,  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
in  1836,  coming  direct  to  the  west,   locating 


in  Evansville,  and  being  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Vanderburgh  count}-.  The  father 
died  in  1885,  at  the  age  of  sevent3'-three 
years,  and  the  mother  in  1879,  at  the  age  of 
sixtj'-three  years.  To  these  parents  live 
children  were  born,  three  of  whom  survive. 
Jacob  Miller  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  this  city,  and  began  life  for  him- 
self at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  in  the 
employ  of  the  E.  &  T.  H.  Railroad  Compan}-. 
A  year  later  he  began  clerking  in  a  diy 
goods  store,  and  continued  at  that  until  1866, 
when  he  embarked  in  business  for  himself 
in  the  partnership  of  Miller  &  Brink- 
meyer.  In  1871  the  firm  of  Miller  Bros. 
was  organized,  being  composed  of  Jacob 
and  Conrad,  brothers,  which  later  be- 
came one  of  the  best-known  dry 
Sfoods  firms  in  the  state.  This  firm  was 
continued  until  March,  1886,  when  Conrad 
withdrew,  going  to  New  York  city,  and 
there  engaging  as  a  merchant  in  the  same 
branch  of  trade.  In  1885,  the  present  busi- 
ness house  on  Main  street  was  erected,  which 
is  the  largest  and  most  complete  dry  goods 
house  in  the  state.  The  building  is  brick, 
six  stories  above  the  basement  in  height, 
57x140  feet.  The  first  and  second  floors  are 
used  for  dry  goods,  cloaks,  and  notions,  the 
third  and  fourth  floors  for  carpets  and  mat- 
tings, the  fifth  floor  for  manufacturing 
purposes,  and  the  sixth  floor  for  stor- 
atre.  The  first  and  second  stories  are 
of  solid  iron,  the  rest  of  the  building  be- 
ing terra  cotta  and  pressed  brick.  The  cost 
of  the  building  approached  $75,000.00.  One 
of  the  largest  retail  stocks  in  the  state,  and 
the  largest  in  the  city,  is  carried  by  the  firm, 
and  its  annual  business  amounts  to  between 
$375,000  and  $400,000.  In  May,  1S86,  the 
Gilbert-Miller  Dry  Goods  Co.  was  formed 
by  the  entrance  into  the  business  of  W.  S. 
Gilbert,  son  of  Capt.  John  Gilbert.  In  1864 
Mr.  Miller  entered  the  service  of  the  United 


178 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


States,  joining  Company  F  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Thirty-sixth  Regiment  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Col. 
John  W.  Foster,  and  seryed  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  is  a  member  of  Far- 
ragut  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  St.  George  Lodge, 
K.  of  P.,  and  of  Excelsior  Lodge,  A.  O. 
U.  W.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Business 
Men's  Association  and  of  the  Merchants' 
Exchange.  He  has  taken  an  active  interest 
in  everj-  effort  to  give  the  city  of  Evansville 
that  prominence  among  the  cities  of  the' 
country  to  which  it  is  entitled  by  reason  of 
its  merit.  Energetic,  public-spirited,  and 
sagacious,  he  has  done  much  to  advance  the 
public  good,  and  deservedl}'  takes  a  high' 
rank  among  the  prominent  men  of  the  day.i 
A.  P.  Lahr,  a  prominent  merchant,  and' 
proprietor  of  one  of  the  leading  dry  goods, 
carpet  and  window  shade  houses  of  the  city," 
was  born  at  Wendelheim,  Rheinhessen,  Ger- 
many, June  17,  1849,  and  is  the  son  of  Peter 
and  Mary  (Schlossstein)Lahr.  His  parents, 
natives  of  Germany,  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1868,  came  direct  to  Evansville, 
and  for  a  number  of  years  the  father 
was  engaged  in  manufacturing  and  milling, 
and  also  carried  on  farming.  His  death 
occurred  February  29,  1888;  that  of  the 
mother  seven  days  previously.  To  these 
parents  five  children  were  born,  two  of 
whom  survive.  A.  P.  Lahr  was  reared  in 
his  native  land,  and  attended  the  schools 
there.  In  1S67,  he  came  to  Amer- 
ica, coming  one  year  before  his  parents. 
Soon  after  arriving  in  this  country  he  came 
to  Evansville.  Having  learned  the  dry 
goods  business  in  German}?  with  an  uncle, 
through  the  assistance  of  Hon.  William  Heil- 
man,  he  secured  a  position  in  the  dry  goods 
house  of  Frank  Hopkins  &.  Co.,  with  which 
house  he  remained  six  years.  He  then 
located  in  Rockford,  Iowa,  opened  a  grocery 
store,  and  remained  about  two  years.    At  the 


end  of  this  time  he  returned  to  Evansville, 
and  engaged  with  the  firm  of  Hopkins  & 
Co.  again.  Remaining  with  that  house 
for  two  years  more  he  then  took 
a  course  in  the  commercial  college 
and  next  entered  the  store  of  Miller  Bros., 
where  he  clerked  for  a  short  time.  That 
firm  then  opened  a  branch  store,  known  as 
the  "  Centennial  Store,"  and  Mr.  Lahr  was 
placed  in  charge  of  the  same  as  manager, 
and  continued  in  that  capacity  for  about  two 
years.  He  next  entered  the  store  of  A.  G. 
Evans  &  Co.,  clerked  for  a  year,  and  was 
then  relieved  of  his  position  in  that  store  by 
the  entrance  into  the  firm  as  a  partner,  of 
John  Hubbs.  Through  the  assistance  of 
Jacob  Haas,  he  was  enabled  to  purchase  a 
stock  of  goods,  and,  going  to  Carmi,  111., 
opened  a  store,  where  he  remained  three 
and  a  half  years.  Returning  to  Evansville, 
he  erected  a  handsome  store  building  on 
Fulton  avenue,  and  embarked  in  the  dry 
goods  business  for  himself,  where  he  met 
with  great  success.  On  January  5,  18S8,  he 
purchased  the  large  stock  of  John  S.  Hop- 
kins at  public  sale,  and  began  business  at 
the  old  stand  of  that  firm  on  Main  street, 
still  continuing  his  Fulton  avenue  store.  He 
carries  a  stock  in  the  Main  street  establish- 
ment of  between  $40,000  and  $50,000,  and 
does  an  annual  business  of  between  $115,- 
000  and  $125,000.  In  the  Fulton  avenue 
store  a  stock  of  between  $15,000  and  $18,- 
000  is  carried,  and  an  average  business  of 
about  $45,000  is  done.  Mr.  Lahr  was  mar- 
ried on  September  10,  1876,  to  Miss  Amelia 
J.  Hodson,  a  native  of  this  city,  daughter  of 
John  and  Jane  Hodson.  To  this  union  two 
children  have  been  born:  Mabel  B.  and  Her- 
bert H.  Mr.  Lahr  is  a  progressive  citizen, 
and  one  whose  success  has  been  rapidly 
achieved. 

William  E.  French  was  born  near  Pa- 
toka,  Gibson  county,  Ind.,  January  26,  1825. 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


179 


His  parents,  William  and  Mary  (Breading) 
French,  natives  of  La  Fayette  county,  Pa., 
shortly  after  their  marriage  in  1S22,  moved 
by  flat-boat  down  the  Monongahela  and 
Ohio  rivers  to  Evansville,  then  a  small  vil- 
lage, and  thence  to  a  farm  near  Patoka, 
where  they  settled.  Here  their  lives  were 
spent  as  useful  citizens.  God-fearing  and  up- 
right. The  father  was  accidentally  killed  in 
1844  by  the  falling  of  a  tree,  in  the  fiftieth 
year  of  his  age;  the  mother  died  in  1S76  at 
the  age  ot  eighty-three  vears.  Their  family 
consisted  of  four  sons:  David,  William  E., 
Nathaniel  B.,  and  Lucius  S.  The  oldest  of 
these,  David,  was  accidentally  killed  when 
sixteen  years  of  age.  Nathaniel  B.  was  for 
many  years  a  merchant  in  Princeton,  where 
he  now  resides,  and  during  the  war  served 
as  major  of  the  Forty-second  Indiana  Infantry. 
Lucius  S.  resided  until  his  death  in  1 886,  on  the 
old  family  farm.  At  his  father's  death,  the 
cares  of  the  family  devolved  on  William. 
He  had  attended  the  common  schools  of  the 
countr}',  had  spent  one  year  in  an  academy 
at  Princeton  and  another  in  Hanover  Col- 
lege, at  Hanover,  Ind.  He  was  anxious  to 
continue  his  studies,  and  a  3'ear  later  entered 
the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  where 
he  graduated  in  1846.  He  returned  home 
and  for  several  years  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  trading  in  produce,  which  he  trans- 
ported to  New  Orleans  in  flat-boats.  In 
August,  1850,  he  moved  to  Evansville  and 
with  Fielding  Johnson  entered  the  wholesale 
and  retail  dry  goods  business  under  the 
style  of  Johnson  &  French.  Six  vears  later 
Mr.  Johnson  retired,  disposing  of  his 
interest  to  Mr.  French,  who  admitted 
Sylvester  T.  Jerauld  to  a  partnership, 
the  firm  style  being  changed  to  French 
&  Jerauld.  Soon  thereafter,  the  busi- 
ness was  changed  to  that  of  wholesale 
clothing,  and  the  style  to  William  E.  French 
&,  Co.     An    extensive  business    was   trans- 


acted, but  heavy  losses  were  incurred,  and 
Mr.  French  was  forced  to  retire  for  a  year, 
in  order  to  settle  up  the  affairs  of  the  house. 
Upon  the  passage  of  the  new  internal  rev- 
enue bill,  he  was  appointed  deputy  collector 
for  this  division  of  the  first  district  of  In- 
diana, and  served  three  years  in  that  capac- 
ity. By  this  time  many  of  the  maimed  sol- 
diers of  the  war  had  returned  home,  and  be- 
lieving that  the  civil  offices  under  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  government  should  be  held 
by  the  returned  veterans  who  had  risked 
their  lives  for  its  support  on  the  field  of  bat- 
tle, he  resigned  his  office  in  favor  of  William 
Warren,  Jr.,  an  honorably  discharged  pri- 
vate of  the  Twenty-fifth  Indiana  Infantry, 
who  had  returned  home  to  Evansville,  with 
the  loss  of  his  right  arm.  He  recpmmended 
the  appointmentment  of  Mr.  Warren,  was 
on  his  bond,  and  assisted  him  in  gaining  a 
knowledge  of  the  various  duties  of  the  office. 
In  1863,  Mr.  French  again  entered  the 
wholesale  dry  goods  business  with  J.  S. 
Jaquess,  under  the  style  of  Jaquess,  French 
&  Co.  The  business  was  profitably  con- 
ducted for  five  years,  during  which  time  car- 
pets were  added  to  the  stock.  By  mutual 
agreement  the  business  was  then  divided:  the 
dry  goods  portion  being  sold  to  Hudspeth, 
Smith  &  Co.,  and  Mr.  French,  with  Charles 
Klinglehoeffer,  going  into  the  general  car- 
pet and  house-furnishing  business  e.xclusively. 
The  spacious  and  elegant  store  of  William 
E.  French  &  Co.,  at  No.  205  Main  street, 
contains  one  of  the  largest  and  most  varied 
stocks  of  carpets  to  be  found  anywhere  in 
the  west.  By  a  strict  adherence  to  honorable 
methods  throughout  his  entire  business 
career,  and  b}-  keeping  pace  with  the  ad- 
vancement of  public  tastes,  Mr.  French  has 
succeeded  in  firmly  fixing  his  house  in  public 
favor.  On  Ma}-  10,  1849,  Mr.  French  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  H.  Stockwell,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  W.  H.  Stockwell,  of  Patoka,  Ind. 


180 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANS  VILLE. 


The  following  children  have  been  the  issue 
of  this  marriage :  Harry  B.,  who  was  as- 
sociated in  business  with  his  father  until  his 
death  in  1876;  William  S.,  who  entered 
business  with  his  father  in  1881,  is  now  a 
prominent  Aoung  business  man  and  secretary 
of  the  Business  Men's  Association;  Carrie  L., 
now  wife  of  Charles  E.  Chase,  of  Louis- 
ville, Ky. ;  Nannie  S.,  now  wife  of  W.  D. 
Crothers,  of  Brownwood,  Tex.;  and  Minnie 
B.,  unmarried  and  residing  with  her  parents. 
William  B.  Sherwood  was  born  in 
Evansville,  March  24,  1S36.  llis  grand- 
father, David  Sherwood,  born  June  13,  1777, 
was  a  stone  mason  by  trade,  and  at  one 
time  was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut 
legislature.  His  father,  Marcus  Sherwood, 
a  native  qf  Fairfield  county.  Conn.,  born 
May  28,  1803,  was  a  prominent  pioneer  citi- 
zen of  this  place.  In  his  early  bovhood 
Marcus  determined  to  leave  his  native  place 
in  New  England  and  seek  his  fortune  in  the 
west.  Setting  out  with  an  uncle,  he  drove 
an  ox  team  for  hftv-eight  davs,  and  at  the 
end  of  this  time  reached  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
Here  his  uncle  and  friends  bought  a  flat- 
boat,  loaded  it  with  their  effects,  and  after  a 
tedious  voyage  arrived  in  Evansvillejune  6, 
1819.  He  was  now  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources,  and  went  bravely  to  work  as  a 
day  laborer  at  f\ity  cents  a  day.  He  saved 
his  earnings  and  commenced  flat-boating 
when  that  mode  of  transportation  came  into 
use,  spending  twelve  years  so  occupied  and 
making  twenty-eight  trips  to  New  Orleans. 
The  business  was  profitable  and  the  capital 
thus  earned  was  invested  in  real  estate 
which,  through  the  later  growth  of  Evans- 
ville, increased  rapidly  in  value.  He, 
speculated  extensively  in  pork  and  produce, 
and  was  during  his  life  a  very  prominent 
man  in  business  circles.  He  aided,  as  a  con- 
tractor, in  the  construction  of  the  Wabash  & 
Erie  canal,  and  was  prominentl)-  connected 


with  other  public  works  of  early  days.  He 
was  progressive  and  public-spirited.  When 
others  doubted  the  success  of  the  undertak- 
ing he  built  the  Sherwood  House  —  a  well- 
known  hotel  now  nearly  fifty  vears  old.  Il 
was  built  in  1839  and  the  original  building 
was  40x100  feet.  Throughout  his  entire 
career  he  was  verv  active  and  ener- 
getic, and  always  liad  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  the  entire  communitv.  He 
amassed  a  large  fortune  and  became  one  of 
the  wealthiest  citizens  of  his  day.  Gener- 
ous and  benevolent,  he  gave  liberallv  to 
charitable  purposes.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  First  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church, 
and  to  this  organization  he  made  many  inu- 
I  nificent  gifts.  His  life  was  well  spent,  and 
he  was  considered  in  his  day  one  of  Evans- 
ville's  most  prominent  and  useful  citizens. 
He  was  married  in  1834  to  Miss  Prudence 
Johnson,  a  native  of  Kentuck}',  born  in  1808, 
and  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Mary  John- 
son, pioneers  of  this  city.  To  this  union 
but  one  son,  William  B.,  was  born.  The 
death  of  Marcus  Sherwood  occurred  in  18S0 ; 
that  of  his  wife  ten  ^ears  earlier,  in  1870. 
William  B.  Sherwood  grew  to  manhood  in 
this  cit}-  and  attended  its  public  schools.  He 
is  the  owner  of  the  Sherwood  House,  and 
has  concerned  himself  principally  with  the 
management  of  the  estate  inherited  from  his 
father.  Not  taking  an  active  part  in 
pubHc  affairs  his  life  has  been  uneventful. 
He  is  a  good  citizen  and  is  respected  by 
all.  November  24,  1879,  ^"^  ^^''**  married 
to  Miss  Johanna  A.  Marlett,  who  was  born 
in  this  city  July  23d,  1838.  Of  this  union 
two  children  have  been  born :  Burton  W. 
and  Marcus  M. 

Tho.mas  Scantlin,  one  of  the  most  active 
business  men  this  city  has  ever  known,  was 
born  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  August  9th, 
1814,  being  the  son  of  the  pioneers,  James 
and  Elizabeth  (Young)  Scantlin,  natives  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


isi 


Kentucky,  who  came  to  Indiana  in  the  }'ear 
1S14,  settlinjj  first  in  Pike  county,  and  re- 
moving to  Evansville  in  1833.  Upon  his 
an-i\-al  here  Mr.  ScantHn  opened  a  tin  shop, 
the  first  of  its  kind  in  the  village.  He  had 
previously  combined  to  some  extent,  the 
occupation  of  farmer  and  tinner.  In  this 
citv  his  career  was  long  and  successful.  His 
family  consisted  of  seventeen  children,  six  of 
whom  are  now  living.  These  have  main- 
tained the  high  degree  of  respectability  bj^ 
which  their  parents  were  distinguished. 
During  his  boyhood  whene\'er  opportunity 
afforded,  Thomas  Scantlin  attended  school, 
by  w  hich  means  he  succeeded  in  obtaining  a 
good  practical  education.  By  working  in 
his  father's  shop  he  learned  the  tinner's 
trade.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he 
was  ready  to  embark  in  business  for  him- 
self. He  had  been  faithful  in  his  father's 
service,  and  when  his  intention  of  establish- 
ing himself  in  business  was  announced  his 
father  gave  him  credit  for  $50.00  worth 
of  stock.  With  this  amount  of  capital  he 
opened  a  little  shop  at  Princeton,  and  during 
his  first  seven  months  there  earned  $150. 
His  father,  now  anxious  for  his  return, 
offered  him  an  interest  in  his  business  here. 
This  was  accepted,  and  the  partnership  thus 
formed  continued  until  1838,  when  his  father 
withdrew.  At  first  the  business  grew 
slowly.  Money  was  hard  to  obtain,  and 
settlers  purchased  only  what  was  necessary 
to  prevent  suffering.  Stoves  were  then 
considered  a  great  luxury.  Cooking .  on 
the  hearth  by  the  fire  place  was  the  order  of 
the  day,  using  "  Dutch  ovens,"  skillets,  frying 
pans,  etc.  His  tirst  stock  of  stoves,  costing 
$1,600,  introduced  about  1838  and  bought  on 
credit,  met  with  a  slow  sale.  Over  three  years 
were  necessary  for  their  disposal.  Then  profits 
amounting  to  $500  per  annum  were  thought 
by  merchants  to  be  a  fair  compensation.  In 
1841  his  father  returned  and  the\-  were  as- 


sociated in  business  till  1844,  when  Thomas 
again  assumed  sole  control.  The  growth 
of  the  business  was  commensurate  with 
that  of  the  town,  and  about  this  time 
it  will  be  remembered  that  Evansville, 
because  of  her  important  commercial 
I  relations,  was  making  rapid  strides 
'  forw  ard.  In  1846,  Mr.  Scantlin  put  on  the 
second  tin  roof  in  the  town,  and  two  years 
later  put  up  the  first  iron  front  seen  in 
Evansville.  Just  prior  to  this  his  entire 
stock  was  destroyed  by  fire.  The  insur- 
ance did  not  co\er  one-half  the  loss,  but 
with  characteristic  zeal  he  rented  a  room 
temporarily  and  erecting  a  new^  store  house, 
continued  the  business  on  an  enlarged  scale. 
About  1850,  he  established  a  foundr\-,  and 
in  1873  opened  the  now  well-known  exten- 
si\e  works  on  Upper  Water  street  and  the 
store-rooms  on  Upper  First  street,  his  son, 
Thomas  E.,  an  efiicient  manager,  being  at 
this  time  admitted  to  the  firm  and  placed  in 
charge  of  the  sales  department.  By  honest 
and  industrious  effort,  b}-  wise  and  skillful 
management,  these  gentlemen  have  achie\ed 
I  a  large  measure  of  success.  They  enjoy 
the  confidence  of  the  business  community 
and  a  high  social  position.  Thomas  Scant- 
lin was  married  in  1840,  to  Miss  Eleanor 
Jane  Parvin,  a  nati\e  of  Gibson  county, 
born  in  1820.  His  family  consists  of  seven 
children,  Lavinia  E.,  James  M.,  Julia, 
Thomas  E.,  Ethel,  Cary  and  Ira  C.  P'oliti- 
sally,  Mr.  Scantlin  was  formerly  a  whig,  and  is 
now  an  earnest  republican.  He  has  served 
as  a  member  of  the  city  council  for  two 
terms.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  As  a  resident 
of  the  city  for  more  than  half  a  centur\-  he 
has  taken  an  active  interest  in  all  public  en- 
terprises and  lends  his  influence  to  all  pro- 
per efforts  to  uplift  and  educate  mankind. 

Jamks  Sc.\ntli.\,  one  of    the    seventeen 
children  of  the  pioneers,  James  and  Elizabeth 


182 


THE  CITY  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


Scantlin,  was  born  near  the  village  of  Union 
in  this  state,  July  29,  1823.  Hither  his 
parents  had  come,  in  181 4,  from  Louisville, 
where  the  father  was  born  and  raised.  His 
vouth  was  spent  upon  his  father's  farm,  and 
in  this  cit)'.  The  schools  of  that  period 
were  very  imperfect,  and  the  mental  train- 
ing obtainable  was  necessarily  meagre.  In 
his  father's  shop  he  learned  the  trade  of  a 
tjnner,  and  for  many  years  he  has  been  en- 
iXaged  here  as  a  dealer  in  stoves  and  tin- 
ware.  Adopting  honorable  methods  at  the 
outset  and  pursuing  them  steadfasth",  he  has 
won  the  respect  of  the  people,  and  a  com- 
fortable degree  of  financial  success.  In 
1846,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  E. 
Stephens,  a  native  of  this  county,  born  in 
1830,  daughter  of  the  eminent  pioneer. 
Judge  Silas  Stephens,  one  of  Vanderburgh 
county's  most  illustrious  old-time  citizens. 
The  mother  of  Mrs.  Scantlin  was  Julienne 
Evans,  daughter  of  Gen.  Evans,  and  a  most 
estimable  ladv.  Eight  children  have  been 
born  to  James  and  Jane  Scantlin :  Julian, 
Silas,  James,  Marj^Mattie,  Alberta,  Eliza  S., 
and  Robert  E.  In  politics  Mr.  Scantlin 
affiliates  with  the  democratic  party,  and  has 
represented  his  ward  in  the  city  council  for 
three  and  one-half  years.  He  takes  a  livel}' 
interest  in  the  advancement  of  the  city,  but 
not  unmindful  of  the  past,  he  delights  to  recall 
the  frood  old  davs  and  to  honor  the  heroic 
pioneers  of  an  age  that  is  gone  forever. 

Nicholas  Ellis. — Much  of  the  pros- 
perity of  this  county  may  be  attributed  to  the 
high  class  of  German  immigrants  in  early 
times.  They  brought  with  them  the  frugal 
and  industrious  habits  of  their  native  land,  and 
exercising  these  upon  the  great  natural 
advantages  of  this  rich  terrilor\',  a  large 
measure  of  individual  and  general  prosperity 
was  the  inevitable  result.  August  Ellis 
was  among  these  pioneers.  Born  in  Wach- 
tjnheim,  Germany,  in   1814,  he  emigrated  to 


the  United  States  in  1840,  and  settled  in 
Armstrong  township,  this  count}'.  In  his 
native  country  he  had  learned  the  trade  of  a 
butcher,  but  coming  toEvansvillein  1B45,  two 
years  later  he  embarked  in  the  retail  grocery 
business,  at  which  he  continued  until  1S62. 
In  that  year  he  began  to  operate  a  milh 
which  he  continued  successfullv  until  his 
death,  in  187 1.  The  Ellis  Mills,  ordinarily 
called  the  Canal  Pvlills,  soon  became  a  well- 
known  industry,  and  their  proprietor,  be- 
cause of  his  probity  and  uprightnt5ss,  is 
remembered  as  a  useful  citizen.  His  wife, 
Margaret  (Schmitt)  Ellis,  was  born  in  Ger- 
many in  1S20,  and  now  resides  in  this 
city.  Her  character  is  made  up  of 
the  commendable  traits  characteristic 
of  the  old-time  German  matron.  The  third 
child  born  to  these  pioneers  was  the  well- 
known  miller  Nicholis  Ellis,  who  was  born 
on  his  father's  farm  in  Armstrong  township, 
March  28,  1844.  His  parents  moved  to 
Evansville  during  his  infancy,  and  here  he 
has  resided  ever  since.  As  soon  as  he  had 
passed  through  the  schools  of  the  city  he 
entered  the  grocery  store  of  his  father,  and 
from  that  time  on  the  work  of  the  father 
and  the  son  lay  in  the  same  direction,  each 
profiting  by  the  other's  assistance,  the  old 
man  drawing  upon  the  youth  for  energetic 
and  enterprising  activity,  the  \'oung  man 
drawing  upon  the  elder  for  stability,  conser- 
vatism, and  experience  in  business  affairs. 
In  the  years  that  have  elapsed  since  1862 
Nicholis  Ellis  has  become  one  of  the  leading 
millers  in  the  state  of  Indiana.  The  fairness 
of  his  dealings  and  his  high  sense  of  honor 
in  business  transactions  have  made  him 
strong  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  His  pro- 
gressive ideas  have  kept  him  abreast  of  the 
times  in  a  business  where  improvement  has 
made  rapid  strides  in  late  years.  He  has 
been  for  some  time  a  prominent  and  useful 
member  of  the  Indiana  Millers'  Association, 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


1H3 


having  been  elected,  in  iS8i,  to  the  presi- 
dency of  the  organization.  His  abilit}-  be- 
intr  recoirnized,  the  state  association  named 
liini  as  a  delegate  to  the  National  Millers' 
Association  held  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  during 
the  past  jear.  Being  progressive  in  his 
own  business,  he  has  acted  a  prominent  part 
in  all  measures  adopted  for  the  enhancement 
of  the  general  welfare  of  the  city-  Iti  the 
work  of  the  Business  Men's  Association  he 
has  taken  a  deep  interest.  In  1S67  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Krau,  who  was 
born  in  Evansville  in  1848.  The  family 
consists  of  three  children  :  Louis  F., 
Adelia  V.,  and  William  M.  Mr.  Ellis  became 
a  Mason  in  1865,  and  a  Knight  Templar  in 
1886.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the    Presbyterian  church  and  in  their  lives 


practice    without  ostentation    the    Christian 
virtues. 

George  B.  Viele,  junior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Viele,  Stockwell  &  Co.,  wholesale 
grocers  of  Evansville,  was  born  in  Evans- 
ville, Ind.,  and  is  the  son  of  Charles  Viele, 
president  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and 
one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  cit}'. 
Mr.  Viele  was  reared  in  Evansville,  and 
attended  the  pubhc  schools,  finishing  his 
education  at  Burlington,  N.  J.  On  his 
twenty-first  birthday  he  entered  the  whole- 
sale house  of  Charles  Viele  &  Co.,  as  a 
member  of  the  firm,  which  was  styled 
subsequently  Viele,  Stockwell  &.  Co.  Mr. 
Viele  married  Miss  Annie,  daughter  of  J.  H. 
Mortran,  and  to  this  union  one  son  has  been 
born. 


CHAPTER  V. 

United  States  Officers  —  Citv  Government  —  Officers  —  Police  Department 
—  Fire  Department  —  Water  Works  —  Public  Buildings —  Public  Improve- 
ments —  Streets  —  Sewers  —  Street  Railways  —  River  Improvement  — 
Gas  and  Electric  Light  —  Public  Halls,  Opera  Houses  and  Places  of 
Amusement  —  Public  Parks  —  Salt  Wells  Park. 


O  sooner  had  the  forniation  of  \'ander- 
j/«»  buri^h  countv  been  authorized  b}'  law 
than  Hugh  McGary  took,  steps  to  se- 
cure the  estabhshment  of  a  post-office  at  the 
infant  village  of  Evansville.  In  the  cabin  of 
the  dauntless  colonel,  (juarters  for  the  new  in- 
stitution were  provided,  and  the  founder  of 
the  town  was  chosen  as  postmaster,  his  com- 
mission bearing  date  February  20th,  1818. 
He  conducted  the  postal  affairs  here  until 
June  loth,  1819,  when  he  was  succeeded  in 
office  by  Ansel  Wood,  who  in  turn  gave  way 
on  the  9th  day  of  September,  1820,  to 
Jacob  Zimmerman.  Subsequently  William 
Warner,  a  well-known  pioneer,  was  ap- 
pointed to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  ottice, 
then  demanding  but  little  time  and  attention, 
the  date  of  his  appointment  being  February 
loth,  1822.  His  successor,  November  2d, 
1823,  was  Harley  B.  Chandler.  For  ten  or 
a  dozen  vears,  during  which  the  growth  of 
Evansville  was  hardh'  appreciable,  the  post- 
office  was  an  institution  of  but  little  import- 
ance. In  later  vears  its  growtli  and  the 
measure  of  its  facilities  for  giving  efficient 
services  to  the  people  have  been  commen- 
surate with  the  expansion  of  the  town  and 
city  in  other  directions. 

About  1835,  Charles  Bowen  became  post- 
master, and  upon  the  election  of  \"an  Buren 
to  the  presidency,  F.  E.  Goodsell  was  ap- 
pointed and  served  from  1S37  to  1841,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by    Daniel    Chute,    who 


held  the  office  under  Harrison  and  T\ler 
from  that  time  until  1845.  For  four  years 
thereafter,  during  the  administration  of 
President  Polk,  the  postmaster  was 
Benjamin  F.  Dupuy.  In  1849,  William  II. 
Chandler,  a  prominent  citizen  and  for  some 
time  prior  to  the  date  named,  editor  of  the 
yoiinnil,  succeeded  Mr.  Dupuy.  Prior  to 
this  time,  appointments  were  made  h\  the 
first  assistant  postmaster  general,  •  but 
Evansville  had  now  become  a  citv,  and  the 
business  of  the  office  had  increased  to  such 
proportions  that  the  manner  of  the  appoint- 
tnent  was  changed,  the  president  naming 
the  officers  with  the  advice  and  consent  of 
the  senate.  Mr.  Chandler,  the  first  to  serve 
by  direct  nomination  of  the  president,  re- 
mained in  office  until  1853,  when  he  gave 
way  to  Benjamin  Stinson,  who,  after  four 
years,  was  succeeded  b}-  Christopher  R. 
Rudd.  Through  appointment  b\'  President 
Lincoln,  James  II.  McNeelv  assumed  con- 
trol of  the  office  May  ist,  1861,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  his  term  being  reappointed, 
served  until  1867,  when  he  was  removed  for 
political  reasons  by  President  Johnson, 
Azariah  T.  Whittlesey  being  named  as  his 
successor.  Mr.  Whittlesey  was  superseded 
in  1869  by  Col.  John  W.  Foster,  who  served 
until  1873,  when  he  resigned  to  enter  the 
diplomatic  ser\ice  of  his  countiw.  President 
Grant  filled  the  vacancy  occasioned  b}'  this 
resignation    by    the    appointment    of  Theo- 


c^ 


'^im 


yj 


\ 


UNITED  STATES  OFFICES. 


187 


dore  R.  McFerson  April  ist,  1873,  whose 
successor  was  F.  M.  Thayer,  who  at  length 
resigned,  H.  S.  Bennett  being  appointed  to 
fill  the  \acancy.  Upon  the  election  of  Gro- 
ver  Cleveland  to  the  presidency  J.  W.  Lauer 
succeeded  to  the  otlice  and  is  the  present  in- 
cumbent. 

In  earlv  times  tlie  post-otlice  was  located 
at  the  residence  or  place  of  business  of  the 
incumbent,  and  was  changed  with  each  new 
appointment.  It  was  first  at  the  house  of 
Hutih  McGarv,  then  at  the  tavern  of  Ansel 
Wood,  and  later  at  the  office  of  Jacob  Zim- 
merman, who  was  a  justice  of  the  peace. 
When  Mr.  Goodsell  was  postmaster  the  of- 
fice was  kept  in  a  two-story  frame  building 
at  the  corner  of  First  and  Sycamore 
streets,  and  later  was  removed  to  the  corner 
of  First  and  Main  streets  on  the  present  site 
of  the  First  National  Bank.  Under  Mr. 
Dupuy  it  was  moved  to  Locust  street  near 
the  Washington  market,  and  under  Mr. 
Chandler  went  back  to  First  street.  In  1S61, 
when  Mr.  McNeely  took  the  otHce,  it  was  lo- 
cated in  a  room  on  the  south  side  of  First 
street,  between  Main  and  Locust  streets.  In 
1862,  it  was  removed  to  the  corner  room  in 
Chandler's  block,  at  the  corner  of  First  and 
Locust  streets,  and  in  1865,  was  established 
in  the  building  now  occupied  bv  the  criminal 
court,  formerly  the  Locust  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  Again,  in  1869,  it  was 
removed  to  the  opera-house  building  on  Lo- 
cust street,  below  First,  where  it  remained 
until  the  government  building  was  erected  at 
the  co'-ner  of  Second  and  Svcamore  streets. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  imposing  edifices  in 
Evansville,  and  furnishes  commodious  apart- 
ments for  tlie  postmaster,  the  surveyor  of 
customs,  collector  of  internal  revenue, 
United  States  court.  United  States  inspectors 
of  steamboats,  and  all  other  government  offi- 
cers. The  need  of  this  building  was  long 
felt  at  Evansville  before  its  erection  was 
11 


commenced.  In'iS72,  the  increasing  busi- 
ness of  the  government  at  this  point  led  con- 
gress to  provide  for  the  erection  of  a  suitable 
building.  Messrs.  W.  M.  Aikin,  D.  J. 
Macke\',  Jolm  W.  Foster,  M.  Henning  and 
Philip  Ilornbrook,  were  appointed  to  select 
a  site,  and  upon  their  recommendation  the 
east  side  of  the  block  now  used,  150x144 
feet,  was  purchased.  In  1S74,  **"  equal 
amount  of  adjoining  territory  was  purchased, 
extending  the  site  to  Vine  street.  The  total 
value  of  the  ground  was  about  $120,000.00, 
of  which  the  government  paid  $99,000.00, 
the  remainder  being  donated  h\  owners  of 
neighboring  propert\'.  The  law,  as  at  first 
passed,  appropriated  $100,000,  and  limited 
the  cost  of  the  building  to  $200,000.00.  In 
1873,  the  limit  was  fixed  at  $300,000.00,  and 
an  additional  $50,000.00  was  appropriated. 

The  building  was  erected  with  James  H. 
McNeely  as  superintendent  of  construction, 
Charles  Pierce  as  contractor,  and  Joseph  K. 
Frick  as  resident  architect,  at  a  cost  within 
the  amount  appropriated.  Subsequently 
$25,000.00  were  expended  in  the  improve- 
ment of  the  grounds,  etc. 

Evansville  was  made  a  port  of  entry  in 
1S56,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Judge 
Charles  I.  Battell,  William  Brown  Butler  and 
other  leading  citizens.  William  Brown  was 
the  first  surveyor,  receiving  his  appointment 
from  President  Fillmore.  For  some  time 
very  little  business  was  done,  the  chief  im- 
porters being  Babcock  Bros.  Staples  in 
hardware  and  (jueensware  were  the  principal 
imports.  All  trace  chains  and  like  articles 
were  brought  from  beyond  the  seas.  The 
officer  here  was  vested  with  limited  powers 
until  June  10,  iSSo,  when  by  law,  powers 
equal  to  tliose  enjoyed  by  any  other  port  of 
entry  in  the  United  States  were  granted. 
June  21,  1880,  the  secretary  of  the  treasurj- 
decided  that  Evansville  did  not  transact  suffi- 
cient business  to  have  right  of  "  immediatj. 


188 


FEDERAL  AND  MUNICIPAL. 


transportation,"  but  in  April,  i8S8,  this 
suspended  right  was  fulH'  restored.  Those 
who  succeeded  Mr.  Brown  as  surveyor  have 
been :  Col.  Charles  Denby,  Dr.  Isaac  Cas- 
selberry,  Maj.  A.  L'.  Robinson,  Philip  Horn- 
brook,  Joseph  C.  Jewell,  and  Maj.  J.  B.  Cox, 
w^ho  has  held  the  office  since  September, 
1886. 

In  addition  to  the  postmaster  and  the  sur- 
veyor of  customs,  the  following  officials  are 
accommodated  with  ample  quarters  in  the 
the  custom  house  building:  James  K. 
Minor,  Deputy  Collector  U.  S.  Internal 
Revenue,  Seventh  District  of  Indiana;  C.J, 
Murphv,  U.  S.  Inspector  of  Steamboat 
Hulls;  John  H.  Moore,  U.  S.  Inspector  of 
Steamboat  Boilers;  James  W.  Wartraan. 
Deputy  Clerk  U.  S.  Court  and  U.  S.  Com- 
missioner; Thos.  J.  Groves,  Deputy  U.  S. 
Marshal. 

Cily  Goveniincnt. —  Prior  to  the  receipt 
of  its  charter  as  a  cit\'  the  village  of  E\ans- 
vilie  was  governed  as  an  incorporated 
town.  Its  trustees  from  time  to  time  have 
been  named  in  other  connections.  Since 
1847  it  has  been  controlled  b^'  a  mayor  and 
common  council.  The  mayors  have  been: 
James  G.  Jones,  1847  to  1852;  John  S.  Hop- 
kins, 1853  to  1S55;  John  Hewson,  1856  to 
1858;  William  Baker,  1859  to  1867;  Will- 
iam H.  Walker,  1S68  to  1870;  E.  G.  Van 
Riper,  appointed  to  fill  a  vacancy  occasioned 
bv  the  death  of  Mayor  Walker,  who  died 
September  9,  1870;  William  Baker,  1871  to 
May  23,  1872,  when  he  died,  the  vacancy 
thus  occasioned  being  filled  h\  the  election 
of  Charles  H.  Butterfield,  at  a  special  elec- 
tion held  June  8,  1872,  who,  being  re-elected, 
served  until  1874;  John  J.  Kleiner,  ^^74  to 
1879;  Thomas  C.  Bridwell,  1880  to  1S85; 
John  H.  Dannettell,  1886,  term  expires  1889. 

The  following  named  gentlemen  compose 
the  present  city  council :  First  ward,  John  B. 
Uphaus  and  H,  S.  Bennett;    Second    ward, 


Thomas  J.  Groves  and  John  Ingle;  Third 
ward,  Henr.y  Stockfleth  and  William  Koel- 
ling;  Fourth  ward,  William  He\'ns  and 
George  Koch;  Fifth  ward,  F.  J.  Scholz 
and  A.  C.  Rosencranz;  Sixth  ward,  Albert 
Johann  and  William  W.  Ross.  The  present 
officers  are:  James  H.  Foster,  auditor; 
George  N.  Wells,  treasurer;  James  R. 
Ferguson,  clerk;  H.  A.  Mattison,  attorney; 
John  J.  Marlett,  assessor:  M.  C.  McCutch- 
an,  surveyor. 

Police  Depart iii:nt. — Lfnti!  the  cit\-  char- 
ter was  granted,  and,  indeed  for  nearly 
twent}'  years  thereafter,  constables  and  a 
city  marshal  were  depended  on  to  preserve 
order  and  protect  the  property  of  citizens. 
From  1857  to  1863  Edward  S.  Martin  was 
city  marshal.  In  1863  two  policemen  were 
appointed.  These  were  Philip  Klein,  at 
present  the  \eteran  chief  of  the  fire  depart- 
ment, and  George  Gates.  Some  time  later 
four  others  were  added  to  this  force,  but  there 
was  no  chief,  save  the  mayor,  and  each  ran 
his  beat  as  directed  \)\  the  mayor  in  person. 
In  1865  Mr.  Klein  was  elected  wharf- 
master,  and,  while  serving  in  this  capacity, 
was  called  by  the  mayor  and  council  to  act 
at  the  head  of  the  police  department,  which 
suddenly-,  in  an  emergency,  was  increased 
to  thirt\--six  men.  The  occasion  for  this 
was  the  haniriny  of  two  colored  men  to  a 
lamp  post,  near  the  court-house,  b\-  a  mob, 
for  an  allcired  offense  of  which  one  of  them 
at  least  was,  after  his  death,  admitted  to 
have  been  innocent  by  his  accuser.  When 
peace  was  permanently  restored,  the  force 
was  reduced  to  six  men,  and,  in  addition  to 
their  duties  as  policemen,  these  were  charged 
with  operating  the  fire  department,  such  as 
it  was  at  that  time.  In  1867  Philip  Klein 
was  elected  marshal,  and  retained  his  posi- 
tion at  the  head  of  the  police  force.  His 
successors  were,  in  1868,  Edward  S.  Mar- 
tin and,  in  1869,  Christian  Wunderlich.    The 


CITl '  G  O  VERXMEXT. 


189 


growth  of  the  citv  now  demanded  a  better 
system  of  police  surveillance,  and  the  con- 
struction and  management  of  a  proper  police 
force  were  intrusted  to  the  citv  council. 
Philip  Klein,  who  had  alread\-  rendered  such 
efficient  service,  was  made  chief  under  the 
new  plan,  and  the  force  was  increased  to 
tvvent\--two  men.  His  successors  were 
Henr\-  Avres,  Peter  Roesner  and  Joseph 
App.  This  system  prevailed  until  re- 
placed, in  18S4,  by  the  metropolitan  system, 
which  provides  for  the  appointment  of  three 
police  commissioners  bv  the  governor 
and  state  officers,  who  appoint  the  police- 
men in  e.jual  numbL'rs  from  tiie  two  political 
parties,  thus  securing  as  nearly  as  practic- 
able a  non-partisan  force.  The  first  of  these 
commissioners  were:  Dr.  M.  Muhlhausen, 
Edward  E.  Law  and  J.  A.  Lemcke;  the 
present  commissioners  are  Edward  E.  Law, 
Alexander  H.  Foster  and  Adolph  Goeke, 
with  F.  D.  Morton  as  secretary.  The  first 
chief  under  the  metropolitan  system  was 
Frank  Pritchett,  his  successor  being  George 
W.  Newitt,  the  present  incumbent.  The 
police  force  at  present  is  composed  of  forty 
men,  well  officered  and  finely  disciplined 
The  captains  of  the  force  are  Charles 
Wunderlich  and  Fred  II.  Brennecke;  the 
surgeon,  Isaiah  Wilton.  This  department 
has  always  maintained  a  high  degree  of 
efficiency.  Its  skill  in  the  detection  of 
crime,  and  its  fearlessness  in  confronting  and 
dealing  with  criminals,  has  been  such  as  to 
secure  to  the  citizens  of  Exansville  im- 
munity, to  a  great  extent,  from  the  depreda- 
tions of  law-breakers.  While  the  city  is  not 
without  many  offenders  against  the  majesty 
of  the  law,  and  while  some  citizens  at  times 
may  have  felt  grieved  at  the  existence  of 
unremedied  evils,  yet,  on  the  whole,  the 
record  achieved  by  the  police  of  Evansville, 
in  their  individual  official  capacities  and  as 
a  combined  force,  has  been  good. 


F'irc  Department .  —  In  earU'  da\s  there 
was  no  organized  force  to  resist  the  ra\ages 
of  fire.  A  conflagration  called  out  all 
citizens,  who  hurried  pell-mell  with  buckets, 
ladders,  etc.,  to  aid  in  fighting  the  flames, 
it  makitig  little  difference  whether  the  fire 
occurred  during  the  day  or  night.  At  such 
times  women  and  children  congregated 
about  the  scene  of  destruction  to  render 
such  aid  as  was  in  their  power  or  to  enjoy 
such  majestic  or  ridiculous  sights  as  might 
be  produced  bv  the  flames  or  some  wit  of 
the  occasion.  The  most  severe  fire  of  early 
times  was  that  which  in  1S42  swept  from 
existence  all  the  houses  on  the  east  side  of 
Main  street  betv/een  Water  and  First.  In 
1847  when  the  community  had  attained  the 
rank  and  dignity  of  a  cit}-  a  hand  engine 
was  introduced.  This  first  fire  engine  ex- 
cited the  intense  admiration  of  the  citizens 
and  especially  of  the  young  men  belonging 
to  the  force  volunteered  to  work  it.  It  was 
named  "Union,"  but  subsequently  became 
known  as  the  "  Lamasco.''  After  render- 
ing valuable  service  here  it  was  sold  to  the 
town  of  Tell  City,  where  it  is  believed  to 
be  in  use  to  this  day.  Improvement  in  this 
department  was  rapid;  b\'  1S52  the  city 
possessed  five  engines,  manned  wholly  by 
volunteers,  who  received  no  pay.  At  the 
head  of  the  organization  at  first  was  the 
well-known  citizen,  Joseph  Turnock.  Al- 
though this  department  was  as  efficient  as 
it  was  possible  for  it  to  be,  and  was  com- 
posed of  gentlemen,  many  of  them  the 
first  young  men  of  the  place,  the  city 
grew  so  rapidly  that  means  for  better  pro- 
tection from  fire  was  soon  recognized  as  a 
necessity.  The  first  steam  engine  was  in- 
troduced in  1S64,  and  in  the  following  year 
another  was'  obtained,  and  by  1S67  the  use 
of  hand  engines  was  done  awav  with. 
When  the  first  steam  engine  was  purchased 
bv  the  city  the  mayor  was  cx-offieio  chief  of 


190 


FEDERAL  AXD  MUNICIPAL. 


the  fire  department.  The  duties  of  this 
position,  however.  Mayor  Baker  intrusted 
to  Philip  Klein,  then  at  the  head  of  the 
city's  small  police  force.  The  engmes 
were  manned  by  the  policemen  and  such 
men  as  the  chief  could  employ  on  the 
streets.  Cisterns  were  dug  in  the  streets 
of  the  city,  and  these  furnished  the  water 
supply.  The  inability  of  such  an  agenc}'  to 
cope  successfully  with  a  fire,  well  under 
wa\',  is  apparent,  but  this  mode  of  protect- 
ing the  city  continued  until  the  water-works 
were  constructed  in  1S71.  At  that  time  the 
old  engines  were  sold  and  replaced  by  a 
rotary  engine,  the  water  supply  coming  from 
the  mains  of  the  water-works  system.  This 
new  engine  was  called  "Lamasco,"  in  re- 
membrance of  old  times  and  in  honor  of  its 
predecessor,  the  first  hand  engine.  Col. 
William  E.  Hollingsworth  became  chief  of 
this  department  in  its  improx'ed  condition. 
Others  who  have  occupied  the  position  ha\'e 
been:  Thomas  Hopkins,  Benjamin  Niehaus, 
William  Bedford,  jr.,  Thomas  Bullen,  and 
Philip  Klein,  who  has  been  chief  since  April, 
1S87.  For  more  than  twenty-five  years 
this  yeteran  has  been  connected  with  this 
department,  and  his  efficiency  is  acknowl- 
edged b}'  all.  There  are  fifty-seven  men 
on  the  force,  all  stationed  in  the  several  hose 
houses,  and  subject  to  call  at  all  hours.  The 
J>i!V  sysfcii/  was  adopted  January  i,  1888, 
by  which  sufficient  compensation  is  given  to 
claim  the  entire  time  of  the  employe.  Prior 
to  that  date  a  portion  of  the  force,  under 
what  was  called  the  niinicr  svsfe/i/,  followed 
various  pursuits,  and  were  required  to  re- 
port for  dut}-  only  when  the  fire  alarm  was 
sounded.  There  are  ten  hose  houses,  so 
distributed  throughout  the  city  as  to  afford 
adequate  protection  to  all  localities.  The 
three  engines  owned  are  seldom  used,  ex- 
cept in  case  of  a  dangerous  tire  in  the  heart 
of  the  city,  the  water-works  furnishing  a  suffi- 


cient supph'of  water  for  all  ordinary  purposes. 
The  department  is  provided  with  two  chem- 
ical engines,  one  hook  and  ladder  truck,  six 

!  hose  reels,  two  hose  wagons,  and  twenty-six 
well  trained  horses.     The  annual  cost  of  sus- 

I  taining  this  department  is  about  $45,000.00. 
The  entire  force  is  well  disciplined  and 
efficient.  Its  training  and  \alor  have  been 
displayed  on  many  occasions.     The   largest 

j  fires  with  which  it 'has  had  to  contend  in  late 
years  have  been  that  in  August,  1887,  of  the 
Armstrong  furniture  factory  and  Reitz  lum- 
ber yards,  and  that  in  November,  1SS7,  on 
First  street,  below  Main,  which  consumed 
property  valued  at  more  than  $200,000.00. 
This   great  conflagration,  reaching  to    both 

I  sides  of  the  street,  was  under  control  in 
about  two  hours  from  the  sounding  of  the 
alarm.  The  force  is  so  well  trained  that  a 
fire  in  any  part  of  the  city  can  be  reached 
with  one  or  two  reels  within  three  minutes, 
and  by  actual  test  it  has  been  demonstrated 
that  the  hose  carriages  can  be  run  se\en 
squares,  and  a  heavy  volume  of  water  be  put 
in  full  play,  within  one  minute  and  fifty  sec- 
onds from  the  soundin<r  of  the  alarm. 

Wa/cr-zvorks. —  Evansville  built  her  own 
water-works  in  187 1  at  a  first  cost  of  $300,- 
000,  to  which  has  been  added  since  some- 
thing over  $180,000,  making  the  total  cost 
over  $480,000.  The  first  plan,  owing  to 
the  rapid  growth  of   the   city,  soon   became 

I  inadequate  to  supph'  the  ever-increasing  de- 
mand, and  additions  have  several  times  been 
made,  the  last  in  1882,  when  the  capacity 
of  the  pumps  was  nearly  doubled.  No 
more  striking  evidence  of  the  growth  of  the 
industrial  enterprises  and  the  population  of 
Evansville  is  afforded  than  the  fact  that  the 
water  capacity,  thus  increased  only  six  3'ears 
ago,  is  now  taxed  to  its  utmost  to  keep  up 
the  supph'. 

The  system  in  use  is  the  Holly  system, 
the  machinery  having  been  furnished  by  the 


PUBLIC  INSTITUTIONS. 


191 


I  lolly  Manufacturing  Company  of  Lockport, 
N.  Y.  There  are  thirty-eight  miles  of  mains, 
with  a  pumping  capacity  per  day  of  5,000,- 
000  gallons.  There  are  1,549  consumers. 
Under  this  system  water  is  now  used  for  tire 
purposes,  delivered  from  the  plugs  under 
direct  pressure  from  the  main  pumps  at  the 
water-works  station.  The  water-works  sup- 
pl\-,  for  all  purposes,  1,460,000,000  gallons 
annually,  or  within  twenty  per  cent  of  the 
full  capacity  of  the  pumps.  The  property 
is  located  on  l^pper  Water  street  between 
Oak  and  Mulberry,  fronting  225  feet  and 
running  back  to  the  Ohio  river  at  low  water 
mark,  about  700  feet.  'I'he  building  is  a 
brick  and  stone  structure  three  stories  high, 
built  in  the  modern  French  st3-le  of  archi- 
tecture with  a  mansard  roof  and  a  tower 
observatory.  Hie  building  was  received 
from  the  contractors  b\'  the  city  council, 
June  I,  1872.  The  trustees  since  18S5, 
when  the  management  of  the  works  was 
entrusted  to  a  board  of  trustees,  have  been: 
John  Hane}',  M.  Moran,  Fred  leaker,  James  I 
Taylor,  Henry  F.  Froelich,  and  Alexander 
Jack,  the  three  last  named  constituting  the 
present  board  of  trustees,  with  Noah  Riggs 
as  clerk. 

l^nblic  Bitildiiii(i. —  For  man}*  years 
Evansville  possessed  no  buildings  devoted 
exclusively  to  the  transaction  of  the  public 
business.  The  mayor's  office  was  at  his 
house  or  at  some  place  of  private  business 
suggested  bv  the  convenience  of  that  official. 
The  town  council  first  met  at  the  house  of 
Hugh  McGary,  and  afterward,  when  the 
town  had  grown  to  some  importance,  in  an 
old  building  on  Second  street,  between 
Main  and  Locust,  where  the  Courier  build- 
ing now  stands.  At  one  time  a  small  brick 
building,  erected  by  the  county  on  its  public 
square  for  the  use  of  the  county  officers, 
was  gi\en  up  to  the  town  officers  for  occu- 
pancy, but  immediately  thereafter  the  burn- 


ing of  the  court-house  forced  them  to 
vacate,  to  give  room  for  the  county  officials 
who  were  driven  out  by  the  fire.  In  later 
years  the  council  was  wont  to  assemble  in  an 
upper  room  at  the  Locust  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  now  the  Superior  court 
building,  and  there  held  their  sessions. 
About  1 868  the  city  purchased  the  lot  on 
the  mrthwest  corner  of  Third  and  Walnut 
streets,  on  which  there  was  standing  at  the 
time  a  brick  building  of  small  size,  into 
which  the  city  offices  were  moved.  At 
length,  howexer,  the  growth  of  the  city 
demanded  better  facilities  for  the  conduct  of 
its  constantly  increasing  business,  and  more 
secure  receptacles  for  the  safe-keeping  of 
its  valuable  records  and  papers  than  those 
afforded  by  this  small  building,  not  at  first 
designed  for  the  purposes  which  it 
was  being  forced  to  serve  and  without  any 
of  the  conveniences  or  necessities  appertain- 
ing to  a  public  building.  Plans  for  a  new 
structure,  prepared  bv  Levi  S.  Clarke,  archi- 
tect, were  adopted,  and  the  contract  for 
building  was  let  to  Adam  Weichell.  The 
building  was  completed  and  received  earlj' 
in  1887,  and  cost,  including  the  engine  house 
about  $42,000.  It  is  a  handsome  edifice  of 
pressed  brick  with  white  stone  trimmings, 
with  its  main  entrance  on  Third  street.  A 
lofty  tower  adds  beauty  to  the  structure 
and  affords  to  the  public  the  convenience 
of  a  clock  whose  large  dial  can  be  seen  for 
several  squares.  It  is  substantiall}'  built 
and  handsomely  finished  throughout.  On 
the  lower  or  main  floor  are  commodious  and 
convenient!}'  arranged  offices  for  the  city 
officers;  while  above  are  the  council  cham- 
ber, the  mayor's  offices  and  apartments  for 
some  other  officials.  The  edifice  is  an 
ornament  to  the  city,  and  strikingly  evi- 
dences the  wisdom  of  the  administration 
under  which  it  was  built.  To  the  north  of 
the     city    hall,    facing    Walnut    street,    is 


192 


FEDERAL  AND  MUNICIPAL. 


another  handsome  building  —  pohce  head- 
quarters and  city  jail  —  and  to  the  west, 
facing  Third  street,  a  well  designed  and 
neatl}-  built  engine  house.  These  public 
buildings,  costing  in  the  aggregate  about 
$50,000,  in  their  completeness  and  beauty 
bespeak  the  wealth  of  the  community  as 
well  as  its  progressive  spirit. 

Public  Improvements. — For  man}-  3-ears 
Evansville,  like  other  villages,  paid  no  atten- 
tion to  the  improvement  of  its  streets  and 
pavements.  In  winter  the  streets  were 
<renerallv  in  that  mirv  condition  so  common 
to  the  dirt  roads  of  early  days.  The  ri\-er 
front  was  unimproved,  except  by  the  pro- 
tection of  the  bank,  and  the  construction  of 
a  cartway,  until  184S.  The  public  square 
was  not  graded  by  the  county  authorities 
until  the  town  had  attained  a  considerable 
size  and  some  importance.  The  street  cross- 
ings were  generally  made  of  stones,  set  on 
end,  a  good  step  apart,  which  one  was  sel- 
dom able  to  find  after  dark.  But  with  the 
dignit}'  that  came  of  being  called  and  known 
as  a  city,  public  improvements  were  com- 
menced, and  from  that  time  forward  vigor- 
ously prosecuted.  The  principal  streets 
were  at  first  paved,  and  the  work  in  this 
line  has  been  kept  up  until  at  present 
there  are  over  thirty  miles  of  graveled  and 
paved  streets.  Those  in  the  business  por- 
tion of  the  city  are  bouldered,  while  those 
leading  through  residence  sections  are 
formed  of  gravel  so  laid  and  pressed  by 
steam-rollers,  as  to  form  a  smooth,  durable 
highwa\-.  The  first  sewer  constructed  in 
the  city  was  that  under  Di\-ision  street,  and 
from  the  river  extended  about  eight  squares 
when  completed.  The  system  of  sewerage 
in  the  city  now  is  very  fine,  no  pains  having 
been  spared  by  those  in  authority  to  provide 
a  perfect  drainage.  The  citv  is  on  an  elevated 
site,  thus  having  a  natural  declivity  to- 
ward the   river   which  renders    the  sewers 


very  effective.  By  1S74  the  city  had  con- 
structed about  nine  miles  of  sewerage  which 
has  since  been  increased  to  nearly  forty 
miles. 

The  Street  Railway  Company  was  in- 
corporated in  1S67.,  and  has  furnished  a  ser- 
vice from  that  time  to  this  such  as  the  grow- 
ing demands  of  the  citv  would  justitv.  The 
company  operates  its  cars  by  horse 
power,  and  has  laid  down  about  thirty-six 
miles  of  track,  traversing  the  principal 
business  streets,  and  extending  into  the 
suburbs  in  all  directions.  The  development 
of  the  suburbs  followin<j  the  extension  of 
the  street  car  lines  has  been  phenomenal. 
Within  the  past  five  years,  immense  tracts 
of  land  have  been  laid  off  into  lots,  and 
built  up  with  a  good  class  of  houses,  most 
of  them  the  residences  of  mechanics  and 
laboring  men,  who,  with  a  few  exceptions, 
own  them.  Through  the  efforts  of  a  pro- 
gressive and  considerate  management  the 
public  is  favored  with  excellent  street 
car  service. 

All  of  the  principal  streets  of  the  city 
lead  out  onto  roads  that  are  graveled  for 
manv  miles.  While  this  work  has  been 
done  by  the  count}-,  the  city  is  such  a  bene- 
ficiarv  that  in  its  history  these  splendid 
roads  of  perhaps  100  miles  in  length 
and  all  free  to  the  pubhc,  deserve  a 
mention  at  least.  It  seems  appropriate,  also, 
in  this  connection,  to  speak  briefly  of  the 
improvement  of  the  Ohio  river  in  front  of 
the  city.  For  some  years  a  sand-bar,  because 
of  its  annual  accretions,  threatened  to  extend 
itself  alontr  the  entire  front  of  the  citv.  In- 
deed,  it  attained  such  an  extent  that  steam- 
ers were  compelled  to  go  far  down  the  river 
and  come  up  to  the  wharves  on  the  inside  of 
the  bar.  Under  the  direction  of  Major 
Merrill,  chief  engineer  of  the  Ohio  River 
Survey,  and  Mr.  Charles  B.  Bateman,  assist- 
ant   engineer,  a  dike  extending   1,500  feet 


CORPORA  TE  SER 1  'ICE. 


193 


from  the  IvLMitucky  sliorc  and  so  constructed 
as  to  throw  the  current  of  the  river  against 
the  sand-bar,  was  completed  in  1874  after 
two  \ears"  hihor  at  a  cost  of  if35,ooo.  The 
effectiveness  of  the  work  has  been  demon- 
strated by  the  entire  removal  of  the  obstruc- 
tion which  it  was  designed  to  wash  awav. 

T/ic  City  G.n-  Works  and  Electric  Liohts. 
— The     Evansville    City     Gas-works     were 
established    in    1852  under    a  charter    from 
the  legislature  of  Indiana,  the  original  capital 
stock  being  placed  at   $50,000.       The    first 
works    were   built    b}'  John  Jeffrey  &  Com- 
pany, contractors,  and  the  first  officers  were : 
Clarence  J.    Keats,    president,    and   John  J. 
Chandler,  secretary.       This  was  during  the 
mayoraltv  of   Hon.  James  G.  Jones,  and  only 
five    years    after    the     city's    incorporation. 
Commencing    with     onh'      115     consumers 
the     circumstances      were     very     unfavor- 
able,    and       manv      of        the      most        in- 
telligent   citizens    doubted    the  proprietv  of 
such  an  undertaking;  and   although   its    ac- 
complishment was  secured  without   an\'   lia- 
bility on  the  part   of  the   citv,   they   shrunk 
from    what    was    a  novel  and  by  some  con- 
sidered an  unsafe  means   of  furnishing   arti- 
ficial light.       Therefore,  the  early  history  of 
the    compaiu'    was    one    of    disaster    to    its 
stockholders,  and  for  a  number    of  j-ears  it 
was  difficult  to  meet  expenses.       But    with 
the  rapid  progress  of  the    citv    the    invest- 
ment soon  became  a  paying  one.   The  works 
have  grown  and  increased  with  the  city:  im- 
provements and  additions  have  been  niade  as 
the    wants    of   the   public  required.      To  a 
large  extent  the  use  of  gas  has  given  way  in 
recent  years  to  that    of    electricit}-.     When 
the  practical  use  of  electricity  for  furnishing 
artificial  light  had  been  successfully-  demon- 
strated    in    other    cities,    a    company    was 
formed  in  Evansville  for  the   purpose  of  in- 
troducin<r  the  new  illuminatin"^  ajjent.   Much 
opposition   was  encountered,  but    the   prog- 


ress of  the  age  could  not  be  wholly 
checked.  Ultra-conservatism  at  length 
gave  way  and  Evansville  took  her  place  in 
this  regard  among  the  enterprising  cities  of 
the  country.  The  first  plant  was  established 
in  1882,  since  which  time  the  use  of  elec- 
tricity has  become  more  general  every  year. 
The  gas  company  and  the  electric  light 
company  were  after  a  short  time  consoli- 
dated under  the  corporate  name  of  the 
Evansville  Gas  &  Electric  Light  Company. 
The  present  officers  of  this  company,  are: 
F.  J.  Reitz,  president;  R.  K.  Dunkerson, 
vice-president;  J.  B.  Hall,  Jr.,  secre- 
tary; Samuel  Bayard,  treasurer;  Thomas  E. 
Garvin,  R.  K.  Dunkerson,  F.  J.  Reitz, 
Jacob  Eichel,  Samuel  liayard  and  William 
Heilman,  directors.  There  are  now  in  the 
city  about  1,600  gas  consumers  and  about 
50  electric  light  consumers,  besides  which 
the  city  is  furnished  by  the  company  under 
special  contract.  The  use  of  gas  for  light- 
ing the  streets  is  practically  discontinued, 
though  not  entirely  so,  the  use  of  electricity 
being  extensively  adopted.  There  are  in 
the  city  for  the  proper  distribution  of  the 
electric  light,  ten  towers  each  150  feet  high, 
13  masts,  each  forty  feet  high,  and  forty-six 
arches  spanning  the  principal  streets  at 
their  intersections. 

Public  Halh,  Opcra-IIouscs  and  Places 
of  Amusement. — In  the  earliest  times  public 
entertainments  of  various  kinds  were  held  in 
the  iMcGarv  warehouse,  or  at  the  Warner 
tavern.  Dances  were  occasionally  indulged 
in  with  trreat  zest,  and  some  of  them  were 
events  long  remembered  by  the  participants. 
Theatrical  performances  were  not  provided 
for  until  after  Evansville  had  become  a  city. 
Occasionally  a  traveling  troupe  passed 
through  the  village,  and  for  a  few  evenings 
did  a  good  business  among  a  people  who 
were  ever  ready  to  support  any  proper  effort 
to   relieve  the  monotony  of  pioneer   life.      A 


m 


FEDERAL  AND  MUXICIPAL. 


German  theater  was  for   a  time  conducted, 
but  it  was  not  recognized  as  a  permanent  in- 
stitution.    The    first    regular    theater    was 
opened    by   Martin    Golden,   now    of    New 
Harmonv,  hid.,  an  actor  of  no   mean  ability, 
whose  wife,   Bella   Golden,  was  a   universal 
favorite  in  southwestern  Indiana  when  critics 
were  not  so  plentiful  or   so    caustic  as    they 
now  are.  and    when  the    people   were  ready 
and    willing    to   be  entertained  by  a    bright, 
versatile  actress,  who  had  a   fair  knowledge 
of  the  histrionic  art.     The  first  house  wholly 
devoted    to    theatrical    purposes    was    the 
"  Apollo,"'    subsequently      called     "  Mozart 
Hall."'     It    stood    on   First    street,    between 
Vine  and  Svcamore    streets,  in    the  rear   of 
the   old    homestead    of    Edward    Hopkins. 
Martin    Golden  began   the    management   of 
the  Apollo  in  the  latter  part  of  the  fifties,  and 
continued    it    through  the    civil  war  period. 
Entertainments  were  given  every  week-day 
evening  and  were  well  patronized.     Indeed, 
these  were  the  palmy  days  of  the  theatrical 
profession    in  this    city.     This  Mozart    Hall 
was   the    scene  of    a    terrible    tragedy,    not 
represented    on  its    stage,    but    actual,    and 
costing    three    lives.     Two  brothers,   John 
Paul  Evans  and  Robert  M.  Evans,  grand- 
sons of  Gen.  Evans,  for  whom  the  town  was 
named,  attacked  one  another  with  revolvers 
and  both  were  shot  to  death.     The  fight  was 
the  result  of  an  old  feud.     An   innocent  by- 
stander, Solomon   Gumberts,  a  young  man, 
was  also  killed  by  one  of  the  shots. 

The  Evansville  Opera-house,  located  at 
the  corner  of  First  and  Locust  streets,  was 
built  in  1867  and  1868,  and  opened  for  busi- 
ness in  September,  of  the  latter  year.  The 
total  cost  of  the  building  and  site  was  $107,- 
000.  It  is  built  of  brick,  fronted  with  Green 
river  marble,  and  was  designed  by  Bo3-d  & 
Mursinna,  architects.  It  has  a  seating  ca- 
pacity for  about  1,000  persons.  At  the 
time  of  its   construction  it  was    ample    for 


the  needs  of  the  cit}'.  The  degree  of  its 
success  has  varied  from  time  to  time.  How- 
ever, the  anticipations  of  its  builders  have 
ne\er  been  realized.  The  complex  nature 
of  the  city's  population  renders  it  extremely 
difficult  to  secure  attractions  interesting  to 
all  classes  of  citizens.  Perhaps  because  of 
this,  as  much  as  of  anything  else,  in  late 
years  the  opera-house  has  not  been  all 
that  could  be  desired  as  a  business  invest- 
ment. It  has  been  fairly  managed  and  its 
entertainments  have  been  of  the  highest 
class.  Recently  the  manager,  Thomas  J. 
Groves,  has  had  plans  prepared  for  a  com- 
plete remodeling  of  the  house,  which,  when 
carried  out,  will  make  of  it  a  first-class  place 
of  entertainment. 

At  the  present  time  the  Business  Men's 
Association  is  building  a  magnificent  struc- 
ture at  a  cost  of  $100,000.00,  the  main  fea- 
ture of  which  is  an  auditorium  for  theatrical 
and  operatic  purposes  which  will  probabl)' 
supply  all  reasonable  demands  for  several 
years  to  come. 

Evans  Hall,  corner  of  Fifth  and  Locust 
streets,  is  dex'oted  principally  to  temperance 
work.  The  lot  was  donated  by  Mrs. 
Saleta  Evans,  and  the  building  was  erected 
in  1878  b\'  the  friends  of  temperance  to  the 
memory  of  Gen.  Robert  M.  Evans.  Mr. 
J.  K.  Frick  was  the  architect,  and  the  board 
of  trustees  was  made  up  of  the  following 
gentlemen:  J.  M.  Shackelford,  D.  J. 
Mackey,  J.  K.  Brownelle,  W.  F.  Nisbet, 
Wm.  Heilman,  W.  J.  Darby,  O.  F.  Jacob!, 
John  A.  Reitz  and  Isaac  Keen.  There 
have  been  been  many  public  halls  in  the 
city,  some  of  which  are  mentioned  in  other 
connections,  a  sufficient  number-,  in  fact,  to 
furnish  varied  places  of  amusement  at  all 
times.  Liederkranz  Hall,  on  Fourth  street 
near  Vine,  the  Ice  Palace,  on  Third  street, 
between  Locust  and  Walnut  streets,  are  the 
principal  of  those  now  in  use.     Many  halls 


HALLS  AND  FABKS. 


jna 


owned  b}"  private  citizens    are   devoted    to 
public  uses. 

C/Vv  Parks. —  Evansville  is  noted  for  the 
number  and  beaut^^  of  its  shade  trees.  Most 
of  the  streets,  excepting  those  which  are 
devoted  exclusive!}'  to  the  purposes  of  busi- 
ness, are  lined  on  either  side  b}'  a  luxuriant 
growth.  There  are  also  manv  beautiful 
private  lawns  in  the  portions  of  the  city 
occupied  b}-  those  whose  wealth  gives  them 
a  larger  share  of  comforts  than  is  enjoyed 
by  the  average  citizen.  Even  the  homes  of 
the  poor  are  not  crowded  together  and 
forced  to  front  upon  the  verv  edge  of  the 
pavement  as  is  the  case  in  many  cities.  For 
these  reasons,  perhaps,  the  public  parks, 
those  resting  places  so  essential  to  the 
comfort  of  the  people  in  most  cities,  have 
not  received  a  great  deal  of  attention  in 
their  care  and  arrangement.  Some  steps, 
however,  have  been  taken  in  this  direction 
and  there  are  a  few  breathing  places  where 
one  mav  rest  and  enjov  some  of  nature's 
beauties.  Sunset  Park  is  a  triangular  piece 
of  property  located  on  the  river  bank  in  the 
upper  portion  of  the  city.  Some  attempt  at 
its  ornamentation  has  been  made.  It  com- 
mands a  charming  view  of  the  river,  and,  as 
indicated  bv  its  name,  affords  a  good  view 
of  sunsets,  which  in  their  splendor  here 
rival  those  peculiar  to  the  "  glorious 
climate"  of  California.  Western  Park, 
Lamasco  Park  and  Central  Park  are  set 
apart  for  the  use  of  the  public,  and  by 
proper  effort  may  be  made  pleasant  resorts. 
For  many  years  there  were  quite  a  number 
of  handsome  groves  and  woodlands  in  con- 
venient proximitv  to  the  city,  forming 
popular  resorts,  among  which  were 
Parrett's  grove  and  Blackford's  grove, 
but  they  have  been  forced  to  yield 
before  the  city's  march  of  progress, 
vmtil  now  verv  few  of  their  primeval  trees 
are  left.     Their  original  sites  are  being  fast 


occupied  by  the  homes  of  the  people.  The 
most  beautiful  woodland  near  the  city  limits 
is  Garvin's  grove,  comprising  thirty-five 
acres  and  possessing  great  natural  beaut}-. 
Here  are  held  the  public  entertainments  and 
assemblies  of  large  size.  The  reunion  of 
the  Blue  and  the  Gray  in  18S7,  the  military 
encampment  of  1888,  and  political  meetings 
of  vast  proportions  have  found  this  grove  a 
most  convenient  and  suitable  place  for  their 
use. 

For  many  years  the  vSalt  Wells  Park 
though  not  owned  by  the  public,  has  been 
devoted  to  its  use,  and  because  of  its  pop- 
ularity as  a  place  of  resort  as  well  as  its 
connection  with  the  city's  early  historv,  de- 
serves notice.  The  first  settlers  of  Vander- 
burgh county  made  their  own  salt.  At  the 
proper  season  they  repaired,  in  squads,  to 
the  saline  bank  of  Shawneetown,  where  thev 
made  the  salt  by  evaporation  and  carried  it 
home  in  bags  on  horseback.  In  the  course  of 
a  fewyears,when  trading  boats  began  to  pass 
along  the  river,  they  were  enabled  to  pro- 
cure salt  which  had  been  manufactured  on 
the  Kanawha  river.  This  was  exceedingly 
expensive,  and  efforts  were  early  made  to 
make  practical  use  of  the  salt  spring  at 
Pigeon  creek,  which,  as  narrated  by  Mr. 
Ira  Fairchild,  were  as  follows :  "  It  was  in 
the  fall  of  the  year  1S22,  I  think,  that  three 
or  four  gentlemen  came  from  the  saline 
works  back  of  Shawneetown  for  the  purpose 
of  making  an  examination  of  the  salt  spring 
on  Pigeon  creek,  of  which  they  had  heard. 
The  strangers  came  to  see  my  father.  They 
had  examined  the  water  of  the  little  rivulet 
;  that  ran  over  the  rocky  formation  composing 
the  creek  bank,  and  being  men  experienced 
in  the  manufacture  of  salt,  were  disposed  to 
try  the  experiment  of  salt  making  at  this 
point.  Elisha  Harrison,  an  enterprising  cit- 
izen, and  some  other  residents  whom  I  do 
not  clearly    remember,    became    impressed 


196 


FEDERAL  AND  MUNICIPAL. 


with  the  views  advanced  by  the  visitors 
and  joined  in  the  enterprise.  A  company 
was  formed  bv  them  and  the  business 
of  borinfif  the  salt  well  was  undertaken. 
My  father  was  engaged  to  make  the  augers 
and  other  necessary  machinery  for  sinking 
the  tube  through  the  rock  and  earth.  A 
shaft  was  sunk  to  the  depth  uf  a  few  feet 
when  the  rock  was  found.  Into  this  shaft  a 
curbing  was  inserted,  made,  as  I  distinct!}^ 
remember,  of  the  trunk  of  a  hollow  syca- 
more tree.  This  tree  grew  on  the  lands  of 
the  late  Judge  William  Olmstead,  not  far 
from  the  place  where  Olmstead's  saw-mill 
was  afterward  erected.  I  remember  verv 
well  the  day  it  was  cut  down.  Among 
those  present  were  Judge  Olmstead,  David 
Negley,  Elisha  Harrison  and  Col.  Seth  Fair- 
child.  Before  chopping  down  the  hollow 
svcamore  the  undergrowth  was  cleared 
away,  and  huge  piles  of  brush  laid  along  the 
track  where  the  tree  was  to  be  felled,  so 
that  the  fall  would  be  in  a  measure  broken, 
and  the  trunk  thereby  prevented  from  split- 
ting. Great  anxiet\-  was  manifested,  by  the 
persons  present  to  secure  a  perfect  section 
for  well-curbing  purposes.  In  those  davs  a 
well-curb  made  to  order  could  not  be  ob- 
tained for  the  asking.  When  the  tree  fell, 
\\ithout  injury  to  the  hollow  trunk,  there 
was  a  livelv  expression  of  satisfaction.  The 
section  needed  at  the  salt  well  was  cut  off 
and  floated  to  its  destination  on  a  raft.  After 
obtaining  a  sufficient  curb  the  machinery 
was  put  in  operation  and  the  well  was  stead- 
ily bored  into  the  earth.  When  a  depth  of 
322  feet  had  been  reached,  a  volume  of 
water  was  secured,  which  was  deemed  suf- 
ficient for  the  experiment  of  salt  making. 
Some  rude  sheds  had  been  erected  and  con- 
veniences arranged  for  boiling.  Had  the 
managers  stopped  at  this  point,  it  is  possible 
that  salt  works,  on  a  moderate  scale,  might 
be  in  operation  on  the  grounds  at  the  present 


da\-.  The  first  salt  made  was  of  an  excellent 
quality,  and  was  in  large  demand.  But  the 
managers  concluded  they  could  do  better  by 
sinking  the  well  to  a  greater  depth.  Ac- 
cordingly, the  following  3"ear,  they  began 
boring  deeper,  and  at  the  depth  of  577 
feet  thev  struck  a  new  vein  which 
proved  their  destruction.  A  larger  volume 
of  water  was  procured,  and  it  contained 
saline  properties:  but  at  the  same  time  it 
contained  something  else.  Apparently,  first- 
rate  salt  was  produced,  but  it  gradually  dis- 
solved when  exposed  to  the  open  air  and 
was  utterlv  worthless  for  the  purpose  of 
curing  meat.  Mr.  Worsham,  who  resided 
on  the  Kentuckv  side  of  the  river,  dressed 
several  head  of  fat  hogs  and  packed  the 
meat  with  Evansville  salt.  In  a  few  da}'s  it 
was  disco\ered  that  some  chemical  propert3' 
in  the  salt  had  eaten  the  rind  or  skin  entirely 
off  the  dressed  pork,  while  the  flesh  was  not 
penetrated  or  in  any  way  affected,  except  to 
be  covered  with  a  coat  of  dripping  slime. 
Thus  ended  the  experiment  of  manufactur- 
ing salt  on  the  banks  of  Pigeon  creek.  The 
buildings  fell  into  decay,  and  in  two  or  three 
years  the  ground  became  overgrown  with  a 
dense  patch  of  brush.  For  j^ears  afterward 
the  site  of  the  salt  works  was  an  uninviting 
thicket  of  natural  vegetation.  After  remain- 
ing a  waste  place  for  a  period  of  nearly 
twenty  years,  the  property  passed  into  the  pos- 
session of  Nathan  Rowley.  He,  in  company 
with  Thomas  Gifford,  who  had  then  recentlj- 
arrived  in  this  country  from  England,  cleared 
up  the  grounds,  erected  buildings,  and  opened 
the  salt  wells  as  a  private  park  or  pleasure 
resort,  about  the  year  1842."  In  1848  Mr. 
Gifford  retired  from  the  management  of  the 
place,  which  soon  afterward  passed  into  the 
hands  of  William  Bates.  It  sold  at  that  time 
for  $12,000.00,  and  subsequently,  in  1867, 
was  purchased  b)-  the  street  railway  com- 
pany.    The  artesian  spring  at  the  park  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


197 


highly  recommended  for  its  medical  prop- 
erties and  drew  many  patients  who  profited 
by  its  use.  The  park  is  located  at  the  west 
end  of  Maryland  street  along  the  banks  of 
Pigeon  creek,  contains  several  acres  of  land, 
and  in  natural  appearance  is  very  beautiful. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Maj.  Joseph  B.  Co.x,  a  distinguished  sol- 
dier, and  long  a  prominent  citizen  of  this 
countv,  is  at  present  surveyor  of  United 
States  customs  for  the  Evansville,  Ind.,  dis- 
trict, which  includes  the  south  half  of  Indiana, 
the  southeastern  part  of  Illinois,  and  the 
northwestern  part  of  Kentucky,  with  head- 
(]uarters  at  Evansville.  The  histor\-  of  his 
famil}-  is  an  epitome  of  the  history  of  the 
county.  For  scarcely  had  the  Indian  title  to 
the  lands  in  this  locality  been  extinguished 
before  his  pioneer  ancestors  made  their  way 
into  the  territory.  It  was  in  1809  that  the}- 
came,  crossing  the  river  at  the  present  site 
of  Evansville,  and  temporarily  lodging  in  a 
cabin  which  they  found  in  the  very  heart  of 
a  dense  forest,  not  far  from  the  bank  of  the 
river  near  the  present  corner  of  Vine  and 
Water  streets.  These  were  his  maternal 
ancestors  who  came  from  Kentuck}',  where 
his  mother  was  born  in  1805.  Her  name 
was  Francis  M.  Miller;  she  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Elizabeth  Miller,  pioneers 
whose  careers  have  been  outlined  in  connec- 
tion with  the  earlv  liistorv  of  Perrv  town- 
ship. Mrs.  Cox,  afterward  Mrs.  David 
Ste]-)hens,  died  in  October,  1886,  after  a  res- 
dence  in  Perrv  township  of  sevent3--seven 
years.  James  Cox,  the  father  of  Joseph  B., 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  iSoo, 
and  died  in  this  county  in  1S34.  He  came 
to  \'anderburgli  county  in  1S18,  with  a 
brother,  Joseph,  and  engaged  for  a  time  as  a 
pioneer  farmer.  He  and  his  brother  were 
potters  by  trade,  and  later  were  occupied  in 
that  branch  of  industry.     When  steamboats 


began  to  ply  the  river,  using  wood  for  fuel, 
they  established  a  wood-yard  near  the  pres- 
ent site  of  the  Ingle  coal  mines,  and  accumu- 
lated some  money  in  that  business.  Maj. 
Joseph  B.  Cox  was  born  in  what  is  now 
Perry  township,  this  county,  a  few  miles 
west  of  Evansville,  on  the  8th  day  of  Sep- 
tember, 1S30.  He  was  the  fourth  of  five 
children  —  two  sons  and  three  daughters. 
His  boyhood  was  spent  on  the  farm  and  his 
early  mental  training  was  obtained  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  countv.  At  the  age  of 
fourteen  years  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
to  pursue  his  studies,  and  spent  three  years 
in  the  schools  of  that  city.  At  the  end  of  that 
period  he  spent  one  term  at  St.  Xavier's 
college,  and  then  entered  Bacon's  commercial 
college,  both  institutions  being  at  Cincinnati. 
After  his  graduation  from  the  commercial 
college  he  was  occupied  for  eight  years  as 
clerk  on  various  steamboats,  plying  between 
Cincinnati  and  New  Orleans.  In  1859,  he 
entered  the  sheriff's  office  of  Vanderburgh 
county,  as  deputy  for  John  S.  Gavitt,  and 
upon  the  enlistment  of  the  sheriff  in  the  First 
Regiment  Indiana  Cavalrv,  nine  months  be- 
fore the  expiration  of  his  term,  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  fill  the  vacancy  thus  occasioned. 
The  war  for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion 
and  the  preservation  of  the  union,  was  now 
in  progress.  In  the  fall  of  1S61,  Maj.  Cox 
raised  a  company  which  afterward  became 
Company  F,  of  the  Sixtieth  Indiana  Infantry, 
and  upon  its  organization  he  was  selected  as 
its  captain.  He  served  in  that  rank  until  the 
27th  day  of  May,  1862,  when  he  was  elected 
major  of  the  regiment,  serving  as  such  until 
November  30  following,  when  his  resigna- 
tion was  tendered  because  of  ill  health,  and 
accepted.  Returning  to  Evansville,  he  en- 
tered the  county  treasurer's  office  and  served 
as  deputy  for  two  years.  Thereafter  he  was 
occupied  with  his  private  affairs  for  many 
years  and  was  not  in  public  life.     In    1880, 


198 


FEDERAL  AND  MUNICIPAL. 


he  became  deputy  sheriff  under  Thomas 
Kerth,  and  remained  with  him  for  four  years. 
On  August  7,  1886,  he  was  appointed  by 
President  Cleveland,  surveyor  of  customs 
for  the  term  of  four  vears,  which  position  he 
now  holds,  discharging  its  duties  in  an  able 
and  satisfactory  manner.  From  earlj'  man- 
hood to  the  present  time  he  has  been  inter- 
ested chiefly  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He 
owns  lands  extensively  in  Vanderburgh, 
Gibson  and  Pose}'  counties,  and  in  tlieir  cul- 
tivation follows  the  best  methods  known  to 
the  practical  farmer.  Maj.  Cox  possesses  in 
a  marked  degree  the  attributes  of  genuine 
manhood.  Honest  purposes  and  laudable 
conduct  have  marked  his  career.  His  sym- 
pathetic nature,  the  gentleness  of  his  dispo- 
sition, and  the  worth  of  his  character  have 
won  for  him  the  admiration  and  respect  of 
all  his  neighbors.  In  April,  1863,  he  was 
married  to  Amanda  W.  Syrkees,  who 
was  born  in  Vanderburgh  count}-  in  1S33, 
and  died  in  1868,  leaving  one  son,  David  A., 
who  is  an  alumnus  of  the  State  University, 
Bloomington,  Ind.  Maj.  Cox  was  married 
a  second  time  in  1870,  when  Martha  J. 
Angel,  a  native  of  Vanderburgh  county,  be- 
came his  wife.  To  this  union  two  sons  have 
been  born;  Robert  M.,  and  Joseph  B.  Mrs. 
Cox  is  a  member  of  the  General  Baptist 
church. 

Captain  James  W.  Wartman,  since  1871 
deputy  clerk  of  the  United  States  court  at 
Evansville,  was  born  in  Lewisburg,  Green- 
brier county,  Virginia,  Februar\-  7)  1^32. 
His  youth  was  spent  in  Cincinnati,  where 
he  attended  and  was  a  graduate  of  the 
famous  "Woodward  High  School."  He 
was  engaged  in  business  at  Cincinnati  for 
several  years  after  his  graduation,  and  then 
removed  to  Spencer  county,  Indiana,  and 
began  the  study  of  law  with  Hon.  L.  Q. 
DeBruler.  He  practiced  first  at  Rockport. 
In  1864  he  was  appointed  provost   marshal 


of  the  First  district  of  Indiana,  with  head- 
quarters at  Evansville.  After  some  service 
in  that  capacity  he  resigned  and  was  ap- 
pointed a  commissioner  of  the  board  of  en- 
rollment for  the  First  district.  During  his 
service  the  drafts  of  1864  and  1S65  occur- 
red, and  important  and  delicate  duties  de- 
volved upon  Capt.  Wartman,  which  he 
performed  to  the  general  satisfaction.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Rock- 
port,  and  resumed  the  practice  of  law  in 
partnership  with  Hon.  Thomas  F.  DeBruler. 
In  Julv,  1871,  he  was  appointed  deputy  clerk 
of  the  United  States  court  at  Evansville, 
and  at  once  entered  upon  the  discharge  of 
his  duties.  In  September,  1S71,  he  was 
appointed  United  States  commissioner,  and 
acceptablv  discharges  the  duties  of  that 
position.  Mr.  Wartman  has  taken  much 
interest  in  the  common  school  system  and 
served  several  vears  as  president  of  the 
school  board  at  Rockport.  He  is  also 
deeplv  interested  in  Sundav- school  work, 
and  has  en<rafred  with  much  zeal  in  this 
direction. 

James  W.  Lauer,  postmaster  at  Evans- 
ville, was  born  in  that  portion  of  this  city 
known  as  Lamasco,  November  24,  184 1. 
His  father.  Rev.  H.  W.  Lauer,  several 
vears  later,  located  on  a  farm  near  the  west 
end  of  the  city,  where  he  died  in  1850. 
Here  the  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to 
manhood,  doing  all  kinds  of  general  farm 
work,  and  receiving  a  common  school  edu- 
cation, supplemented  by  a  valuable  training 
in  the  practical  school  of  experience.  During 
the  four  vears  immediately  following  the  at- 
tainment of  his  majority,  he  was  employed 
as  clerk  in  the  Washington  House,  a  popu- 
lar hostelrv  at  that  time.  In  partnershiii 
with  Mr.  Christian  Hedderich,  he  then  em- 
barked in  the  grocery  business,  and  after 
a  time  disposed  of  his  interest.  From  1S66 
to  1870,  he  served    as  deputy  treasurer  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


100 


the  county.  He  then  accepted  a  position  in 
the  People's  Savini;s  Bank,  an  institution, 
which,  as  a  cliarter  member,  he  had  been 
instrumeiUal  in  establishing.  Later  he  was 
variously  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits. 
July  30,  1S85,  he  was  appointed  postmaster 
at  Evansyille  by  President  Cleyeland,  and 
the  appointment  was  conlirmed  by  the 
United  States  senate  June  7,  1886.  As  a 
democrat  he  has  been  a  zealous  worker  for 
for  the  interest  of  his  party,  but  has  in  no 
way  prostituted  his  otticial  position  to  sub- 
serve party  ends.  lousiness  principles  were 
adopted  at  the  outset  for  the  conduct  of  the 
office  and  have  been  carefully  followed 
throughout,  with  sci'upulous  regard  for  the 
iiood  of  the  service,  and  the  same  is  univer- 
sally  acknowledged.  In  1868,  September 
15,  he  united  in  marriage  with  INIiss  Letitia 
Staser,  daughter  of  the  late  John  C.  Staser. 
They  have  one  child,  a  son,  Henry  Clinton, 
born  March  i,  1871.  Mr.  Lauer  and  family 
adopt  the  Presb3'terian  faitli.  The  former 
joined  Crescent  Lodge  No.  122, 1.  O.  O.  F., 
in  1863,  and  in  1883,  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  has  attained  the  degree  of  Knight 
Templar  in  Iva\-alette  Commandery  No.  15- 
John  H.  Dannettijll,  one  of  Evansville's 
most  distinguished  citizens,  was  born  De- 
cember 14,  1843,  at  Covington,  Ky.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Evansyille,  and,  at  the  age  of  twelve 
years,  was  conlirmed  in  St.  John's  church. 
As  a  boy  he  earl\-  looked  out  for  himself, 
and  served  as  an  advertiser  one  year  with 
Dr.  John  T.  White,  a  traveling  physician. 
Afterward  he  was  employed  by  the  whole- 
sale clothing  tirm  of  Anspacher  &  Plant  as 
porter,  remaining  with  theiu  for  eighteen 
months.  His  next  engagement  was  with 
Christian  Hedderich,  the  proprietor  of  the 
Washington  Hotel.  The  war  of  the  re- 
bellion broke  out  about  this  time  in  his 
career,  and  he   went  on  the  steamer  Faniiic 


Bi/llos,  in  government  service,  and  remained 
upon  the  river  during  the  war.  He  then 
was  engaged  as  book-keeper  for  the  Indiana 
Steam  Flouring  Mills,  and  remained  with 
that  establishment  until  it  closed  in  1865. 
He  then  became  interested  in  the  hat  busi- 
ness, which  he  followed  for  a  considerable 
number  of  years.  His  first  experience  was 
in  the  emplo\'  of  V'autier  &  Marconnier,  and 
in  1869  he  opened  a  hat  store,  the  establish- 
ment being  first  known  as  Dannettell  & 
Duehme,  but  his  partner  died  a  \'ear  later 
and  Mr.  Dannettell  took  entire  control  of 
the  business,  and  successfully  conducted  it. 
In  1879  John  C.  Fares  became  a  partner  in 
the  business,  and,  four  years  later,  Mr. 
Dannettell  sold  out  his  interest  to  his  partner, 
and  became  agent  of  the  New  York  Life 
Insurance  Company,  and  in  this  has  been 
remarkably  successful.  In  18S3  Mr.  Dan- 
nettell was  nominated  by  the  republicans 
for  mayor,  but  suffered  defeat  by  Mayor  T. 
C.  Bridwell  by  409  votes.  The  following 
year  he  was  elected  as  councilman  from  the 
Fifth  ward,  and  two  years  afterward  was 
elected  mayor  of  the  city  by  a  majority  of 
698  votes  over  his  opponent,  William  Rahm, 
jr.,  at  the  time  state  senator.  In  that 
honored  capacity  Mr.  Dannettell  was  still 
serving  at  the  time  of  the  compilation  of 
this  work.  He  was  married  in  1872  to  Miss 
Mary  C.  Burrer,  who  was  born  at  New- 
port, Ky.,  in  1S50.  They  are  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  of  whom  live  siu-\i\e. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Trinity 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Dannet- 
tell has  a  membership  with  several  frater- 
nities. For  twenty-four  years  he  has  been 
athliated  witli  Crescent  City  lodge.  No. 
122,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  also  a  member  of 
Orion  lodge,  35,  K.  P.,  Red  Cloud  lodge, 
Knights  of  Honor,  Lone  Star  lodge,  A.  O. 
U.W.,  the  Royal  Arcanum,  the  Deutsche 
Unterstulzungsverein. 


200 


FEDERAL  AND  MVXICIPAL. 


George  N.  Wells,  city  treasurer  of 
Evansville,  was  born  in  Indianapolis  October 
19,  1844,  being  the  oldest  son  of  William  F. 
and  Mary  J.  (Kelly)  Wells,  of  English 
descent,  natives  of  Kentucky.  His  father 
was  a  lumber  merchant  of  Indianapolis  in 
1845,  where  he  now  lives  at  the  advanced 
age  of  79  years,  having  retired  from  busi- 
ness because  of  his  age  and  a  loss  of  sight. 
After  receiving;  a  <jood  common  school  edu- 
cation  Mr.  Wells  pursued  a  course  of  stud}' 
at  the  Northwestern  Christian  University 
and  graduated  with  the  degree  of  B.  S. 
from  that  institution  when  he  was  twentv- 
one  years  of  age.  He  then  took  up  the 
study  of  telegraphv.  and  for  a  time  was 
engaged  as  a  school  teacher.  Later  he 
turned  his  attention  to  book-keeping  and  by 
careful  study  and  practical  experience  fitted 
himself  as  a  teacher  of  that  branch.  He 
was  then  connected  with  commercial  schools 
in  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and 
Madison,  Ind.  Coming  to  Evansville  in 
1867  he  established  a  commercial  college 
here,  which  soon  attained  a  high  rank 
among  institutions  of  that  kind  throughout 
the  countr\'.  Disposing  of  his  interests  in 
the  college  he  entered  the  service  of  the 
Evansville  &  Terre  Haute  Railroad  Com- 
pany and  for  ten  years  acted  as  a  local 
freight  agent.  In  1884  he  was  appointed 
assistant  postmaster  in  this  city,  from  which 
position  he  was  removed  for  political  reasons 
bv  President  Cleveland's  administration.  In 
1887  he  was  elected  citv  treasurer  as  the 
candidate  of  the  republican  party.  Efficient, 
trustworthy  and  always  courteous,  he  is  an 
acceptable  and  popular  officer.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
A.  O.  U.  W.  fraternities,  and  has  attained  a 
high  standing  in  each  of  them,  being  past 
master,  past  high  priest  and  past  eminent 
commander  of  Lavalette  Commandery,  No. 
15,  Knights  Templar.     This  brief  outhne  of 


his  civil  career,  though  honorable  in  all  its 
parts,  does  not  adequateU'  mirror  the  char- 
acter of  the  man.  It  is  supplemented  by  a 
bright  military  record.  He  went  to  the 
front  with  the  first  troops  offered  to  the 
nation  b\'  Indiana.  Enlisting  in  Co.  H, 
Ele\-enth  Indiana  \"olunteers,  he  served 
with  that  company  until  its  muster-out 
Sometime  later,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  Seven- 
tieth Indiana  Volunteers,  and  upon  the 
organization  of  his  compan}-  he  was  elected 
to  a  lieutenancy.  He  was  detached  and 
placed  on  staff  dut-s'  with  the  Twentv-first 
Arni}-  Corps.  Later  he  was  stationed  at 
Nash\-ille,  Tenn.,  as  chief  clerk  in  the  quar- 
termaster's department,  in  which  positton  he 
remained  until  the  close  of  his  service. 
He  was  in  the  fights  at  Chicka- 
mauga.  Mission  Ridge,  Lookout  Mountain 
and  Stone  River,  where  he  received  a  dis- 
abling wound.  His  service  was  honorable 
throughout.  September  20,  1860,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Emma  Steel,  a  native  of 
this  city,  daughter  of  James  and  Marv 
Steel,  a  well-known  citizen.  But  one  child, 
Cora,  has  been  born  to  this  union,  who 
graduated  with  high  honors  in  the  Evans- 
ville, Ind.,  high  school,  on  June  15,  1888. 
Her  commenceiiient  essav  attracted  especial 
praise  among  a  number  of  unusually 
creditable  productions.  A  current  publica- 
tion gave  the  essay  in  full,  saying  of  it  that 
it  had  a  special  charm  because  of  its  very 
graceful  and  broad  treatment  of  an  attract- 
ive and   unique  theme. 

John  J.  Marlett,  representative  of  a 
distinguished  pioneer  family,  was  born  in 
the  village  of  Evansville,  June  14,  1841. 
His  paternal  grand-parents  Henry  and 
Jerusha  (Potter)  Marlett  were  natives  of 
England,  who  in  early  days  emigrated  to 
Brooks  county,  Va.,  where  they  were  num- 
bered among  the  most  valuable  pioneer 
citizens    of    that    locality.     Their    children, 


BlOdUArUR'AL. 


201 


four  in  number  and  bearing-  the  iiaines 
Gilbert,  Mary,  John  J.,  and  Caroline,  are 
now  dead.  The  third  of  these  was  well- 
known  in  this  cit\-  as  an  active  business  man 
of  tine  character  and  sterlinij  worth.  IJorn 
in  New  York  state,  January  28th,  1805,  he 
early  removed  to  Athens,  Ohio,  where  in 
1829,  he  married  Miss  Martha  Jane  Starr, 
a  native  of  Middletown,  Conn.,  and  ^a 
descendant  of  one  of  the  best  families  of  the 
state.  Coming  to  Evansville  in  1837,  he  at 
once  embarked  in  business  and  for  many 
years  was  identified  with  the  growth  of  the 
city,  occupying  a  prominent  place  among 
the  active  merchants  of  his  day,  doing  much 
to  build  up  and  de\elop  the  city,  and  hold- 
ing several  offices  of  trust  and  honor.  He 
enjoyed  in  a  high  degree  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  the  community.  His  death 
occurred  May  20th,  1876,  in  the  seventy- 
second  3'ear  of  his  age.  His  industry  and 
business  sagacity  enabled  him  to  accumulate 
a  valuable  property.  Mrs.  Marlett,  much 
respected,  remains  a  resident  of  tlie  citv, 
and  is  now  78  years  of  age.  Their  children 
were  nine  in  number,  four  of  \vhom  are 
living;  Mar\'  J.,  Joanna  A.  (now  Mrs. 
Sherwood),  John  J.,  and  Mortimer  S.,  all 
residents  of  this  city,  save  the  last  named, 
who  is  a  successful  traveling  salesman. 
The  immediate  subject  of  this  mention 
passed  his  boyhood  in  this  citv  attending 
school  and  rendering  such  assistance  to  his 
father  as  his  age  permitted.  He  twice 
enlisted  in  the  unioii  armw  but  at  tiie  earnest 
solicitations  of  his  mother  was  not  mustered. 
Since  attaining  his  majority  he  has  been 
connected  with  the  busmess  interests  of  the 
city,  principally  as  a  real  estate  agent  and 
dealer.  He  has  served  two  terms  as  cit\' 
treasurer  and  one  term  as  cit}-  assessor. 
His  record  as  a  public  officer  is  clean  and 
honorable.  Possessing  the  qualities  of  true 
manliness   he   attracts  many   friends  and   is 


deservedly  popular.  January  8,  1873,  he 
was  married  to  Anna  M.  Bartlett  of  South 
Bend,  Ind.,  a  daughter  of  Josiah  Bartlett 
and  direct  descendant  of  a  signer  of  the 
Declaration  of  American  Independence.  Of 
this  union  six  children  have  been  born, 
three  of  whom  are  living;  Bessie  Starr, 
Fannie  Bartlett,  and  Alice  Louise.  Mr. 
Marlett  is  a  charter  member  of  Eagle 
lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  for  twenty-rive  years 
has  been  prominent  in  the  order,  having 
passed  through  all  the  chairs.  In  politics  he 
affiliates  with  the  republican  party.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  Grace  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Marcus  C.  McCutcman,  city  sur\eyor, 
was  born  in  McCutchanville,  this  county, 
June  5th,  1845.  His  father,  Alexander 
McCutchan,  was  a  native  of  New  York 
state,  and  when  a  boy  came  to  Indiana  with 
his  parents.  He  estal:)lished  the  first  lum  ■ 
ber  yard  in  Evansx'ille  and  became  wealthy. 
He  was  self  educated,  but  fond  of  literature, 
especially  of  Roman  history.  He  attained 
prominence  in  the  cit\',  held  offices  of  trust 
and  honor,  and  died  in  1S45.  His  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Annie  Atchison,  belonged 
to  a  prominent  family  of  that  period,  was 
highly  respected  and  survived  her  husband 
but  six  years.  Being  thus  left  an  orphan  in 
infancy,  Marcus  was  taken  into  the  family 
of  his  uncle  Thomas  McCutchan.  Here  he 
was  dissatisfied,  and  at  the  early  age  of 
thirteen  years  went  out  into  the  world  to 
battle  for  himself.  He  rirst  went  to  Chi- 
cago, Ills.,  thence  to  New  Orleans,  La., 
j  where  he  obtained  employment  as  baggage- 
I  master  on  the  Mississippi  Central  railroad. 
While  so  employed,  the  war  of  the  rebellion 
was  begun  and  when  the  confederacy 
ordered  the  impressment  of  all  able-bodied 
white  men  between  the  ages  of  thirteen  and 
fifty,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Twenty- 
se\enth    Tennessee   Infantry,  the  colonel  of 


202 


FEDERAL  AND  MUNICIPAL. 


that  regiment,  C.  H.  Williams,  being  then 
president  of  the  Memphis  &  Charleston 
railroad.  In  his  heart  this  3'oung  soldier 
was  loyal  to  his  country,  but  he  rendered 
asainst  his  wishes,  a  service  of  sixteen 
months  in  the  army  of  the  south.  At  Shiloh 
he  was  wounded  in  the  head  and  thigh,  but 
not  seriousl}'.  He  marched  with  his  com- 
pany to  Corinth,  was  in  the  siege  at  that 
place,  and  in  the  tight  at  Farmington.  His 
wounds  had  now  become  so  irritable  that  he 
was  sent  to  hospital.  From  here  he  was 
sent  to  Granada,  by  Major  Anderson,  who 
little  suspected  his  intention  of  deserting  the 
colors  which  he  had  been  forced  to  support 
and  from  this  place  he  made  his  escape  to 
the  union  Hues,  walking  140  miles  to  Mem- 
phis, that  cit}'  then  being  held  by  the  northern 
forces.  Here  he  took  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  the  union  and  came  back  to  the  home  of 
his  childhood,  reaching  Evansville  in  the  fall 
of  1862.  In  the  following  February  he  en- 
listed in  Colonel  Wilder's  Seventeenth 
Indiana  Mounted  Infantry,  and  served  faith- 
fully until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  honor- 
ably discharged  at  Indianapolis  in  August, 
1865.  He  was  in  all  the  battles  participated 
in  by  the  gallant  command  to  which  he  be- 
longed, and  rendered  heroic  service.  Re- 
turning to  Evansville,  he  spent  some  time  in 
school  and  for  several  years  thereafter  was 
engaged  as  a  teacher.  At  length  he  went 
back  to  railroading,  being  in  the  emplo}'  of 
the  Straight  Line,  Pensacola  &  Atlantic, 
various  branches  of  the  L.  &  N.,  and  serving 
as  a  contractor,  surveyor  and  superintendent 
of  construction  on  the  new  Ohio  V^alley 
road.  April  7,  1SS7,  he  was  elected  on  the 
republican  ticket,  to  his  present  office.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  June, 
1869,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Amelia  Voigt, 
a  native  of  Germany,  daughter  of  August 
and  Julia  (Cotton)  Voigt,  an  estimable 
lady  who  died  in  j88i,  leaving  five  children; 


Minnie  (now  Mrs.  William  Walters  of 
Cheyenne,  Wyoming  Ter.  ],  Eleanor,  Anna, 
Julia,  and  William. 

Adolpii  Goeke,  police  commissioner, 
was  born  in  Prussia,  September  16,  1839, 
being  the  youngest  of  six  children,  born  to 
Henry  and  Frederica  (Brinkmeyer)  Goeke, 
natives  of  Prussia,  who  emigrated  to  this 
countrv  in  1848,  and  died  in  Evansville  in 
1873  and  1863,  respectively.  The  family 
was  well  known  as  industrious  German 
pioneers.  During  his  boyhood,  Adolph 
attended  the  public  schools  of  the  city,  and 
in  iS6!5  began  the  grocery  business  and  has 
continued  the  same  ever  since.  Later  he 
combined  with  this  the  commission  and  grain 
business,  and  by  the  exercise  of  econoni}- 
and  good  judgment,  has  succeeded  in  pos- 
sessing himself  of  a  large  quantity  of  real 
estate  and  a  comfortable  home.  Politically 
he  is  a  republican,  having  been  faithful  to 
that  party  ever  since  casting  his  first  vote, 
which  was  for  Abraham  Lincoln  for  presi- 
dent. In  1886  he  was  appointed  police  com- 
missioner by  Gavernor  Gray,  and  has  dis- 
charged the  trs'ing  duties  of  his  office  with 
entire  satisfaction  to  the  public.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  German  Protestant 
church.  His  marriage  occurred  April  7, 
1863,  to  Frederica  Althida,  who  was  bjrn  in 
Prussia  in  1846.  To  this  union  five  children 
have  bsen  born:  Edward  F.,  Adolph  W., 
Lida,  Anna,  and  Harry.  Adolph  Goeke 
began  life  widi  no  possessions  but  a  sound 
body,  a  good  character,  and  a  strong  will. 
He  has  overcome  many  obstacles  and  won 
success.  The  lesson  of  his  life  ma}'  be 
studied  with  profit  by  the  young  and  am- 
bitious. 

Christopher  J.  Murphy,  United  States 
Inspector  of  Hulls,  of  the  Evansville  district, 
and  a  prominent  citizen  of  the  city,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Dublin,  Ireland,  born  June  19,  1844, 
the  third  of  four  children  —  three  daughters 


^£-'?7>^-7-^^C:t---i^-^5(j 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


203 


and  one  son  —  born  to  Michael  ami  Ann 
(McDonald)  Murphy.  His  parcnl.s  were 
natives  of  Ireland,  where  the  father  was 
born  in  iSi6  and  the  mother  in  1820.  'I'hey 
eniii^rated  to  America  about  184S,  and 
landed  at  New  York.  A  short  time  after- 
ward they  removed  to  Rome,  N.  ^^,  and 
thence  in  1850,  to  Madison,  Ind.,  near  which 
place,  in  Jefferson  count}',  they  settled  on  a 
farm.  The  mother  died  in  185 1,  but  the 
lather  survived  her  until  1880.  After  the 
death  of  his  mother,  Mr.  Murphy's  early  life 
was  spent  in  various  places.  lie  was  edu- 
cated in  the  Catholic  schools,  and  before  the 
age  of  seventeen  years,  in  May,  1861,  enlisted 
in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  at  Mad- 
ison, Ind.,  joining  Company  D,  of  the  Thir- 
teenth Indiana  \'^olunteer  Infantry.  He  was 
with  his  command  until  July,  1864,  when  he 
w  as  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis,  having 
been  in  active  and  continuous  ser\ice  from 
his  enlistment,  in  Shield's  di\'ision  of  the 
Army  of  Virginia,  Gilmore's  dixision  in  South 
Carolina,  and  Butler's  corps  up  James  river. 
He  was  in  the  battles  of  Green  Brier,  Win- 
chester, and  the  sieges  of  vSuffolk  and  of 
Ciiarleston.  At  the  latter  siege  was  the 
heaviest  cannonading  of  the  war  —  the  old 
line-of-battle  ship  Ironsides,  seven  monitors, 
a  large  mortar  fleet,  over  two  hundred  siege 
pieces,  and  the  100  to  300-pounders  on  Mor- 
ris Island,  all  at  one  time  directing  their  rire 
against  Forts  Sumter,  Gregg,  Wagner, 
Moultrie,  Johnson,  and  the  city  of  Charles- 
ton; and  the  rebel  fortifications  vigorously 
returning  the  tire.  He  was  at  Harrison's 
Landing  after  the  seven  days  fight;  was  in 
some  of  the  hard  fighting  in  front  of  Peters- 
burg, Va.,  in  Foster's  farm  charge,  and  in 
various  skirmishes  and  fatiguing  marches 
through  West  Virginia,  Maryland,  Florida, 
and  North  and  South  Carolinas.  He  re- 
turned to  Evansville  in  1864,  and  was  then 
the  victim  of  fevers  and  ill-health  for  over 
13 


a  year,  although  in  camp  he  had  enjoyed 
excellent  health.  On  recovering  health,  he 
served  as  a  licensed  engineer  on  various 
steamers  running  out  of  Evansville.  Leav- 
ing the  river  in  1S73,  he  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Evansville  Cotton  Mills,  where 
he  became  assistant  foreman,  and  upon  the 
establishment  of  Hermann's  lumber  manufac- 
tory in  1879,  he  was  made  superintending 
engineer  of  that  concern.  After  three 
years,  he  took  the  position  of  superintend- 
ent of  the  Electric  Light  Co.,  starting  the 
first  plant  of  the  company.  The  following 
vear  he  became  interested  in  the  Evans\-ille 
Pump  Co.,  as  a  stockholder  and  director, 
and  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer. 
In  1884  he  was  nominated  by  the  Vander- 
burgh county  democrats  for  representative 
in  the  assembly,  and  was  elected  after  a 
hotly  contested  campaign  by  the  close  ma- 
joritv  of  thirty-three  votes,  over  John  H. 
Roelker,  one  of  the  leading  German  repub- 
licans of  the  city.  At  the  same  time  the 
candidates  for  county  office  on  the  same 
ticket  were  defeated  by  large  majorities, 
thus  demonstrating  Mr.  Murphy's  popular- 
ity and  strength.  He  served  through  the 
session  of  1885,  with  credit  to  himself  and 
party.  On  March  13,  18S6,  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  President  Cleveland,  inspector 
of  hulls,  a  position  he  has  since  held,  dis- 
charging the  duties  of  his  trust  with  fidelity 
and  marked  ability.  Mr.  Murphy  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Farragut  Post,  No.  27,  G.  A.  R., 
and  is  now  the  post  commander.  In  1879, 
he  organized  a  branch.  No.  46,  of  the 
Catholic  Knights  of  America,  that  being  the 
first  branch  organization  in  the  city.  For 
this  order  he  has  served  three  times  as  pres- 
ident, and  represented  the  order  in  state  and 
national  councils.  He  also  organized  Camp 
Farragut,  No.  117,  Sons  of  Veterans.  In 
reliirion  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  and  he  is  now  treasurer  of 


20J^ 


FEDERAL  AND  MUNICIPAL. 


the  Church  of  the  Assumption.  Mr. 
Murph\-  was  married  in  1S70  to  Miss  Maggie 
Mclnern}',  who  was  born  in  Evansville,  Jan- 
uary II,  1852,  daughter  of  M.  C.  Mclnerny, 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Evansville.  To 
this  union  two  sons  and  two  daughters  have 
been  born:  Anna,  born  March  i,  1872; 
Charles,  born  October  7,  1874;  Mamie, 
born  August  14,  1S77;  Christopher,  born 
August  9,  1 88 1. 

JohnH.  Moork,  United  States  Inspector 
of  Boilers  for  the  Evansville  district,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Kentucky,  born  in  Louisville,  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1838.  He  is  the  third  of  live 
children  born  to  Joseph  and  Mary 
(McHenry)  Moore.  His  father  was  an 
early  settler  in  Kentucky,  and  removed 
thence  to  New  Orleans,  where  he  was  en- 
jratred  in  business,  until  burned  out  during 
the  large  and  disastrous  conflagration  which 
visited  that  city  during  the  thirties.  From 
New  Orleans  he  removed  to  Ohio,  where 
he  was  in  business  for  ten  or  twelve  years, 
afterward  going  to  Virginia,  where  he  was 
in  trade  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1852.  His  mother  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  John  McHenry. 
Her  death  occurred  at  Wheehng,  W.  Va. 
At  the  latter  city  John  H.  Moore  spent 
most  of  his  youth,  and  there  gained  his  ed- 
ucation in  the  public  schools.  At  the  age  of 
nineteen  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  machinist 
at  Wheeling,  and  after  three  years  he  came 
west  on  the  steamer,  "  Charles  C.  Hillman," 
upon  which  he  had  placed  the  machinery. 
For  several  years  he  followed  steamboating 
between  St.  Louis  and  Nashville.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  civil  war  he  was  in 
Nashville  and  there  remained  until  the  place 
was  occupied  by  the  union  army.  There- 
after he  was  engaged  in  carr\-ing  supplies 
for  the  union  forces  between  Louisville  and 
Nashville.  Afterward  he  went  to  Memphis 
and  was  next  occupied    in   the  expedition  to 


the  Yazoo  river,  whence  he  returned  to 
Evansville.  From  that  time  he  was  in  the 
service  of  the  Evansville  &  Cairo  Packet 
Co.,  until  he  was  appointed  by  President 
Cleveland,  March  14,  1885,  inspector  of 
boilers.  Mr.  Moore  is  a  member  of  Morn- 
ing Star  lodge.  No.  7,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  has  tilled 
all  the  chairs,  and  in  1888  was  chosen  rep- 
resentative to  grand  lodge.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  October,  1865,  to  Columbia  Daniels, 
who  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  daughter  of 
Captain  Marine  Daniels,  an  old  steamboat 
man  of  the  Ohio  and  Cumberland  rivers. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  have  had  four  children 
born  unto  them,  three  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, all  of  whom  are  still  living  excepting 
Walter,    the    youngest,  who  died  July    10, 

1875- 

The  name  of  James  D.Saunders  has  been 
associated  with  the  profession  of  civil  engineer 
and  surveyor  for  the  past  thirty-three  years 
in  the  city  of  Evansville.  Two  men  of  that 
name,  father  and  son,  have  occupied  the 
position  of  city  engineer  and  county  surveyor 
many  terms  during  that  period.  The  elder 
was  born  in  Manchester,  Eng.,  November 
2,  1829.  His  father  being  a  civil  engineer, 
he  was  educated  in  that  profession.  He  was 
married  in  1850  to  Mary  Sweeney,  a  native 
of  the  count}^  of  Donegal,  Ireland,  whose 
father  was  also  an  engineer  emplo3^ed  on  the 
ordnance  survey  of  Ireland.  They  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  the  same  year 
and  located  at  Bloomington,  Ind.,  where  Mr. 
Saunders  had  accepted  a  situation  as  engineer 
on  the  construction  of  what  was  then  known 
as  the  New  Albany  &  Salem  railroad.  In 
1854  he  came  to  Evansville  and  was  em- 
ployed in  a  like  capacity  on  the  Evansville, 
Indianapolis  &  Cleveland  railroad,  more 
commonl}-  known  as  the  "  Straight  Line." 
In  the  following  year  he  was  elected  sur- 
veyor of  Vanderburgh  county,  and  in  1857 
he  was  elected  city  engineer  and  surveyor, 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


205 


and  from  then  he  held  llie  position  until 
1 86 1,  when  he  resigned,  having  enhsted  in 
Company  D,  Forty-second  Regiment  Indi- 
ana \^olunteers.  He  was  appointed  lirst 
lieutenant  and  afterward  promoted  to  cap- 
tain. He  resigned  in  1862,  returned  to 
Evansville,  was  elected  city  engineer,  and 
from  that  time  until  his  death  he  was  almost 
constantly  employed  as  city  engineer  or 
county  surveyor.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  June  6,  1880,  he  occupied 
the  position  of  city  engineer,  having  been 
elected  in  April  of  that  year.  His  wife,  four 
sons,  and  two  daughters  are  still  residents  of 
this  city.  Three  of  the  sons.  James  D., 
George  W.,  and  Miles  S.,  are  civil  engineers. 
James  I).  Saunders,  the  3-ounger,  was  the 
second  child  in  a  famih'  of  nine  children. 
He  was  born  in  Bloomington,  Ind.,  Decem- 
ber 4,  1853,  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation, and  under  his  father's  instructions 
studied  the  science  of  civil  engineering.  In 
1876  and  again  two  years  later  he  was 
elected  count}-  surveyor,  which  oflice  he  re- 
signed in  18S0  to  accept  the  position  of  citj' 
engineer,  to  which  he  had  been  appointed 
by  the  city  council  upon  the  death  of  his 
father.  He  was  elected  by  the  people  in 
the  following  year  and  at  each  election  for 
that  office  until  1887,  at  which  election  he 
was  defeated  b}'  about  200  majority,  as  at 
that  election  the  democratic  party,  of  which 
Mr.  Saunders  is  an  active  member,  was  de- 
feated on  the  vote  for  councilmen  by  nearly 
1,400  majority.  At  present  he  does  the  gen- 
eral business  of  a  civil  engineer.  That  he  is 
thoroughl\-  competent  all  agree,  and  in  his 
ability  the  people  have  uncjuestioned  con- 
fidence. He  stands  at  the  commencement 
of  his  career,  and  measuring  the  future  by 
the  past,  flattering  predictions  may  be  safely 
made.  He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.  and 
I.  O.  O*.  F.  fraternities  and  the  Business 
Men's  Association.     He  was  united  in  mar- 


riage, in  1886,  to  Lizzie  McQuigg,  of  Iron- 
ton,  Ohio,  and  of  this  union  one  child  has  been 
born :  William  M. 

Albert  Joiianx,  carpenter  and  under- 
taker, was  born  in  Prussia,  Jul\-  16,  1831, 
being  the  oldest  son  in  a  famil\-  of  nine 
children.  His  father,  Charles  William 
Johann,  a  harness-maker,  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1848,  and  after  living  a 
few  years  in  this  city  removed  to  Cannelton, 
Ind.,  where  after  a  long  and  busy  life  he 
died  in  July,  1875,  at  the  age  of  sevent}-- 
four  years.  His  mother  still  resides 
at  Cannelton  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
three  years.  Albert  Johann  received  his 
schooling  in  his  native  country,  and  when  a 
young  man  learned  the  trade  of  a  moulder. 
His  health  did  not  permit  him  to  work  at 
this  trade  and  he  learned  that  of  a  house 
carpenter,  at  which  he  worked  occasionally, 
in  connection  with  other  business,  until  1S80. 
Since  1865  he  has  been  engaged  as  an  un- 
dertaker. Fie  began  life  as  a  poor  man. 
When  he  began  business  he  bought  a  small 
house  but  was  able  to  make  a  cash  payment 
of  only  $25.00.  By  industry  and  economy 
he  has  accumulated  a  comfortable  property. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  K. 
and  L.  of  H.  fraternities.  He  is  a  republi- 
can in  politics,  and  his  popularity  is  evidenced 
b}'  the  fact  that  for  two  3'ears  past  he  has 
represented  his  ward  in  the  city  council. 
He  was  married  in  Jul}',  1854,  to  Miss 
Barbara  Spies,  a  native  of  German}-,  and 
daughter  of  Henry  Spies.  Of  this  union 
eight  children  ha\-e  been  born;  Amelia  K., 
Charles  H.,  Lydia  (who  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  }-ears  in  1S80),  Emma  L., 
Albert  II.,  Edward  W.,  Mary  A.,  and 
Eva  A. 

George  W.  Newitt,  superintendent  of 
police,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Chatteris, 
Cambridgeshire,  Englanfl, July  23, 1S47.  His 
father,  William  G.  Newitt,  a  native  of   En- 


£06 


FEDERAL  AND  MUNICIPAL. 


gland,  came  to  Evansville,  directl}^  from  his 
native  land,  in  1859.  While  here  he  was 
engaged  as  a  florist,  and  attained  a  high 
standing  in  social  and  business  circles. 
From  this  cit}^  he  removed  to  Chicago,  111., 
where  he  now  figures  as  one  of  the  most 
prominent  florists  of  that  citv.  hi  1865  his 
wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Louisa 
Eaton,  a  native  of  England,  died  in  this  city. 
Later,  his  marriage  to  Miss  Mattie  Mat- 
thews was  solemnized.  George  W.  Newitt 
is  the  oldest  son  in  a  family-  of  eleven  chil- 
dren, all  living.  He  was  educated  princi- 
pally in  the    schools  of    this   city,  and  under 


his  father's  instruction,  learned  the  business 
of  a  florist,  which  he  pursued  until  1873. 
At  that  time  he  became  identified  with  the 
police  force  of  this  city.  He  has  passed 
through  all  the  grades  of  the  service,  and  is 
recognized  as  a  most  efficient  officer.  His 
political  affiliations  are  with  the  democratic 
party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
and  K.  of  P.  fraternities.  May  22,  1873,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Leanna  Earl,  a  nati\e 
of  this  city,  daughter  of  Robert  Earl,  a  well 
known  citizen.  They  have  been  blessed 
with  three  children:  Flora  L.,  George  W., 
and  Celia. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Banks  —  The  Pioneer  House  — National  Bank  System  —  Evansville  National 
—  First  National  —  German  National  —  Citizens'  National  —  Merchants' 
National —  People's  Savings  Bank —  Private  Houses  —  Building  and  Loan 
Associations. 


kRIOR  to  1S34  Evansville  was  without 
^6  banking  facilities,  and,  indeed,  up  to 
that  time  there  had  been  no  pressing- 
demand  in  the  little  village  for  the  conveni- 
ences necessary  to  rapid  and  extensive  mone- 
tarv  transactions.  When,  that  year,  the  State 
Bank  of  Indiana  was  established,  and  a  branch 
was  located  at  Evansville,  it  was  considered 
a  bold  undertaking  on  the  part  of  its  pro- 
prietors. Subsequent  events,  however, 
showed  that  their  wisdom  was  not  less  than 
their  faith  in  the  future  of  the  town.  The 
banking  business  was  inaugurated  in  a 
small  building  on  Main  street,  where  the 
cashier,  besides  keeping  all  the  books,  acted 
as  porter  and  janitor  as  well.  From  this 
modest  beginning  the  business  has  grown  to 
vast  proportions,  occupying  some  of  the 
largest  and  handsomest  business  buildings 
in  the  citv  and  enlisting  in  its  service  manv 
of  the  most  acute  intellects  of  the  day. 
Capital  being  the  foundation  of  ever)-  kind 
of  business,  there  can  be  no  better  witness 
of  the  prosperitv  and  importance  of  the  city 
at  any  time  than  the  amount  of  capital  pos- 
sessed by  the  banking  institutions  and  used 
by  the  business  concerns  in  the  transaction  of 
their  affairs.  The  advance  of  business  and 
trrowth  of  the  communitv  is  nrobablv  more 
accuratel)'  demonstrated  by  the  growth  of 
the  banking  interest  than  by  any  other  one 
standard  that  can  be  followed  with  equal 
precision.  The  branch  of  the  old  State 
Bank  of  Indiana,  established  here  in  1834, 
had    a    capital,    including  state  deposits  and 


indi\-idual  stock,  of  $80,000.  In  1S43  this 
capital  was  increased  to  $150,000,  of  which 
$73,000  were  state  deposits.  In  1850  the 
banking  capital  here  was  re-enforced  by  the 
establishment  of  the  Canal  Bank,  which 
operated  under  the  charter  of  the  Evans- 
ville Insurance  Company,  the  entire  capital 
of  the  bank  and  insurance  company  being 
$250,000.  Allowing  one  half  of  this  sum 
to  the  bank  would  show  the  entire  banking 
capital  of  the  city  to  have  been  $202,000, 
not  including  state  deposits  in  the  State 
Bank;  which  sufficed  until  1857,  when  a 
branch  of  the  Bank  of  the  State  of  Indiana 
was  established,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000, 
which  increased  the  total  banking  capital  to 
$225,000,  at  which  sum  it  remained  for  six 
3'ears.  The  capital  of  the  branch  of  the  old 
State  Bank,  it  will  be  observed,  is  omitted 
from  the  aggregate  mentioned  as  in  use  in 
1857,  that  institution  having  been  succeeded 
b}'  the  branch  of  the  Bank  of  the  State  of 
Indiana. 

In  1863,  the  First  National  Bank  was  es- 
tablished, with  a  capital  slock  of  $500,000, 
and  in  the  ten  jears  that  followed  the  bank- 
ing capital,  through  the  establishment  of 
new  banks,  private  and  national,  grew  to 
about  $2,400,000.  At  that  time,  the  begin- 
ning of  the  year  1873,  in  addition  to  the 
regular  bank  stock,  there  was  a  surplus  of 
$610,000.00  divided  among  the  several 
National  banks  of  the  city,  making  the  total 
banking  capital  about  $3,000,000.00.  The 
panic  of   1873  caused  many  convulsions   in 

{J07) 


208 


BANKS. 


monetary  circles,  but  no  bank  in  Evansville 
was  seriously  affected.  The  city  has  never 
had  a  bank  failure.  Safetj-  and  stabilit}' 
have  been  preserved  by  careful  and  conserv- 
ative manao;ement.  Depositors  have  never 
had  occasion  for  alarm  and  the  greatest 
confidence  is  placed  in  all  of  the  city  banks 
by  the  general  public.  At  the  present  time 
Evansville  has  four  national,  one  savings  and 
several  private  banks,  all  of  which  are  doing 
a  large  business,  the  combined  capital  being 
in  excess  of  $3,000,000.00,  a  sum  consider- 
abh'  greater  per  capita  of  population  than 
can  be  found  in  many  of  the  principal  cities 
of  the  country.  At  the  close  of  business 
October  4,  1888,  the  loans  and  discounts  of 
the     four     national     banks     amounted      to 

$3,345,777-35- 

A  brief  account  of  the  several  institutions 
properly  begins  with  the  pioneer  corpora- 
tion, the  Evansville  National  Bank.  Organ- 
ized in  1834,  its  capital  including  state  and 
individual  stock  was  $80,000.00.  The  rec- 
ords show  that  the  first  meeting  of  the  board 
of  directors  was  held  November  11,  1834  — 
the  members  being  Robert  Stockwell,  John 
Shanklin,  Marcus  Sherwood,  William  Le^'is, 
William  Owens,  Robert  Barnes,  Chester 
Elliott,  James  Cawson,  Darius  North,  and 
John  Mitchell.  The  board  organized  b}' 
electing  John  Mitchell  president,  and  John 
Douglas  cashier.  These  officers  were  con- 
tinned  until  Mr.  Mitchell's  death,  when  Sam- 
uel Orr  became  president.  In  1843,  the 
capital  of  the  bank  was  increased  to 
$150,000.00,  of  which  $73,000.00  was  owned 
by  the  state.  In  1S47,  George  W.  Rath- 
bone  was  made  cashier,  and  continued  in 
that  position  until  March  4,  1857,  when  the 
bank  was  succeeded  by  the  "Branch  of  the 
Bank  of  the  State  of  Indiana."  The  first 
director}'  board  of  the  new  bank  was  com- 
posed of  Messrs.  G.  W.  Rathbone,  Robert 
Parrett,  H.  Q.  Wheeler,  R.  R.  Roberts,  and 


George  Foster.  Mr.  Rathbone  was  chosen 
president,  and  Samuel  Bavard  cashier.  Jan- 
uar}',  1865,  the  bank  was  reorganized  under 
the  national  banking  act  as  the  Evansville 
National  Bank,  with  a  capital  of  $300,000.00, 
which  was  subsequently  increased  to 
$800,000.00.  W.  J.  Lowry  was  made  pres- 
ident, and  R.  R.  Roberts  cashier,  but  after- 
ward Samuel  Bayard  became  cashier,  and 
still  later  all  the  officers  were  changed,  Mr. 
Rathbone  being  elected  president,  Mr.  Bay- 
ard, vice-president,  and  V.  M.  Watkins, 
cashier.  J.  G.  Kennedy  succeeded  Mr. 
Watkins,  and  in  1873  having  resigned,  his 
place  was  in  turn  occupied  by  Henry  Reis, 
the  present  cashier.  Mr.  Bayard  succeeded 
Mr.  Rathbone,  who  subsequenth-  removed  to 
New  York  cit}',  and  Mr.  John  Gilbert  was 
selected  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by 
Mr.  Bayard's  advancement.  In  June,  1883, 
the  charter  of  the  bank  expired,  at  which 
time  with  the  renewal  of  its  charter,  its  name 
was  changed  to  the  "  Old  JVcitioiial  Baiik.''^ 
The  otllcers  of  the  bank  at  this  time  are 
Samuel  Bayard,  president;  John  Gilbert, 
vice-president;  Henrj-  Reis,  cashier;  Samuel 
Bayard,  David  J.  Mackej',  William  Ileilman 
Robert  K.  Dunkerson,  Henry  F.  Blount, 
William  M.  Akin,  Edward  G.  Ragon,  and 
John  Gilbert,  directors;  a  galaxy  of  names 
guaranteeing  fidelity  to  trust,  and  superior 
abilitv  in  the  conduct  of  affairs.  The  capital 
stock  of  the  bank  is  $500,000.00;  its  surplus 
$250,000.00,  and  its  deposits  940,980.57. 
The  stock  has  paid  large  dividends  and  com- 
mands a  high  premium  in  the  market.  The 
building  now  occupied  b}'  the  bank  on  the 
west  side  of  Main  street,  between  Water 
and  First,  was  built  in  1836.  It  is  a  massive 
structure  of  imposing  aspect,  substantially 
built  and  well  arranged  for  the  transaction 
of  the  business  which  it  was  designed  to  ac- 
commodate. In  the  present  year  the  build- 
ing  has    been  thoroughly  repaired   and  re- 


BANKS. 


209 


fitted,  its  interior  arrangement  and  finish  dis- 
playing the  highest  degrees  of  art  and  skill- 
Tlie  building  is  valued  at  $27,577.94.  The 
career  of  the  institution  has  been  remarkable, 
growing  in  strength  and  popular  favor  as 
the  years  have  advanced.  From  its  organ- 
ization as  a  small  bank  in  1834,  it  has 
wielded  a  beneficent  influence  on  the  busi- 
ness affairs  of  this  part  of  the  country.  Its 
obligations  have  been  fulfilled  to  the  letter 
always,  and  because  of  its  acknowledged 
solidity  and  wise  management,  it  was  selected 
as  a  national  depositor}-.  The  chief  execu- 
tive of  the  bank,  Mr.  Bayard,  has  been 
identified  with  it  for  more  than  a  third  of  a 
centurv,  and  has,  bv  his  financial  ability, 
sound  judgment  and  high  reputation  for  ex- 
ecutive skill  and  untarnished  honor,  con- 
duced in  no  small  degree  to  the  success  and 
financial  repute  of  tiie  bank,  now  the  oldest 
institution  of  the  kind  in  southwestern  Indi- 
ana, and  in  financial  circles  everywhere 
recognized  as  one  of  the  best  and  soundest  in 
the  state. 

T/ic  F'ifft  J^^jlioiial  Bank. — The  Evans- 
ville  Insurance  Company,  which  was  granted 
a  perpetual  charter  with  banking  privileges, 
January  21,  1850,  commenced  business  under 
that  charter  as  the  Canal  Bank,  which  was 
organized  in  the  same  year,  the  entire  capital 
of  the  insurance  company  and  bank  being 
$250,000.  John  M.  Stock  well  was  elected 
president  and  James  G.  Jones  secretary,  who 
was  very  soon  thereafter  succeeded  by 
W.  T.  Page.  Operating  under  the  free 
banking  law  of  Indiana  for  many  years,  the 
concern  did  a  successful  business. 

The  growth  of  the  nation,  the  friendly 
and  unrestricted  commercial  relations  be- 
tween the  several  states,  the  development  of 
natural  resources,  the  increase  of  the  prod- 
ucts of  the  farm  and  the  shop,  the  progress 
of  commercial  and  manufacturing  interests, 
naturallv  brintrintr  about  a  vast  exchantre  of 


commodities,  rendered  necessary  a  system 
of  exchange,  or  correspondence,  which 
would  make  the  medium  of  exchange  of  a 
certain  and  fixed  value  in  all  parts  of  the 
country.  The  facilities  for  banking  and 
issuing  currency  afforded  by  state  laws  were 
very  faulty  because  of  the  fluctuations  of 
values  in  monev'  carried  from  one  state  to 
another.  To  remedy  this  the  national 
banking  law  was  enacted,  by  which  national 
banks  invest  their  capital  in  the  bonds  of  the 
national  government  and  by  a  deposit  of 
these  in  the  United  States  Treasury,  receive 
a  proportionate  amount  of  their  value  in 
notes  countersigned  b}'  the  officials  and 
issued  b\'  that  department,  thus  pro- 
viding, for  circulation  among  the  people,  an 
issue  guaranteed  by  the  credit  of  the  nation. 
By  this  means  uniformity  of  values  is  se- 
cured and  bank  notes  circulate  freely  and 
without  (question,  and  at  par,  all  over  the 
country.  The  first  bank  in  Evansville  and 
indeed  the  sixth  in  the  United  States  to 
make  application  for  a  charter  under  the 
new  national  bank  law,  was  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Evansville,  Ind.,  which 
was  incorporated  in  1S63  with  a  capital  of 
$250,000,  which  was  subsequently  increased 
to  $500,000.  This  bank,  although  the 
sixth  to  make  application  for  a  charter,  was 
the  twenty-seventh  bank  chartered.  Some 
mistake  was  made  bv  which  a  trip  to  Evans- 
ville from  Washington  on  the  part  of  those 
having  the  matter  in  cliarge  was  necessitated, 
during  which  time  twenty-one  other  banks 
were  chartered.  II.  Q.  Wheeler  was  its 
first  president  as  a  national  bank,  with  W. 
T.  Page  as  cashier.  The  fiirst  board  of  di- 
rectors was  composed  of  Gillison  Maghee, 
Robert  Barnes,  Charles  Viele,  John  S. 
Hopkins,  John  Ingle,  jr.,  M.  J.  Bray,  S.  M. 
Archer,  H.  Q.  Wheeler  and  William 
Brown,  all  men  of  great  prominence  in  the 
annals  of     Evansville.     Mr.     Wheeler     was 


210 


BANKS. 


succeeded  in  the  presidency  in  1867,  by 
Hon.  John  S.  Hopkins,  and  he,  in  1S80  bv 
Charles  Viele.  Each  of  the  three  presidents  of 
this  bank  has  been  a  distinguished  citizen  of 
pure  character,  unsuUied  reputation,  and  of 
great  executive  abihty.  Mr.  James  H.  Cut- 
ler, the  present  cashier,  was  elected  to  that 
position  in  1S65,  and  bv  his  wise,  conserva- 
tive, and  honorable  conduct  has  contributed 
largely  to  the  present  soundness  and  popu- 
larity of  the  institution.  The  present  officers 
are:  Charles  Viele,  president;  James  H. 
Cutler,  cashier;  Will  Warren,  assistant 
cashier;  Thomas  E.  Garvin,  John  Ingle, 
Charles  Viele,  M.  J.  Bray,  Isaac  Keen,  F.  J. 
Reitz,  Cyprian  Preston  and  James  H.  Cut- 
ler, directors.  In  1882  the  original  charter 
expired,  at  which  time  a  ne.v  one  was 
applied  for  and  received.  From  the  com- 
mencement of  its  career  this  bank  has  en- 
joyed a  successful  business.  Good  dividends 
have  been  paid  regularly  on  its  stock,  which 
has  always  been  considered  most  desirable 
property.  Its  capital  and  surplus  now 
amount  to  $700,000;  its  deposits  to  $818,- 
894.25.  The  banking  house  at  the  corner 
of  Main  and  First  streets,  is  a  handsome 
edifice,  with  every  convenience  in  its  internal 
arrangement  for  the  transaction  of  its  large 
business.  It  was  built  in  1864  and  rebuilt 
and  remodeled  in  1882.  Its  value  now  is 
$40,000. 

T/ic  German  A\itiunal  Bank. —  In  January, 
1873,  the  charter  of  the  East  Chester  Na- 
tional Bank,  of  Mt.  Vernon,  New  York, 
was  purchased  and  transferred  to  this  citv, 
and  permission  granted  bv  Congress  to 
change  the  name  to  the  "  German  National 
Bank  of  Evansville."  The  capital  stock 
was  placed  at  $250,000,  with  permission  to 
increase  it  to  $500,000.  The  first  officers 
were  Samuel  Orr,  president;  John  A.  Reitz, 
vice-president,  and  Phil  C.  Decker,  cashier. 
Directors:    Samuel    Orr,    John     A.     Reitz, 


Samuel  Bayard,  Thomas  Kerth,  Edward 
Boetticher,  H.  M.  Sweetser,  Chas.  Schulte, 
Theo.  R.  McFerson  and  Phil  C.  Decker. 

In  January,  1883,  Mr.  Orr  was  succeeded 
in  the  presidency  by  John  A.  Reitz;  at  the 
same  time  Phil  C.  Decker  became  vice- 
president  and  Henry  L.  Cook,  cashier.  At 
the  present  time  the  directors  are  John  A. 
Reitz,  Samuel  Bayard,  Thomas  Kerth,  P.  C. 
Decker,  Chas.  Schulte,  Edward  Boetticher, 
William  Rahm,  jr.,  James  C.  Orr  and  R.  K. 
Dunkerson.  Its  capital  and  surplus  amount 
to  $300,000.00,  and  its  deposits  to  $327,- 
049.39.  This  bank  commenced  its  career 
at  No.  216  Upper  First  street,  and  now  oc- 
cupies convenient  and  commodious  quarters 
at  the  corner  of  Third  and  Main  streets. 
Its  management  has  been  wise,  and  success- 
ful, there  being  at  the  present  time  $154,- 
489.45  in  undivided  profits.  Those  who 
control  its  affairs  are  citizens  who  have  been 
identified  for  many  vears  with  the  business 
interests  of  the  citv.  Their  capacity  as 
financiers  has  been  amph'  demonstrated  in 
the  career  of  this  bank. 

Citizens'  JCa/ional Bank. — This  bank  was 
organized  in  1873,  and  commenced  business 
at  No.  121  Upper  First  street  as  successors 
to  the  private  banking  house  of  W.  J. 
Lovvry  &  Co.  It  began  with  an  authorized 
capital  of  $175,000.  Its  first  officers  were: 
R.  C.  Slaughter,  president;  S.  P.  Gillett, 
cashier.  Directors:  R.  C.  Slaughter,  John 
J.  Roach,  L.  Swormstedt,  George  P.  Hud- 
speth, Samuel  Vickery,  F.  W.  Cook,  James 
H.  McNeely,  Fred  Lunkenheimer  and  S.  P. 
Gillett.  In  1878  Mr.  Slaughter  retired 
from  the  presidencv  of  the  bank,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Matthew  Henning,  who,  in 
1883,  was  succeeded  by  S.  P.  Gillett,  the 
present  chief  executive.  In  1883  the  office 
of  vice-president  was  created,  and  Dr.  C.  P. 
Bacon  was  chosen  to  serve  as  vice-presi- 
dent.   At  the  same  time  William  L.  Sworm- 


BANKS. 


an 


steclt  was  appointed  assistant  cashier,  and  in 
the  followinj^  year  was  made  casliier,  the 
duties  of  which  important  office  he  has  dis- 
charged with  great  satisfaction  to  the  officers 
and  patrons  of  the  bank.  The  present 
board  of  directors  is  composed  of  ihe  follow- 
ing citizens:  F.  W.  Cook,  C  II.  Kellogg, 
L.  Lowenthal,  A.  C.  Tanner,  Samuel 
Vickery,  S.  P.  Gillett,  F.  Lauenstein, 
W.  M.  Akin  and  C.  P.  Bacon.  The  capital 
stock  and  surplus  amount  to  $240,000;  its 
deposits  to  $281,448.92.  The  banking 
house  is  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  Main 
streets. 

The  Merchants'  A\itioiiaI  Bank. —  A  his- 
tory of  the  banks  of  Evansville  would  be  in- 
complete without  some  mention  of  the  Mer- 
chants' National  Bank,  which,  though  now 
out  of  existence,  at  one  time  wielded  a  large 
influence  in  monetary  circles  here.  It  was 
organized  February  8th,  1865.  The  capital 
stock  was  $350,000,  all  of  which  was 
promptly  taken,  notwithstanding  it  followed 
closely  on  the  heels  of  two  national  banks 
heretofore  spoken  of.  The  directors  for  the 
first  year  were  C.  R.  Bement,  Richard 
Raleigh,  W.  J.  Dallam,  J.  G.  Venemann,  W. 
W.  Morgan,  John  A.  Reitz,  Morris  Ranger, 
and  Isaac  Keen  —  Mr.  Bement  president, 
and  John  D.  Roach  cashier.  In  1868  the 
officers  were  Richard  Raleigh,  president; 
John  A.  Reitz,  vice-president,  and  Chas.  W. 
Kerney,  cashier.  In  1868  H.  L.  Meadows 
succeeded  Mr.  Kerney  as  cashier;  in  1869 
Mr.  Bement  was  again  chosen  president. 
Matt  llenning,  vice-president,  and  J.  A. 
Lemcke,  cashier.  Chas.  Decker  succeeded 
Mr.  Lemcke  as  cashier  in  187 1,  and  in  1872 
C.  R.  Bement  again  became  president,  and 
Matt  llenning  cashier.  Subseijuentlv  Mr. 
John  Gilbert  became  vice-president  of  the 
bank  and  other  changes  occurred  before  the 
bank  ceased  doing  business.  A  large  pro- 
portion of  the  stock    was   owned  by    three 


wealthy  gentlemen,  who  concluded,  about 
1885,  to  conduct  the  business  as  a  private 
bank,  and  surrendered  its  charter,  granted 
b}-  the  national  government.  After  about  a 
year's  time  it  discontinued  business,  without 
loss,  however,  to  any  of  its  patrons.  In  1873, 
at  the  corner  of  Main  and  First  streets,  a 
very  handsome  banking  house  was  erected 
at  a  cost  of  $40,000. 

The  People's.  Savings  Bank. —  Organized 
under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Indiana,  this 
bank  opened  its  doors  for  business  on  the 
5th  day  of  May,  1870.  Its  first  officers 
were:  Gen.  J.  M.  Shackelford,  president; 
John  D.  Roach,  secretary  and  treasurer; 
J.  M.  Shackelford,  Eccles  G.  Van  Riper, 
M.  Muhlhausen,  John  Laval,  James  Steele, 
Fred  Lunkenheimer,  Christian  Hedderich 
and  James  W.  Lauer,  trustees.  After  the 
death  of  Mr.  Roach,  in  1870,  Dr.  John 
Laval  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer. 
January  14,  1880,  Dr.  Laval  resigned,  and 
on  March  19th  following,  Fred  Lunken- 
heimer was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  thus 
occasioned.  His  successor  was  Maj.  Jesse 
W.  Walker,  who  served  from  April  i,  1885, 
to  April  25,  1888,  the  date  of  his  death. 
On  May  14,  1888,  Col.  John  Rheinlander 
was  elected  to  discharge  the  duties  of  this 
important  trust,  and  is  now  serving. 

Gen.  J.  M.  Shackelford  served  as  presi- 
dent of  the  bank  from  its  establishment  un- 
til May  27,  1878,  and  M.  Henning  from  that 
date  until  May  31,  1884,  when  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Dr.  M.  Muhlhausen,  the  present 
chici  executive.  The  vice-president  is  Mr. 
H.  V.  Bennighof.  At  the  outset  the  duties 
of  cashier  were  performed  by  the  secretary 
and  treasurer,  but  when  the  business  trans- 
acted became  so  large  as  to  demand  the 
appointment  of  a  cashier,  Jacob  Haas  was 
selected  as  such.  On  April  i,  1880,  he  was 
succeeded  by  Michael  Schaeffer,  the  present 
efficient    cashier.     The    present    board   of 


PA% 


BANKS. 


trustees  is  composed  of:  Dr.  M.  Muhl- 
hausen,  H.  V.  Bennighof,  M.  Henning,  Gen. 
J.  M.  Shackelford,  James  Steele,  Col.  John 
Rheinlander  and  Clements  Reitz. 

During  the  first  day  of  its  career  the  bank 
secured  two  depositors,  one  making  a  deposit 
of  $2.00,  and  the  other  of  $1.00,  and  the 
doors  were  closed  on  the  dullest  day's  busi- 
ness ever  known  to  it.  From  this  small 
beginning  it  has  daily  grown  in  favor  with 
the  people  until  at  this  time  its  active  depos- 
itors number  about  2,500,  and  its  average 
deposits  exceed  $650,000.00.  The  bank 
has  paid  a  semi-annual  dividend  to  its  depos- 
itors for  the  use  of  their  money,  which  has 
ranged  from  4  to  10  per  cent,  according 
to  the  earnings.  It  has  been  fortunate,  and 
wisely  managed,  has  passed  safely  through 
the  periods  of  financial  depression,  and  has 
alwa^'s  received  and  merited  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  its  patrons,  who  are  found 
among  all  classes.  Every  dollar  intrusted 
to  its  keeping  has  been  faithfully  and  hon- 
estly accounted  for.  In  addition  to  the 
banks  thus  far  mentioned,  several  private 
banking  houses  have  been  established  in 
the  city  to  meet  unusual  demands  made 
at  particular  periods  for  banking  conveni- 
ences. A  leading  one  of  these  institutions 
is  the  banking  house  of  Archer  &  Co.,  which 
employs  a  considerable  amount  of  capital, 
and  does  an  active  business. 

Building-  and  Loan  Associations.  —  The 
legislature  of  Indiana,  by  an  act  approved 
March  5,  1857,  which  has  been  much  im- 
proved by  subsequent  laws,  provided  for  the 
organization  of  building  and  loan  associa- 
tions, which  because  of  their  patrons,  the 
simplicity  of  their  workings  and  the  small 
payments  required  to  secure  the  possession 
of  shares,  have  been  well  named  "  poor 
men's  banks."  Perhaps  no  single  agency 
has  done  more  toward  enabling  the  poorer 
classes,  those  who    eat  their  bread  by  the 


sweat  of  their  faces,  to  own  their  own  homes 
and  to  lay  up  trivial  amounts,  which  in  the 
aggregate  secure  many  of  life's  comforts, 
small  sums  that  would  otherwise  have  been 
wasted.  The  declared  objects  of  these  in- 
stitutions are,  to  increase  capital  by  accumu- 
lation, to  assist  their  members  in  the 
acquisition  of  real  estate,  in  the  erection  of 
buildings  and  in  the  removal  of  incum- 
brances on  property.  The  pioneer  associa- 
tion of  this  kind  in  the  city  was  organized  in 
May,  1873,  with  the  following  list  of  officers: 
Charles  E.  Baker,  president;  N.  B.  Hay- 
ward,  vice-president;  J.  W.  Jenner,  secre- 
tary; H.  C.  Warren,  treasurer  and  J.  B. 
Rucker,  solicitor.  The  benefits  of  such  an 
association,  wisel}-  and  carefully  managed, 
soon  became  apparent,  and  on  July  i8th, 
1874,  ^  second  association  was  formed. 
From  that  time  to  the  present  this  financial 
element  has  been  bus}-  accumulating  money 
and  building  houses  for  those  who  are  will- 
ing to  save  little  at  a  time  and  utilize  the  re- 
sults of  their  toil.  As  the  city  grows  their 
number  increases.  All  through  the  outer 
portions  of  the  city  are  neat  and  at- 
tractive homes  inhabited  by  happy  families 
enjoying  the  independence  that  ownership 
of  a  home  affords.  There  are  ten  of  these 
associations  in  the  city,  with  a  capital  stock 
of  $500,000.00  each,  that  being  the  limit 
fi.ved  by  law. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Hon.  John  S.  Hopkins  was  born  in 
Truxton,  N.  Y.,  October  28,  181 1,  and  died 
at  his  home  in  this  tity  July  6,  1882.  He 
was  a  son  of  the  pioneer,  Edward  Hopkins, 
and  came  to  Evansville  with  his  father  in 
the  fall  of  1 819.  From  that  time  until  his 
death  he  was  continuoush'  a  resident  of  this 
city,  and  few  men,  if  any,  have  been  more 
prominently  identified  with  its  material 
growth  and  advancement  from  the  condition 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


213 


of  a  village  to  that  of  a   great  and    prosper- 
ous city.     On    the    9th  of  December,  1834, 
he    was     married    to    Mary   Ann     Parrett, 
daughter  of  Rev.   Robert    Parrett,   founder 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Evans- 
ville.     Mrs.  Hopkins  survived  her    husband 
until  18S6.     Her  life  was  full  of  good  works 
and    every    Christian    virtue    adorned    her 
character.     The  bo\'hood  of  John    S.    Hop- 
kins was  spent  in  the    village  of   Evansville 
and  his  education  was  only  such  as  could  be 
obtained  in  the  inferior  schools  of   that   day. 
His  natural    abilities,  however,    were    of    a 
high    order    and    the  experience  of  a  bus}' 
life  developed  in  him    a    strong,   clear  mind 
and  great  force  of   character.     From    early 
manhood   he    was    an    active   business  man 
and  a  prosperous  and  praiseworthy    citizen, 
and  no  man  e\er  li\ed    in    this    communit}- 
who  more  fully  possessed  the    entire    confi- 
dence and  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens.  For 
man}'  years    he    was  engaged   in    merchan- 
dise,  and  built  up  an  ample  fortune,  though 
alwavs  liberal  in  his  contributions  to  all  pub- 
lic enterprises  and  in  his  private  benefactions. 
Though  a  man  of  the  most  positive   convic- 
tions   and    unflinching    moral    courage,    he 
had,    probably,    not   an  enemy  in  the   entire 
circle  of  his  acquaintance.       Though    of   a 
retiring  and  modest  disposition  he  was  often 
called  to  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility. 
In  1837  he  was  elected   to    the    responsible 
position    of    city    collector.      In     1840    he 
became  a  member  of  the    city  council,    and 
several  times  afterward  was  made    a    mem- 
ber of  the  nuuiicipal  board.    He  was  elected 
mayor  of  the  city  in  the  spring  of  1853,  and 
served  from  April  9  of   that    year  to    April 
12,    1856.     In    1861,    at    a    time   when  the 
patriotism    and    sterling   i]ualities   of    every 
citizen  were  tried,  he  was  a  member  of    the 
Indiana  legislature,  and  again   in    1878    and 
1879,  and  in   all    these    important    positions 
cquitted  himself  in  a  manner  honorable  to 


himself  and  meeting  the  full  approval  of  his 
constituency.  After  retiring  from  mercan- 
tile pursuits,  he  was  chosen  president  of  the 
First  National  bank  at  its  organization, 
which  position  he  held  till  about  1880. 
Before  the  organization  of  this  bank  he  wrts 
president  of  the  old  Canal  bank.  For 
three  years  he  was  president  of  the  Evans- 
ville, Cairo  &  Memphis  Packet  Company,  in 
which  position  he  manifested  the  same 
sagacity  and  sound  judgment  that  marked 
his  entire  career.  During  the  last  }ear  of 
his  life  he  was  almost  entirely  retired  from 
acti\e  life,  performing  only  such  duties  as 
devolved  upon  him  as  a  director  in  several 
corporations.  From  its  infancy  lie  was  a 
director  of  the  Evansville  Si  Terre  Haute 
Railroad  and  was  connected  in  various  wa}S 
with  many  of  the  great  enterprises  of  the 
city.  After  retiring  from  the  presidency 
of  the  Evansville,  Cairo  &  Memphis  Packet 
Company,  as  though  possessing  a  premoni- 
tion that  the  end  was  drawing  near,  he 
engaged  himself  in  "  setting  his  house  in 
order."  In  the  last  year  of  his  life  he 
visited  the  home  of  his  youth,  and  afterward 
gave  patrimonies  to  his  children,  so  that 
when  the  final  summons  came  it  found  him 
ready  in  all  respects.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  three  sisters  and  seven,  children  sur- 
vived him.  His  sisters  were  Mrs.  Charles 
Viele,  Mrs.  Charles  Babcock  and  Mrs.  Eliza 
Wheeler.  His  children  were:  Frank  Hop- 
kins, Mrs.  Alexander  H.  Foster,  Robert  F. 
Hopkins,  Mrs.  Edward  Tombler,  John  S. 
Hopkins,  jr.,  Mrs.  Frank  Byrnes  and 
Edward  O.  Hopkins.  In  many  respects 
Mr.  Hopkins  was  a  remarkable  man.  He 
was  an  honored  citizen  and  the  tender  and 
sincere  sorrow  of  the  entire  communit\'  fol- 
lowed him  to  his  final  resting  place. 

Charles  Vikle  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
the  city  of  Evansville,  and  one  of  its  most 
prominent    and    best   known   business   men. 


2U 


BANKS. 


His  history,  therefore,  is  an  essential  part  of 
the  history  of  Evansville,  though  Mr.  Viele 
very  reluctantly  yielded  his  consent  to  the 
appearance  in  this  chapter  of  a  personal 
mention  of  himself.  He  was  born  in  Pitts- 
town,  Rensselaer  count}.  New  York,  No- 
vember 22,  1818.  His  parents,  Abraham 
and  Hannah  (Douglas)  Viele  were  natives 
of  the  state  of  New  York,  the  former  of 
French  and  the  latter  of  Scotch  extraction. 
The  elder  Viele  was  a  prominent  and  suc- 
cessful manufacturer  of  agricultural  imple- 
ments and  machinery,  and  one  of  the 
influential  citizens  of  Rensselaer  county.  He 
was  largely  identified  with  local  politics,  and 
for  many  years  occupied  various  positions  of 
trust.  Charles  was  the  youngest  son.  His 
boyhood  was  passed  in  the  village  of  Valley 
Falls,  where  he  received  an  academical  edu- 
cation. Earl}-  in  life  he  evidenced  the  pos- 
session of  that  spirit  of  push,  energy  and 
enterprise  which  is  characteristic  of  New 
York  people.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he 
resolved  to  avail  himself  of  the  advantages 
offered  bv  settlement  in  what  was  then 
known  as  the  "  Far  West."  Li  the  spring 
of  1836,  in  company  with  Mr.  A.  B.  Car- 
penter, he  left  the  place  of  his  nativity,  and 
after  a  tedious  journey,  b)'  rail  to  Columbia, 
Pa.,  then  the  terminus  of  all  western  railroads, 
thence  b\'  stage  to  Pittsburgh  and  by  boat  to 
Evansville;  arrived  in  this  city  on  the  26th 
day  of  March,  1S36.  Evansville  had  at  this 
time  reached  the  distinction  of  a  village,  and 
under  his  observation,  and,  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent, through  his  identification  with  its  inter- 
ests, it  has  become  the  second  citj'  in  the 
state  of  Indiana.  His  first  employment  was 
as  clerk  in  the  store  of  A.  B.  Carpenter, 
with  whom  he  remained  until  1S40,  when, 
in  company  with  Mr.  Asa  B.  Bement,  the}' 
founded  the  house  of  Bement  &  Viele,  which 
became  one  of  the  largest  and  most  success- 
ful grocery  houses  in  the  stale.     The  tirm  of 


Bement  &  Viele  was  dissolved  in  1865,  and 
was  succeeded  by  that  of  Charles  Viele  & 
Co.  In  1870  Mr.  Viele  retired,  his  son 
George  B.  being  his  successor,  and  the  firm 
of  V^iele,  Stockwell  &  Co.  was  established. 
For  more  than  one -half  a  century  he  has 
been  largely  identified  with  the  financial  in- 
terests of  Evansville.  In  1850  the  Evans- 
ville Insurance  Company  was  organized, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $250,000.  The 
charter  contained  insurance  and  banking 
privileges  of  a  liberal  character,  and  was  a 
financial  success  from  its  inception.  Mr. 
Viele  was  a  member  of  the  first  board  of 
directors,  and  it  is  stated  that  it  was  largel}- 
through  his  influence  and  energy  that  the 
company  was  brought  into  existence.  Mr. 
Viele  has  never  dissolved  his  connection 
with  this  bank,  of  which  he  has  been  the 
financial  head  for  many  years,  and  its  presi- 
dent since  1879.  To  give  a  detailed  history 
of  his  connection  with  the  various  enterprises 
with  \vhich  he  has  been  identified  in  the  half 
centur\'  that  he  has  been  a  resident  of 
Evansville  would  require  more  space  than  is 
at  the  disposal  of  the  writer.  All  enterprises, 
however,  that  have  had  for  their  object  the 
advancement  of  the  interests  of  the  city  of 
Evansville  have  always  found  in  him  a  firm 
friend  and  patron.  Mr.  Viele  is  now  in  the 
seventieth  year  of  his  age,  and  in  full  posses- 
sion of  his  mental  and  physical  powers. 
Extended  travel,  years  of  practical  experience 
and  close  observation  in  social,  political  and 
business  matters  have  given  him  a  position 
that  is  attained  but  by  few.  It  can  be  said 
of  him  that,  in  the  half  century  of  his  busi- 
ness life,  his  escutcheon  has  never  been 
marred  by  one  single  act  not  conformable 
in  every  way  to  the  strictest  rule  of  right 
and  justice,  and  his  career  is  worthy  of  emu- 
lation by  all  classes  and  conditions  of  young 
men.  His  liberality  is  proverbial,  and  during 
financial  depressions  he  has  frei|uently  gone 


BIOGRAPHICJU.. 


213 


to  those  w  horn  he  knew  to  be  in  distress  and 
by  his  tinaneial  aid  and  advice  carried  them 
to  a  phice  of  safety.  hi  his  rehgious  and 
political  affiliations  he  is  an  Episcopalian  and 
a  republican.  He  has  never  aspired  to  po- 
litical prefernieiit,  choosing  to  devote  his 
energies  to  the  cares  of  his  business,  rather 
than  mingle  in  political  life.  Me  has  done  a 
great  work  in  the  advancement  of  the  moral 
and  rehgious  interests  of  Evansville  and  to 
him  as  much  as  to  anyone  else  the  church  of 
St.  Paul's  is  indebted,  not  onl\-  for  the  beauti- 
ful building  that  bears  its  name  but  for  the 
prominent  position  it  holds  among  the  sister 
churches  of  the  state.  In  184S  Mr.  Viele 
was  married  to  Miss  Mar}-  J.,  daughter  of 
Judge  Edward  Hopkins.  Six  children 
were  the  result  of  this  union,  of  whom  his 
sons  George  11,  Walter  S.  and  Edward  N. 
are  now  living. 

John  Gilbkrt,  vice-president  of  the  Old 
National  J5ank,  was  born  in  Chester  county, 
Pa.,  April  20,  1818.  His  ancestors  were 
among  the  first  settlers  of  New  England, 
having  arrived  there  with  the  Puritan 
fathers  in  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth 
centur}-.  His  great-grandfather  was  one  of 
the  first  to  enlist  in  the  revolutionary  army, 
and  was  killed  at  Breed's  Hill,  the  first  bat- 
tle of  the  war.  His  parents,  Joseph  and 
Mary  (Stewart)  Gilbert,  were  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  but  early  crossed  the  AUe- 
ghanies  and  settled  on  a  farm  about  forty 
miles  west  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  Clark 
county.  Here  the  boyhood  of  John  Gilbert 
was  spent,  in  the  manner  common  to  farmer's 
lads  of  that  da}-.  His  opportunities  for  ob- 
taining an  education  were  necessarily  meagre, 
but  he  did  not  fail  to  take  advantage  of  such 
as  were  afforded  b}-  the  imperfect  schools  of 
the  new  country.  Through  the  winter 
months  of  three  years  in  his  life,  when  his 
services  were  not  needed  ort  the  f;irm,  he 
was  sent  to  school,  where  he  was  instructed 


in  the  elementar}-  branches  of  learning.    He 
supplemented    this    instruction    with    much 
miscellaneous     reading    and    study,    which 
strengthened    his   mind    and   .stored   it    with 
useful    information,      hi    1836    he    came    to 
Indiana  in  the  employ  of  the  American  Fur 
Company,  at  a  salary  of  $15.00  per  month. 
The  company  had  a  warehouse  on  the  cor- 
ner of  First  and  Division  streets  in  this  city, 
and  engaged   in   the  purchase,  packing,  and 
shipping  of  large  quantities  of  furs  and  deer 
skins.     The    territory    between     Evansville 
and  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  was  "  worked  "  b\-  Mr. 
Gilbert  for  two  years,  during  which  time  he 
learned  the  ways  of  the  people  and  saw  that 
he  could  better  his  condition  by  working  for 
himself.     This   new  west,  then   rapidly  de- 
veloping, began  to  teem  with  opportunities 
for    the    young,    energetic,    and    ambitious. 
He    had  saved    his   earnings   and  bought  a 
team    of    horses.     Clocks    were    about    this 
time  introduced  to  the  pioneers  of  the  west 
and  were   easily   sold   at   good   prices,   but 
money  was  scarce   and  the-\ender  was  gen- 
erally required  to  sell  on  credit  or  take  his  pay 
in  trade.   Young  Gilbert  traded  his  horses  for 
clocks  and  traded  his  clocks  to  the  farmers 
for  cattle,  drove  his  cattle  to  the  markets  of 
St.  Louis,  and  thus  laid  the  foundation  for  his 
present  splendid  fortune.      He  then  settled 
at   Golconda,  in   Pope  county,  Ills.,  and  be- 
gan the    business    of    a    general    merchant, 
at  the  same  time  bu}ing   tobacco  and  other 
country  produce.      His  restless  activity,  close 
attention    to   business,  and  steadfast  adher- 
ence to  honorable    methods,  gained  for  him 
wealth  and  high  social  position.       His  abili- 
ties as  a  manager  grew  with  the  increase  of 
his  capital.     For  twenty  years  he  continued 
his    mercantile    pursuits    at    Golconda    with 
success.       During  this  time  he  embarked  in 
the    steamboat  business,     his  first    venture 
being  in  a  line  of  steamers  between   Louis- 
ville, Ky.,   and   New  Orleans,    La.,  and  he 


216 


BANKS. 


has  since  been  prominently  identified  with 
steamboat  interests  on  various  rivers  of  the 
west.  During  the  civil  war  period  he  owned 
several  boats  in  the  service  of  the  govern- 
ment,  and  was  president  of  a  line  of  steam- 
ers plying  between  this  city  and  Cairo.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  he  organized  the 
Evansville  &  Tennessee  River  Packet  Com- 
pany, and  started  the  first  boat  on  the  line 
from  Evansville  to  Florence,  Ala.  This  line 
has  ever  since  made  regular  trips  between 
the  two  points.  He  has  been  connected 
with  the  Evansville  and  Cairo  line  of  steam- 
boats since  its  organization,  and  was  lar<rel\- 
interested  in  the  E\ansville  &  New  Orleans 
Packet  Companv  while  it  existed.  Since 
his  connection  with  steamboat  matters  he 
has  had  built,  either  for  himself  or  for  the 
companies  he  represented,  a  number  of 
steamboats,  prominent  among  which  are  the 
"W.  A.  Johnson,"  "Silver  Cloud,"  "Idle- 
wild,"  "Red  Cloud,"  and  "Joe  Fowler." 
His  vessel  interests  being  centered  princi- 
pally at  Evansville,  he  removed  here  in  1S72 
and  has  since  been  identified  with  the  vari- 
ous interests  of  the  citj-.  As  originator  and 
vice-president  of  the  Citizens'  Insurance 
company,  vice-president  of  the  Merchants' 
National  bank,  president  of  the  Evansville 
Street  Railway  company,  vice-president  of 
the  Old  National  bank,  and  as  a  stockholder 
in  \-arious  other  enterprises,  he  has  exhib- 
ited rare  skill  and  sagacity  as  a  man  of 
affairs.  He  is  also  president  of  the  Paducah, 
Ky.,  gas  company,  and  a  large  stockholder 
in  the  Citizens  National  bank  of  that  place. 
Dunng  his  residence  at  Golconda,  111.,  he 
held  the  office  of  ma3'or  of  that  city,  and 
since  coming  to  Evansville  has  been  one  of 
her  most  enterprising  and  public  spirited 
citizens. 

January  6th,  1S42,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Cornelia  A.  Bucklin,  a  native  of  Massachu- 
setts,   whose    death,  occurring    December 


29th,  1S87,  was  deeply  lamented  b}-  the 
many  friends  whom  the  beaut)-  of  her  char- 
acter had  drawn  about  her.  Of  this  union 
six  children  have  been  born:  Henr\'  C, 
Eliza,  Fannie  G.,  Mar\',  'William  and  John. 
Col.  Johx  Riieinlander,  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  People's  Savings  Bank,  has 
achieved  an  honorable  record  as  citizen  and 
soldier.  April  26,  1828,  and  the  city  of 
Heilegenstadt,  Germanv,  were  the  date  and 
place  of  his  birth.  His  parents,  Godfried 
Rheinlander  and  wife,  emigrated  from  Ger- 
many to  this  country  in  1844.  A  year  later 
they  reached  Evansville,  ha\ing  sojourned 
for  a  time  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  They  were 
respectable  people,  with  the  simple  ways 
and  industrious  habits  of  the  pioneers  of  this 
section.  The  early  training  of  Col.  Rhein- 
lander was  obtained  in  schools  of  his  native 
country.  Soon  after  reaching  this  cit\'  and 
at  the  very  commencement  of  his  young 
manhood  he  enlisted  in  the  volunteer  armies 
of  the  United  States  to  assist  in  the  campaign 
against  Me.xico.  Going  to  the  front  he  ren- 
dered efficient  service.  When  the  civil  war 
broke  out  he  raised  a  company  —  B  of  the 
Twenty-fifth  Indiana  Infantry  —  and  at  its 
organization  was  commissioned  captain. 
Nine  months  later  his  valiant  and  faithful 
service  won  him  the  rank  of  lieutenant-col- 
onel, which  he  held  until  mustered  out  in 
the  fall  of  1864.  In  the  battle  of  Hatchie 
Ri\er,  Tenn.,  he  received  a  gun  shot  wound 
through  the  right  thigh  and  for  a  time  was 
seriously  disabled.  His  army  record  is  lus- 
trous with  heroism  and  patriotism.  As  a 
business  man  he  has  been  enterprising 
and  industrious.  He  began  as  a  cigar 
manufacturer  and  for  manv  years  continued 
in  that  business  successfull3\  His  industry 
and  good  management  constantly  increased 
his  business,  and  his  integrity  was  alwaj's 
manifest  in  his  dealings  with  his  customers 
and  employes.     He   has  served   the  public 


BTOGRAPHICAL. 


217 


in  many  important  relations,  notabl}'  as 
count\-  coniinissionfr  and  county  treasurer. 
In  1S7  :;  lie  was  made  a  trustee  and  director 
in  tlie  sax'ings  l^aiik,  whicii  important  trust 
he  continues  to  execute.  In  1S8S  he  was 
called  to  preside  as  ciiief  executiye  of  the 
bank.  He  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M. 
and  A.  O.  U.  W.  fraternities.  Intelligent, 
inanly  and  modest,  he  has  attained  an  enyi- 
able  position  in  eyer\'  relation  of  life.  He 
has  been  married  three  times.  In  1S49  Miss 
Maria  Darling  became  his  wife.  Four 
children,  E\a,  Alice,  Florence,  and  John  W. 
were  born  of  this  union.  The  death  of  this 
wife  occurred  in  1862,  and  three  years  later 
the  Colonel  was  married  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
to  Miss  Margaret  Barg,  to  whom  one  child, 
Alexander,  was  born.  She  died  in  1S72, 
and  a  few  years  afterward  he  married  Miss 
Christine  Hedderich,  to  whom  two  children 
haye  been  born. 

Samuel  M.  Archer,  capitalist  and 
banker,  was  born  in  Indiana  Territor}-  within 
the  present  limits  of  Gibson  county,  Febru- 
ar)'  24,  1809.  He  is  the  fourth  son  and  onh' 
suryiying  child  in  a  family  of  nine  children. 
His  father,  Thomas  Archer,  of  South  Caro- 
lina, farmer,  came  to  Indiana  Territory  in 
yery  early  days,  and  settled  in  what  is  now 
Gibson  count}-.  He  was  instrumental  in 
^organizing  that  count}-,  was  one  of  the  pio- 
neer citizens  of  character  and  influence,  and 
took  an  actiye  part  in  the  public  interests  of 
that  section.  As  a  soldier  in  the  Indian  war, 
he  rendered  effectiye  serxice  for  his  country, 
being  in  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe  under 
General  Harrison.  The  boyhood  of  Sam- 
uel Archer  was  spent  upon  his  father's  farm 
in  the  manner  common  to  the  pioneer  lads 
of  that  da}-.  His  business  career  was  be- 
gun at  Princeton,  Ind.,  where  he  entered 
the  general  merchandise  store  of  Robert 
Stockwell,  as  clerk,  in  1827.  H\-  ditit  of 
industry  and  economy  the  young    man   suc- 


ceeded in  gaining  admission  as  a  partner  in 
the  concern,  in  which  relation  and  as  sole 
proprietor,  he  continued  twenty  "s-ears. 
Coming  to  E\ans\ille  in  1855,  he  embarked 
in  the  wholesale  dry  goods  business  with 
D.  J.  Mackey,  piu-suing  it  successfully  seyen 
years.  In  1867  he  began  a  banking  and  in- 
surance business  with  John  D.  Roche  as  a 
partner.  This  partnership  was  dissolyed  by 
the  death  of  Mr.  Roche  in  1870,  when 
he  sold  the  insurance  business  and  de- 
deyoted  himself  to  his  bank,  which 
he  has  since  conducted  with  marked 
ability  and  gratifying  success.  He  has 
been  a  director  in  the  Eyansyille  (now 
Old)  National  bank,  for  twenty  years;  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  First  National  bank,  and 
for  some  time  seryed  on  its  board  of  direc- 
tors. During  the  early  part  of  his  career  as 
banker  he  met  many  heay}-  re\-erses,  losing 
$10,000  in  bonds  by  robbery,  and  sustaining 
heayy  losses  in  the  failure  of  the  Eyansville 
rolling  mills.  But  being  one  of  the  best  of 
financiers  and  possessing  in  a  high  degree  all 
the  qualities  essential  to  the  successful  bus- 
iness man,  he  moyed  steadily  forward, 
and  by  practicing  honorable  methods  has 
attained  a  high  rank  among  those  noted  for 
shrewdness  and  ability.  He  was  married  in 
1845  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Snethen,  a  natiye  of 
Maryland.  Of  this  union  three  children 
haye  been  born;  Annie,  Lacy  and  Charles 
S.,  all  distinguished  by  accomplishments  of  a 
high  order.  Mr.  Archer  and  his  family  are 
prominent  members  of  Grace  Presbyterian 
church. 

Cir.\KLEs  II.  RrrxKR,  paying  teller  of  the 
First  National  bank,  was  born  October  4, 
1854,  at  Cassel,  German}-.  The  only  child 
of  John  D.  and  Elizabeth  (Bernat)  Ritter, 
natiyes  of  Germany,  he  was  early  thrown 
upon  his  own  resources  b}-  being  left  an 
orphan.  His  father  was  a  cabinet-maker 
and  followed  that  yocation  during   the  brief 


718 


BANKS. 


period  which  ehipsed  between  his  settlement 
here  in  1859,  and  the  breaking  out  of  the 
civil  war.  Responding  to  the  call  of  his 
but  recently  adopted  country,  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  K,  Thirty-Second  Indiana  Infantry. 
Upon  the  organization  of  this  companj'  he 
was  elected  to  a  lieutenanc}-  and  later  was 
promoted,  for  valor  and  efficienc_y,  to  the 
rank  of  captain.  On  Chickamauga's  battle- 
field he  laid  down  his  life,  heroicalh-  leading 
his  command.  Early  after  his  enlistment, 
in  1S61,  the  death  of  his  wife  occurred. 
Charles  Ritter  was  reared  and  educated  by 
his  uncle,  Charles  Ritter,  now  deceased. 
He  early  entered  a  dry  goods  store  as  a 
clerk,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  was  em- 
ployed in  the  First  National  bank  as  a  mes- 
senger. His  ability  and  integrity  soon 
proved  themselves.  He  rose  rapidly,  first 
to  the  place  of  assistant  book-keeper,  then 
to  that  of  receiving  teller  and  at  length  was 
promoted  to  his  present  important  position. 
By  industry  and  economy  he  has  accumulated 
some  valuable  property,  but  perhaps  the 
richest  of  his  possessions,  he  being  a  young 
man  with  the  best  of  his  life's  work  before 
him,  is  his  excellent  reputation  for  capacit}' 
and  honor.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.  May  7th,  1878,  he  was  united  in 
marriao-e  to  Miss  Louisa  M.  Schmidt,  a 
native  of  this  city,  daughter  of  Charles 
Schmidt,  a  well  known  citizen.  They  have 
two  children:  Fred  D.;  and  Marie  Louise. 

Michael  Schaeffer,  the  cashier  of  the 
People's  Savings  bank,  is  a  young  man 
whose  attainments  in  the  past  bespeak  for 
him  a  bright  future.  He  was  born  July  10, 
1861,  in  this  city.  His  parents,  Peter  A. 
and  Maria  (Janz)  Schaeffer,  were  natives  of 
Germany,  and  now  reside  in  Evansville.  Of 
a  family  of  nine  children  he  is  the  only  sur- 
vivor. He  received  a  Hberal  education  in 
the  public  schools.  Trinity  Catholic  school, 
and  the    commercial  college  of    Kleiner  & 


Wrioht.  When  sixteen  vears  of  age  he  was 
employed  as  a  clerk.  April  i,  1880,  he  was 
appointed  cashier  of  the  Savings  bank,  hav- 
ing previously  served  as  a  clerk  and  book- 
keeper for  about  two  years.  As  an  efHcient 
accountant,  an  able  manager,  and  a  courte- 
ous gentleman,  he  has  contributed  largely  to 
the  success  of  the  institution  with  which  he 
is  connected.  He  was  married  May  2,  1888, 
to  Miss  Kate  Negele,  a  daughter  of  George 
Neifele,  a  well  known  citizen.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Schaeffer  are  members  of  Trinity  Catholic 
church. 

Reixhold  F.  Schor,  chief  book-keeper 
of  the  First  National  bank,  was  born  in 
Prussia,  March  25,  1844.  His  paternal 
grandfather,  Fraugott  Schor,  was  a  school 
teacher  in  Germany.  His  parents.  E.-  G. 
and  Pauline  S.  (Boehmer)  Schor,  were  na- 
tives of  Schweidnitz,  Prussia,  and  came  to 
this  city  in  1S54.  E.  G.  Schor,  born  April 
2,  1820,  was  a  merchant  tailor  in  his  native 
country,  and  for  some  time  followed  that 
.  business  after  settling  in  Evansville.  For 
thirteen  years  he  was  in  the  office  of  the 
Evansville  Union,  and  for  eleven  years  past 
!  has  been  engaged  as  a  manufacturer  of  pot- 
tery and  stone  ware.  He  is  the  father  of 
j  one  son  and  two  daughters :  Reinhold  F., 
;  Mary  (now  Mrs.  John  Groom)  and  Martha 
!  (now  Mrs.  S.  L.  Bray).  Reinhold  Schor 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  country,  and  of  this  city,  graduating 
from  the  high  school  in  1S62.  Since  that 
time,  by  much  miscellaneous  reading  and 
study  he  has  attained  a  broad  acquaintance 
with  the  best  works  in  literature  and  science. 
In  geology  and  conchology  he  is  especially 
proficient.  In  1882,  the  city  council  ap- 
pointed him  trustee  of  the  public  schools, 
which  position  he  held  for  three  years. 
:  When  a  young  man  he  learned  the  printer's 
trade,  and  worked  as  a  compositor  for  some 
time,    and    later    served    as    deputy   county 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


221 


auditor  under  Victor  Bisch.  He  was  then 
called  by  H.  Q.  Wheeler  to  take  a  position 
as  clerk  and  book-keeper  in  the  bank  with 
which  he  is  now  connected.  His  long  con- 
nection with  the  bank,  his  faithful  attention 
to  dut}-,  and  his  uni]uestioned  integrity  con- 
nect his  personal  history  with  the  annals  of 
the  bank.  He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P. 
and  I.  O.  O.  F.  fraternities.  He  was  mar- 
ried August  1 6,  1 868,  to  Miss  Mary  E. 
Schmutte,  a  native  of  this  city,  and  daughter 
of  the  pioneer,  Henr}'  Schmutte.  They 
ha\e  four  children:  Bertha  N.  (now  Mrs. 
H.  S.  Haynes,  of  Owensboro,  Ky.,),  Ernest 
A.,  Annie,  and  Arthur  H. 

James  H.  Cutler. — Among  those  deserv- 
ing special  mention  in  this  chapter  is  Mr. 
James  H.  Cutler,  cashier  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Evansville.  He  was  born  in 
Highgate,  Franklin  county,  Vt.,  December 
12,  1S29.  His  father,  Jesse  Cutler,  was  a 
manufacturer  and  farmer  and  a  gentleman 
of  prominence  and  influence.  He  was  a  suc- 
cessful business  man  and  i|uite  largely  iden- 
tified with  local  politics.  He  represented 
his  district  in  the  general  assembly  and  filled 
other  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility. 
James. H.  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
and  received  an  academical  education.  While 
yet  in  his  teens  he  began  life  as  a  clerk  in  a 
general  store  in  his  native  village.  His  em- 
ployment was  not  wholly  uncongenial,  but 
the  rigorous  climate  so  impaired  his  health 
that  a  change  of  locality  seemed  imperative, 
and  in  1S54  he  decided  to  remove  to  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  but  learning  of  the  superior  ad- 
vantages offered  for  settlement  in  Evans- 
ville, which  at  this  time  had  begun  to  assume 
prominence  as  a  commercial  center,  he  de- 
cided to  make  it  his  future  home.  Although 
he  had  just  passed  his  majority  he  had 
alreadv  laid  the  substructure  of  a  sound 
business  education,  and  in  a  little  time  he 
accepted  a  position  as  book-keeper  in  the 
13 


house  of  Johnson  &  French.  In  i860  he 
began  his  career  as  a  banker  in  the  old 
Canal  bank,  which  at  the  time  was  one  of 
the  most  important  financial  institutions  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  state.  Upon  its 
reorganization  as  a  national  bank,  in  1863, 
Mr.  Cutler  retained  his  former  position. 
His  industr}-,  integrit\-,  and  sound  views  on 
finance  soon  made  his  services  almost  indis- 
pensable to  the  bank's  success,  and  in  1865 
he  became  its  cashier,  which  position  he 
still  retains.  Those  familiar  with  the  history 
of  this  bank  assert  that  its  success  and  the 
enviable  position  it  holds  among  the  sub- 
stantial and  successful  banks  of  the  state  is 
due  largely  to  Mr.  Cutler's  efforts,  and  that 
among  the  bankers  of  the  cit}'  very  few  if 
any  have  a  more  extended  knowledge  of 
monetary  matters  or  possess  in  a  greater  de- 
gree the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  busi- 
ness men  of  the  city.  In  his  religious  and 
political  affiliations  he  is  a  Presb^'terian  and 
a  republican.  In  1857  Mr.  Cutler  was 
married  to  Miss  Lorrain  M.,  daughter  of 
Deacon  Asa  Dean,  one  of  the  prominent 
and  substantial  citizens  of  Bakersfield,  Frank- 
lin county,  Vt.  Three  children  have  been 
born  to  them:  Alberta  L.,  William  II.,  and 
Adelbert  J. 

William  L.  Swormstkdt,  cashier  of  the 
Citizen's  National  bank,  was  born  at  Chicago, 
III,  September  ayih,  1S62.  His  father, 
Leroy  Swormstedt,  a  native  of  Ohio,  was 
for  many  years  a  merchant  in  Chicago,  111., 
and  a  planter  in  Louisiana,  his  health  caus- 
ing him  to  spend  his  winters  in  the  south  and 
his  summers  in  the  north.  He  was  well- 
known  in  this  city,  where  for  some  time  he 
li\ed  as  an  invalid,  his  death  occurring  in 
March,  1888.  The  mother  of  William 
Swormstedt,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary 
E.  Lovvrj',  was  a  daughter  of  William  J. 
Lowry,  at  one  time  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent of  Evansville's  citizens.      William  re- 


FEDERAL  AND  MUNICIPAL. 


ceived  a  good  education  and  was  well  fitted 
for  a  business  career.  He  entered  the  Citi- 
zens National  bank  in  1882  as  a  book- 
keeper, in  the  next  year  became  assistant 
cashier,  and  in  January,  1884,  was  elected 
cashier,  which  responsible  position  he  has 
since  held,  discharging  its  duties  with  rare 
good  judgment  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction 
of  the  directory  of  the  bank.       He    is    also 


engaged  in  the  general  insurance  business, 
is  treasurer  of  the  Germania  building  asso- 
ciation and  holds  important  offices  of  trust 
in  some  of  the  lodges  to  which  he  belongs. 
He  is  an  active  and  influential  member  of 
the  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  K.  of  P.  fraternities, 
having  attained  the  degrees  of  Templarism 
in  the  former  and  the  Uniform  Rank  in  the 
latter. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Bv  M.  J.   BRAY,   M.   1). 

The  Mkdical  Profession — Early  Practitioners — Hardshii's  ok  the  Practice  — 
Diseases  Most  Prevalent  in  Pioneer  Times  —  Medical  Societies  —  Hospitals 
— Colleges —  The  Physicians  of  the  Past  — Present  PRACTiTioNers. 


HEREVER  frail  man  has  li\ed  and 
ii.«««  suffered,  in  the  earliest  times  as  \vell 
as  to-day,  the  vocation  of  the  phys- 
ician has  ranked  among  the  most  important 
of  human  pursuits.  Who  is  more  eagerly 
welcomed  than  he,  when  the  pale  messenger 
casts  his  shadow  oYcr  the  household  r  But 
experience  teaches,  and  the  opinion  will  pre- 
\'ail  that, 

"  Clod  and  the  doctor  we  alike  adore, 
Just  on  the  brink  of  danger,  not  before. 
The  danger  past,  both  are  alike  requited. 
Ciod  is  forgotten  and  the  doctor  slighted." 

No  professional  record  is  found  of  the 
healing  art  as  practiced  in  this  vicinity 
before  1S20,  and  all  that  is  known  prior  to 
that  time  is  purely  traditional.  PreYious  to 
1 81 2  the  southwestern  part  of  Indiana,  now 
called  the  "  Pocket,"  was  a  dense  wilder- 
ness, and  it  was  not  until  about  1815  that 
there  was  an  opportunity  for  a  jihysician  to 
practice  his  profession,  owing  to  the  country 
being  so  sparsely  settled.  Those  who  were 
residents  at  that  time  were  obliged  to  rely 
upon  the  roots  and  herbs  indigenous  to  the 
soil  for  a  means  of  cure  for  such  diseases  as 
were  common.  The  pioneer  physician  was 
generalU'  without  a  medical  education,  and 
if  he  attained  success  it  was  the  result  of 
experience.  Few  knew  anything  of  materia 
mcdica,  and  in  surgcrv  their  knowledge  was 
confined  to  a  few  of  the  minor  operations, 
such  as  blood-letting,  extracting  teeth,  and 
lancing  a  superficial  abcess.      Dr.   Hornby, 


an  Englishman,  was  the  first  to  settle  with- 
in the  present  limits  of  \'anderburgh  countv- 
He  came  in  1818,  made  his  home  near 
McCutchanville,  and  gave  to  the  people  of 
that  vicinity  the  benefit  of  such  medical 
knowledge  as  he  possessed.  He  was  not  a 
graduate  of  any  medical  school;  what 
knowledge  of  medicine  he  had  was  obtained 
in  an  apothecary  shop.  He  entered  a  tract 
of  wild  land  and  made  for  himself  and  fam- 
ily a  comfortable  home.  He  was  a  good 
citizen  and  neighbor  and  died  about  1832. 

Dr.  William  Trafton,  who  came  in  1820 
from  Lewiston,  Maine,  was  the  pioneer 
physician  of  EYansYille.  He  had  attended 
medical  lectures  at  Dartmouth  medical  col- 
lege and  was  well  qualified  for  a  frontier 
physician.  Bold  and  decided  in  his  opinions 
and  untiring  in  the  pursuit  of  his  profession, 
he  had  but  little  respect  for  the  opinions  of 
others  or  the  dogmas  of  medicine,  unless 
based  on  common  sense.  He  originated 
new  views  upon  the  pathology  of  disease 
and  inaugurated  a  new  mode  of  treat- 
ment. Discontinuing  the  practice  of 
treating  remittent  fevers  with  emetics, 
cathartics  and  calomel,  he  introduced 
the      present     mode     of     giving     quinine. 

After  a  protracted  illness  his  death  oc- 
curred in  1857.  Contemporaneous  with  Dr. 
Trafton  was  Dr.  Shaw,  whose  frail  consti- 
tution was  unable  to  endure  the  severe  labor 
and  exposure  incident  to  the  practice  at  that 

(223) 


29.h 


THE  MEDICAL  PBOEESSIOX. 


time,  and  he  died  siiortly  after  his  settle- 
ment. In  1822  Dr.  Harxey  PhilHps  came 
from  New  York  and  settled  in  Evansx'ille. 
He  had  a  superior  mind,  and  had  studied 
under  some  of  the  best  medical  teachers  in 
New  York  city.  He  lif^Mted  the  brachial 
artery  just  above  the  arm  for  aneurism, 
caused  by  blood-letting,  it  being  the  first 
capital  operation  in  surgery  performed  in 
the  count}'.  He  was  just  in  middle  life 
when  he  came,  and  died  about   1S25. 

In  1833,  two  brothers,  A.  P.  and  Isaac 
Hutchinson,  located  in  E\ans\  ille.  They 
were  steam  or  botanical  practitioners,  and 
were  graduates  of  a  botanical  institute  in 
Cincinnati.  They  were  valuable  citizens, 
and  had  a  reputable  practice.  Isaac  was 
appointed  collector  of  the  port  of  Evansxille, 
in  1857.  His  death  occurred  in  the  follow- 
ing year;  that  of  his  brother  in  1841.  Dr. 
Lane,  from  Kentucky,  and  a  relati\e  of 
Gen.  Joseph  Lane,  hung  out  his  shingle  in 
1834.  He  was  self-educated,  and  an  excel- 
lent practitioner  of  medicine.  He  had  the 
confidence  of  the  community,  and  was  a  fine 
type  of  the  frontier  gentleman.  He  wrote 
upon  politics  and  medicine,  and  was  a  good 
speaker  and  a  ready  debater.  He  was  a 
regimental  surgeon  during  the  war  with 
Mexico,  where  he  contracted  a  disease  of 
which  he  died  soon    after  his  return. 

Dr.  Bray  came  to  the  county  in  1835,  and  the 
following  year  a  bright  galaxy  of  medical 
gentlemen,  all  well  educated,  refined  and 
accomplished,  gathered  in  the  then  flourish- 
ing town.  Among  them  were  Drs.  G.  B. 
Walker,  Daniel  Morgan,  L.  L.  Laycock, 
Lindley,  and  William  Trafton. 

Hardshifis  of  the  Practice. —  The  practice 
of  medicine  in  the  pioneer  days  was 
attended  with  difficulties  that  physicians  of 
the  present  day  can  scarcely  comprehend. 
Roads  and  bridges  were  almost  un- 
known     in     certain     localities.       In      hi'di 


water  dug-oiUs  were  used  in  cross- 
the  creeks,  and  when  belated  or, 
as  fre(|uently  happened,  the  physician  got 
lost  in  the  woods,  he  made  a  pillow  of  his 
saddle  and  wrapping  his  blanket  around 
him,  lay  down  under  the  spreading  branches 
of  a  tree  and  passed  the  night  as  best  he 
could.  The  nearest  drug  store  until  1836 
was  at  Louisville,  200  miles  away,  and  the 
physician  carried  his  own  medicines. 
People  were  poor,  money  was  difiicult  to 
obtain,  and  the  pioneers  called  the  physician 
only  in  extreme  cases,  each  family  supply- 
ing itself  with  barks,  roots  and  herbs  which 
were  administered  in  the  simpler  forms  of 
disease. 

Early  Diseases. —  In  the  early  days  the 
most  common  forms  of  disease  were  remit- 
ting and  intermitting  fevers,  epidemic  ery- 
sipelas, pneumonia  and  bowel  complaints. 
The  year  1836  was  very  sickly.  Intermit- 
tent and  remittent  fevers  prevailed 
in  an  epidemic  form.  In  tlie  win- 
ter of  1837  and  1838  epidemic  pneumonia 
prevailed  and  more  than  fifty  people  died. 
The  disease  was  caused  by  cold  rain  and 
snow.  The  snow  was  more  than  a  foot 
deep  and  there  was  sleighing  three  or  more 
weeks.  In  about  the  year  1842  erj-sipelas 
visited  this  localit\-,  prevailing  in  certain 
districts  in  an  endemic  form.  The  people 
called  it  lilack  tongue.  It  was  sudden  in  its 
attack  and  ran  its  course  rapidly,  generally 
proving  fatal. 

Shortly  after  the  first  settlements  were 
made  the  people  were  scourged  with  a 
disease  commonly  known  as  milk  sickness. 
This  disease  prevailed  not  only  in  the 
country  but  in  the  towns,  and  in  fact  through- 
out the  state.  As  soon  as  the  land  was 
placed  under  cultivation  it  disappeared 
Cases  were  more  numerous  in  the  fall  of 
the  year  than  at  an\-  other  time,  and  were 
more  general  and  obstinate  in  a   dry  season 


EARLY  DISEASES. 


025 


than  a  wet  one.  Between  the  salt  well  and 
the  village  of  Evansville,  the  ground  was 
strewn  with  the  bleached  bones  of  cattle 
that  had  died  from  it.  It  may  have  been 
a  species  of  bacteria,  or  a  vegetable  poison.  ^ 
Whatever  it  was,  it  made  the  springs  and  I 
surface  water  unhealth}-  and  even  poisoned 
the  dew  which  gathered  upon  the  herbage. 
Milch  cows  imparted  the  disease  to  their 
cahes,  and  the  people  contracted  it  from 
drinking  the  milk  or  eating  the  butter  or 
beef  of  diseased  cattle.  Dr.  Trafton  made 
several  post-mortem  examinations,  and  in 
his  opinion    it    was    caused  by    a   specific 


poison     which     spent    its     force     upon    the  '. 
mucous    membrane     of    the     stomach     and 
bowels,  the  pyloric  orifice  being  particular^  • 
implicated  and  frequently  closed  up.       The 
old  treatment  was  severe  purgation.       Dr. ; 
Trafton,    however,  changed     the     practice, 
giving  medicines  to  subdue  irritation  and  in- 
flammation, and   afterward   mild  purgatives. 
This  treatment  was  so  simple  and  effectual 
that  it  disarmed  the  disease    of  much   of   its 
terror,  and  the  doctor  was  almost  deified  by 
his  admiring  countrymen.  The  scalpel  in  his 
hands    was    the    key    which    unlocked    the  : 
mystery  of  the  disease. 

Cholera. —  Evansville  and  \'anderburgh 
county  were  visited  with  cholera  in  1S32, 
the  germs  of  the  disease  being  brought  by 
passengers  from  New  Orleans.  It  came  in 
the  form  of  an  epidemic,  made  its  attack  : 
suddenlv  and  ran  its  course  rapidly.  Com- 
ing in  the  summer  it  left  late  in  the  fall,  and 
was  not  as  fatal  here  as  in  other  places,  al- 
though it  caused  about  twenty-five  or  thirty 
deaths  in  a  population  of  225  or  250.  It 
yielded  in  its  first  stages  to  simple  remedies 
such  as  calomel,  opium,  paregoric  or  red 
pepper.  There  was  at  the  time  but  one 
physician  in  the  town  and  county.  In  1 85 1  and 
1852  the  disease  again  appeared.  The  san- 
itary condition  of  E\ansville,  however,  had 


been  much  improved  by  sewerage  and 
ditching.  Water  street  had  been  cut  down 
ten  feet  and  all  stagnant  water  and  ponds 
had  disappeared.  The  sanitary  condition  of 
the  city  was  such  that  tiie  disease  was  kept 
under  control.  There  were  onlv  a  few  cases 
above  Main  street,  the  greater  number  being 
in  Lamasco  and  below.  The  Germans  suf- 
fered more  than  natives,  owing  it  is  pre- 
sumed, to  the  crowded  condition  in  which 
they  lived.  B.  F.  Dupuy,  a  very  prominent 
citizen  of  that  day,  died  of  the  disease  in 
1852.  The  disease  prevailed  in  a  sporadic 
form  from  1849  to  1852.  In  1866  it  again 
appeared  for  a  short  time,  the  infection 
coming  from  New  York.  There  were  but 
few  deaths,  and  the  greater  number  of  them 
were  among  old  people  and  invalids.  The 
last  visitation  was  in  1873.  The  most  vi"-or- 
ous  sanitary  measures  were  enforced  by  the 
city  authorities,  and  it  lasted  but  a  short 
time.  It  assumed  a  malignant  tvpe  in  July 
of  that  year,  but  the  deaths  were  principally 
among  loafers  and  strangers.  It  prevailed 
with  fearful  violence  in  the  neiirhborino- 
town  of  Mount  Vernon,  whence  the  inhabit- 
ants fled  panic-stricken. 

Surgery. — Before  the  coming  of  Dr.  Bray 
there  had  been  no  physician  in  Evansvillle 
who  made  an)-  pretensions  to  a  knowledge 
of  surgical  science.  Blood-letting,  tooth- 
pulling  and  lancing  were  about  the  onh-  op- 
erations undertaken  by  the  pioneer  doctors. 
The  unfortunate  man  who  met  with  an  ac- 
cident serious  enough  to  fracture  a  femur  or 
crush  his  skull  was  either  a  cripple  for  life 
because  of  inferior  attention,  or  died  from 
the  results  of  his  injuries.  Dr.  Bray  had 
pursued  his  studies  in  the  east  and  settled  in 
Evansville  with  the  intention  of  practicing 
surgery.  The  town  was  in  a  promising 
growth  at  the  time,  1835,  'i"*^  southwestern 
ern  Indiana,  southeastern  Illinois,and  western 
Kentucky,  localities  to  which  the  town  was 


22fi 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


rapidly  becoming  a  recognized  supply  depot, 
there  was  not  a  skilled  surgeon.  The  doc- 
tor's services  were  early  in  demand,  and  his 
practice  through  the  long  period  since  his 
settlement  here,  now  more  than  fift}-  years, 
has  extended  throughout  all  the  territory 
adjacent  to  Evansville,  and  has  embraced 
almost  every  form  of  operation  known  to 
the  surgical  science.  In  later  years  man)- 
well  educated  and  skillful  surgeons  located 
in  Evansville,  and  a  great  variety  of  delicate 
and  important  work  has  been  done  success- 
full}-.  It  is  pleasant  to  note  the  fact  that  ^^^ 
surgeons  of  Evansville,  as  a  class,  have 
maintained  a  very  high  standing  in  scientific 
circles  throughout  the  country.  Their  ex- 
periences and  reports  of  cases  are  given 
much  weight  b}^  practitioners  generally.  In 
1835  Mr.  Bray  amputated  a  leg  above  the 
knee,  in  Evansville,  which  was  the  first 
operation  of  the  kind  in  the  county.  Dr. 
Trafton  had  charge  of  the  patient,  a  young 
man  traveling  west.  He  had  a  compound 
complicated  dislocation  of  the  ankle  joint 
caused  by  an  accident  with  machinery.  Such 
injuries  are  like  gunshot  wounds — they  sel- 
dom heal  by  the  first  intention.  The  tibia 
was  dislocated  inwards,  the  fibula  fractured 
at  its  lower  third,  and  the  sole  of  the  foot 
turned  outwards.  The  capsular  ligament 
was  lacerated,  and  the  synovial  fluid  of  the 
joint  escaped.  Dr.  Bray  advised  immediate 
amputation,  but  was  overruled  by  Dr.  Traf- 
ton and  his  patient,  and  no  other  physician 
was  in  the  place.  The  inflammation  caused 
bv  the  injur}-  terminated  in  mortification  of 
the  leg.  Dr.  Bray  was  then  requested  b}' 
Dr.  Trafton  and  his  patient  to  amputate. 
He  declined  at  first,  but  finally  yielded  to 
their  wishes.  The  patient  survived  only  a 
short  time.  While  in  a  state  of  in  artindo 
mortis  he  desired  the  prayers  of  a  minister, 
but  there  was  none  in  the  town  to  smooth 
the  pillow  of  the  dying  boy  among  strangers. 


The  first  trepanning  operation  in  the  town 
was  performed  by  Dr.  Bray  in  1836,  upon 
John  Stinson.  The  whole  length  of  the 
parietal  bone  was  fractured  and  one  plate 
depressed  under  the  other,  caused  by  a  blow 
from  an  axhandle  in  the  hands  of  John  Roos. 
This  depression  was  removed  by  the  eleva- 
tor and  he  recovered  consciousness,  but  in 
about  six  weeks  he  had  svmptoms  of  an 
abscess  between  the  dura-mater  and  inner 
plate  of  the  skull.  Dr.  Bray  opened  the 
abscess  by  taking  out  a  plug  of  the  bone; 
a  large  quantity  of  pus  escaped,  and  the 
patient  made  a  good  recovery. 

Medical  Societies. —  The  first  medical 
society  was  organized  in  Evansville  in  1845, 
was  named  the  Evansville  Medical  Societv, 
and  the  following  was  the  preamble: 

"  Whereas,  We,  the  undersigned  physi- 
cians of  Evansville  and  its  vicinity,  con- 
vinced of  the  expediency  and  importance  of 
establishing  a  medical  societ}'  for  the  pur- 
pose of  promoting  professional  harmony 
and  improvement,  and  to  exalt  generally  the 
character,  usefulness  and  dignity  of  the  pro- 
fession, do  herebv  unite  ourselves  into  an 
association,  for  the  attainment  of  these 
objects,  and  do  appoint  Drs.  William  H. 
Stockwell,  G.  B.  Walker  and  S.  Thompson 
a  committee  to  prepare  a  suitable  constitu- 
tion and  by-laws,  to  be  submitted  to  the 
society  on  Saturday  evening,  January  4, 
1845."  Signed  by  William  Trafton,  T. 
Muhlhausen,  S.  Thompson,  M.  J.  Bray, 
Daniel  Morgan,  W.  Hamilton  Stockwell, 
Percival  Egerton  Garrick  and  G.  B.  Walker. 
A  suitable  constitution  and  b3'-laws  for  the 
guidance  of  the  society  were  adopted.  The 
high  ideas  which  governed  the  early  physi- 
cians in  their  practice  and  show  the  loft}' 
character  of  the  men  then  constituting  the 
medical  fraternity  here,  are  presented  in 
the  following  Code  of  Medical  Ethics  as 
adopted  bv  the  society: 


MEDICAL  SOCIETIES. 


227 


Rule  I.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  medical 
practitioner  to  treat  his  patients  with  stead- 
iness, tenderness  and  humanit}',  and  to  make 
due  allowance  for  that  mental  weakness 
which  usually  accompanies  bodily  disease. 
Secrecy  and  delicacy  should  be  strictly 
observed  in  all  cases  in  which  they  may 
seem  to  be  peculiarly  required. 

2.  The  strictest  observance  of  temper- 
ance cannot  be  too  strongly  inculcated  on  the 
minds  of  the  practitioners  of  medicine  and 
surgeons,  a  clear  and  vigorous  intellect  and 
a  steady  hand  being  absolutely  necessary 
to  the  successful  practice  of  these  branches 
of  medical  science. 

3.  Unfavorable  prognostications  should 
never  be  made  in  the  presence  of  patients; 
yet,  should  there  seem  to  be  immediate  dan- 
ger, it  becomes  the  duty  of  the  medical 
attendant  to  apprise  the  patient's  friends  of 
that  circumstance. 

4.  In  every  instance  in  which  one  phys- 
ician has  been  called  on  to  visit  the  patient 
of  another,  a  consultation  with  the  former 
medical  attendant  shall  be  proposed.  Con- 
sultations in  difficult  cases  should  always  be 
recommended,  and  the  physician  called  on 
for  that  purpose  should  always  pav  the 
greatest  degree  of  respect  to  the  practitioner 
first  employed,  and  allow  him  the  privilege 
of  delivering  all  the  directions  agreed  upon. 

5.  Special  consultations  are  sometimes 
wished  for;  in  such  cases  the  physicians 
called  on  should  carefully  guard  against 
paying  another  visit,  unless  he  should  be 
requested  to  continue  his  services  by  the 
patient  or  some  of  his  friends. 

6.  When  one  physician  is  called  on  to 
visit  the  patient  of  another  in  his  absence, 
or  during  short  indispositions,  he  should  not 
manifest  a  wish  to  continue  in  attendance 
any  longer  than  the  physician  first  called  on 
should  be  able  to  resume  charge  of  the  case, 
unless  a  continuance  of  his  services  should 


be   expressl}-  wished  for  by  the  patient  or 
his  friends. 

7.  Physicians  should  not  visit  their  pa- 
tients too  frequently,  lest  seeing  them  oftener 
than  necessary  might  produce  unsteadiness 
in  the  treatment. 

8.  Theoretical  discussions  should  not  be 
too  freely  indulged  in  consultations,  as  they 
frequentl)^  give  rise  to  much  perplexity  with- 
out any  improvement  in  practice. 

9.  The  junior  ph\sician  in  attendance 
should  always  deliver  his  opinion  first,  and 
when  there  are  more  than  two,  the  others, 
according  to  seniorit}-,  and  a  majority  should 
decide;  but  in  the  event  of  a  tie,  the  physician 
first  in  attendance  should  gi\e  the  casting 
vote  in  regard  to  the  future  treatment,  and 
to  him  should  be  intrusted  the  future  man- 
agement of  the  case,  unless  the  patient  or 
his  relatives  should  object  to  his  being  con- 
tinued. 

10.  Although  the  possession  of  a  diploma, 
honorably  acquired,  furnishes  presumptive 
evidence  of  professional  ability,  and  entitles 
the  possessor  to  pre-eminence  in  the  profes- 
sion. 3-et  the  want  of  it  should  not  exclude 
practitioners  of  experience  and  sound  judg- 
ment from  the  fellowship  and  respect  of  the 
regular  graduate. 

11.  In  consultations,  punctuality  in  meet- 
ing at  the  same  time  should  be  strictly  ob- 
served, but  the  physician  who  first  arrives 
should  wait  a  reasonable  length  of  time  for 
the  arrival  of  others.  A  minute  examina- 
tion of  the  patient,  however,  should  not  take 
place  until  one  or  more  of  the  medical 
attendants  are  present,  except  in  cases  of 
emergency;  all  subsequent  visits  should,  if 
practicable,  be  made  by  mutual  agreement, 
and  no  medical  discussion  should  take  place 
in  the  presence  of  the  patient. 

12.  Attendance  upon  members  of  the 
profession  or  their  families,  should  always 
be  gratuitous,  but  should  not  be  officiously 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


obtruded  should  the  circumstances  of  the 
medical  practitioner  indisposed  enable  him 
to  make  a  recompense  for  medical  services 
rendered  to  himself  or  family,  it  is  his  duty 
to  do  so,  especially  if  he  reside  at  a  distance. 

13.  When  one  practitioner  is  called  on 
to  visit  a  patient  whose  recovery  has  been 
despaired  of  b}'  the  physician  first  in  attend- 
ance, and  the  disease  should  afterward  ter- 
minate fatally  under  his  management,  he 
should  avoid  insinuating  to  the  friends  of  the 
deceased  that  if  he  had  been  called  on  a  day 
or  a  few  hours  sooner  he  could  have  effected 
a  cure.  Such  a  course  of  conduct  is  highly 
reprehensible  and  empirical  in  the  extreme. 
And  in  the  event  of  the  patient's  recov'ery, 
such  a  person  should  not  assume  all  the 
credit,  as  the  cure  might  have  been  partly 
effected  by  the  medicines  prescribed  before 
he  took  charge  of  the  case. 

14.  The  use  of  nostrums  and  quack 
medicines  should  be  discouraged  as  degrad- 
ing to  the  profession,  injurious  to  health, 
and  often  destructive  of  life.  Should  pa- 
tients, laboring  under  chronic  complaints, 
obstinatel}'  determine  to  have  recourse  to 
them,  a  reasonable  degree  of  indulgence 
should  be  allov/ed  to  their  credulity  by  the 
physician ;  but  it  is  his  sacred  duty  to  warn 
them  of  the  fallacy  of  their  expectations  and 
the  danger  of  the  experiment,  and  the  neces- 
sit)^  of  strict  attention  to  the  effect  produced 
by  them,  in  order  that  their  bad  effects,  if 
an}^  should  be  timely  obviated. 

15.  No  physician  should,  either  by  pre- 
cept or  example,  contribute  to  the  circula- 
tion of  a  secret  nostrum,  whether  it  be  his 
own  invention  or  exclusive  property  or  that 
of  another.  For,  if  it  be  of  real  value,  its 
concealment  is  inconsistent  with  beneficence 
and  professional  liberty,  and  if  mj'sterj'  alone 
give  it  value  and  importance,  such  craft 
impHes  either  disgraceful  ignorance  or 
fraudulent  avarice. 


16.  In  all  cases  where  diversity  of  opin- 
ion and  opposition  of  interest  give  rise  to 
controversy  or  contention  between  two  or 
more  members  of  the  profession,  the  decis- 
ion should  be  referred  to  a  sufficient  num- 
jber  of  physicians,  as  they  are  frequently  the 
onl}'  persons  in  the  community  capable  of 
properly  estimating  the  merits  of  the  dis- 
pute. But  neither  the  subject  litigated  nor 
the  decision  thereon  should  be  communi- 
cated to  the  public,  as  individual  reputation 
might  suffer  and  the  credit  of  the  profession 
generallv  be  injured. 

17.  A  wealthy  physician,  or  one  retired 
from  practice,  should  refuse  to  give  gratui- 
tous advice,  unless  the  danger  of  the  case, 
the  absence  of  the  practicing  phvsician,  or 
jthe  poverty  of  the  patient  should  warrant 
him  in  so  doing.  In  all  cases  where  he  may 
|be  preferred,  he  should  recommend  a  con- 
sultation with  some  one  engaged  in  active 
practice.  This  rule  should  be  strictly  ob- 
;served,  as  a  contrary  course  is  gratuitouslv 
depriving    active     industry    of    its     proper 

reward. 

... 
I     18.    When  a  physician  is  called  on  suddenly 

to  visit  the  patient  of  another,  in  consequence 
of  some  unexpected  or  alarming  change  in  the 
'sN'mptoms,  he  should  adopt  a  temporar}- 
jplan  of  treatment  suited  to  present  circum- 
stances. He  is  not  warranted  in  interfering 
afterwards,  unless  requested  to  take  charge 
of  the  case,  when  he  should  propose  an  im- 
mediate consultation  with  the  physician 
previously  employed. 

19.  Phvsicians  should  never  neglect  an 
opportunity  of  fortif3'ing  and  promoting  the 
good  resolutions  of  patients  suffering  under 
the  bad  effects  of  intemperate  lives  and 
vicious  conduct,  and  in  order  that  their 
counsels  and  remonstrances  ma}-  have  due 
weight,  it  will  readily  be  seen  that  they 
should  have  full  claim  to  the  blameless  life 
and  high  moral  character  which  has  been 


MEDCIAL  COLLEGES. 


239 


stated  to  be  a  necessary  pre-requisite  to  an 
honorable  stand  in  the  profession. 

20.  Medical  men  should  "  remember  the 
Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  hoh',"  and  visits 
should,  as  far  as  consistent  with  professional 
engaiiements,  be  made  either  before  or  after 
public  worship,  or  during  its  intervals. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  signers  to 
the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  earh'  so- 
ciety, and  exhibits  the  names  of  the  leading 
p|i\'sicians  in  Vanderburgh  countv  from 
1845  to  1S73:  William  Trafton,  D.  S.  Lane, 

D.  F.  Muhlhausen,  W.  Hamilton  Stockwell, 
G.  B.  Walker,  Charles  S.  Weever,  M.  J. 
Bray,  John  R.  Wilcox,  Daniel  Morgan,  P. 

E.  Garrick,  Isaac  Casselberry,  John  T. 
Walker,  B.  V.  Peel,  E.  P.  Spunine,  L.  L. 
Laycock,  C.  A.  Foster,  W.  H.  Byford,  J.  B. 
Stinson,  William  A.  McDowell,  Allan  C. 
Ilallock,  Mark  Trafton,  William  Gramm, 
Hugh  Ronalds,  James  G.  Hatchet,  Benjamin 
K.  Davidson,  Able  D.  Cook,  John  Conning- 
ton,  D.  A.  Farnsley,  W.  M.  Elliott,  S. 
Ruark,  J.  P.  DeBruler,  Adolphus  Wolkup, 
J.  J.  Pennington,  F.  Schellar,  C.  C.  T\rrell, 
S.  W.  Thompson,  J.  B.  Johnson,  E.  T. 
Runcie,  T.  C.  Vannuys,  T.  H.  Rucker,  H. 
T.  Legler,  M.  Winnings,  W.  G.  Jones,  B.  J. 
Day,  Oscar  Kress,  H.  M.  Harvey,  M. 
Muhlhausen,  John  Maginnis,  J.  F.  Hilliard, 
A.  M.  Owen,  W.  H.  A.  Lewis,  M.  C. 
Barkwell,  W.  M.  Newell,  R.  H.  Singleton, 
I.  T.  Conn,  C.  P.  Bacon,  Edwin  Walker,  J. 
W.  Compton,  E.  Linthicum,  J.  II.  Kenned}', 
J.  W.  Williamson,  J.  E.  Harper,  P.  V. 
McCoy. 

The  Evansville  medical  society,  termin- 
ating in  1873,  was  superseded  bv  the  Drake 
medical  society,  which  continued  in  existence 
until  1878,  when  the  Vanderburg  county 
medical  society  was  organized. 

Evansville  Medical  College. — The  Evans- 
ville medical  college  was  organized  at  the 
office  of  Drs.  Trafton  and  Weever,  in  Evans-  i 


ville,  on  the  evening  of  March  i,  1846,  by 
the  calling  of  Dr.  G.  B.  Walker  to  the 
chair  and  the  selection  of  Dr.  L.  L.  Laycock 
as  secretary.  Articles  of  organization  and 
by-laws  were  adopted.  L.  L.  Laycock  was 
elected  dean  of  the  college,  and  the  follow- 
ing faculty  chosen:  L.  L.  Laycock,  profes- 
sor of  theory  and  practice ;  S.  R.  Wilcox, 
professor  of  materia  medica  and  therapeu- 
tics; G.  B.  Walker,  professor  of  obstetrics; 
C.  S.  Weever,  professor  of  anatoni}';  M.J. 
Bra)^  professor  of  surgery,  and  C.  A.  Fos- 
ter, professor  of  chemistry.  The  first  course 
of  lectures  in  the  college  commenced  Mon- 
day, November  5,  1849.  The  class  was 
composed  of  forty-one  matriculates,  nine  of 
whom  were  candidates  for  graduation.  The 
course  was  composed  of  five  lectures 
per  day,  with  the  exception  of  Saturday, 
when  there  were  but  two  lectures  given. 
The  first  commencement  was  held  in  the 
Methodist  church,  on  the  evening  of  Satur- 
day, February'  23,  1850,  when,  with  appro- 
priate ceremonies,  including  an  address  b\- 
Judge  C.  I.  Battell,  president  of  the  board 
of  directors,  the  degree  of  M.  D.  was  con- 
ferred on  William  Gillespie,  J.  M.  Graham, 
A.  C.  Halleck,  J.  C.  Patton,  C.  R.  Smith, 
F.  Williams,  E.  P.  Banning,  A.  A.  McRey- 
nolds  and  W.  Asselinian,  after  which  the 
graduates  were  addressed  b}-  James  E. 
Blythe,  one  of  the  most  prominent  law\ers 
in  this  part  of  the  state. 

In  1850,  W.  Walling,  M.  D.,  of  Prince- 
ton, Ind.,  was  appointed  professor  of  the 
institutes  of  medicine  and  medical  jurispru- 
dence. The  same  year  Prof.  C.  S.  Weever 
resigned  the  chair  of  anatomy,  and  H.  H. 
Byford,  ^L  D.,  of  Mt.  Vernon,  Ind.,  was 
elected  to  the  vacancy.  The  same  ^-ear  the 
honorary  degree  of  M.  D.  was  conferred 
upon  Prof.  C.  A.  Foster. 

Graduates  of  1851:  Abel  C.  Cook, 
John  A.  Cooper,  George  Detar,  William  R, 


230 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


I^am,  Lee  Haslewood,  George  B.  Lewis, 
Sam  D.  Moore,  Edward  D.  Rathbone, 
Derastus  Thomas,  I.  R.  Tilman.  Grad- 
uates of  1852:  Augustus  Defoe,  William, 
Graham,  James  G.  Hatchett,  EHsha  V. 
Mitchell,  Shadrach  Ruark,  Richard  Smyth 
and  Enoch  E.  Welborn. 

In  1851,  L.  L.  La3-cock,  professor  of 
theory  and  practice  of  medicine,  resigned 
and  was  suceeded  by  Prof.  W.  H.  Byford. 
Dr.  Hugh  Reynolds  was  appointed  to  the 
chair  of  anatomy,  vacated  b_\-  Dr.  B3'ford 
on  his  election  to  that  of  practice.  Dr. 
William  A.  McDowell  was  appointed  during 
his  j'ear  to  the  chair  of  institutes,  which 
was  made  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  W. 
Wallinrr,  M.  D.  The  chair  was  made  vacant 
by  the  death  of  Dr.  McDowelHn  1853,  and 
was  filled  by  the  appointment  of  Dr.  John 
T.  Walker. 

Graduates  of  1853:  Henry  M.  Bacon, 
William  M.  Elliott,  Fred  McKasson,  John 
Kivett,  John  W.  Runcier,  John  Stott,  Will- 
iam D.  Laimer,  Edwin  W.  Organ,  Q.  B. 
Welborn,  William  W.  Welborn  and  Charles 
Wheeler. 

Graduates  of  1854:  Jacob  Jenner,  J.  M. 
Ireland,  E.  T.  Runcie,  M.  Muhlhausen, 
Thomas  Wheeler,  J.  P.  Pike,  Milton  H. 
Bacon,  and  Z.  R.  Millard.  The  lectures  in 
the  college  terminated  in  1856,  and  were  not 
resumed  until  1871,  from  which  time  they 
were  continued  up  to  1883.  In  1871  the 
facult}'  was  composed  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen: G.  B.  Walker,  obstetrics:  Daniel 
Morgan,  diseases  of  women  and  chijdren; 
William  R.  Davidson,  physiology,  M.  J. 
Bra}-,  surgery,  J.  P.  DeBruler,  theory  and 
practice;  Isaac  Casselberry,  medical  juris- 
prudence; T.  C.  VanNe3-s,  chemistry;  M. 
C.  Barkwell,  anatomy;  H.  G.  Jones, 
materia  medica ;  and  A.  M.  Owen,  eye  and 
ear. 

The    College   Dispensary,    under  the  im- 


mediate control  of  the  facultv  and  supported 
by  the  city,  was  an  invaluable  adjunct  of  the 
college  and  one  of  great  practical  value  to 
the  student.  It  furnished  a  large  field  of 
observation,  enabling  the  student  to  acquire 
proficienc}'  in  the  art  of  examining,  diagnos- 
ing and  prescribing,  and  familiarized  him 
with  the  manipulations  belonging  to  minor 
surgery.  Advanced  students  had  cases  of 
obstetrics  and  other  patients  intrusted  to 
their  attendance.  A  large  number  of  pa- 
tients were  annually  treated,  clinics  being 
held  at  the  dispensary  ever}-  day.  The  col- 
lege museum  contained  the  usual  specimens 
found  in  such  a  collection,  as  well  as  valuable 
anatomical  preparations  and  pathological 
specimens. 

The  following  was  the  faculty  in  1876-7: 
Daniel  Morgan,  M.  D.,  professor  of  dis- 
eases of  women  and  children:  John  II. 
Compton.  M.  D.,  professor  of  materia  medica 
and  therapeutics;  J.  E.  Lilly,  M.  D.,  profes- 
sor of  chemistry,  pharmacy  and  toxicology; 

E.  Linthicum,  M.  D.,  professor  of  genito- 
urinary and  venereal  diseases  and  clinical 
surgery;  A.  M.  Owen,  M.  D.,  professor  of 
surgery;  G.  B.  Walker,  M.  D.,  professor  of 
principles  and  practice  of  obstetrics;  George 

F.  Center,  M.  D.,  professor  of  ophthal- 
mology, otology  and  orthopoedic  surgery: 
Edwin  Walker,  M.  D.,  professor  of  anatomy; 
A.  H.  Bryan,  M.  D.,  professor  of  general 
pathology;  N.  G.  Jones,  M.  D.,  professor  of 
principles-  and  practice  of  medicine  and  clin- 
ical medicine;  W.  R.  Davidson,  M.  D.,  pro- 
fessor of  physiology  and  histology;  N.  W. 
Austin,  M.  D.,  lecturer  on  surgerj-  relat- 
ing to  venereal  diseases;  J.  E.  Harper,  M.  D., 
lecturer  on  medical  jurisprudence  and  dem- 
onstrator of  anatomy. 

From  1882  to  1884,  when  the  college  closed, 
the  following  physicians  composed  the  faculty : 
Dr.  P.  Y.  McCoy,  professor  of  surgery;  Dr. 
Edwin  Walker,  professor  of  clinical  gyne- 


COLLEGES,  HOSPITALS  AND  JOURNALS. 


-231 


cology  and  nervous  diseases;  Dr.  C.  P. 
Bacon,  professor  of  diseases  of  women ;  Dr. 
Geo'-ge  P.  Hodson,  professor  of  obstetrics; 
Dr.  F.  W.  Achilles,  professor  of  chemistry 
and  to.xicologv;  Dr.  L.  D.  Brose,  professor 
ofanatom}-;  Dr.  C.  E.  Lining,  professor  of 
materia  medica  and  therapeutics;  Dr.  E. 
Linthicum,  professor  of  genito-urinary  dis- 
eases; Dr.  J.  O.  Stillson,  professor  of  physi- 
ology and  diseases  of  eve  atid  ear;  Dr.  H. 
G.  Jones,  professor  of  theory  and  practice ; 
Dr.  G.  M.  Young,  professor  of  hygiene  and 
medical  jurisprudence:  Dr.  Jacob  Kerth, 
demonstrator  of  anatomy. 

Hospital  Medical  College. —  The  organi- 
zation of  this  institution  was  due  to  the 
efforts  of  Dr.  A.  M.  Owen.  It  was  chart- 
ered in  1872.  Its  first  faculty  was  composed 
as  follows:  Dr.  Geo.  B.  Walker,  dean  and 
professor  of  obstetrics;  Dr.  A.  M.  Owen, 
professor  of  surgery;  Dr.  Charles  Knapp, 
professor  of  theory  and  practice  of  medicine; 
Dr.  C.  M.  Dudenhausen,  professor  of 
materia  medica  and  therapeutics;  Dr.  John 
E.  Owen,  professor  of  anatomy;  Dr.  A.  M. 
Scott,  professor  of  physiology;  Dr.  Edward 
Murphy,  professor  of  chemistry;  Dr.  W.  D. 
Neal,  professor  of  diseases  of  women;  Dr. 
J.  S.  Gardner,  dean  of  anatomy.  The  col- 
lege was  so  ably  managed  and  its  instructors 
were  of  such  high  standing  in  the  profession 
that  its  success  was  remarkable.  Degrees 
were  conferred  on  nine  graduates  at  the 
close  of  the  first  year,  and  in  all  about  tift)- 
physicians  recei\ed  its  diplomas.  The  death 
of  Dr.  Walker,  in  1887,  was  a  serious  blow- 
to  the  institution.  The  engrossing  demands 
of  Dr.  Owen's  practice  forced  his  resigna- 
tion, and  principally  because  of  these  losses 
in  the  faculty  it  was  deemed  best  to  suspend 
operations  under  the  charter.  The  enter- 
prise was  highly  successful  and  it  is  now  the 
purpose  of  the  friends  of  the  old  institution 
to  revive  it  and  again   make  Evansville  the 


seat  of  a  medical  college  which  will  be  the 
pride  of  the  state. 

/lospitdh. — The  U.  S.  hospital  was  fitted 
to  receive  patients  in  1857.  M.  J.  Bray, 
M.  D.,  was  appointed  post-surgeon.  His 
successors  were  J.  P.  DeBruler,  M.  D.,  and 
J.  B.  Johnson,  M.  D.,  appointed  respectively 
in  1861  and  1862.  The  medical  staff,  com- 
posed of  the  college  faculty,  held  clinics 
semi-weekly.  After  the  late  war  the  U.  S. 
hospital  was  sold  to  the  Sisters  of  Charity, 
who  changed  its  name  to  St.  Marv's  hos- 
pital. 

The  City  hospital  is  a  private  enterprise, 
being  instituted  by  some  of  Evansville's 
most  respectable  and  'skillful  ph3-.sicians, 
among  them  Drs.  W.  S.  Pollard,  R.  Hart- 
loff,  E.  Walker,  G.  Hodson,  J.  Kerth,  J.  C. 
McClurkin,  arid  E.  Linthicum  and  others. 
It  received  its  first  patients  in  1883,  and  has 
since  done  much  good. 

The  Small  Pox  hospital  was  built  in  1884 
and  is  in  a  good  condition  to  receive  patients. 

The  asvlum  for  the  poor,  built  and  sus- 
tained by  the  count}-,  was  finished  in  1838, 
at  an  expense  of  about  $80,000. 

Alcdical  yotirnah. —  The  Water n  Retro- 
spect of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  edited  and 
pubhshed  by  H.  M.  Harvey,  M.  D.;  N.  A. 
Lewis,  M.  b.,  and  H.  M."  Newell,  M.  D., 
was  established  in  1872;  was  quite  popular, 
though  with  a  limited  circulation,  and  con- 
tinued publication  but  a  short  time.  The 
Indiana  Medical  Reporter,  a  montlil}- 
journal  of  medicine  and  surgery,  edited  by 
Doctors  A.  M.  Owen,  J.  W.  Compton 
J.  E.  Harper,  Arch.  Dixon,  and  J.  Gardner, 
was  first  issued  in  1S80.  It  was  a  popular 
journal  and  ably  conducted  for  about  two 
jears  before  its  publication  ceased. 

Physicians  of  ?\'otc  not  Elscivhere  Men- 
tioned.— From  the  earliest  times  the  medical 
profession  has  been  ably  represented  at 
Evansville.      Many,    no     longer   connected 


^32 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


with  the  practice,  deserve  some  notice  in 
this  connection.  The  brief  mention  made  in 
each  case  may  fail  to  do  ample  justice  to 
the  man  whose  memor}-  it  ma}-  perpetuate, 
but  it  will  serve  at  least  to  give  his  name  an 
honorable  place  in  the  annals  of  the  county. 

Elias  T.  Runcie,  M.  D.,  a  native  of 
Ireland,  was  the  descendant  of  a  talented 
family.  Coming  from  his  native  country  he 
made  his  way  to  the  west  and  established 
himself  in  the  practice  of  medicine  and  sur- 
gery at  Millersburgh,  Warrick  county,  Ind. 
He  remained  there  for  manv  years  in 
the  successful  discharge  of  his  professional 
duties,  and  came  to  Evans ville  in  1865. 
Here  he  soon  attained  a  prominent  place 
among  physicians,  which  he  held  through- 
out his  entire  career.  He  graduated  from 
the  Evans  ville  Medical  College  in  1854  and 
afterward  graduated  from  other  medical 
colleges  in  the  east.  He  served  as  a  volun- 
teer surgeon  at  various  places  during  the 
civil  war.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Evans- 
ville  Medical  Society,  and  his  opinions  were 
always  accorded  the  greatest  respect.  He 
was  a  kind  neighbor,  a  good  citizen,  and, 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  death 
occurred  in  1877,  after  a  practice  of  twenty- 
four  years. 

D.  T.  Muhlhausen,  M.  D.,  came  to  Evans- 
\ille  in  1839  and  died  in  1862.  He  was  a 
graduate  of  the  medical  school  of  Heidel- 
berg,  Germany.  He  had  man}-  social  qual- 
ities ,  was  a  kind  neighbor  and  a  warm 
friend.  He  had  a  large  German  practice, 
and  left  a  fair  estate. 

John  R.  Wilcox,  M.  D.,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
came  here  from  the  south  about  1839  and 
died  about  1858.  He  kept  a  drug  store  a 
short  time  before  he  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine,  was  a  professor  in  the  med- 
ical college  of  Evansville,  where  he  displayed 
considerable  talent  and  a  broad  knowledge 
of  his  profession.     He  was  kind  to  the  poor 


and  served  them  with  a  willing  heart,  and 
always  pleasant  and  agreeable,  he  had  a 
large  but  not  a  lucrative  practice.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Presb^'terian  church  and 
had  many  Christian  virtues.  He  left  a 
small  estate  for  his  familv. 

William  A.  McDowel,  M.  D.,  came  here 
about  1848  and  died  about  1853.  He  was  a 
native  of  Kentucky  and  related  to  Dr.  Eph- 
raim  McDowel,  who  first  performed  the 
operation  of  ovariotomy.  He  had  acquired 
a  good  classical  and  medical  education  in  the 
east  and  practiced  medicine  successfully  in 
Louisville,  Ky.,  before  he  settled  here.  He 
wrote  a  medical  work  on  consumption,  which 
gave  him  notoriet\^  He  was  professor  in 
the  medical  college  of  Evansville  and  made 
a  good  reputation  as  a  lecturer.  He  was 
aggressive  in  his  profession  and  original  in 
his  conceptions.  He  was  tall  and  dignified 
in  his  person,  had  many  social  qualities  and 
was  intelligent. 

Adolphus  F.  Wulkop,  M.  D.,  settled  in 
Evansville  in  1854  and  died  thirty  years 
later.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  medical 
university  of  Berlin,  Prussia,  president  of  the 
board  of  health  in  Evansville,  and  a  member 
of  the  Evansville  medical  societ}-.  He  had 
a  large  German  practice,  was  a  kind  neigh- 
bor, a  warm  friend,  and  was  respected  by  all 
who  knew  him. 

John  Walker,  M.  D.,  was  a  graduate  of 
the  Ohio  medical  college.  He  pursued  his 
professional  studies  with  his  distinguished 
brother,  Dr.  G.  B.  Walker,  as  his  preceptor. 
He  began  the  practice  of  medicine  and  sur- 
gery' about  the  year  1839.  He  served  as 
assistant  surgeon  m  Col.  Joseph  Lane's  regi- 
ment of  Indiana  infantr}-,  in  the  war  with 
Mexico.  At  the  end  of  the  war  he  resumed 
his  practice  in  Evansville,  became  a  member 
of  the  Evansville  medical  society,  and  pro- 
fessor of  anatomy  in  the  Evansville  medical 
college.     When  the  civil  war  broke  out  he 


EARLY  PHYSICIAXS. 


23:"} 


was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  Tweiity-Hfth 
Indiana  Volunteers  and  while  with  the  army 
contracted  a  disease  from  which  he  did  not 
recover.  His  death  occurred  soon  after  he 
returned  home.  He  had  a  paying  practice 
and  left  a  fair  estate. 

Dr.  J.  T.  Conn  came  to  Evansvilie  in  1S59. 
He  was  a  well-informed  physician,  had  a 
moderate  practice,  was  a  kind  neighbor  and 
a  good  citizen.  He  left  a  small  estate  for  his 
wife  and  children.  He  and  his  family  were 
always  ver\'  much  resjiected. 

Hugh  Ronalds,  M.  I).,  was  reared  and 
educated  in  the  state  of  Illinois.  He  came 
to  Evansvilie  about  1850  and  died  in  1S63. 
He  was  a  graduate  of  the  Louisville  med- 
ical  college,  Kentuck}-,  and  a  partner  with 
Dr.  M.  J.  Bray  for  three  3ears.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Evansvilie  medical  society, 
served  as  secretary  and  afterwards  as  presi- 
dent. He  was  appointed  professor  of  anat- 
omy in  the  Evans\'ille  medical  college  and 
filled  the  place  with  distinction.  He  had  a 
quick,  acti\  e  mind,  improxed  b\"  books  and 
study;  had  a  large  practice  and  left  a  fair 
estate.  His  man\-  excellent  qualities  as  a 
man,  a  citizen,  and  a  physician  made  him 
many  friends  who  deeph'  mourned  his  loss 
when  his  death  occurred. 

Washington  A.  Thompson,  M.  D.,  was  a 
decendant  of  a  talented  and  wealthy  English 
family.  His  father  was  a  physician  of  no- 
toriety, and  at  one  time  a  professor  in  a 
medical  college  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Evansvilie  medical  society 
and  was  elected  secretary.  He  had  a  bright 
mind  improved  by  early  training  and  had  a 
fair  practice.  He  added  to  his  inherited 
estate  and  left  his  family-  in  comfortable  cir- 
cumstances. He  settled  in  Evansxille  in 
1862  and  died  in  1870. 

Dr.  O.  Kress  came  to  the  city  about  the 
year  1856,  and  died  in  1884.  He  was  assist- 
ant surgeon  in  one   of  the   hospitals  in   the 


late    war,  a    successful    practitioner,  and    a 
reputable  citizen. 

Dr.  H.  G.  Jones  came  to  Evansvilie  about 
the  year  1862,  and  died  in  1883;  he  was  a 
skillful  plnsician  and  succeeded  in  the 
practice. 

Dr.  Thomas  Runcie  began  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  Ingletield,  Vanderburgh  count}-, 
in  1849,  and  died  in  1867.  He  was  a  gradu- 
ate of  a  medical  college  in  Ireland;  and 
achieved  a  pleasing  degree  of  success  in  his 
professional  work. 

Dr.  John  F.  Milliard  came  to  Evansvilie 
about  1S67  and  died  in  1878.  He  was  a 
volunteer  surgeon  during  a  part  of  the  late 
war.  He  had  a  good  practice,  was  a  fine 
physician,  and  stood  high  in  professional 
circles.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  medical 
convention  at  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Dr.  J.  Maginnis  began  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  Evansvilie  about  1855,  and  died 
in  1873.  He  was  a  surgeon  in  the  army 
during  the  late  war  and  a  member  of  the 
Evansvilie  Medical  Societ}-;  was  a  good 
physician,  and  successful  in  practice. 

Dr.  Jesse  Burns  came  here  in  1849  and 
died  about  1S73.  He  was  a  fair  physician 
and  had  a  moderate  practice. 

Dr.  J.  B.  Johnston  came  to  Evansvilie  in 
1S62,  and  died  in  1870.  He  was  appointed 
surgeon  of  the  Marine  Hospital  in  1862,  and 
was  a  good  physician. 

Dr.  Winings,  who  came  from  Mt.  Vernon, 
practiced  medicine  in  Evansvilie  for  a  short 
time.  He  wa;  ver\-  eccentric,  one  of  his 
most  prominent  peculiarities  being  that  he 
usually  expressed  a  medical  opinion  in  bib- 
lical language.  On  one  occasion  a  lady 
called  on  him  and  during  the  conversation 
he  learned  that  she  had  been  under  treat- 
ment by  a  homeopathist.  He  asked  whether 
she  thouirht  she  had  been  benefited.  Re- 
ceivinsr  an  aflirmative  answer,  he  said: 
"Well,  whosoever  employeth  a  homeopathic 


23Jf 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


doctor  and  is  holpen   thereby    hath   confess- 
ed   hysterics  alread}-    unto    condemnation." 

The  following  named  physicians  practiced 
medicine  in  Vanderburgh  county  for  awhile, 
but  moved  away  and  have  since  died :  Dr. 
Charles  S.  Weever,  Dr.  P.  E.  Garrett,  Dr. 
S.  Thompson,  Dr.  L.  L.  Laycock,  Dr.  Neg- 
ley.  Dr.  Stockwell,  Dr.  Cregg,  Dr.  Everett, 
Dr.  Newell,  Dr.  Finch,  Dr.  Welborn,  Dr. 
Davidson,  and  Dr.  Kruse. 

Roster  of  Physicians. —  The  following  is 
a  complete  list  of  the  ph3-sicians  who  have 
been  licensed  to  practice  in  Vanderburgh 
county  under  the  acts  of  1885,  relating  to 
the  practice  of  medicine,  surgery  and 
obstetrics:  Richard  A.  Armistead,  Henry  S. 
Ashford,  L.  R.  Allen,  F.  W.  Achilles,  Paul 
Artell,  Thomas  E.  Allen,  Nicholas  R. 
Alve\-,  James  Allison,  Alfred  T.  Bennett, 
Louis  D.  Brose,  A.  H.  Bryan,  William  D. 
Babcock,  Baxter  W.  Begley,  Joseph  F. 
Blount,  John  T.  Binkley,  O.  A.  Barten- 
werffer,  Madison  J.  Bray,  sr.,  A.  B.  Barker, 
Jerome  S.  Belter,  S.  L.  Bryan,  C.  P. 
Bacon,  S.  D.  Brooks,  G.  B.  Beresford,  T. 
J.  Baldwin,  Matilda  Caldwell,  John  W. 
Compton,  W.  C.  Couden,  R.  M.  Corlew,  Fred 
S.  Compton,  E.  L.  Carter,  John  L.  Clark, 
William  Cross,  George  P.  Crosby,  D.  A. 
Crawford,  Wilbur  F.  Clippinger,  Joseph  B. 
Crisler,  John  L.  Dow,  B.  J.  Day,  William 
R.  Davidson,  F.  L.  Davis,  H.  T.  Dixon, 
William  W.  Dailey,  G.  H.  Eiskamp,  Will- 
iam A.  Fritsch,  Walter  Failing,  Louis 
Fritsch,  William  Falsettor,  Frederick  F. 
Fullec,  Carl  Flucks,  William  E.  Fitzgibbons, 
Simon  Gumberts,  J.  S.  Gardner,  George 
Gilbert,  Willis  S.  Green,  Wilham  Gramm, 
C.  H.  Gumaer,  John  F.  Glover,  A.  M. 
Hayden,  L.  S.  Herr,  A.  S.  Hay- 
hurst,    A.    S.    Haynes,    Alonzo    S.    Hazon, 


Richard  Hartloff,  George  Hodson,  Henry 
H.  Hooker,  William  A.  Hewins,  Thomas  J, 
Hargan,  P.  N.  Hoover,  William  A.  Hunt. 
E.  H.  Hart,  Samuel  C.  Henderson,  H.  W. 
Hendrick,  Louis  Henn,  August  F.  filing. 
Joseph  Jacobsohn,  Charles  Knapp,  Jacob  H, 
Kerth,  F.  H.  Kelley,  J.  B.  Kirkpatrick, Victor 
Knapp, William  J.  Laval.  John  Laval,  Edward 
Linthicum,  James  H.  Letcher,  Thomas 
Maser,  John  C.  Minton,  Matthias  Muhl- 
hausen,  Carl  G.  R.  Montaux,  William  A. 
Maghee,  David  A.  Moore,  Hans  von  Metz- 
radt,  \"ictor  H.  Marchaud,  Charles  H. 
Mason,  C.  A.  McMahan,  Joseph  C.  Mc- 
Clurkin,  P.  Y.  McCoy,  J.  C.  McClurkin, 
Henry  F.  McCool,  Alexander  McMillen, 
Benjamin  F.  McCoy,  John  E.  Owen,  A.  M. 
Owen,  Arthur  OXeary,  P.  Ottmann,  Carl 
Ludwig  Oehlmann,  W.  D.  Neel,  E.  Noble, 
Elvis  G.  Neel,  Seaton  Norman,  William  S. 
Pollard,  Johannes  Pirnat,  J.  J.  Pennington, 
T.  E.  Powell,  George  C.  Purdue,  Willis 
Pritchett,  S.  Rouark,  William  G.  Ralston, 
Thomas  H.  Rucker,  W.  B.  Rose,  John 
Rutter,  William  J.  Reavis,  Ethan  Spencer, 
P.  L.  Schuyler,  Wilhelmina  Suiter,  Philip  H. 
Simmons,  Theodore  Schulz,  T.  W.  Stone, 
Henry  M.  Sherman,  Freeman  W.  Sawyer, 
A.  H.  H.  Sieffert,  Augustus  Soper,  Lee 
Strouse,  Katherine  S.  Sn3der,  T.  H.  Tay- 
lor, William  J.  Tapp,  Monroe  Tilman,  C.  C. 
T\'rrell,  George  A.  Thomas,  George  Taude- 
loff,  B.  C.  Thorp,  William  Vitzdamm, 
George  W.  Varner,  Geo.  B.  Walker,  Floyd 
Williams,  Isaiah  Wilton,  Edwin  Walker, 
Anthony  P.  Witting,  William  Weber,  Lud- 
son  Worsham,  Herman  Wilde,  W.  M.  Wal- 
den,  C.  V.  Wedding,  John  B.  Weever, 
Ralph  15.  Watkins,  Hamlin  J.  Walters, 
Thomas  F.  Williams,  G.  M.  Young,  and 
George  W.  Yates. 


BIOGEAFHICAL. 


2S.5 


Of  Dr.  William  IIorxby.  jk.,  liitlc  can 
be  added,  from  the  brief  records  of  liis  day, 
to  the  mention  of  him  in  the  preceding  cluip- 
ter.  The  family  liistory,  however,  gives 
him  credit  for  possessing  a  medical  educa- 
tion, lie  studied  medicine  in  Toville,  in  the 
count\'  of  Somerset,  ami  stud\ing  further  at 
St.  George's  hospital,  in  London,  received 
the  decree  of  M.  D.  Such  is  the  record  of 
the  family,  which  is  yet  prominent  and  in- 
fluential in  the  county.  This  jiioneer  doctor 
was  born  at  Cerne-Abhas,  in  Dorsetshire, 
England,  and  was  the  son  of  an  elder  Wil- 
liam Hornb\-,  who  was  a  rugged  sea  captain 
ofthe  north  of  England.  William,  jr.,  married 
one  Sarah  K.  Rideout,  and  they  had  three 
children:  William,  Charles  and  Henrv. 
About  the  beginning  of  the  present  centur_y 
Dr.  Hornby  abandoned  the  practice  of  the 
healing  art  and  took  up  agriculture  in  his 
native  shire.  Nineteen  years  later  he  yielded 
to  the  temptations  that  the  new  world  held 
forth  to  every  enterprising  man  and  started 
with  his  family  for  America.  They  landed 
at  Philadelphia  in  April  or  May,  1819, 
traveled  by  wagon  to  Pittsburg,  and  there 
being  no  better  passage,  they  secured  a  flat- 
boat  and  made  their  way  down  the  Ohio  to 
Evansville.  Thev  selected  their  home  in 
the  woods  of  what  is  now  Scott  township, 
where  Dr.  Hornby  resided  until  1832,  the 
year  of  his  death.  There  he  passed  his 
days,  answering  the  calls  of  the  afflicted, 
raising  his  family  honorabh-  and  comfort- 
ably, and  clearing  a  farm  for  their  future 
inheritance,  thereby  building  to  himself  an 
imperishable  monument  in  the  county. 

William  Tr.m-ton,  M.  D.,  an  eminent 
pioneer  physician,  settled  at  Evansville  in  the 
first  months  of  its  existence,  and  died  here 
after  achieving  a  reputation  growing  out  of 
his  medical  discoveries  honorable  to  himself 
and  highly  valuable  to  the  profession.  He 
was    born    near    the    village    of    Lewiston, 


Maine,  in  1792.  His  father  was  a  New 
England  farmer  unable  to  give  his  son  a 
collegiate  education.  He  was  disciplined  in 
the  school  of  self-reliance,  and  beginning  the 
battle  of  life  with  a  sound  mind  and  a  sound 
body  as  his  richest  inheritance,  achieved 
success,  for  which  he  was  indebted  to  no 
one  but  himself.  He  was  not  a  profound 
scholar  but,  self-taught,  was  well  informed 
and  possessed  a  strong  mind.  He  passed 
his  youth  in  his  native  place  and  received  his 
primary  education  in  the  free  schools  of  the 
state.  Later  he  pursued  his  studies,  to  fit 
himself  for  the  practice  of  his  profession,  at 
Hebron  academy,  Maine,  and  received  the 
title  of  M.  D.  from  Dartmouth  medical  col- 
lege. New  Hampshire.  In  1819  he  came  to 
Evansville,  and  began  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine, being  the  first  physician  in  the  town; 
and  though  settlements  were  then  few  and 
widely  separated,  he  was  soon  kept  busy 
with  the  duties  of  his  profession,  for  sickness 
prevailed  to  an  alarming  extent  and  even 
checked  immigration,  l^he  first  widespread 
disease  with  which  he  had  to  contend,  ex- 
cepting the  ever  present  effects  of  malarial 
poisoning,  was  milk-sickness.  He  studied 
the  disease  carefully  and  with  the  use  of  the 
scalpel  discovered  its  pathology.  His  discov- 
eries led  to  new  forms  of  treatment  which  were 
simple  and  effective.  The}-  robbed  the  disease 
of  its  terrors  and  won  for  Dr.  Trafton  the 
lasting  gratitude  of  his  neighbors.  He 
prospected  in  other  fields  of  medical  science 
with  fine  results.  Not  satisfied  with  the 
approved  treatment  of  diseases  caused  by 
the  specific  poison  of  malaria,  he  began  a 
series  of  experiments  which  led  to  the  use 
of  quinine  as  a  febrifuge,  which  has  become 
the  panacea  for  all  miasmatic  and  periodic 
diseases.  He  also  made  many  minor  dis- 
coveries in  the  practice  of  medicine.  The 
hardships  of  his  practice  were  very  great, 
and  his  inconveniences  can   hardly    be  con- 


^,96' 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


ceived  by  the  practitioner   of    to-daj-.     For 
seventeen  years  liis  nearest   drug  store  was 
at    Louisville,  Ky.,  and  d  uring    his    entire 
practice  the  greater  portion  of    this    section 
was  a  wilderness,  through    which    he    trav- 
elled,   often  at  the    cost    of    much    bodily 
suffering,  and  at   times  in   the   presence    of 
great    peril.        On    several    occasions     he 
crossed  the  angry  waterS  of  the  Ohio  river  i 
on  floating  cakes  of  ice  in  order  to    minister  j 
to  the  wants  of  the  sick  and  afflicted.      His 
attainments  and  professional   labors    caused 
him  to  be    ranked  among    physicians    who 
had  done  work  that  would  survive  for  ages. 
He  had  great  force  and  positiveness  of  char- 
acter as  a   man,  and  his  professional  convic- 
tions were  absolute.     He  was  president    of 
the  first   medical   society   organized   in   this 
county,    and    his    opinions    upon     ([uestions 
of  medicine  were  respected  by  all.     He  was 
one    of  the    foremost    in     establishing     the 
Evansville  Medical    College,    and    was  one 
of    its    trustees    at    the    time    of  his   death. 
He    was    progressi\e,  and   took   an   active 
part  aside  from  his  professional  work  in  the 
advancement  of  the  city  in  early  times.    He 
attained  an  enviable  prominence  as  a  citizen. 
In  1827  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  state  leg- 
islature, running  against  Charles  Mcjohnston 
and  Thomas  Fitzgerald.      Dr.  Trafton  beat 
them  both  in  his  own  county,  but  falling  be- 
hind in  Posey   and  Warrick,  was  defeated. 
In  1828  he  ran  again  for  the  same  office  and 
succeeded,  his  competitor  being  John  Davis. 
He  was  not   an    orator,   but   brought  sound 
business  abilitv  to  aid   him  in  the  discharge 
of  his  official  duties.       His    religious   belief 
underwent  a  great    change    during   his  life. 
In  his  youth  he  made  a  public  profession  of 
religion    and    joined    the    Calvinist    Baptist 
church.       Later  he  renounced  the  doctrines 
of  foreordination  and  predestination  and  the 
orthodox  ideas  of  the  future   life.      But    to 
the  last  he  believed  in   the   eternal  justness 


of  God,  and  the  souFs  immortahty.  How- 
ever, he  was  not  a  Christian.  He  was  phil- 
anthropic, dealt  fairly  with  his  fellow  men, 
was  unselfish  in  his  friendships  and  an  ex- 
cellent neighbor.  At  times  he  appeared 
rough  and  unpolished  which,  no  doubt,  was 
a  result  of  pioneer  manners  and  associations. 
He  was  to  some  extent  intemperate  in  the 
use  of  intoxicants,  though  he  seldom  in- 
dulged beyond  the  bounds  of  propriet}-  and 
sobriety,  or  compromised  his  dignity  or 
manly  bearing.  He  was  not  without  faults, 
but  on  the  whole  was  a  good  man  and  a  use- 
ful citizen.  Many  years  after  his  death  such 
distinsfuished  citizens  of  Evansville  as  Dr. 
M.  J.  Bray,  Hon.  John  S.  Hopkins,  Samuel 
Orr,  Jacob  B.  Fickas,  John  Greek,  Rev. 
J.  V.  Dodge,  Dr.  George  B.  Walker,  and 
others,  united  in  praising  the  excellent  traits 
of  his  character  and  his  great  usefulness  as 
a  pioneer  citizen  and  physician. 

He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was 
but  thirteen  3'ears  of  age  when  she  became 
a  bride,  and  the  marriage  was  terminated 
by  a  legal  separation.  The  fruit  of  this 
union  was  one  child — a  daughter.  A  few 
vears  afterward,  the  death  of  his  divorced 
wife  having  occurred  in  the  meantime,  he 
was  again  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
America  Butler,  an  estimable  Christian  lady, 
who  was  connected  with  one  of  the  best  and 
most  respectable  families  in  Kentucky.  She 
was  an  Episcopalian  and  her  Christian  virtues 
commanded  the  respect  of  all  who  knew 
her.  She  was  the  mother  of  one  child  —  a 
son  who  became  a  respected  lawyer  in 
Henderson,  Ky.  This  second  marriage  oc- 
curred in  1832,  and  the  doctor  crossed  the 
river  on  the  ice  to  secure  his  bride.  Dr. 
Trafton  died  in  1847,  "like  a  philosopher," 
meeting  death  fearlessly,  believing  it  to  be 
but  the  release  of  the  soul  into  a  new  fife. 
His  remains  were  buried  in  Oak  Hill 
cemetery. 


-% 


DR.  M.  J.  BRA  Y. 


237 


Madison  J.  Bray,  M.  D.,  the  eldest 
physician  and  surgeon,  and  the  Nestor  of  the 
medical  profession  of  Vanderburgh  county, 
was  born  in  Turner  village,  Androscoggin 
county,  Maine,  January  i,  iSii.  He  is  of 
Enelish  descent,  and  one  of  a  familv  of  ten 
children — five  girls  and  five  boys.  Mis 
father,  Capt.  William  Bray,  was  a  successful 
village  merchant,  and  a  prosperous  man  of 
business.  During  the  war  of  1812  he  com- 
manded a  company  of  cavalry  and  was  sum- 
moned to  the  defense  of  Portland,  then  the 
capital  of  the  state.  He  died  at  the  early 
age  of  forty-two  years,  having  gained  in 
that  brief  time  an  enviable  reputation  and  a 
comfortable  competency.  The  mother  of 
Dr.  Bray,  iicc  Miss  Ruth  Cushman,  was 
descended  from  Puritan  ancestry,  and  a  lady 
of  much  force  of  character  and  ability;  she 
survived  her  husband  four  jears.  After  her 
death  the  doctor  was  in  a  measure  thrown 
upon  his  own  resources.  Up  to  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  worked  in  a  cardinji  mill  durincf 
the  summer,  and  attended  the  village  school 
during  the  winter.  In  this  way  he  acquired 
the  rudiments  of  a  good  education,  and  when 
sixteen  j-ears  old  commenced  teaching,  which 
vocation  he  followed  at  intervals  for  eight 
years.  The  ambitious  desire  of  his  youth 
was  to  become  a  physician,  and  he  earl)' 
de\eloped  an  aptitude  for  surgical  science. 
He  began  his  preparatory  course  under  very 
favorable  circumstances,  having  free  access 
to  a  good  anatomical  museum,  owned  by 
his  preceptors,  Drs.  Tewksbery  and  Millett; 
and,  as  he  saj-s,  "saw  a  very  respectable 
practice  of  surgery."  He  attended  three 
courses  of  medical  lectures,  one  at  Dart- 
mouth, N.  H.,  and  two  at  Bowdoin,  Me., 
from  which  latter  institution  he  graduated 
with  honor  in  the  j-ear  1835.  In  November 
of  the  same  year  he  left  his  home  to  estab- 
lish himself  in  the  practice,  his  objective 
point  being  the  state  of  Louisiana,  his  idea 
14 


being  that  the  patronage  of  several  large 
plantations  would  be  more  lucrative  and 
pleasant  than  a  general  practice  in  tiie  north. 
Arriving  at  Louisville,  he  found  his  funds 
exhausted,  and  to  obtain  money  to  continue 
his  journey  he  made  an  application  for  a 
school.  Before  his  proposition  was  accepted, 
he  accidentally  overheard  some  gentlemen 
talking  of  E^•ansville,  then  a  little  hamlet  of 
about  four  hundred  inhabitants,  of  the  great 
advantages  it  possessed,  and  of  the  proba- 
bility that  it  would  soon  become  a  large  and 
prosperous  city.  He  at  once  changed  his 
plans,  engaged  passage  on  a  boat,  and  on 
the  25th  day  of  November,  1835,  arrived  in 
Evansville,  penniless  and  without  a  single 
friend  or  acquaintance  in  the  place.  Dr. 
William  Trafton  was  at  that  time  the 
only  doctor  in  all  this  region  of  coun- 
tr)-,  and,  learning  that  a  young  ph3fsician 
had  arrived  in  the  village,  sent 
for  him,  and  being  favorably  impressed, 
proposed  a  partnership,  which  was  gladly 
accepted,  and  which  continued  for  two  years. 
Dr.  Bray  soon  learned  that  the  field  was  an 
inviting  one  for  a  surgeon,  there  being  no 
physician  in  the  southern  portions  of  Illinois, 
Indiana  or  western  Kentucky  who  desired 
surgical  practice,  or  who  professed  any 
knowledge  of  surgical  science.  Evansville 
was  a  central  point  to  this  territor}-.  Re- 
cognizing this,  the  doctor  decided  to  aban- 
don his  cherished  plan  of  settling  in 
Louisiana,  and  began  wliat  has  since  proved 
to  be  the  most  successful  and  lucrative  prac- 
tice ever  confided  to  anv  physician  in  Evans- 
ville. At  that  time  the  practice  of  medicine 
and  surgery  was  attended  with  difficulties 
that  the  physicians  of  the  present  day  can 
scarcely  comprehend.  The  ph^-sician  fur- 
nished his  own  medicines,  and  the  nearest 
drug  store  was  at  Louisville,  200  miles 
away.  The  doctor  entered  very  earnestly 
(ind  enthusiastically  upon   the    performance 


23S 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


of  his  professional  duties,  in  which  he  ex- 
ceeded tlie  hmits  of  prudent  labor,  but  pos- 
sessing a  magnificent  physique  and  a  robust 
constitution,  he  was  able  to  endure  a  great 
amount  of  arduous  toil.  His  practice  for 
many  years  was  devoted  largely  to  surgery, 
in  which  he  soon  acipired  an  extended  and 
enviable  reputation.  Patients  came  to  him 
from  long  distances,  and  many  difficult  and 
dangerous  cases  were  successfully  treated. 
In  1846  he  spent  several  months  in  New 
York  cit}-,  where  he  availed  himself  of  the 
instruction  of  those  eminent  surgeons,  Drs. 
Parker  and  Mott.  He  paid  especial  atten- 
tion to  orthopedic  and  ocular  surgery,  and 
afterwards  performed  many  difficult  opera- 
tions of  this  character.  A  detailed  mention 
of  the  many  difficult  cases  which  he  has  suc- 
cessfully treated  is  unnecessary,  for  nothing- 
can  be  added  to  the  excellent  reputation  as 
a  physician  and  surgeon  which  he  has  firmly 
established.  He  has  been  in  practice  for 
over  a  half  century,  and  during  this  time 
none  have  been  more  successful,  or  have  en- 
joyed to  a  greater  degree  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  the  people.  In  all  things  in  an}' 
way  connected  with  the  medical  profession 
his  name  stands  pre-eminent.  He  became 
a  prominent  member  of  the  State  Medical 
Society  soon  after  its  organization,  and  in 
1856  was  elected  its  president.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Tri-State  Medical  So- 
ciety, and  wrote  for  it  a  history 
of  surgery  in  Vanderburgh  and  ad- 
jacent counties.  He  is  about  the  onl}- 
survivor  of  the  charter  members  of 
the  Vanderburg  Medical  Society,  of  which 
he  was  president  several  terms,  and  to  which 
he  reported  many  of  his  surgical  cases.  For 
many  years  he  was  one  of  the  prominent 
members  of  the  Evansville  Board  of  Health, 
and  has  done  much  to  place  the  city  in  a 
healthy  hygienic  condition.  The  doctor  has 
interested  himself   in  everything  pertaining 


to  the  city's  interest  and  advancement.  He 
was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  old 
Canal  bank,  now  the  First  National,  and 
for  many  jears  has  been  a  member  of  its 
board  of  directors.  In  1847,  with  others, 
he  procured  the  charter  for  the  Evansville 
Medical  College,  and  filled  the  chair  of 
surgery  from  the  founding  of  the  school 
until  the  commencement  of  the  war  of  the 
rebellion.  After  the  war  he  was  acrain 
called  to  the  same  position  and  occupied  it 
until  ill  health  forced  his  resignation.  The 
doctor  alwavs  evinced  a  penchant  for  mili- 
tary surgery,  and  in  18.^5  '^^'is  appointed 
surgeon  of  the  Maine  militia,  a  position  he 
never  filled,  however,  bj-  reason  of  his  emi- 
gration to  the  west.  In  1847  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  President  Van  Buren  surgeon  of 
the  marine  hospital  at  Evansville,  which  po- 
sition he  filled  creditably  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  civil  war.  As  soon  as  the  news 
was  received,  in  1S61,  that  Fort  Sumter  had 
been  fired  upon.  Dr.  Bray  immediately 
rented  a  room  and  formed  a  little  class  of 
students  in  military  tactics,  which  he  him- 
self instructed.  He  bought  for  them  a  bass 
drum  at  his  own  expense,  which  was  the 
first  money  expended  in  Vanderburg 
county  for  militaiy  purposes,  and  was  the 
initial  event  in  the  war  history  of  the  county. 
These  young  men  afterwards  entered  the 
service  and  were  the  leaders  of  the  great 
number  afterwards  sent  by  Vanderburg 
county  for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion. 
In  1862,  although  exempted  bj'  age  from 
military  service,  he  resigned  a  large  and  lu- 
crative practice  in  order  to  aid  in  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Sixtieth  Regiment  of  Indiana 
Infantry.  He  was  commissioned  surgeon 
of  the  regiment,  and  followed  its  fortunes 
for  two  years,  when  he  was  obliged  to  re- 
sign by  reason  of  ill  health,  caused  by  ex- 
posure. At  the  battle  of  Mumfordsville  he 
was  taken  prisoner;  he  was  treated  with  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


339 


utmost  kindness  and  distinction  by  the  rebel 
otlicers,  especially  General  Brat^j;,  who  gave 
him  a  set  of  surgical  instruments  and  such 
provisions  as  he  thought  advisable  to  take. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  appointed 
surgeon  of  St.  Mary's  Hospital,  which 
position  he  held  for  many  jears. 
A  fact  connected  with  his  practice  worth}-  of 
special  mention  is  that  he  never  sued  a  man 
or  made  any  charge  for  medical  services  to 
any  woman  who  was  obliged  to  rely  upon 
herown  labor  for  a  livelihood.  He  has  alwaj's 
carried  into  his  daily  life  the  tenets  of  his 
religion;  and  has  since  his  boyhood  been  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Episcopal  church. 
Dr.  Bray  is  now  in  the  seventy-eighth  year 
of  his  age  with  unimpaired  intellectual  vigor 
and  enjo3'ing  the  full  fruition  of  a  well 
spent  life.  He  has  witnessed  the  transition 
of  a  little  hamlet  to  a  cit\^  of  over  50,000 
inhabitants,  and  by  Jiis  personal  influence 
and  effort  has  contributed  largely  to  the 
greatness  and  prosperity  which  the  citizen 
of  to-day  is  permitted  to  witness.  He  mar- 
ried in  1838,  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Ann  (Tate)  Johnson.  She  was 
the  cousin  of  Admiral  James  Alden  who 
distinguished  himself  during  the  late  war. 
Two  children  were  the  result  of  this  union, 
Madison  J.,  jr.,  and  Elizabeth;  the  latter 
died  in  infancy.  Madison  J.,  jr.,  is  one  of 
the  prominent  business  men  of  the  city,  and 
at  present  president  of  the  Business  Men's 
Association. 

John  William  Compton,  M.  D.,  stand- 
ing for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  in  the 
front  ranks  of  those  who  have  attained 
special  prominence  in  the  general  practice 
of  medicine  in  the  city  of  Evansville,  was 
born  near  Hardinsburg,  ]5reckinridge 
county,  Ky.,  July  22,  1S25.  His  fatiier, 
Jeremiah  Dabney  Complon,  was  born  near 
Culpepper  Court  House,  Va.,  in  iSoi.  He 
was    a  farmer    by   occupation,  and   a   fine 


type  of  the  Virginia  gentleman  of  that  da\', 
tilling  his  farm  in  the  summer  and  teaching 
the  village  school  in  the  winter  months.  He 
married  Miss  Nancy,  daughter  of  John 
Ball,  of  Culpepper  Court  House.  She  was 
born  in  1804,  and  received  a  liberal  educa- 
tion, and  careful  reading  had  given  her  a 
well  stored  mind  and  a  love  for  literature. 
She  became  an  extensive  writer  on  religious 
subjects,  leaving  a  large  book  of  manu- 
scripts, which,  for  want  of  press  facilities  in 
that  day,  were  never  published.  The 
Comptons,  of  English  extraction,  were 
among  the  old  and  reputable  families  of 
Virginia.  The  progenitor  of  the  famil}^ 
was  Matthew  Compton,  who  came  to  Vir- 
ginia from  England  long  before  the  time  of 
the  Revolution.  William,  a  son,  was  Dr. 
Compton's  grandfather,  and  removed  to 
Kentucky  at  an  early  day,  and  was  a  pioneer 
and  prominent  citizen  of  Breckinridge 
county.  The  early  life  of  Dr.  Compton  was 
not  unlike  that  of  most  of  the  youths  of 
that  time,  being  passed  upon  his  father's 
farm.  He  received  his  education  at  a  com- 
mon school,  and  under  the  tutelage  of  a 
Prof.  Fabrique,  of  his  native  village.  While 
his  advantages  for  obtaining  an  acquaint- 
ance with  books  were  to  some  extent  lim- 
ited, his  studious  habits,  quick  perception 
and  retentive  memory  enabled  him  to 
advance  rapidly,  and  at  length  to  possess  a 
greater  store  of  information  than  was  com- 
mon among  the  lads  of  this  time  and  locality. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  was  so  far 
advanced  as  to  be  emplo3'ed  as  a  teacher, 
and  continued  so  occupied  for  four  years. 
At  the  end  of  this  time  he  decided  to  make 
the  practice  of  medicine  his  life's  work,  and 
entering  the  ollice  of  Dr.  Norvin  Green, 
no\v  president  of  the  Western  Union  Tele- 
graph Co.,  in  1S47  commenced  tiie  study 
of  medicine  under  the  instruction  of  that 
distinguished  physician,  and  in  1849  took    a 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


course  of  lectures  in  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Louisville,  and 
later  graduated  in  the  medical  college  of 
Evansville.  In  the  earl}'  part  of  the  j'ear 
1S50  he  established  himself  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  Knottsville,  Ky.  The 
cit}^  of  Owensburg,  K}-.,  however,  offered 
superior  inducements  and  he  removed  there 
in  1852,  where  he  remained  in  active  prac- 
tice until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in 
1861.  Unswerving  in  his  lo3-alt3'  to  the 
Union,  he  was  commissioned  assistant  sur- 
geon of  the  Seventeenth  Kentucky  Infantry. 
In  March,  1863,  while  in  camp  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  he  resigned  his  commission  to 
accept  the  position  of  surgeon  of  the  board 
of  enrollment  of  the  Second  District  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  in  that  capacity  actively  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war  in  1S65.  In  Octo- 
ber of  that  year  he  came  to  Evansville, 
where  he  formed  a  partnership  with  that 
distinguished  practitioner.  Dr.  James  P. 
DeBruler,  and  has  since  remained  actively 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
The  doctor  soon  took  a  leading  position 
among  his  medical  brethren,  and  shortly 
after  taking  up  his  residence  here  was 
elected  president  of  the  Evansville  Medical 
Societ}'.  In  1872  he  was  appointed  county 
ph3-sician  for  Vanderburgh  country.  In  1S75 
he  was  appointed  to  the  chair  of  materia 
medica  and  therapeutics  in  the  Evansville 
Medical  College,  clinical  surgeon  for  dis- 
eases of  women,  in  the  college  dispensary, 
and  staff  surgeon  to  St.  Mary's  hospital.  As 
a  teacher  of  materia  medica  he  adopted  a 
change  in  the  mode  of  instruction,  by  leav- 
ing to  botanists  and  others  the  technical 
description  of  medicines,  and  by  confining 
his  lectures  more  particularly  to  the 
therapeutic  indications  and  the  good 
that  might  be  accomplished  by  the 
judicious  administration  of  remedies  and 
their  application  to  diseases.     He  became  a 


popular  and  instructive  lecturer.  In  1881 
he  became  a  member  of  the  Indiana  state 
board  of  health,  and  at  its  first  meeting  was 
unanimouslv  elected  its  president.  He  filled 
this  position  four  years,  when  the  demands 
of  his  practice  became  so  imperative  that  he 
was  obliged  to  tender  his  resignation.  He 
is  at  present  a  member  of  the  board  of 
health  of  the  cit\'  of  Evansville.  He  is 
prominently  identified  with  man}-  of  the 
leading  medical  societies  of  this  country, 
such  as  the  American  Public  Health  Asso- 
ciation, American  Medical  Association,  Mis- 
sissippi Valley  Medical  Association,  Indiana 
State  Medical  Societ}-,  and  is  an  honorary 
member  of  the  Mitchell  District  Medical 
Society  and  the  Southwestern  Kentucky 
Medical  Association.  In  1882  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  member  of  the  United  States 
board  of  examining  surgeons  for  pensions, 
at  Evansville,  and  served  as  its  president 
until  18S5.  He  is  a  charter  member  of 
Farragut  Post,  No.  27,  G.  A.  R.,  and  has 
been  surgeon  of  the  post  continuously  since 
its  organization.  While  the  duties  of  his 
official  positions  and  his  practice  have  been 
onerous,  he  has  made  many  valuable  contri- 
butions to  medical,  scientific  and  general 
literature,  notably:  "The  Geological,  Geo- 
grapliical  and  Climatic  Influences  and  Pre- 
vailing Diseases  of  the  Second  District  of 
Kentucky,"  (reported  to  the  war  depart- 
ment and  printed  in  the  medical  statistics  of 
ths  provost  marshal  general's  bureau), 
"Injuries  to  the  Brain,"  "Solution  and  Ab- 
sorption of  Medicine,"  "  Chemical  compounds 
in  the  Nutrition  of  the  Human  Body,"  "  Dis- 
eases of  the  neck  and  body  of  the  Uterus," 
"  Paralysis  from  pressure  of  displaced  uterus 
on  sacral  plexus  of  Nerves,"  "State  medicine 
and  Hygiene,"  "Ante-partum  HtEmorrhage," 
"  Precautions  requisite  in  the  administration 
of  Ergot,"  and  others  which  were  read  before 
different  society  meetings  and  published  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


341 


leading  medical  journals;  he  has' also  written 
articles  in  extenso  for  current  magazines, 
and  on  many  important  medical  and  sanilarj- 
topics,  but  lack  of  space  forbids  their  enum- 
eration. But  few  physicians  in  this, part  of 
the  country  are  more  extensively  or  favor- 
ably known  than  Dr.  Compton,  and  jus- 
tice to  him  recjuircs  the  statement  that 
but  few  have  been  more  successful  in  all  the 
varied  departments  of  life.  Early  thrown 
upon  his  own  resources,  with  indefatigable 
zeal  he  overcame  every  obstacle,  and 
through  his  own  personal  efforts,  unaided  by 
the  adventitious  circumstances  of  wealth  and 
influential  relationships,  has  advanced  to  his 
present  position.  His  record  as  a  physician 
and  a  private  citizen  is  honorable  in  all  its  de- 
tails, and  his  career  is  worthy  of  emulation. 
Politically  he  is  a  republican.,  active  in  local 
politics,  but  in  no  sense  a  politician.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  First  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian church  and  takes  a  lively  interest  in 
all  benevolent  enterprises.  In  1S53  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Sallie,  daughter  of  David 
Morton,  a  well  known  citizen  and  merchant 
of  Owensboro,  Ky.  Of  this  union  four 
children  are  now  living:  Margaret  O.,  (now 
Mrs.  Ira  D.  McCoy),  Morton  J.,  Frederick 
S.  and  John  W.,  jr. 

Ahkaham  M.  Oaven,  M.D.,  the  acknowl- 
edged leader  in  the  active  practice  of  his 
profession  in  the  city  of  Evansville,  and  the 
most  eminent  and  successful  surgeon  in 
southern  Indiana,  is  the  son  of  Abraham  B. 
Owen,  M.  D.,  a  Virginian  by  birth,  and  in 
his  day  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  suc- 
cessful physicians  in  Kentucky.  The  elder 
Owen  practiced  his  profession  for  several 
years  in  the  city  of  Louisville,  but  about 
1843  removed  to  Madisonville,  Hopkins 
county,  Ky.,  where  Dr.  A.  M.  Owen  was 
born,  March  19,  1849.  1'he  mantle  of  the 
father  fell  upon  the  son,  Un-  while  a  mere 
boy  he  evidenced  a  decided  love  ior  medical 


knowledge  and  an  especial  fondness  for  sur- 
gical science.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  academies  of  his  native  state  and  the 
university  of  \'irginia,  and  began  his  j^repar- 
atory  course  in  medicine  in  the  office  of  his 
father.  It  soon  became  evident  to  the  father 
that  his  son  needed  advantages  in  the  prose- 
cution of  his  medical  studies,  not  obtainable 
in  his  native  town,  and  in  1S65  he  entered 
the  office  of  that  eminent  physician  and  sur- 
geon. Dr.  Frank  II.  Hamilton,  of  New  York. 
Completing  his  preparatory  course  he  en- 
tered the  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  college 
in  1866,  from  which  he  graduated  with 
honor  in  the  class  of  1870.  His  graduating 
thesis,  "  Tetanus,"  was  ably  prepared  and 
did  credit  both  to  himself  and  the  colle<fe. 

o 

Immediateh'  after  his  graduation  he  came  to 
Evansville  and  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession under  rather  adverse  circumstances, 
but  in  a  comparati vel}-  short  time  he  found  him- 
self in  the  possession  of  a  large  and  lucrative 
business.  His  success  in  surger}'  gave  him 
an  enviable  reputation,  and  his  territorj'  grew 
until  it  now  embraces  southern  Indiana, 
northern  Kentucky,  and  southwestern  Illi- 
nois. He  was  the  founder  of  the  E\ans\ille 
Hospital  Medical  College  of  Evansville,  and 
occupied  the  chair  of  surgery  until  his  large 
and  growing  practice  and  his  extensive  busi- 
ness interests  compelled  him  to  tender  his 
resignation.  The  heav}-  demands  lipon  his 
time  have  prevented  him-  from  making  any 
contributions  to  medical  literature  further 
tlian  reports  of  some  of  his  most  important 
surgical  cases.  He  is  however,  an  associate 
editor  of  the  ^SV.  Louis  Medical  Review  and 
the  A'czv  E  It  gland  Medical  Mont  Id y  Re- 
porter. He  established,  and  for  three  vears 
was  the  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Indiana 
Medical  Reporter,  now  tlie  Western  Medical 
Reporter  oi  Chicago.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  nearly  all  of  the  more  important 
1  medical  organizations  of  the  country,  notably 


2J^ 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


amon^  the  number  the  International  Medi- 
cal Congress,  the  American  Surgical  Asso- 
ciation, the  American  Medical  Association, 
the  Mississippi  Valley  Medical  Association, 
the  McDowell  Medical  Association,  the  In- 
diana State  Medical  Societjr  and  the  Van- 
derburg  County  Medical  Societ}-.  Not- 
withstanding the  magnitude  of  his  gen- 
eral and  surgical  practice.  Dr.  Owen  has 
given  due  attention  to  matters  of  public  im- 
port and  has  identified  himself  with  all  en- 
terprises having  for  their  object  the  advance- 
ment of  the  interests  of  the  city  of 
Evansville.  Me  is  one  of  the  incorporators 
and  the  present  president  of  the  Evansville 
&  Chicago  railroad  company,  president  and 
director  of  the  District  Telegraph  company, 
president  of  several  business  associations, 
and  in  fact  is  in  some  way  identified  with 
many  commercial  enterprises  of  a  public 
character.  He  is  an  enthusiastic  and  an 
indefatigable  practitioner,   and  a  fine  tj^pe  of 

self-made 
His  life  evidences  the  fact  that  tal- 


the  class  to  whicli  he  belongs, 


men. 


ent,  combined  with  energy  and  a  laudable 
ambition,  may  rise  superior  to  adverse  con- 
ditions and  wrest  success  from  unfavorable 
circumstances.  In  1875  the  doctor  was 
married  to  Miss  Laura,  daughter  of  G.  N. 
Jerauld  of  Princeton,  Indiana.  Three  child- 
ren have  been  born  to  them,  Amelia  E. 
Leartus  J.,  and  George  J. 

Isaac  Casselberry,  M.  D.,  w^as  born  on 
the  farm  of  his  father,  Thomas  Evans  Cas- 
selbeny,  in  Posey  county,  Ind.,  November, 
26,  1 82 1.  The  Casselberry  famil}'  were 
among  the  prominent  pioneer  families  of 
West  Franklin,  in  Posey  count}',  to  which 
place  Paul  Casselberr}-,  grandfather  of  the 
subject  of  this  mention,  removed  with  his 
family  from  Morristown,  Pennsylvania,  in 
i8o6.  Almost  from  the  date  of  their  settle- 
ment the  family  took  a  conspicuous  part  in 
the  affairs  of  the    county  and  the   name    of 


Casselberr}^  is  indelibly  stamped  upon  its 
history.  The  father  of  Dr.  Casselberry  was 
one  of  the  commissioners  who  located  the 
county  seat  of  Vanderburg  county  at  Evans- 
ville; he  was  a  gentlemen  of  much  force  of 
character  and  in  many  ways  identified  him- 
self with  the  interests  of  Vanderburg  county. 
His  death  occurred  in  1826.  His  wife  was 
Miss  RachaelJ.,  daughter  of  Charles  Car- 
son. Isaac  was  a  child  five  years  old  at 
the  time  of  the  death  of  his  father.  His 
early  training  devolved  upon  his  mother 
and  to  her  he  was  no  doubt  indebted  for 
those  valuable  lessons  that  proved  so  ser- 
viceable in  after  years.  She  died  in  1844. 
Pr.  Casselbeny  received  an  academical  edu- 
cation and  in  1841  began  the  stud}-  of  medi- 
cine in  the  office  of  that  eminent  physician, 
Dr.  M.  J.  Bray,  of  Evansville.  Two  years 
later  he  placed  himself  under  the  the  tutelage 
of  R.  D.  Mussey,  M.  D.,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
In  1845  he  graduated  with  honor  from  the 
medical  college  of  Ohio  and  soon  after  re- 
turned to  Evansville,  where  he  formed  a 
co-partnership  with  his  former  preceptor, 
Dr.  Bray.  In  a  comparatively  short  time  he 
obtained  an  enviable  position  in  the  practice, 
and  ■  soon  became  known  as  one  of  the 
leading  physicians  in  this  section  of 
the  state.  At  the  commencement  of  the 
war  he  tendered  his  services  to  the 
government,  and  received  the  appointment 
of  surgeon  of  the  First  Indiana  Cavalry. 
He  served  in  this  capacity  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  when  he  returned  to  Evansville, 
and  was  appointed  by  President  Johnson 
collector  of  customs  for  the  port  of  Evans- 
ville, which  position  he  filled  with  great 
credit  until  a  change  of  administration 
necessitated  his  resignation.  He  then  re- 
sumed the  practice  of  his  profession,  and 
from  that  time  until  the  date  of  his  decease, 
July  9,  1873,  was  one  of  the  most  zealous, 
energetic    and  self-sacrificing  physicians   in 


bio6raphica  l. 


24s 


the    county.     From    the    time    the    city   of 
Evansville  was   placed  under  sanitary  regu- 
lations, Dr.    Casselberry   lilled  the  oifice   of 
secretary  of  the  board  of  health.     He  was 
one  of  tlie  founders  of  the  Evansville  Medi- 
cal College,  and  one  of  its  first  trustees.     In 
1871  he  was  called  to  the  chair  of  phj-sical 
diagnosis.     In     everything    connected    with 
the   welfare    of  the   college    he  manifested 
that    zeal   and   energy   which  characterized 
all  his  undertakings,  and  the  success  of  the 
institution    was  largely  due    to    his    efforts. 
Dr.  Casselberry  was  probably  more  exten- 
sively known   outside   the  state  as  a  strong, 
forcible  writer,  and    a   valuable  contributor 
to  medical  literature.     Many  of  his  articles 
were  extensively  copied  in  medical  publica- 
tions.    Lack  of    space    prevents   a  detailed 
mention,  but  the  following  are   among  the 
more    important   papers:  "An    Inquiry   into 
the    Piiysiology    of    the    Organic    Nervous 
System" — American    'Jourual  of   Medical 
Science,  1852;    "Causes  of  Fever"  —  Ibid, 
1856;  "Ancient  Marriages  of  Consanguinit}-" 
—  ll)id,  1859;  a  series  of  articles  on  "Causes 
of  Epidemics,"  Kaihville  Medical  and  Siiro-f- 
cal    Journal,  1857   to    185S.     In   1857,  Dr. 
Wright,  of  the  Menipliii  Medical  /Recorder, 
made  an  able  review  of  some  of  Dr.  Cassel- 
berry's  articles,  in    which  he  remarked  that 
much  credit   was    due  him  for  the  boldness 
and  industry  with  which  he  strove  to  throw 
light  on  pathological  subjects.      He  was  one 
of  the  charter  members  of  the  Indiana  State 
Medical  Society,  and  his  election  as   presi- 
dent of    that    body  was    a    merited    honor. 
Me  was  a  permanent  member  of  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association,  and  it  was  one  of 
his  greatest  pleasures   to  meet  its  members 
in  annual  session.     Dr.  Casselberry,  though 
starting  in  life  without  any  of  the  accidental 
aids    of  wealth,    was   able     to    conquer    in 
every  department  of  iuinian  endeavor  which 
he   chose    to    enter.     His  character  was  a 


strange  mingling  of  manlj'  sternness  and 
womanl}'  kindness.  He  was  gentle,  almost 
to  a  fault,  yet  possessed  an  iron  nerve  and 
invincible  will.  He  had  the  bearing  and  man- 
ner of  a  genuine  gentleman,  which,  united 
with  a  comeliness  of  person  and  a  fine  pres- 
ence, endeared  him  to  all  who  were  fortunate 
enough  to  become  his  associates.  He  died 
in  Evansville,  July  9,  1873,  after  a  laborious 
and  successful  practice  of  twenty-eight  years. 
In  1847,  Dr.  Casselberry  was  married  to  Miss 
Louisa  Garvin,  daughter  of  Jolm  and  Provi- 
dence Garvin,  of  Gett3sburg,  Pennsylvania. 
Two  children  were  the  result  of  this  union, 
only  one  of  whom,  Mrs.  Laura  Dunkerson, 
is  living. 

George  Brinton  Walker,  M.  D.,  was 
born  December  6,  1807,  at  Salem,  New 
Jersey,  and  died  September  6,  18S7,  at 
Evansville,  Ind.  He  was  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Catharine  (Tyler)  Walker.  After 
receiving  his  general  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  village,  and  in 
those  of  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  whither  he 
had  removed  in  his  youth  with  his  parents, 
he  took  up  the  study  of  medicine,  and  grad- 
uated in  the  spring  of  1830,  at  the  Ohio 
Medical  College.  After  practicing  medicine 
for  five  j'ears  in  Cincinnati,  he  removed  to 
Evansville,  where  for  more  than  half  a  cen- 
tury, and  to  within  a  few  weeks  of  his  death, 
he  daily  performed  the  duties  of  liis  profession. 
He  joined  the  \'anderburgh  County  Medi- 
cal Society,  in  1879,  and  served  one  term  as 
its  president,  in  1886.  He  was  also  a  member 
of  the  Evansville  Medical  Society,  Tri-State 
Medical  Society,  First  District  Medical  So- 
ciety, of  Ohio,  and  the  Society  of  Medicine 
and  Pliilosophy,  of  Ohio,  during  the  presi- 
dency of  Dr.  Drake.  He  was  dean  and 
professor  of  obstetrics  in  the  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Evansville,  for  several  years  from  its 
establishment,  and  resigned  this  trust  in  1881 
only  to  be  called  upon  to  serve  in  a  similar 


2}^Jl^ 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


capacity  in  the  newly  organized  Hospital 
Medical  College.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
city  board  of  health  and  its  president  for 
several  years.  During  the  civil  war  he 
served  for  three  jears  as  surgeon  in  the  va- 
rious hospitals  of  this  city,  and  was  ever 
steadfast  in  his  devotion  to  the  Union.  His 
public  services  were  by  no  means  confined 
to  his  profession.  Always  progressive  and 
public-spirited,  he  did  much  to  develop  the 
natural  resources  of  this  locality  and  build  up 
the  city  of  Evansville.  He  was  a  director 
of  the  Evansville  &  Grawfordsville 
railroad  during  the  period  of  its  construction, 
was  a  state  director  of  the  Evansville  branch 
of  the  state  bank  of  Indiana,  a  member  of 
the  board  of  directors  of  the  Public  Hall 
company  and  a  director  of  the  Evansville 
Street  Railway  company.  In  politics  Dr. 
Walker  was  a  democrat,  and  attained  some 
prominence.  His  first  vote  was  cast  for 
General  Jackson.  In  1852  he  was  a  dele- 
gate to  the  Baltimore  convention,  which 
nominated  Franklin  Pierce  to  the  presi- 
dency. Being  a  thorough  student,  uncom- 
monly devoted  to  his  books,  and  possessing 
a  retentive  memory  and  an  exceptional!}- 
critical  mind,  he  was  well  versed  in  every 
branch  of  the  medical  science.  As  a  prac- 
titioner he  was  eminently  successful,  and 
throughout  his  long  career  in  this  city  occu- 
pied a  v^ry  prominent  place  among  the 
members  of  the  medical  profession.  He 
was  accomplished  not  only  in  professional 
but  also  in  general  literature.  As  a  lecturer 
and  writer  he  was  accorded  a  very  high 
rank,  and  as  a  conversationalist  w'as  consid- 
ered delightful.  Indeed,  his  intellectual 
peers  were  not  numerous.  His  thorough 
manhness,  the  beauty  of  his  character  and 
the  gentleness  of  his  disposition  endeared 
him  to  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  his 
friendship.  Always  upright  and  honorable, 
kind  and  humane,  he  was  much    respected 


and  beloved.  Dr.  Walker  w-as  married  to 
Miss  EHzabeth  Clark,  of  Cincinnati,  the  23d 
of  June,  1835.  He  was  never  blessed  with 
children  of  his  own,  but  had  in  his  family 
from  their  childhood  the  three  children  of 
his  brother,  Wm.  H.  Walker.  Tlie  widow 
and  these  children  survive. 

James  P.  DeBruler,  M.  D.,  for  man\- 
years  a  well-known  and  successful  physi- 
cian in  Evansville,  was  born  in  Orange 
County,  North  Carolina,  September  21, 
1817.  During  his  infancy  his  parents 
removed  to  Dubois  county,  Indiana,  bring- 
ing with  them  their  slaves,  whom  the}-  lib- 
erated soon  after  their  arrival.  The  elder 
DeBruler  bought  a  large  tract  of  wild  land, 
and  began  its  improvement,  he  and  his  fam- 
ily suffering  all  the  trials  and  hardships 
incident  to  pioneer  life  in  the  forests  of 
Southern  Indiana.  The  doctor  w-as  reared 
under  tlie  stern  influences  of  cabin  life  in 
the  woods,  but  the  lessons  learned  from  his 
experiences  there  proved  highly  serviceable 
in  after  years.  His  early  mental  training 
was  necessarily  meagre,  because  of  the 
inferior  schools  of  the  pioneer  era,  but  by 
dint  of  persistent  study  he  obtained  a  famil- 
iarity with  many  good  books,  and  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  began  the  study  of  medicine. 
Subsequently  he  graduated  from  the  medi- 
cal department  of  the  University  at  Louis- 
ville. He  began  the  practice  of  iiis  profession 
at  Rockport,  in  Spencer  county,  where  he 
remained  nearly  twenty  years,  enjoying 
perhaps  the  largest  practice  confided  to  any 
physician  to  that  locality.  In  1855  he 
came  to  EvansviUe,  where  he  remained 
extensively  engaged  in  his  profession  until 
his  decease.  His  abilities  soon  earned  for 
him  a  high  standing  among  physicians  here, 
which  lie  lield  throughout  his  residence  in 
Evansville.  In  his  practice  he  exhibited  the 
highest  degree  of  skill  and  professional  at- 
tainments.    He  was  appointed  by  President 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


i?i5 


Lincoln  surgeon  of  Marine  Hospital  in  this 
city,  and  continued  on  dut}'  there  until  it 
was  changed  into  a  militar}'  hospital,  early 
in  the  war.  He  was  its  first  surgeon  and 
acted  in  that  capacity  as  long  as  there  was 
any  need  of  his  services.  He  took  an  active 
interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  pub- 
lic welfare  and  did  much  to  advance  the 
general  prosperity  of  this  city.  He  was 
never  a  politician,  but  soon  after  coming  to 
Evansville,  in  1856,  was  nominated  as  a 
candidate  for  the  legislature,  but  failed  to 
be  elected.  From  that  time  forward  he  de- 
voted his  entire  attention  to  his  professional 
duties.  He  was  appointed,  without  solicita- 
tion on  his  part,  postmaster  of  this  cit}'  by 
President  Johnson,  but  resigned  without 
taking  charge  of  the  ofKce.  He  had  a  deep 
love  for  the  science  to  which  he  devoted  so 
many  years  of  his  life,  and  pursued  his  labors 
with  great  enthusiasm.  He  was  highly 
honorable  in  every  relation  of  life  and  pos- 
sessed in  a  marked  degree  the  character- 
istics of  genuine  manliness.  His  death, 
occurring  August  12,  1S74,  was  generally 
lamented.  Dr.  DeBruler  was  married, 
September  2,  1847,  to  Miss  Sallie  E.  Gra- 
ham, daughter  ot  the  late  Judge  J.  W. 
Graham.  Their  son,  Claude  G.  DeBruler, 
deceased,  was  for  some  time  editor  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  Evansville  Daily  yotirnal, 
and  was  known  as  one  of  the  most  intellect- 
ual and  enterprising  citizens  of  the  city,  in 
his  d.ay. 

Daniel  Morgan,  M.  D.,  for  many  years 
a  promment  citizen  and  successful  practitioner 
•'of  Vanderburgh  county,  was  born  in  Can- 
terbury, Conn.,  March  22d,  1813.  His 
paternal  grandfather,  James  Morgan,  a 
Welshman,  who  settled  in  Connecticut  as 
carl)-  as  1638,  served  the  colon}^  six  times 
in  the  general  courts  and  occupied  a  promi- 
nent position  in  the  colonial  debates.  His 
father,  Isaac  Morgan,  was  a   successful  far- 


mer and  a  gentleman  of  prominence  in  the 
section  in  which  he  lived.  His  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Adams,  was 
a  relative  of  John  Quincy  Adam.s.  After 
attending  several  seats  of  learning  in  Brook- 
lyn and  New  Haven,  he  studied  medicine  in 
the  office  of  an  eminent  physician  and  sur- 
geon. Dr.  A.  F.  Harris,  of  Canterbury.  He 
graduated  from  the  medical  department  of 
Yale  College  in  1835.  Shortly  afterward 
he  came  to  Evansville,  where  he  established 
himself  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in 
which  he  rapidly  rose  to  prominence,  soon 
commanding  a  large  and  lucrati\e  practice. 
In  1839  he  was  most  happily  married  to 
Miss  Matilda,  daughter  of  Samuel  Fisher, 
of  Lynchburg,  Va.,  who  died  December 
22d,  1S87.  Eight  children  were  born  to 
them,  onl}'  two  of  whom  are  now  living, 
Mrs.  M.  A.  Dixon,  and  Miss  Julia  A.  Mor- 
gan. Dr.  Morgan  was  a  member  of  the 
American  Medical  Association,  the  Evans- 
ville Medical  Society,  and  the  Drake 
Academy  of  Medicine.  In  all  of  these  medi- 
cal societies  he  was  an  influential  member 
and  an  acknowledged  leader.  He  possessed 
a  remarkable  memorv  and  a  well  balanced 
mind,  qualifications  which  made  him  an  ex- 
cellent physician.  He  was  appointed  sur- 
geon of  one  of  the  U.  S.  hospitals  in  1862, 
and  it  was  while  discharging  his  duties  here 
that  he  had  erysipelas  inoculated  in  one  of 
his  fingers,  which  at  length  produced  paraly- 
sis and  later  caused  his  death.  Forty-four 
years  of  his  life  were  devoted  to  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  in  which  ifis  knowledge, 
skill,  and  energy  were  shown  to  be  of  the  high- 
est type.  His  reputation  as  a  physician  was 
onl}-  equaled  bj^  his  record  as  a  high-minded, 
valuable  citizen.  He  always  found  time  for 
matters  of  public  import;  took  a  lively  in- 
terest in  politics,  and  in  1868  was  elected  to 
the  state  senate  wiiere  he  served  four  years, 
distinguishing  himself  by    his  sound  views 


u^ 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


on  all  important  legislation  and  makinjj  an 
enviable  record.  In  1871,  he  was  elected 
to  a  chair  in  the  Medical  college  of  Evans- 
ville,  and  was  one  of  the  most  prominent 
members  of  the  faculty.  In  his  personal 
appearance  he  was  a  man  of  fine  presence; 
and  possessed  a  large  amount  of  personal 
magnetism  and  rare  social  quahties.  His 
kindness  of  heart,  his  genial  disposition,  and 
his  untarnished  Christian  character,  caused 
him  to  be  esteemed  and  respected  by  all 
who  knew  him.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 
he  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church  and 
was  a  consistent  member  of  that  organiza- 
tion throughout  his  life.  His  death,  which 
was  generally  lamented,  occurred  January 
25th,  1879. 

Richard  Hartloff,  M.  D.,  a  leading 
physician  and  surgeon  of  Evansville,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Prussia,  born  in  the  Rhine  Province, 
August  16,  1845,  the  second  of  eight  chil- 
dren born  to  Frederick  William  and  Fred- 
erica  (Borghoff)  Hardoff.  The  father  was 
born  in  1815  and  the  mother  in  1816.  They 
emigrated  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1853, 
and  settled  near  fronton,  Ohio,  and  in  the 
fall  of  the  same  year,  removing  to  Indiana, 
settled  near  Cannelton,  Perry  county.  Here 
in  1864  the  mother  died,  and  three  years 
later  the  father  removed  to  a  farm  in  Spencer 
county,  and  continued  to  reside  there  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1886.  Of  the 
children  four  survive.  Dr.  Hardoff  attended 
school  in  his  native  country,  advancing  in 
his  studies  so  far  as  to  be  versed  in  reading 
and  writing  in  the  German  language,  and 
afterward  attended  the  public  schools  of  In- 
diana until  1864.  lie  then  entered  Wallace 
College  in  Ohio,  near  Cleveland,  where  he 
attended  two  years.  Returning  to  Indiana, 
he  taught  school  for  two  j-ears  in  Perr}-  and 
Vanderburg  counties,  and  during  that  period 
read  medicine.  He  next  entered  the  medi- 
cal department  of  the  University  of  Louis- 


ville, Kj-.,  and  graduated  in  1871.  He  at 
once  came  to  Evansville,  and  began  prac- 
ticing his  profession.  In  1876,  he  visited  Eu- 
rope and  pursued  a  course  of  study  of  the  eye 
and  ear  at  the  Vienna  University,  Austria. 
Returning  to  Evansville,  he  resumed  the 
practice  which  he  has  continued  to  the  pres- 
ent, meeting  with  pronounced  success.  Dr. 
Hartloff  was  united  in  marriage  in  1867  to 
Emilia  Johann,  who  was  born  in  Prussia  in 
1 848,  and  died  in  1875.  To  this  union  one 
son  and  one  daughter  were  born,  both  of 
whom  survive.  In  1876  he  was  married  to 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Oliver,  /ice  Austin,  who  was 
born  in  Manchester,  England,  in  1844.  Dr. 
Hartloff  served  as  health  officer  of  Vander- 
burgh county  in  1883;  was  one  of  the  board 
of  pension  examiners  from  1882  to  1886; 
has  been  for  three  years  a  member  of  the 
Evansville  board  of  health,  of  which  he  is 
president;  and  is  also  the  present  city 
physician.  He  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M. 
and  I.  O.  O.  F.  fraternities. 

William  G.  Ralston,  M.  D.,  a  pioneer 
citizen  of  southwestern  Indiana,  and  for 
many  j^ears  a  prominent  member  of  the 
medical  profession  in  Evansville,  was  born 
in  Princeton,  Gibson  county,  Ind.,  February 
13,  1819.  During  his  boyhood  the  schools 
in  his  locahty  were  very  imperfect.  He 
succeeded,  however,  in  obtaining  a  good 
common  school  education,  and  in  1S41  be- 
gan the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of 
Dr.  Joseph  Neely,  of  Cynthiana,  Posey 
county,  Ind.  After  pursuing  his  studies 
three  years  he  began  the  practice  in  part- 
nership with  his  old  preceptor,  but  one  year 
later  established  himself  at  Boonville,  the 
county  seat  of  Warrick  count}'.  Here  he 
remained  eighteen  years,  successfully  en- 
gaged in  the  practice.  He  soon  attained  a 
prominent  place  among  the  physicians  of 
that  town,  which  he  maintained  throughout 
the  whole  of  his  residence  there.     In  1863, 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


247 


he  came  to  Evansville,  where  he  lias  since 
been  engaged  in  tlie  general  practice.  He 
was  surgeon  of  the  Eighty-tirst  Indiana  In- 
fantry Volunteers,  and  while  in  that  position 
was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln  surgeon 
of  the  board  of  enrollment  for  the  First 
congressional  district  of  Indiana,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  two  years.  In  1S69,  he 
was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  U.  S.  Marine 
Hospital  at  this  place,  and  held  the  position 
four  years.  Since  that  time  his  efforts  have 
been  devoted  entirely  to  the  general  prac- 
tice. Although  his  extensive  practice  and 
long  period  of  stud}',  shaped  by  the  sugges- 
tions of  his  varied  experiences  as  a  prac- 
titioner, had  familiarized  him  with  the  dis- 
eases prevailing  in  this  locality  and  the  ap- 
proved methods  of  their  treatment,  yet  when 
the  Evansville  Medical  College  was  estab- 
lished, he  was  matricujated  in  the  institu- 
tion and  graduated  therefrom  in  1S72.  In 
his  practice  Dr.  Ralston  has  been  eminently 
successful,  while  his  social  relations  have 
been  of  the  most  gratifying  character.  He 
has  not  sought  by  questionable  methods  to 
attain  a  popularity  not  wholly  merited. 
But  performing  every  dut}'  without  osten- 
tation, and  carrying  into  his  professional 
work  the  suggestions  of  a  gentle  disposition 
and  a  kind  heart,  he  has  endeared  himself 
to  all  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 
Dr.  Ralston  was  married  in  April,  1850,  to 
Miss  Isabella  Matthewson,  daughter  of  Dr. 
R.  C.  Matthewson,  of  Boonville,  Ind.  Mrs. 
Ralston  was  born  September  20,  1830,  and 
died  in  1S82.  Of  this  union  three  sons  were 
born :  William  M.,  Charles  N.,  and  Andrew  G. 
The  eldest  of  these  died  in  Texas,  in  1885. 
Dr.  Ralston  is  a  member  of  Crescent 
Lodge  No.  122,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  belongs  to 
the  First  Cumberland  IVesbyterian  church. 
Politically  he  was  originally  a  whig,  and 
has  been  a  republican  since  the  organiza- 
tion of  that  partv. 


Matthias  Muiiliiausen,  M.  D.,  promi- 
nent as  a  physician  and  a  public  spirited 
citizen,  has  worked  out  his  career  from  his 
youth  in  this  city.  His  father.  Dr.  Francis 
Muhlhausen,  an  erudite  and  distinguished 
physician,  for  man}^  years  occupied  an  hon- 
orable place  in  Evansville,  both  in  profes- 
sional and  social  circles.  He  was  a  native 
of  Germany,  and  there  married  Mary  Ann 
Jageman.  Their  son,  Matthias,  was  born 
at  Hesse  Darmstadt,  Germany,  Januarj'  19, 
1833.  Emigrating  to  America  in  the  fall  of 
1838,  they  located  in  Baltimore,  where  they 
remained  a  short  time.  They  moved  thence 
to  Taylorsville,  Ohio,  where  for  about  one 
year  Dr.  Muhlhausen  was  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  At  the  end  of 
this  time  he  was  induced  to  locate  in  Evans- 
ville, and  came  here  in  the  fall  of  1839. 
From  that  time  until  his  death  in  1862  he 
resided  here,  and  practiced  medicine  and 
surgery.  He  was  a  scholarly  and  skillful 
physician,  a  graduate  of  Heidelberg  Uni- 
versity', and  had  one  of  the  largest  practices 
known  to  the  profession  in  southern  Indiana, 
during  his  day,  extending  as  it  did  from 
Owensburg,  Ky.,  to  Mt.  Vernon,  Ind.  Per- 
haps no  physician  who  ever  practiced  here 
left  a  fairer  name  professionally  and  socially, 
and  to-day  he  is  remembered  as  one  of  the 
prominent  men  of  southern  Indiana  during 
the  period  of  its  most  rapid  development. 
His  wife  survived  him  sixteen  years  and 
died  in  this  city.  They  were  the  parents  of 
two  children,  Matthias,  and  a  younger 
brother  who  died  in  1852. 

Dr.  M.  Muhlhausen  received  his  early 
mental  training  in  the  public  schools  of  this 
citj',  but  when  quite  young  was  sent  to  St. 
Gabriel  college  at  Vincennes,  Ind.,  where  for 
a  time  he  pursued  his  studies.  At  an  early  age 
he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  sup- 
ervision of  his  father,  and  later  attended  the 
Evansville  Medical  college,  graduating  there- 


us 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


from  in  February,  1854.  ^^  began  practic- 
ing his  profession  in  Evansville  at  once  and 
has  continued  uninterruptedly  to  the  present, 
being  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 
physicians  of  the  city.  While  the  demands 
of  his  profession  have,  to  a  great  extent, 
engrossed  his  attention,  he  has  not  neglected 
his  duties  as  a  citizen.  He  has  filled  various 
official  positions  during  his  active  life,  and 
has  served  with  credit  to  himself  and  profit 
to  the  public  in  everj^  such  relation.  He 
has  represented  his  ward  in  the  citv  council, 
has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  health, 
and  a  member  of  the  board  of  Metropolitan 
police  commissoners,  where  he  was  associa- 
ted with  Capt.  J.  A.  Lemcke,  now  treasurer 
of  state,  and  Mr.  Ed.  Law.  For  four  3-ears, 
from  1872  to  1876,  he  had  charge  of  St. 
Mary's  hospital.  His  public  spirit  has  caused 
him  to  be  identified  with  many  efforts  to 
advance  the  general  welfare  of  the  city. 
He  was  one  of  the  chief  instruments  in  se- 
curing the  State  Insane  As3lum  at  this  point, 
and  in  various  ways,  especially  as  an  active 
member  of  the  Business  Men's  association, 
has  contributed  largely  to  the  city's  pros- 
perity. He  has  been  a  director  and  is  now 
president  of  the  People's  Savings  bank,  one 
of  the  safest  and  most  prosperous  institu- 
tions of  its  kind  in  Indiana.  Dr. 
Muhlhausen  was  married,  November  8, 
1S59,  to  Josephine  Reitz,  daughter  of 
Clement  Reitz,  sr.,  a  citizen  of  tliis  city. 
Mrs.  Muhlhausen  was  a  native  of  Germany 
and  died  in  this  city  December  28,  1881, 
leaving  two  sons  and  one  daughter.  In  pol- 
itics Dr.  Muhlhausen  has  affiliated  with  tlie 
democratic  partly;  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  church. 

William  S.  Pollard,  M.  D.,  one  of  the 
prominent  practitioners  of  the  city  of  Evans- 
ville, was  born  in  Carmi,  111.,  Nov.  i,  1838. 
His  father,  William,  was  a  physician,  a 
graduate  of  one  of  the  medical    universities 


of  Virginia,  his  native  state,  and  a  successful 
practitioner.  On  account  of  his  hatred 
for  the  "  peculiar  institution,"  he  liberated 
his  slaves  and  removed  to  Kentucky,  thence 
to  Mt.  Vernon,  Indiana,  where  he  practiced 
his  profession  for  several  years.  From  Mt. 
Vernon  he  went  to  Cynthiana,  Ind.,  where 
he  died  in  1S74.  He  was  a  thorough  gen- 
tleman of  the  old  school,  kind,  courteous, 
and  the  personification  of  liberality.  He  was 
highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.  The 
boyhood  and  early  manhood  of  William  S. 
was  passed  under  the  paternal  roof.  He 
received  an  academical  education,  and  in 
i860  commenced  the  study  of  medicine 
in  his  father's  office.  The  following  year, 
however,  he  joined  the  Federal  army  as  a 
member  of  an  Illinois  Infantry  regiment, 
with  which  organization  he  remained  but  a 
short  time.  Returning  to  Indiana,  he  aided 
in  the  formation  of  the  Twenty-fourth 
Indiana  Infantr}',  Col.  Hovey  commanding. 
On  the  muster-in  of  the  regiment  he  was 
commissioned  second  lieutenant  and  as- 
signed to  Company  K.  By  regular  grada- 
tions he  rose  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant- 
colonel,  aided  only  by  his  ability  as  an  officer 
and  his  splendid  record  as  a  soldier.  He 
participated  in  all  the  battles  in  which  his 
regiment  was  engaged,  notably  among  the 
number  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  the  battle 
of  Shiloh,  Champion  Hills,  the  siege  of 
Corinth,  the  battles  of  Blakely  and  Mobile, 
Ala.,  and  other  minor  engagements.  The 
close  of  the  war  found  the  regiment  at  Gal- 
veston, Texas,  whence  they  were  ordered 
home  for  muster-out.  Returning  to  civil 
life,  he  first  engaged  in  merchandizing;  but 
this  vocation  not  proving  congenial,  he 
resolved  to  make  the  practice  of  medicine 
his  life's  work.  In  1869  he  entered  the 
Miami  Medical  college,  from  which  institu- 
tion he  graduated  with  honor  in  the  class  of 
1871.     In  the  same  year  he  came  to  Evans- 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


349 


ville  and  began  the  practice  in  company 
with  that  eminent  physician  and  citizen,  Dr. 
James  P.  DeBruler,  with  whom  lie  re- 
mained until  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1S75, 
when  he  succeeded  to  the  larger  share  of 
his  practice.  One  singular  fact  in  con- 
nection with  the  doctor's  professional  life, 
and  perhaps  a  remarkable  one,  is  that  he 
has  never  changed  his  location  nor  his  office 
since  he  first  began  the  practice  in  iSyr. 
In  the  practice  of  medicine  Dr.  Pollard  has 
been  highly  successful,  especially  in  diseases 
of  the  chest.  Me  occupies  a  foremost  posi- 
tion among  his  medical  brethren,  and  is 
ever\  where  recognized  not  only  as  an  able 
and  successful  physician  but  as  a  valuable 
citizen.  For  three  years  he  was  county 
physician ;  and  for  ten  years  has  been  exam- 
ininjr  suri^eon  for  the  United  States  Pension 
Bureau.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  city 
hospital  association.  He  affiliates  with  the 
republican  party,  and  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  G.  A.  R.  In  the  Masonic  order 
lie  has  held  a  conspicuous  place,  being  now 
captain-general  of  Lavallette  Commandery, 
K.  T.,  having  occupied  in  regular  succes- 
sion all  the  intermediate  chairs.  In  civil, 
military  and  political  life  his  record  is  un- 
tarnished, and  his  career  affords  another 
example  of  the  well-known  fact  that  ability, 
industry  and  honesty,  coupled  with  pluck 
and  energy,  always  produce  success.  In 
1S74  ^'^"^  doctor  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Mattie  A.,  daughter  of  Gideon  Sutton, 
of  Centerburg,  Ohio.  Two  children  have 
been  born  to  them:  one  died  in  infancy,  and 
the  remaining  child,  Walter  S.,  is  a  bright 
boy  of  four  years. 

A.  M.  Hayden,  M.  D.,  physician  and  sur- 
geon, of  Evansville,  Ind.,  was  born  in 
Hampshire  county,  Va.,  (now  West  Vir- 
ginia), May  28,  1852,  and  is  the  son  of 
Dr.  A.  R.  and  Louisa  (Thompson)  Hayden. 
His  fatiier  was  born  in   Kentucky,  in   1807, 


being  the  son  of  Virginian  parents  who  emi- 
grated from  their  native  state  to  Missouri, 
in  the  early  part  of  the  century-,  and  re- 
mained but  a  short  time,  returning  to  Vir- 
ginia where  they  lived  and  died.  Dr.  A.  B. 
Hayden  is  a  graduate  of  Jefferson  Medical 
College  and  now  resides  in  Virginia,  having 
retired  from  active  labor  after  a  lone  and 
successful  practice  of  his  profession.  His 
wife,  Louisa  Thompson,  a  nati\-e  of  Hamp- 
shire' county,  Va.,  born  in  1815,  and  still 
surviving,  is  the  daughter  of  honorable  \'ir- 
ginians,  who,  in  their  day,  occupied  a  prom- 
inent place  in  the  localit}-  where  they  re- 
sided. Dr.  A.  M.  Hayden  is  the  vouncrest 
of  eight  children.  His  early  education  was 
secured  in  the  country  schools  of  his  native 
county.  His  youth  was  passed  on  his 
father's  farm,  working  at  farm  labor  during 
the  summer,  and  attendin<r  school  durin<r 
the  winter  months.  Later  he  finished  his 
literarj'  education  at  Winchester  seminar}', 
Winchester,  Va.  In  1S70,  he  began  the  study 
of  medicine  with  his  father  as  a  preceptor,  and 
in  March  1875,  graduated  from  Sterling 
Medical  College,  Columbus,  Ohio.  Coming 
to  the  west,  he  settled  at  Newburgh,  Ind., 
and  there  began,  at  once,  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  partnership  with  Dr.  P.  S. 
Thompson,  of  that  place.  About  two  years 
later  he  located  in  Evanville,  where  he  has 
since  resided,  obtaining  a  large  practice  and 
recognition  as  one  of  the  best  physicians  in 
the  city.  In  1S7S,  Dr.  Hayden  took  a  course 
of  lectures  in  the  medical  department  of  the 
Universit}'  of  New  York,  and  in  1855,  being 
prepared  by  the  varied  experiences  of  a  ten 
years'  practice  for  the  stud\-  of  every  branch 
of  medical  science,  pursued  a  course  of  in- 
struction at  the  New  York  Polyclinic.  Re- 
turning to  Evansville  he  began  to  devote 
especial  attention  to  surgical  science,  and  in 
that  branch  of  his  practice  has  already  at- 
tained an  honorable  eminence.     The   extent 


250 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


of  his  achievements  and  tlie  result  of  his 
Hfe's  work  ought  not  to  be  reckoned  at  this 
time,  for  even  the  prime  of  his  activity  is 
not  vet  passed.  His  usefulness  as  a  citizen 
and  ph\-sician  has  long  been  recognized,  and 
his  career  thus  far,  has  been  eminently  suc- 
cessful. He  is  a  member  of  the  Vander- 
burgh Medical  Society,  the  Indiana  State 
Medical  Society  and  the  American  Med- 
ical Association.  To  the  journal  of  the 
American  Medical  Association  he  has  con- 
tributed some  valuable  papers.  He  has 
obtained  popularity  in  social  circles.  For 
manv  years  he  has  been  an  earnest  member 
of  Orion  Lodge  No.  35,  K.  of  P.  He  is  now 
chancellor  commander  and  is  said  to  be  one 
of  the  best  otficers  the  lodge  ever  had.  He 
is  a  good  parliamentarian,  loyal  to  the  order 
and  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  advance  its 
prosperity.  He  wields  a  large  influence 
and  has  done  much  to  place  P3-thianisni  on  a 
firm  basis  in  this  cit}'  and  in  a  high  place  in 
popular  esteem.  He  was  married  October 
I,  1S79,  to  Malinda  A.  Van  Dusen,  a  native 
of  Vanderburgh  county,  born  September 
26,  1861,  who  is  the  daughter  of  ^Martin  A. 
and  Abbie  (Olmstead)  Van  Dusen.  Her 
maternal  grandfather  was  Judge  William 
Olmstead,  a  distinguished  pioneer  of  this 
county.  Two  daughters  have  been  born  of 
this  union. 

John  B.  Weever,  M.  D.,  did  not  begin 
his  practice  in  Evans ville  until  1886,  but  very 
soon  thereafter  his  abilities  were  recognized 
and  alreadv  his  worth  has  attracted  to  him 
an  extensive  and  lucrative  business.  For 
many  years,  though  not  a  resident  of  this 
cit}',  he  was  bv  no  means  a  stranger  in  it. 
His  boyhood  was  spent  here,  his  father 
being  for  a  Ion/'  time  a  citizen  of  the  place, 
and  the  greater  portion  of  his  life  has  been 
passed  in  the  neighbo?  Ing  town  of  Mount 
Vernon,  in  Posey  county.  He  was  born  in 
the  town  of   HoUowell,   Kennebec   county, 


Maine,  September  25,  1836.  His  father. 
Dr.  Charles  S.  Weever,  was  a  native  of 
Massachusetts,  born  in  1809.  He  came  to 
Evansville  in  1837,  and  first  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising, but  the  business  was  not  congen- 
ial to  him,  and  failing  to  meet  with  the  degree 
of  success  which  he  had  anticipated  and  de- 
sired, he  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the 
office  of  that  distinguished  pioneer  physician. 
Dr.  William  Trafton.  Later  he  attended  the 
Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  where  he  graduated  in  1844.  Return- 
ing to  Evansville  he  formed  a  copartnership 
with  his  late  preceptor,  with  whom  he  was 
associated  until  Dr.  Trafton's  death.  In 
1850  he  removed  to  Mt.  Vernon,  Ind.,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  general  practice  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1861.  He  was 
successful  in  the  practice,  and  was  the  first 
professor  of  anatomy  in  the  Evansville  med- 
ical college.  He  is  still  remembered  by  the 
older  citizens  of  this  city  as  an  upright  man 
and  a  skilful  physician. 

Dr.  John  B.  Weever  received  an  academ- 
ical education  and  in  1855  began  the  study 
of  medicine  in  his  father's  office.  Subse- 
quently he  continued  his  studies  under  the 
direction  of  Dr.  S.  D.  Gross,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  entering  the  Jefferson  Medical  College  in 
that  cit}',  graduated  therefrom  in  1858.  He 
then  returned  to  Mt.  Vernon  and  engaged 
in  the  practice  with  his  father  until  the  hitter's 
decease,  in  1S61.  Thereafter  he  continued 
his  professional  work  alone,  remaining  in 
Mt.  Vernon  until  1886,  when  he  came  to 
Evansville.  He  did  a  successful  business 
and  was  recognized  as  a  most  able  and  skill- 
ful physician.  Upon  coming  to  Evansville 
he  at  once  took  a  high  rank  among  the  phy- 
sicians of  the  place  and  by  reason  of  his 
worth  as  a  citizen  and  physician  has  estab- 
lished himself  in  public  favor.  He  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Vanderburg  Count}'  Med- 
ical Society  since  1886,  and  is  at  this  time  its 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


251 


president.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Indiana  state  medical  society 
and  the  American  Medical  Association.  In 
his  religiou.s  and  political  affiliations  he  is  a 
Presbyterian  and  a  republican.  In  1S62,  Dr. 
Weaver  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Emma  J.  Slocum,  Carmi,  111.  Of  this  union 
seven  children  have  been  born,  only  three  of 
whom  survive,  as  follows:  Walter  R., 
George  S.,  and  Paul  S. 

Edwin  Walker,  M.  D.,  Ph.  D.,  a  prom- 
inent physician  and  surgeon  of  Evansville, 
was  born  in  this  city  May  6,  1853,  and  is  the 
son  of  James  T.  and  Charlotte  (Burtis) 
Walker,  distinguished  pioneers,  mentioned 
more  at  length  elsewhere  in  these  pages.* 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
this  cit}',  graduating  from  the  high  school  in 
1869.  Later  he  spent  two  vears  at  Hanover 
College,  Hanover,  Ind.,  pursuing  a  course 
of  classical  study.  While  there  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Union  Literary  Society  and 
the  Phi  Delta  Theta  fraternity.  He  began 
the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  G. 
B.  Walker,  of  this  city,  in  1871,  and  at  the 
same  time  attended  three  courses  of  lectures 
in  the  Evansville  Medical  College,  graduat- 
ing therefrom  in  1874.  He  at  once  entered 
upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  in  the 
same  year  was  appointed  professor  of  anat- 
omy in  the  college  where  recentlv  he  had 
been  a  student.  In  1S77  '""^  attended  a 
course  of  lectures  in  New  York  city,  and 
two  years  later  again  entered  the  universit}-, 
in  that  city,  where  he  graduated  with  honors, 
taking  the  prize  for  the  greatest  proficiency 
in  diseases  of  the  nervous  system.  During 
this  winter  he  was  a  private  student  of  Prof. 
E.  C.  Seguin,  whose  scientific  methods  did 
much  to  shape  his  subsequent  studies.  Re- 
turning to  Evansville,  he  was  made  professor 
of  diseases  of  women   and   diseases  of  the 

*  See  personal  mention  of  James  T.  Walker  in  "  Bench 
and  Bar." 


nervous  system  in  the  medical  college  of  this 
city,  and  again  resumed  the  duties  of  his 
profession,  achieving  through  his  merit  a 
large  measure  of  success.  In  1S83  he  at- 
tended a  course  of  lectures  at  the  New  York 
city  Polyclinic  and  pursued  a  special  course 
of  study  on  diseases  of  women  and  diseases 
of  the  throat,  under  direction  of  Prof.  Bos- 
worth.  Two  years  later  he  spent  two 
months  attending  hospital  clinics,  and  in  the 
fall  of  the  same  year  went  to  Europe,  where 
he  remained  until  August,  1886,  spending 
his  time  in  studv  especiallv  on  diseases  of 
women  and  of  the  nervous  system,  receiving 
private  instruction  from  and  examining  the 
work  of  the  leading  teachers  in  Berlin, 
Vienna,  London,  and  Edinburgh.  Again 
in  1888  he  spent  such  time  as  he  could  take 
from  his  practice  in  New  York  city  instruct- 
ing himself  in  the  medical  science.  Few 
men  have  entered  with  greater  zeal  upon 
the  study  of  any  branch  of  science  and  have 
attained  greater  success  in  (jualifying  them- 
selves for  the  practical  application  of  theories 
and  principles  than  has  Dr.  Walker.  His 
life  has  been  particularly  active.  He  has 
explored  carefully  and  thoroughlv  many 
avenues  of  learning,  and  by  the  systematic 
methods  of  a  perfect  student  has  made  his 
mind  a  veritable  storehouse  of  useful  infor- 
mation. In  1876  and  187S  he  was  county 
physician;  with  others  he  was  instrumental 
in  establishing  the  city  hospital,  and  he  is 
now  a  member  of  the  Vanderburgh  County 
Medical  Society,  the  State  of  Indiana  Medi- 
cal Society,  the  Mississippi  Valley  Medical 
Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. Few  men  ha\e  more  thoroughlv  fitted 
themselves  for  a  successful  life's  work  in  any 
chosen  profession  than  has  Dr.  Walker. 
Recognizing  this  fact,  the  faculty  of  Hanover 
College,  one  of  the  leading  educational  in- 
stitutions in  the  state,  conferred  upon  him,  in 
1888,  the  degree  of  Ph.  D,     In  1880,  Dr. 


252 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


Walker  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Capitola  Hudspeth,  a  native  of  Boonville, 
Ind.,  born  in  1859,  and  daughter  of  George 
and  Margaret  (hmith)  Hudspeth,  for  many 
years  well  known  residents  of  this  city. 

George  P.  Hodson,  M.  D.,  physician  and 
surgeon   of   Evansville,   is   a  native    of   this 
city,  born  April  11,  1S53.     He  is  the  son  of 
John  M.  and  Jane  (Vaughn)  Hodson.    Dur- 
ing   his   boyhood  he    attended    the    public 
schools  of  this  city,  and  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen years  entered  Asbary  University  (now 
DePauw  University)    at    Greencastle,    Ind. 
Here  he  spent  three  years,  passing  through 
the  junior  year,  but  was  unable  to  complete 
the  course.     In  1873,  he  began  the  stud}'  of 
medicine  in  the  office  of  that  eminent  physi- 
cian,  so   long   and    so   favorabl\-   known    in 
Evansville,    Dr.   George    B.    Walker.      He 
entered  the  Evansville  Medical  College,  and 
graduated  in  February,  1876.     Immediately 
thereafter  he  commenced  the  practice' of  his 
profession,  achieving  success,  not,  however, 
without    meeting     many     discouragements. 
In  1883-4  ^^  attended  a  course  of  lectures 
at   the    New    York    Polyclinic,    and    there 
added    greatly  to  his   store  of    information. 
Returning  to   Evansville,  he  was   appointed 
professor    of    obstetrics    in    the    Evansville 
Medical   College,  and  filled  that  chair  until 
the  college  closed,  in  1SS5.    For  this  position 
he  was  well  qualified,  having  made  the  study 
of  obstetrics  a  specialty,  and  his  discharge  of 
its   duties   was  eminently  satisfactor}'.     For 
three  years  from   1SS4  he  was  secretary  of 
the  board  of  health  of  Evansville,  and  in  that 
capacity  rendered  valuabl**  service   to    the 
citv.     He  was  instrumental  in   founding  the 
Evansville  city  hospital.     He  is  now  a  mem- 
ber  of   the   Vanderburgh   County   Medical 
Society,  the  Indiana  State   Medical  Society, 
the  Mississippi  Valley  Medical  Society  and 
the    American    Medical    Association.     Dr. 
Hodson     was    married    on    the     I2th    day 


of  October,  1875,  to  Miss  Mary  Smith,  of 
Richland  county.  111.,  who  is  a  native  of 
Posey  connt}',  Ind.,  born  March  27,  1856. 
The  varied  experience  of  a  ten  years'  prac- 
tice, attended  by  a  constant  and  thorough 
reading,  prepared  Dr.  Hodson  for  the  skill- 
ful treatment  of  many  forms  of  disease. 
His  ability  had  been  recognized,  and  his 
practice  had  constantly  extended  itself  until 
his  time  was  fully  occupied  by  the  proper 
discharge  of  his  professional  duties.  But 
desiring  to  enjoy  every  advantage  and  be 
abreast  of  the  times,  he  again,  in  18S7, 
visited  New  York  citv,  and  there  spent 
much  time  in  the  hospitals  and  in  the  study 
of  the  medical  science  under  the  direction  of 
the  best  instructors.  Dr.  Hodson  is  a  young 
man,  with  the  greater  and  more  important 
portion  of  his  life's  work  before  him.  What 
he  may  }'et  achieve  cannot  be  stated  with 
certainty,  but  his  attainments  and  his  past 
successes  justify  the  most  favorable  pre- 
dictions. 

Benjamin  J.  Day,  M.  D.,  is  of  English 
descent  and  was  born  in  Calvert  county, 
Md.,June  28,  1822.  His  father,  Robert  J. 
Dav,  was  a  planter,  who  died  in  1S30.  His 
mother,  Marj-  Da}-,  died  when  he  was  an  in- 
fant. Left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  eight  he 
was  soon  taught  to  rely  upon  his  own  re- 
sources. His  early  training  was  received 
in  the  inferior  schools  of  that  time.  He  ob- 
tained, however,  the  rudiments  of  an  English 
education.  In  1839  he  obtained  a  position 
as  clerk  in  a  store  at  Prince  Frederick,  Md., 
where  he  remained  a  year,  at  the  end  of 
this  time  giving  up  his  position  to  begin  the 
study  of  medicine.  In  the  spring  of  1840, 
he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  William  H. 
McDaniel,  but  soon  after  received  an  invi- 
tation from  an  elder  brother — a  practicing 
physician  at  Mount  Carmel,  111.,  to  come  to 
him,  which  he  did  in  July  of  the  same  year. 
For  two  years  he  applied  himself  very  earn- 


^^^^^=^4^^^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


255 


estl}'  to  his  medical  studies,  and  at  the  end 
of  that  time  began  the  practice  under  ad- 
verse circumstances  in  Gibson  county,  Ind- 
Success  liowever,  attended  his  efforts.  In 
the  autumn  of  1847,  he  entered  the  Univer- 
sity of  Maryland  at  Baltimore,  but  did  not 
complete  his  studies  there.  He  graduated 
in  1856,  from  the  Pennsylvania  Medical 
College  at  Philadelphia.  Becoming  tired  of 
country  practice  he  removed  to  Baton 
Rouge,  La.,  where  he  remained  until  i860, 
when  he  returned  on  private  business.  The 
war  breaking  out,  he  decided  to  locate  in 
Evansville,  which  he  didin  1S62.  Ilewasap- 
pointed  acting  assistant  surgeon  of  hospital 
No.  3,  and  soon  after  received  a  commission 
as  pension  surgeon.  On  the  reorganization 
of  the  Evansville  Medical  College  he  was 
appointed  to  the  chair  of  Surgical  Pathol- 
ogy, which  he  filled  acceptably  for  several 
years.  He  has  been  a  contributor  to  several 
medical  journals  and  is  a  member  of  the 
State  and  Vanderburgh  County  Medical 
Societies.  With  the  exception  of  Dr.  Bray 
he  is  perhaps  the  oldest  resident  physician  in 
the  city.  He  is  now  retired  from  active 
practice. 

William  H.Maghee,  M.  D.,  a  prominent 
young  physician  and  surgeon  of  this  cit\', 
is  a  native  of  Evansville,  born  June  22, 1856. 
His  father,  Joseph  B.  Maghee,  is  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born  in  Ilohnes- 
burg,  April  9,  1814.  He  came  to  Evans- 
ville in  1836.  He  was  for  a  number  of 
years  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  in 
the  city,  and  then  purchasing  a  farm  re- 
moved there  and  remained  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  then  returned  to  this  city,  where 
he  now  resides,  living  in  retirement.  The 
mother  of  Dr.  Maghee  is  Marj-  Jacobs, 
who  was  born  in  Evansville,  September  13, 
1819,  and  is  now  the  oldest  living  native- 
born  inhabitant  of  the  city.  Her  father  was 
Gen.  J.  H.  Jacobs,  who  was  a  native  of  Penn- 
15 


syh'ania,    and    was    one    of   the  pioneers    of 
Vanderburg  county,  there  being  only  a  few 
houses  in  Evansville  when  he   arrived.     He 
had   the  first  glass  window  in  Evansville,  in 
his  house,     and   killed  the     last    bear    ever 
seen  in  this  section  of  the  county.     He   was 
an   officer  in   the   war  between    the  United 
States  and  Mexico,  going  from  Vanderburgh 
count}',  and  during  the  war  was  wounded  in 
the  knee,  from  the  effects  of  which  his  death 
occurred.     To  Joseph    and  Mary  Maghee 
eight  children  were  born,  six  of  whom  sur- 
^•i\•e,  three  sons  and  three   daughters.      Dr. 
Maghee   was    reared  in    Evansville  and  at- 
tended the   public   schools,  graduating  from 
the  private  academy  of   Misses  Hooker  and 
Hough.     He    began    reading    medicine    in 
1876,  with  Dr.  Joseph  W.  Irwin,  one  of  the 
leading  physicians  of  Evansville  at  that  time 
and  now  a  prominent  practitioner  of  Louis- 
ville,   Ky.     In      1879    '■'s    entered    Jeffer- 
son Medical   College  of  Philadelphia,   from 
which  he  graduated  in   1881.     He  next  lo- 
cated in  Princeton,  practicing  his  profession 
there  until  August,    1884,  and  then  located 
in  Evansville,  where  he  has  since  practiced 
with  success.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Gib- 
son county  Medical  Society  and  of  the  State 
Medical  Society,  also  of  the  Mississippi  Val- 
ley Tri-State  Medical  Society.     He  is    also 
a  member   of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being 
made  a  Mason  in  1885,  Chapter  Mason    in 
1887,  and    Knight  Templar   in    1888.     He 
was    married  June     15,    18S1,   to    Ella    C. 
Kimball,   of  Princetown,  Ind.,  who  was   the 
daughter  of  J.    C.    and  Amanda    Kimball, 
and  was  born    December   10,    1858.      She 
died  October  14,  1884.    One  child  was  born 
to  this    union,  on  May    22,   1882,   and    died 
May  19,  1883. 

John  E.  Owen,  M.  D.,  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  Evansville  in  1880.  He 
was  born  in  Madisonville,  Ky.,  October  i, 
1854,  'i"<^^  when   twenty-one    years   of    age 


2.56 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


became  a  student  of  medicine  in  the  office 
of  his  brother  Dr.  A.  M.  Owen.  He  gradu- 
ated from  the  Evansville  Medical  College  in 
1879.  "^^^  following  year  he  entered  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  New 
York  city,  and  graduated  from  that  institu- 
tion in  1880.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
faculty  of  the  Evansville  Medical  College, 
occupying  the  position  of  demonstrator  of 
anatoni}',  which  position  he  resigned  to 
enter  the  Hospital  Medical  College  of  Evans- 
ville, where,  until  the  close  of  that  institu- 
tion, he  filled  the  chair  of  professor  of  anat- 
omy. He  has  been  county  physician,  and 
is  a  member  of  several  important  medical 
associations. 

P.  Y.  McCoy,  M.  D.,  of  Evansville,  was 
born  in  Golconda,  111.,  June  29,  1S41.  His 
paternal  grandfather,  John  McCoy,  was  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  vvho  early  emigrated  to 
Indiana  territory,  settling  within  the  present 
limits  of  Clarke  county.  There,  in  181 7, 
his  father,  Dr.  George  R.  McCoy,  was  born. 
Dr.  George  McCoy  possessed  a  sturdy 
character,  a  strong  intellect  and  a  good  edu- 
cation, which  he  obtained  by  dint  of  untiring 
effort.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  old 
Transylvania  Medical  College  at  Louisville, 
K3\,  completing  his  studies  there  about  1835 
or  1836.  Emigrating  to  Golconda,  111.,  he 
practiced  his  profession  in  that  town  and 
vicinity  until  his  death  in  1848.  During  his 
day  he  was  the  leading  physician  of  the 
county  and  was  well  and  favorably  known. 
Upon  the  removal  of  the  Cherokee,  Choctaw 
and  other  Indian  tribes  from  northern  Ala- 
bama and  Mississippi  to  the  Indian  territory, 
he  was  selected  by  the  U.  S.  government  to 
attend  to  their  wants  while  en-route.  His  wife, 
the  mother  of  Dr.  P.  Y.  McCoy,  was  Mary 
Fields,  who  was  born  at  Golconda  in  1818, 
and  is  now  a  resident  of  that  place.  Her 
father,  Daniel  Fields,  was  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, who  emigrated  to  Ilhnois  at  an  early 


date  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Pope  county. 
At  one  time  he  was  a  large  land  owner  in 
the  county,  and  laid  out  and  founded  the 
town  of  Golconda.  The  descendants  of  the 
pioneer  Daniel  Fields  were  always  eminently 
respectable.  Dr.  P.  Y.  McCoy  was  reared 
in  Golconda  and  his  early  mental  training 
was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  that 
place.  Later  he  pursued  his  studies  at 
Franklin  College,  Frankhn,  Ind.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen  j-ears  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine  at  Golconda  under  the  directions 
of  Count  Albert  De  Leczynski,  a  Polish  exile, 
who  was  banished  from  his  native  country 
on  account  of  his  political  opinions.  He  was 
a  graduate  of  the  University  at  Vienna,  a 
man  of  varied  attainments,  and  one  of  the 
most  skilled  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the 
countiy.  Dr.  McCoy  attended  his  first 
course  of  lectures  in  1860-61  at  Rush  Medi- 
cal College,  Chicago,  111.,  and  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  1863.  In  the  same,  year 
he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
Golconda,  his  native  town,  but  soon  there- 
after removed  to  Columbus,  Ky.,  where  he 
remained  about  ten  years.  While  living  in 
Kentucky  he  was  a  member  of  the  Kentucky 
State  Medical  Society,  and  was  its  delegate 
in  1873  to  the  meeting  of  the  American 
Medical  Association  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.  In 
1873,  htted  by  the  experience  of  ten  years' 
practice  to  comprehend  the  most  difficult 
subjects  presented  in  medical  instruction,  he 
spent  several  months  in  New  York  city  pur- 
suing his  studies  and  attending  the  hospitals. 
In  addition  to  the  valuable  instruction  re- 
ceived in  the  university  and  hospitals  he  pur- 
sued a  special  course  of  study  under  the 
tutelage  of  Dr.  Marion  Sims,  devoting  par- 
ticular attention  to  the  diseases  of  women. 
He  also  gave  much  time  to  surgery  and  is 
now  regarded  as  being  among  the  more 
prominent  surgeons  of  southern  Indiana.  In 
the  fall  of  1873   he  came  to  Evansville  and 


i 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


251 


resumed  tlie  duties  of  his  profession.  His 
popularit}'  and  jiractice  gradually  extended 
themselves  and  he  was  soon  recognized  as 
one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  Evans\ille. 
In  1884  he  again  visited  New  York.  City 
and  there  took  two  courses  of  lectures  at 
the  Polyclinic  College.  During  its  existence 
he  occupied  the  chair  of  surgery  in  the 
Evansville  Medical  College.  He  is  now  a 
member  of  the  Vanderburgh  County  Medi- 
cal Society,  surgeon  of  the  L.  &  N.  R.  R. 
at  this  point,  one  of  the  best  of  phj'sicians, 
respected  on  every  hand,  and  enjoys  a  high 
professional  and  social  standing  While  not 
a  specialist  and  although  engaged  in  the 
general  practice,  he  gives  especial  attention 
to  surgery  and  the  diseases  of  women,  and 
in  these  two  departments  of  the  practice  he  has 
been  particularly  successful.  In  Masonry- 
he  has  attained  the  degrees  of  Templarism, 
and  he  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  K.  of  P. 
Dr.  McCoy  was  married  in  1865  to  Miss 
Nellie  Woods,  who  was  born  in  Livingston 
count}',  Ky.,  in  1845.  She  died  in  1871, 
leaving  a  son  and  daughter,  the  latter  sur- 
viving. In  1876  the  doctor  married  EtRe 
Carr,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1856, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  N.  F.  Carr,  of  this 
city. 

Charles  Knapp,  M.  D.,  physician  and 
surgeon,  and  a  leading  citizen  of  Evansville, 
is  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was  born  at 
Birkenfeld,  near  the  Rhine,  December  21, 
1845,  the  son  of  Dr.  Charles  J.,  and  Cather- 
ine (Tuerkis)  Knapp.  Dr.  Charles  J. 
Knapp  was  born  in  1823,  and  was  educated 
in  the  schools  of  his  native  land.  He  came 
to  America  in  185 1,  landing  at  New  Orleans. 
He  remained  there  a  short  time  and  then 
went  to  New  Albany,  were  he  resided  until 
about  1856,  and  then  removed  to  Rockport, 
Ind.  He  next  went  to  Boonville,  Ind., 
about  i860,  and  engaged  in  merchandising. 
Later  he  was  employed  in  the  drug  business, 


and  subsequently  took  up  the  study  of  med- 
icine. In  1874  ^'^^  visited  Germany  and 
pursued  a  course  of  study  at  Heidelberg, 
having  previously  attended  Bellevue  Hospital 
college  at  New  York.  Returning  to  Boon- 
ville from  Europe  he  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine,  and  bid  fair  to  make  a  suc- 
cessful and  popular  physician,  but  his  career 
was  cut  short  by  death  in  1875.  Catharine 
(Tuerkis)  Knapp  died  in  1856.  To  these 
parents  four  children  were  born,  two  of 
whom,  Drs.  Charles  and  Emil  Knapp,  of  this 
cit}',  survive.  The  father  was  married  a 
second  time,  to  Augusta  C.  Ross,  and  to  that 
union  four  children  were  born,  three  of 
whom  survive.  His  second  wife  dying,  he 
was  married  a  third  time,  to  Mrs.  Louisa  C. 
Radmann,  who  survives  him,  and  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Boonville,  Ind.  Dr.  Charles  Knapp 
came  with  his  parents  to  America  in  1851. 
He  was  reared  principally  in  New  Albany, 
Ind.,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools. 
He  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  Boon- 
ville, Ind.,  in  1865,  and  in  1865-6  attended 
Rush  Medical  College  at  Chicago.  During 
1866-7  he  attended  Bellevue  Hospital  Col- 
lege at  New  York,  and  for  two  years  next 
thereafter,  practiced  at  Huntingburgh,  Ind. 
In  1869-70  he  again  attended  Bellevue  col- 
lege, and  on  March  i,  1870,  graduated  from 
the  institution.  He  returned  to  Boonville, 
but  soon  removed  to  Ferdinand,  Ind.,  where 
he  practiced  until  his  removal  to  Evansville, 
in  1 88 1,  where  he  has  since  resided  and 
practiced  his  profession.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  at  Huntingburgh,  Ind.,  in  1868,  to 
Emma  Pickhardt,  who  was  born  in  Evans- 
ville, in  1851,  and  is  the  daughter  of  William 
Pickhardt.  To  this  union  Jive  children  have 
been  born,  four  of  whom  survive.  In  1882 
Dr.  Knapp  was  selected  to  till  the  chair  of 
pathology  arid  practice  of  medicine,  and  lec- 
turer on  the  eye  and  ear  at  the  Hospital 
Medical   College   of  Evansville,   which   he 


258 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


occupied  until  the  suspension  of  the  college  in 
1886.  He  was  also  chosen  secretary  of  the 
college  in  1883,  and  served  until  the  suspen- 
sion. He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Dubois 
Count}-  Medical  Society,  organized  in  1S74, 
and  has  been  since  1884  a  member  of  the 
Vanderburgh  Medical  Society.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  Medical 
Society  and  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. 

Columbus  V.  Wedding,  M.  D.,  physician 
and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Ohio  countv,  Kv., 
December  2,  1852,  and  is  the  son  of  Mark 
and  Nanc}-  J.  (Hale)  Wedding.  He  re- 
ceived a  liberal  education,  and  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years  began  the  study  of  medicine 
with  Dr.  Josiah  Hale,  of  Owensboro,  Kv., 
as  his  preceptor.  He  remained  with  Dr. 
Hale  four  years,  and  in  the  winter  of  1872-3 
attended  a  course  of  medical  lectures  at  the 
University  of  Louisville,  K.\.  Immediately 
thereafter  he  began  the  practice  of  medicine 
at  Stephensport,  in  Breckenridge  count}', 
Ky.,  and  succeeded  in  building  up  a  good 
business.  In  1878,  he  returned  to  the  uni- 
versity at  Louisville  and  graduated  in  Feb- 
ruary of  the  following  year.  He  returned 
to  his  practice,  but  desiring  to  increase  his 
knowledge,  visited  New  York  and  Phila- 
delphia, in  1880,  and  in  the  hospitals  of  those 
cities  obtained  much  valuable  experience 
and  information.  Returning  toBreckenridire 
county,  after  an  absence  of  six  months,  he 
resumed  his  professional  duties,  and  con- 
tinued actively  engaged  for  three  years.  At 
the  end  of  this  time  he  visited  the  hospitals 
of  London,  where  his  observations  added 
materially  to  his  education.  Thereafter,  un- 
til 1S86,  he  remained  at  his  old  home,  prac- 
ticing and  meeting  with  much  success.  June 
I,  1886,  he  came  to  Evansville,  and  has 
since  resided  in  this  city.  His  success  has 
been  remarkably  gratifying.  He  possesses 
a  large  practice,  and  is  considered  a  skillful 


physician  and  surgeon.  Dr.  Wedding  was 
married,  June  8,  1870,  to  Laura  E.  Pate,  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  born  December  27, 
1 85 2,  and  daughter  of  John  A.,  and  Matilda 
(Morton)  Pate.  To  this  union  one  son, 
Eslell  \'.,  has  been  born.  Mrs.  Wedding  is 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  The  doctor  is  a  member  of  Cres- 
cent Lodge  No.  122,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of 
Excelsior  Lodge,  No.  38,  A.  O.  U.  W.  In 
politics  he  is  a  republican. 

Louis  D.  Brose,  M.  D.,  is  of  German 
descent,  and  was  born  in  the  city  of  Evans- 
ville, April  20,  1859.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  the  city,  and  began 
the  study  of  medicine  in  the  drug  store  of 
Dr.  John  Laval  in  1877.  His  medical  pre- 
ceptors were  Drs.  Bray  and  Wheeler  and 
Dr.  H.  W.  Austin,  then  surgeon  of  the 
Marine  Hospital.  His  preparatory  course 
was  a  very  thorough  one.  In  1877-8  he 
attended  the  Evansville  Medical  College, 
and  in  the  autumn  of  1879  entered  the 
Medical  University  of  Pennsylvania,  at 
Philadelphia,  where  he  graduated  in  1881. 
His  thesis  was  entitled,  "  An  Experimental 
Contribution  to  our  Knowledge  of  Bright's 
Disease,"  and  set  forth  the  results  of  exper- 
iments which  had  been  made  on  domestic 
animals,  his  object  being  to  trace  the  prog- 
ress of  the  disease  from  its  inception  to  its 
more  advanced  stages.  This  article 
attracted  the  attention  of  physicians  and  was 
published  in  many  of  the  leading  medical 
journals.  After  graduating  in  medicine  he 
entered  the  philosophical  department  of  the 
same  institution  and  received  the  degree  of 
Ph.  D.  and  a  gold  medal  for  general  profi- 
ciency in  the  hygienic  department.  In  1S82 
he  became  the  resident  surgeon  and  ph}  si- 
cian  of  the  German  Hospital,  of  Philadel- 
phia. In  this  hospital  he  had  much  valu- 
able experience,  and  when  leaving  the 
institution  he  had  so  far  advanced  in  the  pro- 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


259 


fession  that  upo  n  his  return  to  Evansville  he 
was  appointed  demonstrator  of  anatomy  in 
the  Evansville  Medical  College.  The  next 
year  he  became  professor  of  aiiatomy  and 
retained  this  position  until  the  college  was 
closed.  Me  then  gave  his  attention  to  the 
practice  of  medicine  and  surgery-,  in  which 
he  is  now  engaged.  He  was  physician  and 
obstetrician  to  the  Evansville  Home  of  the 
Friendless  in  1S83  and  1884,  and  for  two 
j'ears  was  physician  to  the  Evansville 
Orphan  Asylum.  In  1S86  he  was  ap- 
pointed surgeon  of  the  Peoria,  Decatur  & 
Evansville  Railroad  at  this  place.  His  con- 
tributions to  medical  literature  have  been 
numerous.  His  tirst  article  appeared  in  the 
Philadelphia  JMcdical  A^civs  in  18S3,  was 
ably  written,  and  attracted  much  favorable 
notice.  Man}-  other  articles  on  subjects  re- 
lating to  the  medical  science  have  appeared 
from  time  to  time  in  the  daily  press  and  the 
medical  journals  of  the  country,  all  of  which 
have  elicited  the  favorable  comments  of 
able  phvsicians.  His  especial  proficiency  as 
a  microscopist  is  worthy  of  note.  Numer- 
ous instances  are  on  record  where  he  has 
removed  small  portions  of  tumors  from  pa- 
tients, and  after  microscopical  examination 
has  made  an  accurate  diagnosis  afterward 
of  great  value  in  operations  undertaken  for 
the  patient's  benefit. 

Charles  Park  Bacon,  M.  D.,  was  born 
in  Christian  county,  Ky.,  September  6,  1S36, 
and  is  the  son  of  Charles  A.  and  Susan 
(Rowlett)  Bacon,  both  natives  of  Virginia. 
His  father  was  a  man  of  sterling  integrity, 
with  great  natural  endowments,  both  men- 
tal and  physical.  Educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  academies  of  Kentucky,  he  be- 
gan the  study  of  medicine,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one,  in  the  office  of  his  brother,  Dr. 
Thomas  L.  Bacon,  of  Henderson  county, 
Ky.  In  the  winter  of  1859-60  he  entered 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and   gradu- 


ated therefrom  in  the  spring  of  1861.  Im- 
mediately thereafter  he  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  Cadiz,  Trigg  county, 
Ky.,  where  he  remained  until  1873,  in  which 
year  he  came  to  Evansville,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  Dr.  Bacon's  abilities  secured 
him  a  lucrative  business  at  Cadiz,  but  desir- 
ing a  larger  field,  he  came  to  this  city,  where 
he  has  been  equallv  successful.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Vanderburgh  County  Medi- 
cal Society,  the  Indiana  State  Medical 
Society  and  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. With  others  he  was  instrumental  in 
establishing  the  cit}-  hospital.  He  filled  ac- 
ceptably the  chairs  of  anatomy,  surger}-  and 
diseases  of  women,  in  the  Hospital  Medical 
College  of  Evansville.  His  thorough  famil- 
iarity with  the  varied  branches  of  the  medi- 
cal science,  and  the  successes  achieved  in 
his  practice,  have  gained  for  him  a  high 
rank  among  the  physicians  of  the  city.  Jan- 
uary 23d,  1866,  at  Cadiz,  Ky.,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Emma  C.  Mayes,  daughter  of 
Judge  Matthew  Mayes,  one  of  the  foremost 
lawyers  of  Kentucky.  Of  this  union  one 
child  has  been  born,  Miss  Mayes.  Dr. 
Bacon  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church, 
and  Mrs.  Bacon  of  the  Christian  church. 

Edward  Linthicum,  M.  D.,  one  of  the 
leading  physicians  of  Evansville,  was  born 
at  Rumsey,  Ky.,  May  3d,  1846,  the 
son  of  Rufus  and  Sarah  (Hicks)  Linthi- 
cum. The  father  was  a  physician  of  repute, 
and  had  been  a  student  under  that  eminent 
practitioner,  Dr.  Dudley,  of  Lexington,  Ky. 
but  he  died  in  1863,  Edward's  mother  having 
passed  away  two  years  previous.  The 
home  of  the  family  at  the  time  of  the  death 
of  the  parents  was  in  Henderson  county, 
Ky.,  and  at  Henderson,  the  education 
of  the  son  Edward  was  obtained.  The  lat- 
ter began  the  study  of  medicine  during  the 
ife  of  his  father,  in  the  office,  and  afterward, 
in  1S65,  he  entered  the  Ohio   Medical   Col- 


360 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


\ege.  In  the  winter  of  1866-7,  he  matricu- 
ated  at  the  Long  Island  College  Hospital, 
and  graduated  from  that  institution.  His 
beginnings  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 
were  in  Kentuck}',  where  he  remained  three 
years,  and  then  practiced  one  year  at  Rose- 
ville.  Ark.,  after  which  he  came  to 
Evansville,  in  1873.  Here  he  has  ever  since 
remained,  achieving  signal  success  in  the 
work  of  his  profession,  and  winning  a  place 
in  the  front  rank  of  the  medical  men  of  this 
region.  Dr.  Linthicum  is  a  member  of  the 
American  Medical  Association,  the  Tri-state 
Medical  Association,  the  Indiana  State  Medi- 
cal Association,  and  the  societies  of  Vander- 
burgh county  and  the  Mississippi  valley.  In 
1875  he  occupied  the  position  of  demonstra- 
tor of  anatomy  in  the  Evansville  Medical 
College,  and  in  1876,  was  professor  of  urin- 
ary diseases  and  clinical  surger\'.  The  es- 
tablishment of  the  city  hospital  is  in  part  due 
to  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Linthicum  who  heartily 
joined  in  the  movement.  The  doctor's  fra- 
ternal connections  are  with  Rainbow  lodge, 
No.  67,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Kentucky,  and  St. 
George  lodge,  K.  of  P.,  Evansville. 
In  1885  Dr.  Linthicum  visited  Europe, 
spending  his  time  mainlv  at  London,  Vienna 
and  Berlin.  While  in  Berlin  war  was  de- 
clared between  Servia  and  Bulgaria,  and  lie 
offered  his  services  as  a  surgeon  to  the  Ser- 
vian army,  and  served  in  that  capacity  dur- 
ing the  war. 

John  T.  Binkley,  M.  D.,  a  prominent 
physician  and  surgeon,  and  member  of  the 
United  States  board  of  pension  examiners 
was  born  in  Davidson  count}*,  Tenn.,  on 
Stone  river,  near  the  city  of  Nashville,  June 
15,  1829.  He  is  the  son  of  H.  J.  and  N.  M. 
(Gleaves)  Binkley,  natives  of  Tennessee, 
the  father  born  in  1S06  and  the  mother  in 
1812.  The  death  of  his  mother  occurred  in 
1844,  that  of  his  father  in  1887.  Dr.  Bink- 
le}^  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his 


native  state  and  at  Tracy  College,  and  be- 
gan the  study  of  medicine  when  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  In  1852-3  he  attended  the 
Pennsylvania  Medical  College  at  Philadel- 
phia, graduating  therefrom  and  then  spend- 
ing a  year  in  the  hospitals  of  that  cit3%  He 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
Stewart  county,  Tenn.,  in  1854,  and  in  the 
following  j-ear  removed  to  Trenton,  in  the 
western  part  of  the  same  state.  Here  he 
remained  but  a  short  time,  moving  thence 
to  the  cit}'  of  Nashville,  where  he  remained 
until  1S58.  In  that  year  he  located  in 
Shawneetown,  111.,  and  for  some  time  was 
one  of  the  most  successful  practitioners  in 
that  place.  He  came  to  Evansville  in  1884, 
and  has  since  continuouslv  practiced  his  pro- 
fession in  this  city,  attaining  a  high  standing 
among  physicians  and  enjoying  an  extensive 
practice.  In  Tennessee,  while  at  Nashville, 
Dr.  Binkley  was  a  member  of  the  Davidson 
County  Medical  association,  and,  upon  his 
removal  to  Shawneetown,  became  identified 
with  the  Medical  Association  of  Southern 
Illinois.  Here  his  prominence  in  the  profes- 
sion was  recognized  by  an  appointment  as 
examining  surgeon  for  the  United  States 
pension  othce  for  Gallatin  county.  His  con- 
tributions to  medical  literature  have  been 
considerable.  A  paper  on  "  Gun-shot  wounds 
of  the  brain,"  read  to  the  Medical  Associa- 
tion of  Southern  Illinois,  was  commented  on 
favorably  by  eminent  physicians,  and  was 
noticed  by  two  European  journals.  Some 
other  papers  which  attracted  especial  atten- 
tion were  those  on  "  Diseases  of  the  sacro- 
iliac sj-nchondrosis,"  "  American  hellebore 
(veratrum  viride),"  and  "Medical  electric- 
ity." In  June,  1885,  he  was  made  a  member 
of  the  board  of  examining  surgeons  for  the 
United  States  pension  office  at  this  place, 
and  is  now  secretary  of  the  board.  Dr. 
Binkley  has  been  married  three  times.  His 
first  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  April, 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


S61 


1854,  was  Miss  Eliza  Ryan,  a  native  of 
Robinson  county,  Tenn.,  born  Jul}'  22,  1837, 
and  daughter  of  Dr.  T.  J.  Ryan,  of  Spring- 
field,Tenn.  She  died  March  22, 1S70, leaving 
four  children.  Mis  second  marriage  occurred 
November  8,  1870,  by  which  Miss  Susan 
11.  Rackerby,  a  native  of  Princeton,  Ky., 
born  September  17,  1837,  became  his  wife. 
Her  deatii  occurred  July  14,  187S.  The 
doctor's  present  wife,  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried November  12, 1878,  was  Miss  Calantha 
Stubblefield,  and  was  born  at  Sharpsburg, 
Md.,  June  12,  1836. 

T.  E.  Powell,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Union 
count}-,  Ky.,  where  he  was  born  March  i, 
184S,  the  son  of  James  and  Jane  (Leach) 
Powell.  James  Powell  was  a  native  of 
North  Carolina,  born  about  1809,  and  died 
in  1877.  His  wife,  Jane  Leach,  was  born 
in  Tennessee,  in  181 3,  and  is  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Uniontown,  Ky.  To  these  parents 
nine  children  were  born,  Dr.  Powell  being 
the  eighth,  and  of  tiiese  five  are  now  living. 
Dr.  Powell  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Union 
county,  attended  the  public  schools  of  the 
neighborhood,  and  finished  his  literary  edu- 
cation at  Princeton  College,  Ky.  He  began 
the  study  of  medicine  in  1872,  at  Union- 
town,  Ky.,  and  attended  his  first  course  of 
lectures  in  1872-3,  at  the  University  of 
Louisville,  where  he  graduated  in  1874-  ^^^ 
tiien  began  practicing  at  Corydon,  Hender- 
son county,  Ky.,  where  he  remained  until 
1876,  when  he  located  at  Uniontown.  There 
he  practiced  until  1884.  Going  to  New 
York  he  pursued  a  post-graduate  course  of 
study  in  the  medical  college  of  that  city,  and 
obtained  his  degree  in  1885.  He  next  lo- 
cated in  Evansville,  where  he  has  continued 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  ever  since, 
meeting  with  success.  Dr.  Powell  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Vanderburgh  County  Medical 
Society,  Indiana  State  Medical  Society,  and 
of   the  American  Medical  Association.     He 


is  also  a  member  of  the  K.  and  L.  of  H.  and 
K.  of  P.  fraternities.  He  was  married  in 
October,  1875,  to  Miss  MoUie  E.  Dorsey,  a 
native  of  Princeton,  Ind.,  daughter  of  Wm. 
L.  Dorsey,  cashier  of  the  People's  National 
Bank  of  Princeton.  Mrs.  Powell  died  April 
6,  1885. 

IsATAM  Wilton,  M.  D.,  police  surgeon  of 
Evansville,  was  born  at  New  Albany,  of 
American  parents,  September  27,  1846. 
His  father  was  James  Wilton,  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  born  in  Edmonson  county,  in 
November,  1814.  He  was  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  Indiana,  having  come  to  Harri- 
son county  while  this  state  was  a  territory. 
His  death  occurred  in  Floyd  county,  in  1870. 
The  mother  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  born  in 
Harrison  county,  in  January,  1814.  She  is 
now  a  resident  of  Evansville,  making  her 
home  with  her  son.  Dr.  Wilton  was  reared 
in  Floyd  county,  Ind.,  and  there  attended 
the  public  schools.  He  began  reading  med- 
icine in  1877  in  this  city,  where  he  had 
removed  in  1870.  He  attended  the  Evans- 
ville Medical  College  during  1877-8,  and 
in  1882^3,  attended  the  Hospital  Medical 
College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1883. 
He  then  began  practicing  his  profession  in 
Evansville,  and  in  July  of  the  same  year  was 
appointed  surgeon  for  the  metropolitan 
police  force  of  Evansville,  and  has  filled 
that  place  up  to  the  present.  While  read- 
ing medicine  from  1S70  until  1S77,  he  filled 
various  official  positions,  including  police- 
man, patrolman,  and  deputy  city  marshal. 
He  was  married  in  February,  1881,  to 
Annie  Frederick,  who  was  born  in  Jennings 
county,  Ind.,  in  1853,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Conrad  and  Elizabeth  (Lewis)  Frederick. 
To  this  union  si.\  children  have  been  born  — 
four  daughters  and  two  boys.  The  young- 
est son  died  July  23,  18S8,  aged  eight  years. 

Rui'Us  M.  CoRLEW,  M.  D.,  was  born  in 
Montgomery   county,    Tenn.,     August    27^ 


262 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


1S43,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Eliza 
(Pritchard)  Corlew,  both  natives  of  Tennes- 
see. The  father  was  born  in  1810  and  died 
in  18S1.  The  mother  was  born  about  1820, 
and  is  still  a  resident  of  Tennessee.  To 
these  parents  four  children,  three  sons  and 
a  daughter,  were  born,  all  of  whom  survive. 
Dr.  Corlew  was  reared  in  Montgomery 
county,  and  educated  in  Nashville,  Tenn. 
He  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  his 
native  county  in  1S60,  with  Dr.  B.  W.  Us- 
sery  as  a  preceptor.  He  entered  the  Uni- 
versity of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  1865,  and 
took  a  thorough  course,  graduating  in  186S, 
his  term  in  college  being  at  a  time  when  the 
faculty  was  composed  of  such  distinguished 
physicians  as  Drs.  Paul  Eve,  Thomas  R.Jen- 
nings, W.  K.  Boling,  J.  B.  Lindsley,  Joseph 
Jones,  now  of  the  University  of  New  Orleans 
and  William  T.  Briggs,  now  of  Vander- 
bilt  University,  Nashville.  After  leaving 
college  Dr.  Corlew  located  on  the  Tennessee 
river  in  west  Tennessee,  where  he  practiced 
for  three  years,  and  then  removed 
to  Robertson  county,  Tenn.,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1880,  then  locating  in  Evans- 
ville,  Ind.,  where  he  has  since  resided  de- 
voting his  attention  to  the  general  practice 
of  medicine  and  surgery.  He  is  one  of  the 
consulting  physicians  of  St.  Mary's  Hospital, 
and  a  member  of  the  Vanderburgh  Medical 
society.  He  was  married  in  1868,  to  Sally 
A.  Batts,  of  Robinson  county,  Tenn.,  and  to 
this  union,  three  children  have  been  born. 
Dr.  Corlew  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  and  is  popular  as  a  physician  and 
citizen. 

J.  L.  Dow,  M.  D.,  of  Evansville,  was 
born  at  South  Tam  worth,  Carroll  count v, 
N.  H.,  in  1839,  and  is  the  son  of  Eben  and 
Harriet  Newell  (Mason)  Dow,  both  natives 
of  New  Hampshire.  Eben  Dow  was  born 
in  1810,  and  died  in  1859.  ^'■'^  \\\ic  was 
born  in  1813  and  is  still  living.      The   Dow 


family  came  west  in  1849,  locating  at  Can- 
nelton,  Perry  county,  Ind.,  where  the  father's 
death  occurred.  Dr.  Dow  was  reared  in 
Indiana,  and  his  early  education  was  secured 
in  the  public  schools.  Graduating  from  the 
Cannelton  high  school,  he  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine.  He  came  to  Vander- 
burgh county  in  i86r,  and  continued  his 
medical  studies,  at  the  same  time  teaching 
school.  In  1865-66  he  attended  Miami 
Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  gradu- 
ating from  that  institution.  He  then  began 
practicing  medicine  at  St.  Wendell's,  Ind., . 
where  he  resided  and  practiced  for  three 
yeai's.  At  the  end  of  this  period  he  located 
at  Fort  Branch,  Gibson  county  Ind.,  where  he 
remained  for  ten  years,  within  which  time, 
in  1875-6,  he  again  attended  Miami  College, 
spending  the  time  in  the  hospital,  however. 
On  November  i,  1877,  Dr.  Dow  located  in 
Evansville,  where  he  has  since  resided  and 
practiced  his  profession.  In  October,  1883, 
he  visited  with  his  family  in  Washington 
city,  where  he  remained  until  September, 
1884.  Dr.  Dow  has  filled  the  office  of  sec- 
retary of  the  Vanderburgh  county  board  of 
health,  which  position  he  held  for  several 
months  in  1887,  and  then  resigned.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Vanderburgh  county,  state, 
tri-state  and  national  medical  societies.  He 
was  married  in  1867  to  Miss  Irene  Graves, 
of  Cincinnati,  and  to  this  union  four  child- 
ren were  born,  two  of  whom  survive.  His 
wife  dying  in  1S73,  the  doctor  was  again 
married  in  1S76  to  Miss  Lucie  S.  Wood- 
bur^',  of  Massachusetts.  Dr.  Dow  is  a 
member  of  Reed  Lodge,  No.  316,  Evans- 
ville Chapter  No.  12,  Simpson  Council  No. 
23  and  La  Vallette  Commandery  No.  15,  F. 
and  A.  M. ;  of  Crescent  Lodge  No.  122, 
and  Evansville  Encampment  No.  20,  I.  O. 
O.  F. ;  also  of  the  grand  lodge  of  the  state 
in  both  orders. 

H.  T.  Di.xoN,  M.   D.,  was  born  in  Ken- 


HOMEOPATHY. 


S63 


tuck)^  March  20,  1S50,  and  is  the  son  of  C. 
C.  and  Isabella  (Clay)  Dixon,  both  natives 
of  Kentuck}'.  The  father  died  in  1884,  and 
the  mother  is  now  residing  in  Henderson 
county.  Dr.  Dixon  was  reared  in  Hender- 
son count}',  Ky.,  on  the  farm,  attended  the 
public  schools,  and  later  took  a  special 
course  of  studies  under  Prof.  Gibson,  of  this 
county.  He  began  reading  medicine  in 
1869,  with  his  brother,  Dr.  R.  S.  Dixon,  of 
Posey  county,  hid.  He  entered  the  Uni- 
versity of  Louisville,  Kj .,  in  1872,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1S7S,  having  taken 
three  courses.  He  commenced  the  practice 
of  his  profession  with  his  brother  in  Posey 
county,  Ind.,  and  later  established  himself  in 
Union  township,  Vanderburgh  county.  After 
a  time  he  removed  to  Henderson  count}', 
Ky.,  where  he  practiced  until  his  removal  to 
Evansville,  Ind.,  in  18S4.  He  was  married 
October  i,  1878,  to  Miss  AmeHa  Wilson,  of 
Louisville,  Ky.,  daughter  of  William  Wilson, 
and  to  this  union  a  son  has  been  born.  Dr. 
Dixon  is  a  member  of  the  McDowell  Medical 
Society  of  Kentucky,  of  the  Vanderburgh 
County  and  Indiana  State  Medical  societies, 
and  as  a  practitioner  has  been  eminently 
successful. 

William  Alexander,  M.  D.,  physician 
and  surgeon  and  druggist,  at  corner  of  Wa- 
bash and  Penns3'lvania  streets,  was  born  in 
Union  county,  Ky.,  November  27,  1855,  and 
is  the  son  of  William  and  Augusta  (Boetiger) 
Alexander.  William  Alexander,  sr.,  was 
born  in  Ireland,  and  his  wife  in  Germany. 
They  emigrated  to  the  United  States  about 
1850,  and  in  1856  located  in  Evansville. 
The  mother  died  in  1879,  '^'""^  '•'*'-"  f'l^her  is 
at  present  engaged  in  merchandising  on 
Franklin  street  in  this  city.  Dr.  Alexander  was 
reared  principally  in  Evansville.  When  about 
fifteen  years  of  age  he  entered  a  drug  store 
as  clerk.  He  began  reading  medicine  in 
1879,  and  took  his  first  course  of  lectures  in 


18S3,  at  the  Evansville  Medical  College,  and 
afterward  attended  the  Evansville  Hospital 
Medical  College.  He  began  practicing  in 
1 886  in  Evansville,  and  in  May,  1888,  engaged 
in  retail  drug  business.  Dr.  Alexander  was 
married  in  May,  1877,  to  Ellen  McNamara, 
and  to  this  union  four  children  have  been 
born,  three  of  whom  survive. 

HOMEOPATHY. 

The  homeopathic  school  of  medicine  did 
not  have  a  representative  in  the  city  of 
Evansville  until  about  1S52.  In  that  year 
Dr.  E.  J.  Ehrman,  coming  from  York,  Penn., 
became  the  pioneer  homeopathist  in  this 
city.  He  possessed  considerable  medical 
ability,  although  not  a  graduate  of  any  med- 
ical school ;  he  had  quite  an  extensive  following 
among  the  Germans,  and  was  quite  suc- 
cessful. He  was  followed  in  1863  by  Dr. 
Herr,  a  convert  to  homeopathy  from  the 
eclectic  school,  and  a  graduate  of  the  Eclectic 
Medical  Institute  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Dr. 
Herr  is  still  practicing  and  is  regarded  as  a 
popular  and  successful  physician. 

In  1866  Dr.  Davis,  a  graduate  of  the 
Cleveland  Homeopathic  College,  became  a 
partner  of  Dr.  Ehrman.  After  the  advent 
of  Drs.  Herr  and  Davis  homeopathy  rapidly 
o-rew  in  favor  with  the  best  families,  and  it 
was  not  long  before  its  advocates  were  pos- 
sessed of  a  lucrative  business.  Both  Dr. 
Herr  and  Dr.  Davis  were  able  exponents  of 
the  Hahnemann  system  of  medicine,  and 
their  success  obliterated  in  a  very  large  de- 
gree the  prejudice  existing  against  what  » 
some  were  pleased  to  term  the  "  small  pill  " 
practice.  Several  homeopathists  have 
come  to  Evansville  at  various  times,  but 
finding  the  field  well  occupied  and  the  school 
ably  represented,  left  for  more  desirable 
locations.  The  present  practitioners  are 
Drs.  Herr,  Davis,  Taylor,  Tyrrell  and 
Schultz. 


&6i 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 

E.  J.  Ehrman,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Jax- 
thausen,  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  October 
29,  1S19.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  land.  In  1833,  his 
father,  Dr.  Frederick  Ehrman,  who  was 
well  advanced  in  the  science  of  medicine, 
and  one  of  the  first  advocates  of  homeo- 
pathy in  this  countrj-,  emigrated  from  Ger- 
many and  settled  in  Liverpool,  Penn.,  where 
he  died  in  1849.  Dr.  E.J.  Ehrman  was  the 
youngest  of  five  brothers,  all  of  whom  be- 
came homeopathic  physicians.  At  the  age 
of  twenty  he  commenced  the  study  of  medi- 
cine in  his  father's  office,  continuing  five 
years,  and  then  beginning  the  practice  at 
Liverpool,  Penn.  After  several  years  of  pro- 
fessional work  he  attended  a  full  course  of 
lectures  at  the  Homeopathic  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Pennsylvania,  graduating  therefrom 
in  1852.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he 
came  to  Evansville,  being  the  first  advocate 
of  the  homeopathic  school  in  this  citv.  He 
struggled  against  grave  prejudices  and  sev- 
eral years  elapsed  before  he  could  lay  any 
foundation  for  the  new  mode  of  treatment. 
After  securing  a  few  intelligent  patients  his 
practice  began  to  increase  and  his  reputation 
was  enhanced  by  a  skillful  treatment  of  a  vari- 
ety of  cases  incident  to  this  climate.  After 
ten  years  his  practice  had  so  extended  itself 
that  he  was  forced  to  have  an  assistant  in 
order  to  attend  the  manj'  patients  desiring 
his  services.  From  that  time  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  November  24,  1879,  his 
practice  was  quite  extensive  and  lucrative. 
He  was  county  physician  and  medical  at- 
tendant at  the  marine  hospital  and  orphan 
asylum.  His  ability  was  conceded  by  the 
profession  of  all  schools,  and  his  many  years 
of  honorable  conduct  in  the  communit}-  as 
citizen  and  physician  won  him  universal 
respect.     Dr.  Ehrman  was  married  in  1845 


to  Miss  Elizabeth  Churchill,  a  native  of 
Switzerland,  born  in  182 1.  Of  this  union 
eight  children  were  born,  four  of  whom 
survive.  Mrs.  Ehrman  is  still  a  respected 
resident  of  this  city. 

L.  S.  Herr,  a.  B.,  M.  D.,  was  born  in 
Ashland  county,  Ohio,  February  3,  1828. 
His  father  was  John  Herr,  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  a  descendant  of  the  Herrs  who 
emigrated  from  Holland  and  settled  in  Vir- 
ginia about  the  year  1700.  From  Virginia 
John  Herr  removed  to  Harrisburgh,  Penn., 
thence  to  Ohio,  and  settled  in  Ashland 
county  in  1827.  He  and  his  wife  were 
killed  by  accident  in  1829,  by  the  falling  of 
a  tree,  while  on  a  visit  to  Pennsylvania.  Be- 
ing thus  bereft  of  his  parents  while  a  child,  an 
elder  brother  took  charge  of  L.  S.,  and  gave 
him  a  good  common  school  education.  He 
was  an  apt  scholar,  and  made  rapid  prog- 
ress. Before  his  seventeenth  year  he  had 
taught  two  terms  in  the  public  schools.  He 
continued  his  studies  while  engaged  as  a 
teacher,  and  entering  Wooster  College, 
Ohio,  graduated  therefrom  in  1848.  Being 
then  twenty  years  of  age,  he  decided  to  take 
up  the  study  of  medicine,  and  make  the 
practice  of  that  profession  his  life's  work. 
He  began  his  studies  with  Dr.  T.  W.  Samp- 
sel,  of  Ashland,  Ohio,  and  then  attended  a 
full  course  of  lectures  at  the  Ohio  Medical 
College,  matriculating  in  the  winter  of 
1S51-2.  In  1S54,  he  entered  the  Eclectic 
Medical  Institute  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and 
graduated  from  that  institution  in  the  follow- 
ing year.  Locating  at  Peoria,  Hi.,  he  began 
the  discharge  of  his  professional  duties,  and 
soon  thereafter  found  himself  in  the  posses- 
sion of  an  extensive  practice.  After  three 
3'ears  he  removed  to  the  city  of  Mexico, 
and  there  successfully  engaged  in  the  work 
of  his  profession.  Returning  to  the  United 
States  at  the  end  of  three  years,  he  located 
in    St.   Louis,  Mo.,    and    in    1S60   removed 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


265 


thence  to  Quincy,  111.  Up  to  1862  he  prac- 
ticed allopathic  methods,  but  in  that  year  he 
embraced  the  homeopathic  system  of  prac- 
tice, and  has  since  been  a  prominent  advo- 
cate of  that  school.  In  1S63  he  removed  to 
Evansville,  where  he  has  since  resided,  suc- 
cessfuU}'  practicing  his  profession.  During 
his  residence  here  of  a  quarter  of  a  century 
he  has  thoroughly  established  himself  in 
public  favor  as  a  physician  and  citizen. 
Progressive  and  active,  he  has  kept  abreast 
of  the  times,  and  has  always  favored  efforts 
intended  to  advance  the  general  prosperity 
of  the  city.  When  he  came  here  homeo- 
pathy was  still  struggling  against  strong 
prejudices,  which,  by  his  skill  and  ability,  he 
did  much  to  overcome.  He  is  now,  and  for 
many  years  has  been,  one  of  the  leading 
homeopathic  physicians  in  this  part  of  the 
state.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Indiana  State 
Homeopathic  Medical  Association.  In  1858 
Dr.  Herr  was  married  to  Miss  Sophia, 
daughter  of  Dr.  Christian  Fetter,  a  distin- 
guished physician  of  Baltimore,  Md.  Mrs. 
Herr  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1834.  To 
this  union  one  son  was  born,  in  1859,  who 
died  in  infancy,  living  but  nine  months. 

Fielding  Lewis  Davis,  M.  D.,  was  born 
near  Boonville,  Ind.,  December  16,  1831. 
His  parents,  Amos  and  Elizabeth  (Cain) 
Da\is  were  of  Welsh  and  Irish  extraction. 
The  grandfather  of  Dr.  Davis  was  a  native 
of  Wales,  and  came  to  this  country  some 
time  before  the  revolution.  But  little  is 
known  of  his  history  further  than  that  on 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  joined  the 
Continental  arm}'  and  served  until  its  close. 
The  early  life  of  Dr.  Davis  was  replete  with 
struggles  and  sorrows.  At  the  age  of  five 
his  father  died,  and  seven  years  later  he  met 
with  that  irreparable  loss,  the  death  of  his' 
mother,  and  was  thus  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources.  His  boyhood  was  passed  upon 
the   farm,  where  the  summer's  work  alter- 


nated with  a  term  at  the  district  school  in 
winter.  In  this  way  he  obtained  the  rudi- 
ments of  an  English  education.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen  he  began  teaching  school.  His 
savings  were  carefully  husbanded,  and  for 
several  3'ears  he  attended  school  alter- 
nately as  teacher  and  pupil.  He  paid 
especial  attention  to  mechanics  and  civil 
engineering,  and  for  a  time  followed  sur- 
ve3'ing.  In  1855,  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine,  firmly  resolved  to  make  it  his  life's 
vocation.  He  completed  his  preparatory 
course  under  man}'  difiiculties  and  discour- 
agements, and  in  1864  entered  the  Cleve- 
land Homeopathic  Hospital  College.  A 
lack  of  means,  however,  prevented  his  grad- 
uation until  1869.  His  first  location  was 
Greencastle,  Ind.  Here  he  built  up  a  suc- 
cessful practice,  but  not  thinking  the  place 
a  desirable  one  he  came  to  Evansville  in 
1866  and  formed  a  copartnership  with  Dr. 
Ehrman,  with  whom  he  remained  until  1877. 
At  the  time  Dr.  Davis  came  to  Evansville, 
the  general  public  knew  but  little  of  the 
principles  of  homeopathy,  and  whatever  of 
popularity  it  has  since  obtained  is  due  largely 
to  his  efforts  in  its  advancement  and  his 
skill  and  success  as  a  physician.  Success 
attended  his  efforts  almost  from  the  outset, 
and  despite  opposition  he  was  soon  the  pos- 
sessor of  a  lucrative  practice  and  an  enviable 
position  as  a  citizen.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  American  Institute  of  Homeopathy,  the 
oldest  national  medical  organization  in  the 
United  States,  the  Indiana  Institute  of 
Homeopathy,  and  the  American  Microscop- 
ical Association.  In  his  religious  and  polit- 
ical affiliations  he  is  a  Methodist  and  a 
staunch  republican.  In  1S55  the  doctor  was 
married  to  Miss  Jane,  daughter  of  Lewis 
Taylor,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  sec- 
tion of  the  state. 

Theodore  H.  Taylor,  M.  D.,  was  born 
in    Warrick    county,    Ind.,    September    24, 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


1852,  and  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Margaret 
(Perigo)  Taylor,  natives  of  Indiana.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  1876,  gradu- 
ated from  the  State  Normal  School  at  Terre 
Haute.  In  1S80,  he  began  the  stud}'  of 
medicine  under  Dr.  Johnson,  of  Dale,  Ind., 
finishing,  however,  his  preparatory  course 
with  Dr.  Davis,  of  Evansville,  Ind.  He  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Cleveland,  Ohio,  Homeo- 
pathic College,  and  became  the  partner  of 
Dr.  Davis,  in  1882.  He  is  one  of  the  prom- 
inent 3'oung  practitioners  of  the  county,  and 
has  already  attained  an  enviable  position. 
He  was  married  September  30,  1886,  to 
Ella  F.,  daughter  of  Dr.  I.  Haas,  the  well- 
known  citizen  and  dentist  of  this  place. 

DENTISTRY. 

Dr.  Isaiah  Haas,  for  nearly  thirty  years 
past  a  well-known  citizen  of  Evansville  and 
a  leader  in  the  practice  of  dentistry,  was 
born  at  Newark,  Ohio,  February  22d,  1829. 
His  father,  Adam  Haas,  was  a  Virginian, 
born  December  25,  1798,  and  in  early  man- 
hood moved  to  Newark,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Christina  Le  Pert,  of  New 
York.  From  Newark  he  went  to  Delaware 
county,  in  the  same  state,  and  commenced 
merchandising.  In  1845  he  removed  to  Wa- 
bash, the  county  seat  of  Wabash  county, 
Ind.,  at  which  place  he  continued  in  business 
as  a  merchant  until  1S60.  Isaiah  Haas  re- 
ceived a  fair  education,  such  as  could  be  ob- 
tained in  the  imperfect  schools  of  that  lo- 
cality and  time;  and  when  not  at  schoob 
assisted  his  father  in  the  store,  as  book- 
keeper and  salesman.  In  1849,  when  the 
Morse  electric  telegraph  was  being  extended 
westwardly,  an  office  was  opened  above  the 
store  of  Adam  Haas,  and  a  teacher  was  sent 
to  instruct  a  young  lawyer  of  the  place  how 
to  manipulate  the  (at  that  time)  wonderful 
instrument.  The  pupil  failing  to  compre- 
hend quickl}'  and  the  instructor's  time  being 


limited,  Isaiah  was  induced  to  undertake  the 
work.  His  consent  was  reluctantl}'  given 
because  of  his  father's  absence,  who  was 
then  in  New  York  city  buying  goods.  In 
ten  days  thereafter  he  was  able  to  receive 
and  send  communications,  and  for  three  or 
four  j'ears  devoted  his  entire  time  to  the 
electric  telegraph.  During  this  time  Ezra 
Cornell,  of  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  the  founder  of 
Cornell  University,  became  lessee  of  nearly 
a  thousand  miles  of  telegraph  line 
running  in  and  through  Ohio,  Indiana,  and 
Illinois.  This  great  length  of  line  with  all 
its  offices,  men  and  material,  was  placed  un- 
der the  supervision  of  the  young  operator, 
with  headquarters  at  La  Fayette,  Ind.  His 
energetic,  able,  and  successful  management 
caused  him  to  receive  many  flattering  letters 
from  Mr.  Cornell.  During  this  time  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Adeline  McHenr}',  of  Vin- 
cennes,  who  early  fell  a  victim  to  consump- 
tion. Two  children  were  born  to  them ;  but 
in  three  years,  all  were  gone.  Before  leaving 
the  telegraph  his  attention  was  attracted  to 
the  profession  of  dentistr}',  the  study  of 
which  he  commenced  and  prosecuted  with 
vigor,  having  for  his  preceptors  Prof.  A. 
M.  Moore,  of  La  Fayette,  Ind.,  and  Prof, 
Samuel  Wardle,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  both 
eminent  men  in  the  profession.  Prior  to 
coming  to  Evansville,  he  spent  some  seven 
years  in  La  Fayette,  Ind.  In  1857  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  K.  McHenry,  a  sister 
of  his  first  wife.  Two  years  later  while  on 
his  way  south  for  the  purpose  of  visiting 
friends,  he  was  unexpectedly  detained  in  this 
city  for  two  days.  Here  he  met  old  friends 
who  insisted  that  he  make  this  place  his 
future  home,  setting  forth  the  outcome  of 
the  city  in  such  glowing  terms  that  a  few 
weeks  later  he  became  a  permanent  resident 
of  Evansville.  For  seven  years,  besides  his 
dental  work,  he  assisted  Dr.  Bray  in  all  his 
surgical  operations,  and  from  that  time  for. 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


S67 


ward,  he  has  given  his  undivided  attention 
to  the  practice  of  his  profession.  His  repu- 
tation and  practice  increased  year  by  year 
until  the\'  were  b}-  no  means  confined  by  the 
limits  of  this  city.  He  has  won  a  remark- 
able success,  attaining  prominence  among 
the  leading  dentists  in  the  state.  For  the 
good  of  the  profession  he  has  invented  nu- 
merous articles,  among  thein  artificial  palates 
and  noses,  but  has  refused  to  take  out  pat- 
ents to  monopolize  their  use.  His  high  ideal 
of  his  profession  is  equaled  only  by  his 
achievements.  He  is  the  dental  father  of 
eighteen  dentists,  all  reputable  practitioners, 
who  are  scattered  throughout  the  country 
from  New  York  city  to  San  Francisco.  He 
served  as  lecturer  on  dentistry  in  the  Evans- 
ville  Medical  College,  when  that  institution 
was  in  existence.  Dr.  Haas  has  had  a  dis- 
tinguished career  in  Masonry — as  master  of 
Evansville  Lodge,  No.  64,  F.  and  A.  M.,  for 
seven  years;  as  officer  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  state,  one  year;  as  district  deputy 
master,  four  years;  and  as  lecturer  of  the 
district,  four  years.  His  knowledge  and 
able  exposition  of  Masonic  law  and  land- 
marks have  distinguished  him  in  the  order. 
Dr.  S.  B.  Lewis,  surgeon  dentist,  was 
born  in  Chautauqua  county,  N.  Y.,  April  3, 
1846,  and  is  the  second  of  three  children 
born  to  John  F.  and  Mary  E.  (Brigham) 
Lewis.  His  parents  were  natives  of  New 
York,  the  father  born  in  1816  and  the  mother 
in  1818.  His  father  died  in  1S78  and  his 
mother  is  still  living  at  Greenville,  Ohio. 
About  1853  his  parents  removed  from  their 
native  state  to  Clermont  countv,  Ohio,  and 
twelve  years  later  settled  at  Green\ille. 
John  F.  Lewis  was  a  stock  dealer  and  a 
prominent  man  in  his  locality  throughout 
his  long  career.  Dr.  Lewis  was  reared  in 
Clermont  county,  and  received  a  fair  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools.  He  was  a  mere 
lad  when  the  civil  war  broke  out,  but  before 


its  termination  he  was  in  the  ranks  of  the 
federal  army  as  a  soldier.  He  first  enlisted 
in  the  hundred-day  service  at  Greenville, 
Ohio,  joining  Company  G,  One  Hundred 
and  Fifty-second  Regiment,  O.  N.  Ct.  At 
the  end  of  his  service  with  the  state  troops 
he  enlisted,  in  1864,  for  one  year  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Eighty-seventh  Regiment  Ohio 
Infantry  Volunteers  as  regimental  musician, 
and  served  faithfully  until  the  expiration  of 
his  term  of  enlistment.  After  the  war,  re- 
turning to  his  father's  home  in  Ohio,  he  be- 
gan the  study  of  dentistrv,  in  1866,  having 
for  his  preceptor  his  brother.  Dr.  Walter  F. 
Lewis.  Coming  to  Evansville,  he  continued 
his  studies  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Isaiah  Haas, 
the  well-known  practitioner,  and  completing 
his  studies  he  returned,  in  1868,  to  Green- 
ville, Ohio,  where  he  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  Five  years  later 
he  came  back  to  this  citj'  and  has  since  de- 
voted his  undivided  attention  to  dentistry, 
his  skillful  and  satisfactor}'  work  giving  him 
a  valuable  reputation  and  an  extensive  prac- 
tice. During  his  fifteen  years'  residence  in 
the  city  he  has  maintained  a  high  standing 
as  a  citizen  and  has  become  prominently 
identified  with  the  secret  orders  working 
here.  He  has  attained  high  rank  in  the  G. 
A.  R.  and  Royal  Arcanum,  being  at  the 
present  time  grand  orator  in  the  latter.  In 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  he  has  passed  through  the 
chairs  and  has  done  much  to  advance  the 
interests  of  the  order.  In  1869  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Emma  C.  Dorman,  of  Green- 
ville, Ohio,  and  to  them  two  children  —  a 
son  and  a  daughter  —  have  been  born. 

Dr.  Charles  E.  Pittmax,  surgeon  den- 
tist and  prominent  young  citizen  of  Evans- 
ville, was  born  February  17,  1854,  ^"  Pose}- 
county,  Ind.,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert  K. 
and  Parthenia  (Ross)  Pittman.  His  educa- 
tion was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of 
this  city,  and  in  January,  1875,  ^^  began  the 


268 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 


study  of  dentistry  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
I.  Haas.  After  a  thorough  course  of  stud}- 
and  practical  training  he  entered  upon  the 
active  work  of  his  profession,  and  from  the 
outset  established  himself  firmly  in  public 
favor.  His  popularity  and  practice  rapidly 
extended  themselves  because  of  his  personal 
accomplishments  and  his  conversance  with 
the  details  of  dentistr}-.  At  the  present 
time  he  enjo3-s  an  extensive  and  lucrative 
business.  His  professional  work  is  alwaj's 
of  the  highest  order.  His  social  achieve- 
ments have  been  no  less  gratifying.  As  a 
member  of  the  K.  of  P.  fraternit}-  he  has 
won  an  enviable  distinction.  He  has  passed 
through  all  the  chairs  in  Orion  Lodge,  No. 
35;  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Indiana,  having  served  for  two  years  as 
grand  master  at  arms  of  that  body;  is  now 
district  deputy  grand  chancellor  of  Orion, 
St.  George  and  Ben  Hur  lodges,  and  is  a 
prominent  member  of  Evansville  Division, 
No.  4,  M.  R.,  K.  of  P.  He  is  a  typical 
knight,  being  an  earnest  worker,  an  ardent 
lover  of  the  principles,  familiar  with  the 
work  in  all  its  details  and  a  perfect  gentle- 
man. The  doctor  affiliates  with  the  repub- 
lican party,  and  has  taken  a  prominent  part 
in  organizing  and  drilling  companies  for  a 
public  parade.  The  histrionic  talent  pos- 
sessed by  Dr.  Pittman  has  contributed 
largely  to  public  entertainment.  As  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Ideal  Opera  company  —  whose 
presentations  of  the  "  Chimes  of  Normandy," 


the  "Mikado,"  the  "Grand  Duchess,"  and 
the  "Musketeers,"  have  afforded  delight  to 
the  music-loving  portion  of  the  populace  — 
he  has  always  pla3ed  a  prominent  part, 
winning  manv  laurels.  November  16,  1881, 
Dr.  Pittman  was  married  to  Miss  Annie 
Knowles,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Emil}- 
Knowles.  Mrs.  Pittman  is  a  native  of  Van- 
derburgh county,  and  was  born  June  28, 
i860. 

Dr.  Emil  Knapp,  a  well-known  young 
dentist  of  Evansville,  was  born  at  New  Al- 
bany, Ind.,  September  24,  1854,  ^^^  ^^  ^^^ 
son  of  Dr.  Charles  and  Catherine  (Tuer- 
kes)  Knapp,  deceased,  both  natives  of  Ger- 
man)^  He  was  reared  in  the  town  of  his 
birth,  and  in  Spencer  and  Warrick  counties, 
Ind.  His  education  was  received  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  state,  and  at  St. 
Meinrad's  College,  in  Spencer  county. 
He  came  to  Evansville  in  1874,  and  about  a 
3'ear  later  began  the  study  of  dentistry  in 
Evansville  in  the  office  of  Dr.  S.  B.  Lewis, 
and  remained  with  that  gentleman  nearly 
two  years.  He  then  took  a  course  of  lec- 
tures at  the  Oliio  Dental  College.  Return- 
ing to  Evansville,  he  began  at  once  practicing, 
and  has  continued  up  to  the  present,  meet- 
ing with  success.  He  is  now  considered  one 
of  the  leading  dentists  of  Evansville.  He 
was  married  May  25,  1876,  to  Marj'  A. 
Elhs,  daughter  of  Capt.  August  Ellis,  of 
Evansville,  Ind.  To  this  union  six  children 
have  been  born,  all  of  whom  survive. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


Religious  History  —  Walnut  Street  Church  —  First  Avenue  Presbyterian 
Church  —  Cumberland  Presbyterian  —  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches  — 
St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church  —  Baptist  Churches  —  Catholic  Churches  — 
German  Lutheran  —  German  Evangelical  —  Church  of  Unity  —  Je%vish 
Temples  —  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  —  Cemeteries,  Etc. 


'HE  first  church  organization  effected 
l^§J  in  Evansville  was  that  now  know'n 
as  the  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian 
church,  which  was  constituted  in  182 1,  by 
Rev.  II.  C.  Banks,  then  pastor  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  at  Henderson,  Ky.  The 
following  were  the  original  members: 
Daniel  Chute,  James  R.  E.  Goodlett,  Will- 
iam Olmstead,  i\bigail  Fairchild,  Julia  Ann 
Harrison,  Rebecca  Wood,  Mr.s.  Chandler, 
Mr.  Butler,  Mrs.  Smith,  Eli  Sherwood, 
Elizabeth  Sherwood  and  Mary  O.  Warner. 
Daniel  Chute  and  James  R.  E.  Goodlett, 
were  chosen  as  ruling  elders. 

For  more  than  ten  years  there  was  no 
church  building  in  the  town,  and  this  con- 
gregation, as  well  as  such  others  as  w'ere 
afterward  organized,  met  in  private  houses; 
sometimes  in  an  old  log  school-house  on  the 
lower  side  of  Locust  street,  midwa}  between 
First  and  Second;  and  occasionally  in  an  old 
log  house  which  now  stands  on  the  premises 
of  Mr.  WilHam  Dean.  The  old  court-house 
on  the  south  corner  of  Main  and  Third 
streets  was  a  frequent  place  of  meeting, 
when  an  occasional  preacher  visited  or  so- 
journed in  the  town.  The  court-house  in 
those  early  days  is  described  as  "  without 
iloors  —  '  puncheon  '  seats  were  placed  on 
the  bare  ground;  the  tire  in  winter  was 
against  the  wall  in  a  poorly  framed  fire- 
place; the  smoke  too  often  to  the  great  in- 
convenience of  worshippers,  choosing  to  find 


its  way  up  through  the  entire  space  of  the 
building,  and  out  by  numerous  accommodat- 
ing chinks  and  crannies." 

In  the  year  1831,  under  the  influence  of 
Rev.  Calvin  Butler,  who  was  at  that  time 
settled  at  Princeton,  Ind.,  a  movement  be- 
gan to  secure  a  house  of  worship.  When 
the  movement  was  fully  started  Mr.  Butler 
changed  his  residence  to  Evansville,  and 
under  his  ministry  and  personal  supervision 
the  work  went  forward.  The  citizens  who 
took  the  lead  in  the  enterprise  were  Messrs. 
John  Shanklin,  Judge  William  Olmstead, 
Luke  Wood,  Major  Alanson  Warner  and 
Amos  Clark,  Esq. 

The  original  subscription  paper  for  the 
erection  of  the  building  is  still  in  existence, 
among  the  church  papers,  and  as  an  inter- 
esting scrap  of  the  citvs  history  a  copy  is 
appended : 

"  Original  Subscript  ion.  —  The  under- 
signed, being  desirous  to  have  a  Presbyte- 
rian Meeting  House  for  Evansville  and  its 
vicinitv,  promise  to  pay  the  sums  severally 
annexed  to  our  names,  to  Trustees  hereafter 
to  be  appointed  by  the  subscribers.  Said 
house  to  be  30  by  50  feet,  of  brick,  with 
walls  rS  feet  in  height,  to  have  8  windows, 
with  forty  lights  in  each,  of  glass  10  b}'  12, 
with  two  doors,  and  a  floor  jointed,  not 
planed,  and  a  good  roof:  John  Shanklin, 
$100;  A.  Warner,  $50;  N.  Rowley,  $20; 
Calvin  Butler,  $75;  Luke  Wood,  $25  cash, 

{269) 


2W 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


labor,  $50,  $75;  Wm.  Olmstead,  $25  cash, 
labor,  $25,  $50;  Amos  Clark,  $50;  David 
Negley,  $25;  James  Lewis,  $25;  John 
Mitchell,  $25;  E.  Hull,  in  labor,  $5;  Chas. 
Fullerton,  $5;  Silas  Stephens,  in  saddlery, 
$25;  Julius  Harrison,  $5;  Richard  Brown- 
injf,  $10;  Alexander  Johnson,  $10;  Marcus 
Sherwood,  $10;  Archeppus  Gillett,  $10: 
Daniel  Tool,  in  tailoring  $5;  John  W. 
Duncan,  in  leather  or  cash,  $20;  Robert 
Barnes,  $10;  John  W.  LilHston,  $3; 
John  Ingle,  $10;  Levi  Price,  in  labor,  $10; 
M.  D.  Robertson,  $2.50." 

In  pursuance  of  the  foregoing  subscrip- 
tions, trustees  were  elected,  of  which  the 
following  is  a  copy  of  the  official  record : 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  subscribers  for  build- 
ing a  Presb3-terian  Meeting  House,  in  the 
town  of  Evansville,  at  the  house  of  Alanson 
Warner,  on  the  23d  of  April,  1S31,  for  the 
purpose  of  electing  Trustees,  in  pursuance 
of  the  subscription,  at  which  meeting  David 
Negley  was  elected  Chairman  and  James 
Lewis,  Secretarj',  the  following  persons  cho- 
sen Trustees :  Amos  Clark,  Alanson  Warner, 
Wm.  Olmstead. 

"  David  Negi.ey,  Chairman, 

"James  Lewis,  Secretarj'." 

To  complete  the  house,  however,  it  was 
found  necessary  to  send  Rev.  Mr.  Butler, 
the  pastor,  to  the  eastern  states  to  solicit 
aid,  and  with  the  contributions  obtained  the 
trustees  were  enabled  to  complete  the 
church  in  1832.  It  was  located  on  the 
ground  where  the  Courier  office  now  stands 
on  a  considerable  elevation  known  as  "  the 
hill."  The  entire  cost  of  the  buildin<r  did 
not  exceed  $1,300,  and  yet  it  was  regarded 
at  the  time  as  a  great  advance  in  town  arch- 
itecture. As  descriptive  of  the  building 
when  completed,  the  following  extract  is 
made  from  the  sermon  of  Rev.  W.  H. 
McCarer,  preached  on  the  occasion  of  the 
last  religious    service  before  destroying  the 


building,  February  26,  i860,  preparatorj^  to 
the  erection  of  the  edifice  now  occupied  by 
the  congregation :  "  The  first  set  of  seats 
were  plain  pine  benches,  without  backs;  a 
slight  elevation  upon  which  was  placed  a 
second-hand  dr}'  goods  box,  covered  with 
green  book-muslin  or  baize,  was  '  the  desk  ' 
from  which  the  minister  gave  forth  the 
Word  of  Life.  Subsequently,  and  to  keep 
up  with  the  times,  benches  with  backs  were 
introduced;  and  an  oblong  pulpit  of  plain 
panel  work  painted  white,  which  enclosed 
the  preacher  so  completely  that  when  he  sat 
down  he  could  scarcely  be  seen  b}-  the  aud- 
ience, and  when  he  rose  to  preach,  it  was  as 
if  from  a  strong  frontier  block-house  he 
sent  forth  Gospel  missiles."  This  building 
for  many  j'ears  was  the  onty  public  house 
of  worship  in  Evansville.  It  was  several 
times  refitted  and  once  enlarged  before  its 
sale  in  1859. 

The  first  regular  pastor  was  the  Rev. 
Calvin  Butler,  who  remained  with  the  church 
until  1834,  when  he  removed  to  Washington, 
Ind.  After  this  the  church  for  some  time 
enjoyed  the  ministr}^  of  Rev.  Mr.  McAfee, 
who  was  at  that  time  laboring  in  the  Pres- 
byterian church  at  Henderson. 

In  the  year  1S37  Rev.  Jeremiah  R.  Barnes 
took  up  his  residence  permanently  in  the 
place  and  was  invited  to  become  pastor  of 
the  church.  During  this  year  occurred  the 
division  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination 
into  the  "  Old  School "  and  "  New  School." 
The  Evansville  church  became  a  part  of  the 
"  New  School  "  body,  transferring  its  con- 
nection from  the  presbytery  of  Vincennes  to 
the  presbN'tery  of  Salem,  and  so  remained 
until  the  union  of  1S70  made  the  denomin- 
ation one  again.  Mr.  Barnes  was  installed 
as  pastor  of  the  church  November  25,  1838. 
He  continued  his  ministry  until  the  autumn 
of  1845. 

In  the  spring  of    1846    Rev.    Samuel   K. 


>^^^ 


*••*• 


■■s-fai 


X 


C/i/c  s/]  S  J^^-^ 


PRESB  YTERIA  N  CHUR  CH. 


271 


Sneed  began  his  ministn-  to  the  church,  and 
continued  his  labors  until  February,  1S48. 

On  the  first  Sabbath  of  April,  in  the  same 
year,, Rev.  Charles  E.  Lord  became  a  tem- 
porary supply  for  the  church,  and  continued 
for  one  year.  Duringhis  ministry  the  church 
building  underwent  considerable  repairs. 
The  whole  interior  was  changed.  External 
changes  were  also  made,  including  the  addi- 
tion of  a  belfrv  and  bell. 

On  the  2Sth  of  October,  1849,  Rev.  Will- 
iam H.  McCarer  began  his  ministry  as  pas- 
tor, and  continued  his  labors  in  this  capacity 
until  April,  1868  —  a  period  of  more  than 
eighteen  years.  Mr.  McCarer's  pastorate 
was  the  longest,  and  in  man}-  respects  the 
most  eventful  in  the  history  of  the  church. 
When  he  came  to  the  church  it  consisted  of 
about  thirty  members.  During  his 
ministry  272  members  were  added. 
The  church  enjo3'ed  several  seasons 
of  marked  religious  awakening  during  these 
years.  Growing  up  with  the  city  and  being 
identified  with  its  people  in  every  good  work, 
not  only  as  pastor  of  this  church,  but  also 
afterward  in  the  First  Avenue  church,  his 
name  became  a  household  word  in  very  many 
homes  outside  of  his  own  church  and  all 
churches  where  his  ministrv  was  felt  and  his 
consolations  enjoyed  in  the  time  of  trouble. 
His  memory  is  cherished  b}-  all  who  knew 
him,  as  a  good  citizen  and  faithful  minister  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ.  During  his  ministry, 
and  very  largely  under  the  inspiration  of  his 
faithful  and  untiring  labors,  the  present 
church  edifice  was  erected.  The  foundations 
were  laid  in  the  year  1859.  The  basement 
of  the  church  was  first  occupied  in  February, 
1 86 1.  There  the  services  were  held  for  two 
years.  The  completed  church  w'as  formall}- 
dedicated  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  February, 
1863,  Rev.  Dr.  Tuttle,  president  of  Wabash 
College,  preaching  the  sermon.  This  edifice, 
at  the  corner  of  Walnut  and  Second  streets, 
16 


was  designed  by  J.  D.  Bulton,  of  Philadel- 
phia, and  is  built  in  the  Norman  style  of 
architecture,  being  characterized  bj'  great 
size,  elevation,  simplicity  and  strength,  with 
the  use  of  the  semi-circular  arch,  massive  col- 
umns, and  a  great  \arietyof  ornaments,  and 
crowned  with  two  spiral  towers.  The  value 
of  the  structure  was  probabh'  $60,000,  and 
for  general  attractiveness,  convenience  of  ar- 
rangements and  neatness  of  finish,  is  very 
noteworthy.  It  is  125x80  feet  large,  and  the 
auditorium  65x100  feet,  and  will  seat  1,050 
persons. 

In  this  connection  it  may  be  proper  to 
mention  the  fact  that  the  church  has  a  most 
beautiful  and  commodious  parsonage  prop- 
erty'. For  this  the  congregation  is  indebted 
to  the  generosit}^  of  Mr.  James  L.  Orr  and 
his  sister,  Mrs.  Martha  J.  Bayard,  who 
erected  the  parsonage  as  a  memorial  to  their 
parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Orr  —  two  of 
the  beloved  and  honored  dead  who  were  so 
long  identified  with  the  church.  Nearly  ten 
thousand  dollars  worth  of  property  was  thus 
transferred  to  the  ownership  of  the  church 
as  a  perpetual  contribution  to  the  cause  of 
Christ  and  the  good  of  the  community.  Rev. 
J.  P.  E.  Kumler,  D.  D.,  succeeded  Mr. 
McCarer  in  the  pastorate,  commencing  his 
ministr\' to  the  church  July  5,  1868.  His 
pastorate  continued  for  three  years,  when  he 
was  called  to  the  First  Presbyterian  church 
of  Indianapolis.  The  church  was  greatly 
prospered  under  his  ministry.  One  hundred 
and  fifty-eight  were  added  to  the  member- 
ship, and  much  was  done  in  a  systematic 
way  for  various  forms  of  mission  work  at 
home  and  abroad.  After  the  resignation  of 
Dr.  Kumler,  Rev.  Alexander  Sterritt  sup- 
plied the  pulpit  for  some  months.  In  July, 
1872,  a  call  was  extended  Rev.  Samuel  Car- 
lisle, who  commenced  his  labors  with  the 
church  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year. 
Mr.    Carlisle's     pastorate    continued    until 


272 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


July,  1875.  He  was  succceeded  by  Rev. 
Charles  H.  Foote,  D.  D.,  who  began  his 
services  in  November,  1876,  and  continued 
as  pastor  until  September,  1878.  After  the 
resignation  of  Dr.  Foote,  Rev.  J.  Q.  Adams 
was  invited  to  become  the  stated  supply  of 
the  church,  and  in  October,  1879,  was  regu- 
larly called  to  the  pastorate.  His  ministry 
with  the  church  continued  until  September, 
1881,  when  he  tendered  his  resignation,  and 
accepted  a  call  to  labor  in  California.  After 
the  departure  of  Mr.  Adams,  Rev.  S.  M. 
Dodge  was  invited  to  supplv  the  pulpit,  and 
began  his  connection  with  the  church  De- 
cember 25th,  1881.  In  March,  1S83,  Mr. 
Dodge  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  but  was 
never  formally  installed.  He  closed  his 
ministry  to  the  church  in  September,  1883, 
and,  like  his  predecessor,  entered  a  tield  of 
labor  in  the  state  of  California.  On  De- 
cember 23,  1883,  a  call  was  extended  to 
Rev.  L.  M.  Gilleland,  who  entered  on  his 
work  February  10,  1884,  was  formally  in- 
stalled May  18,  and  has  continued  as  pastor 
of  the  church  until  the  present  time.  The 
fruits  of  success  have  attended  his  labors. 
The  membership  now  numbers  300,  and  the 
church  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition. 
The  Sunday-school  is  in  a  flourishing  condi- 
tion; Mr.  James  L.  Orr  is  its  superintend- 
ent. Its  membership,  including  that  of  a 
mission  Sunday-school  on  Columbia  street, 
is  350.  During  the  summer  of  1886  the 
church  was  extensively  repaired  and  im- 
proved. 

Rev.  Leland  M.  Gilleland  was  born  in 
Butler  county.  Pa.,  June  7,  1843.  Having 
graduated  from  Washington  and  Jefferson 
college,  at  Cannonsburg,  Penn.,  in  1868,  he 
entered  the  same  year  the  theological  sem- 
inary at  Chicago,  where  he  spent  three 
years,  graduating  in  1871.  In  1870  he  was 
licensed  to  preach,  and  immediately  upon 
leaving  the  seminary  accepted  a  call  to  the 


church  of  White  Pigeon,  Mich.,  where  he 
was  ordained  and  installed  in  April,  1871. 
In  August,  1877,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the 
church  of  Tidioute,  Penn.,  where  he  remained 
until  Januar}-,  1884,  when  he  entered  upon 
his  pastoral  work  at  the  church  whose  his- 
tory is  here  recorded.  In  addition  to  his 
other  labors,  Mr.  Gilleland  has  always  taken 
special  interest  in  educational  matters,  and 
for  a  time  taught  Latin  and  Greek  in  the 
high  school  of  Tidioute,  delivering  also,  at 
stated  intervals,  to  the  school  a  course  of 
lectures  upon  special  subjects.  At  present 
he  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
Hanover  College,  Hanover,  Ind.,  one  of  the 
leading  educational  institutions  of  the  state. 
During  the  summer  of  1881  he  spent  sev- 
eral months  in  foreign  travel,  and  his  popu- 
lar lectures  upon  subjects  suggested  by  his 
travels,  have  been  received  with  great  favor 
and  appreciative  interest.  He  has  always 
been  a  tireless  worker,  a  zealous  preacher, 
full  of  life  and  enthusiasm,  and  withal  a  ten- 
der pastor  and  a  prudent  man  of  affairs. 

Grace  Prcshyteria)i  Church. —  In  the  3'ear 
1837,  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  separated  into  two  dis- 
tinct ecclesiastical  bodies,  known  as  the  Old 
School  and  New  School  Presbyterian 
churches.  The  division  was  happily  healed 
by  the  organic  reunion  of  the  two  branches 
in  1869.  As  an  incidental  result  of  the  gen- 
eral division,  the  church  in  this  city  was 
divided;  the  majority,  composing  the  Wal- 
nut Street  Presbyterian  church,  adhering  to 
the  new  school  assembly,  while  the  minority 
instituted  the  Vine  Street  Presb3'terian 
church,  in  connection  with  the  old  school 
assembly.  While  these  two  churches  have 
since  maintained  their  distinct  existence, 
their  denominational  separation  ceased  in  the 
reunion  of  the  two  assemblies  when  both 
came  under  the  same  ecclesiastical  control. 
Grace  church  was  organized  under  the  cor- 


1 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 


273 


porate  name  of  "Evansville  Presbyterian 
cliurch,"  in  183S,  by  Rev.  Hugh  H.  Patten, 
of  the  presbytery  of  Vincennes,  to  which 
presbytery  the  church  adhered  after  the  di- 
vision of  1837.  The  original  members  were 
six:  B.  F.  Dupuy,  Mrs.  Mary  G.  Dupuv, 
Miss  Augusta  Dupuy,  Miss  JuHa  Dupuy, 
Boyd  Bullock  and  Mrs.  Anne  Bullock. 
B.  F.  Dupu}'  and  Boyd  Bullock  were  or- 
dained and  installed  elders.  The  first  meet- 
intrs  were  held  in  the  court-house  at  the 
corner  of  Third  and  Main  streets.  The  first 
pastor  of  the  church  was  Rev.  J.  V.  Dodge, 
who  was  ordained  and  installed  June  6, 
1841.  It  is  a  pleasing  reminiscence  of  those 
early  da^s  that  the  ordination  took  place  in 
St.  Paul's  Episcopal  church,  which  was 
kindly  tendered  for  the  occasion.  Mr.  Dodge 
continued  as  pastor  till  1850,  the  church 
enjoying  two  precious  revivals  under  his 
ministry,  as  a  result  of  which  large  num- 
bers were  added  to  its  memberships,  and 
at  the  conclusion  of  his  pastorate  120 
names  were  on  the  roll.  He  is  still 
an  habitual  worshipper  with  the  congre- 
gation and  has  always  contributed  to  the 
welfare  of  the  church  by  his  v-alued  counsel 
and  cordial  co-operation  in  every  good  work. 
Upon  his  resignation  of  the  pastorate  in 
1850,  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  N. 
Saunders,  who,  owing  to  ill  health,  held  the 
charge  for  only  one  year.  The  next  pastor 
was  Rev.  Alexander  Sterret,  who  was  in- 
stalled in  185 1,  and  continued  till  September 
14,  1865,  a  pastorate  fruitful  of  much  good, 
and  precious  to  the  memory  of  many  who 
still  remain.  Rev.  C.  B.  H.  Martin  was  in- 
stalled as  pastor  May  i,  1866,  and  was  re- 
leased from  the  pastoral  charge  in  the  fall 
of  1 88 1.  Dr.  Martin  was  one  of  the  most 
intellectual,  scholarly  and  eloi^uent  men  in 
this  part  of  the  state,  and  during  his  fifteen 
years  of  service  in  this  field,  did  much  good 
in    the  upbuilding   of   the  church.     In  the 


summer  of  1882,  Rev.  James  L.  McNair 
was  installed  as  pastor  and  continued  in  that 
relation  till  September,  1887.  Mr.  McNair 
was  a  faithful  and  efficient  worker;  during 
his  pastorate  the  pleasant  and  commodious 
parsonage  was  erected,  costing  $7,051.00, 
and  133  names  were  added  to  the  church 
roll,  seventy-five  of  them  on  profession  of 
faith.  Rev.  Edward  F.  Walker,  the  pres- 
ent pastor,  was  chosen  December  21,  1887, 
and  installed  April  22,  1888. 

This  distinguished  clergyman  was  born  at 
Steubenville,  Ohio,  January  20,  1852.  His 
father,  Benjamin  F.  Walker,  a  native  of 
Pennsj'lvania,  was  a  California  pioneer,  and 
served  two  years  as  a  soldier  in  the  First 
California  Volunteer  Infantry,  being  honor- 
ably  discharged  at  Santa  Fe  in  1864.  He 
died  at  San  Francisco  in  1876  at  the  age  of 
forty-eight.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  J.  Tread- 
way,  died  in  Ohio  three  years  previous,  at 
the  age  of  forty-five.  The  son  Edward 
lived  on  the  Pacific  coast  from  1864  to  1881, 
and  was  married  at  Santa  Cruz,  Cal.,  April 
7,  1875,  to  Miss  Ehza  A.  Bennett,  a  native 
of  Wisconsin.  Their  union  has  given  to 
them  six  children,  of  whom  the  eldest, 
Francis  A.,  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years. 
The  names  of  those  living  are:  Edith,  Ed- 
ward B.,  Mabel,  Bertha  B.  and  John  P.  Mr. 
Walker  began  Hfe  as  a  printer,  serving  his 
apprenticeship  at  Stockton,  Cal.,  and  then 
working  as  a  journeyman  for  two  years. 
He  received  his  education  at  the  University 
of  the  Pacific  at  San  Jose,  and  pursued  pri- 
vately his  studies  for  the  ministry.  He  was 
ordained  by  the  presbytejy  of  San  Fran- 
cisco, September  7,  1879,  ^""^  then  his  min- 
isterial service  began  with  the  pastorate  of 
the  Third  Congregational  church  at  San 
Francisco  for  one  year,  followed  by  that  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  church,  Virginia 
City,  Nev.,  for  one  year.  Then  he  came 
east,  and  after  two  years'  attendance  upon 


27A 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


the  Western  Theological  Seminary,  during 
which  time  he  was  pastor  of  Glenfield  and 
Long  Island  churches,  he  became  pastor  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Martin's 
Ferry,  Ohio,  from  1S84  to  1888,  and  thence 
was  called  to  Evansville.  Since  his  ordi- 
nation, he  has  received  at  least  four  hundred 
members  into  the  church,  one  hundred  of 
whom  were  received  the  year  before  he 
came  to  this  city.  He  is  an  eloquent  and 
forcible  speaker,  and  a  devoted  worker  in 
the  sacred  cause  to  which  he  has  devoted 
his  life. 

The  first  house  of  worship  owned  and 
occupied  by  the  church  was  erected  in  1843 
at  a  cost  of  $2,108,  at  the  corner  of  Vine 
and  Second  streets,  and,  because  of  its  loca- 
tion, became  popularly  known  as  Vine  Street 
church.  During  the  long  and  fruitful  min- 
istry of  Rev.  C.  B.  H.  Martin,  the  present 
church  edifice  was  built  at  a  cost,  including 
the  lot,  of  $65,023,  and  dedicated  Septem- 
ber 13,  1874.  Its  style  of  architecture  is 
the  castellated  Gothic,  its  symmetrical  pro- 
portions combining  strength  and  beauty. 
Its  interior  is  finished  and  furnished  in  the 
highest  style  of  modern  art;  and  the  audi- 
torium has  a  seating  capacity  for  700  per- 
sons. The  church  building  was  erected 
and  dedicated  without  the  incurrence  of  a 
debt.  Its  architect  was  Robert  Boyd;  the 
building  committee  was  composed  of  the 
following  gentlemen :  W.  E.  French,  N.  M. 
Goodlet,  L.  Ruffner,  jr.,  S.  M.  Archer,  C. 
Preston,  and  W.  G.  Brown.  In  the  same 
year,  1874,  the  name  of  the  organization 
was  changed  to  "  Grace  Presbyterian 
church."  During  the  past  year  there  has 
been  constructed  a  beautiful  and  convenient 
lecture  room,  at  a  cost  of  about  $17,000, 
the  munificent  gift  of  Mrs.  Carohne  S. 
Mackey  —  in  memory  of  her  parents,  Judge 
John  and  Sarah  Law.  The  church  is  in  a 
very   properous  condition,  its    membership 


now  numbering  250.  Its  Sunday-school, 
with  Mr.  R.  M.  Millican  as  superintendent, 
has  a  membership  of  150.  At  the  present 
time  its  ruling  elders  are :  Samuel  M.  Archer, 
clerk;  William  G.  Brown,  WiUiam  D. 
Ewing,  Erastus  P.  Huston,  James  T.Walker. 
J^i'rsi  Aveime  Presbyterian  Church. — The 
Second  Avenue  Presbyterian  church  was 
organized  in  December,  1872,  with  a  mem- 
bership of  twentv-five,  with  Loring  G. 
Johnson  as  elder.  June  i,  1873,  John  Sava- 
cool  and  Otto  F.  Jacobi  were  also  made 
elders,  and  John  B.  Williams  was  made  a 
deacon.  The  Second  Avenue  church  was 
dissolved  November  10,  1875,  forty-six 
members  withdrawing  for  the  purpose  of 
forming  a  new  church  to  be  called  the  First 
Avenue  Presbyterian  church,  which  was  or- 
ganized November  11,  1S755  with  Rev.  W. 
H.  McCarer  as  pastor;  Otto  F.  Jacobi,  W. 
H.  Wood,  and  R.  L.  Brown,  elders;  J.  B. 
WilHams,  W.  J.  Harvey,  and  W.  Z.  Smith, 
deacons;  O.  F.  Jacobi,  Jacob  Weintz,  Nick 
Elles,  John  Greek,  and  W.  J.  Harvev,  trus- 
tees. Immediately  upon  the  organization  of 
the  new  church  steps  were  inaugurated  for 
the  building  of  a  suitable  house  of  worship. 
The  work  was  rapidly  pushed  forward,  and 
on  April  2,  1876,  the  new  building  was 
dedicated  to  the  service  of  God  with  appro- 
priate exercises  conducted  by  Rev.  W.  H. 
McCarer.  At  that  time  the  membership  of 
the  church  was  fifty-seven;  about  four  years 
passed  before  it  reached  a  hundred.  That 
God  has  blessed  and  prospered  it  is  shown 
by  the  fact  that  it  now  numbers  300.  In  the 
old  church  Rev.  V.  B.  Van  Arsdale  was 
pastor  until  1874,  when  Rev.  W.  H.  Mc- 
Carer was  installed.  From  that  time  until 
his  death,  in  February,  1880,  he  served  the 
congregation  faithfulh-  and  with  great  devo- 
tion. His  was  a  remarkable  career.  For 
nineteen  years  he  was  the  pastor  of  the 
Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  church,  and  foj- 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 


275 


six  years  pastor  of  the  new  charge.  His 
character  was  full  of  loveliness  and  his  life 
full  of  good  works.  His  successors  have 
been  Rev.  H.  A.  Dodge,  Rev.  Hutchinson, 
Rev.  Linn,  Rev.  David  Van  Dyke,  and  Rev. 
Joseph  S.  Grimes,  D.  D.,  the  present  pastor. 
Dr.  Grimes  is  an  able,  earnest  and  eloquent 
preacher.  The  Sabbath  school  has  nearl}- 
200  members;  William  Lambert  is  superin- 
tendent. The  present  trustees  of  the  church 
are:  William  A.  Heilnian,  jr.,  John  Jordon, 
O.  F.  Jacobi,  Jacob  Weintz,  WiUiam  New- 
man, W.  J.  Harvey,  and  G.  E.  King. 

Cuiubcrlami  Presbxtcrian  Church. —  The 
reliijious  denomination  known  as  the  Cum- 
berland  Presbyterian  church  was  organized 
in  Dixon  count}-,  Tenn.,  in  1810,  with  three 
members.  So  popular  were  its  doctrines, 
tiiat  the  number  rapidl}-  increased,  and  many 
missionaries  were  sent  out  in  various  direc- 
tions, particularly  in  the  south  and  south- 
west. As  early  as  1817  "circuit  riders'' 
crossed  the  Ohio,  and  held  camp  meetings 
in  various  portions  of  southern  Indiana. 
Many  converts  were  made,  and  a  large  por- 
tion of  them  associated  themselves  with  the 
new  organization.  Among  the  sturdy 
pioneer  preachers  of  this  church  who  are 
still  held  in  precious  remembrance  b}'  many 
of  the  people  of  Evansville  and  vicinity  are: 
David  Lowrv,  William  Lynn,  James 
Ritchey,  Hiram  A.  Hunter  and  William 
McLeskey.  The  congregation  of  Cumber- 
land Presbyterians  as  it  now  exists  in  Evans- 
ville was  formally  organized  by  Rev.  William 
Lynn,  with  twenty  members,  in  a  log  school- 
house  in  Knight  township,  January  31,  1841. 
The  brief  covenant  under  which  they  asso- 
ciated themselves  together  was  as  follows: 
"  In  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
by  the  authorit)*  which  He  has  given  His 
church,  wc,  the  undersigned,  do,  for  each 
other's  mutual  help  and  comfort,  agree  to 
form  ourselves   into   a  society  to  be  known 


by  the  name  of  the  Evansville  Society,  and 
place  ourselves  under  the  care  of  the  Indi- 
ana Presbytery,  and  agree  to  be  governed 
by  the  discipline  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian church."  On  the  same  day  Will- 
iam Underwood,  Stephen  D.  Hopkins  and 
John  C.  Henson  were  elected  elders,  and 
Isaac  Knight  was  elected  deacon.  Mr. 
Henson  acted  as  clerk  of  the  session  for 
over  twenty  j-ears.  As  the  number  of 
members  residing  in  Evansville  gradually 
increased,  the  thought  of  erecting  a  house  of 
worship  in  the  city  began  to  be  seriously 
considered.  At  length,  in  1851,  a  suitable 
edifice  was  erected  at  the  corner  of  Second 
and  Chestnut  streets,  where  the  Owen 
block  now  stands.  This  work  was  accom- 
plished principally  by  a  few  men  and  wo- 
men, who,  though  without  great  wealth, 
were  too  deeply  interested  in  the  work  to  ad- 
mit of  failure.  Among  them  were:  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  C.  Henson,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Marcus  Sherwood,  Mrs.  Judge  Foster  and 
Mrs.  Paulina  McCallister.  A  few  years 
after  its  completion,  the  church  was  almost 
totally  destroyed  by  fire,  but  it  was  at  once 
rebuilt.  During  the  first  five  years  of  its 
history  there  was  no  regular  pastor,  but  the 
congregation  was  served  by  missionaries  or 
pastors  from  other  churches,  among  whom 
were:  Revs.  William  Lynn,  H.  A.  Hunter, 
Benjamin  Hall,  E.  Hall,  and  J.  E.  Bates.  In 
1846,  Rev.  Samuel  Darr  commenced  preach- 
ing with  a  view  to  regular  pastoral  labor. 
In  1852, after  the  erection  of  the  first  church 
building,  Rev.  James  Ritchey  was  installed 
as  pastor.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  S. 
Jacobs  in  1855,  who  remained  but  a  short 
time.  In  1858,  Rev.  Aaron  Burrows  was 
called  to  the  pastorate.  At  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  Mr.  Burrows  entered  the  con- 
federate army,  and  was  killed  in  battle. 
Rev.  J.  G.  White  became  pastor  July  17, 
i860,  and  was  succeeded  July  17,  1865,  by 


^76 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


Rev.  J.  C.  Bowden,  D.  D.,  who  resigned 
July  24,  1870,  to  assume  the  presidency  of 
Lincoln  University  in  Illinois.  Dr.  Bowden 
was  a  popular  minister,  one  of  the  best  of 
men,  a  cultured  scholar  and  a  true  Chris- 
tian.    He  died  in  April,  1873. 

On  January  i,  1871,  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby, 
D.  D.,  was  elected  to  the  pastorate,  and  a 
few  weeks  later  assumed  its  duties.  To  the 
present  time  Dr.  Darby  continues  to  serve 
in  that  relation,  and  from  the  beginning  of 
his  work  has  wielded  a  large  influence  for 
good,  reaching  far  beyond  the  circles  of  his 
own  church.  Tireless  in  every  good  and 
benevolent  undertaking,  ready  and  willing 
always  to  engage  in  any  effort  designed  to 
uplift  and  elevate  the  communit}-,  zealous 
and  progressive,  he  has  stamped  his  indi- 
viduality, not  only  upon  the  congregation 
in  his  charge,  but  also  upon  the  community 
in  which  he  lives.  Of  clear  intellect,  pleas- 
ing manners,  superior  tact,  and  executive 
ability,  and  indefatigable  in  church  work,  he 
has  been  eminently  successful.  Dr.  Darby, 
a  native  of  Kentucky,  received  his  primary 
education  at  Princeton,  in  that  state,  entered 
the  University  of  Michigan  in  1S66,  and 
graduated  in  1869.  Three  years  later  the 
degree  of  Master  of  Arts  was  conferred  upon 
him  by  the  same  institution.  In  January, 
1871,  he  graduated  from  the  theological 
department  of  Cumberland  University^,  at 
Lebanon,  Tenn.,  and  soon  thereafter  came 
to  this  field  of  labor. 

The  rapid  growth  of  the  congregation 
rendered  the  old  church  wholly  inadequate, 
and  in  1876  a  new  edifice,  handsome  in  ap- 
pearance and  commodious  in  its  dimensions, 
was  erected  opposite  the  old  church  on  the 
northeast  corner  of  Second  and  Chestnut 
streets.  Its  dedication  occurred  September 
30,  1877.  It  is  built  of  brick  in  the  modern 
Gothic  style  of  architecture,  with  a  main 
auditorium  61x75  feet  in  size,  with  a  seating 


capacity'  for  700,  pastor's  study,  parlors,  etc. 
The   property    cost    $50,000.00,    of    which 
amount  Mr.   Marcus   Sherwood  contributed 
$12,000.00.     Tlie    church  membership  has 
constantly      increased     for      many      years, 
especially  during  the  administration  of    Dr. 
Darby,  there  being  now,  in  round  numbers, 
600    members,    with   thirty    officers.      The 
church  has  done  a  large  amount  of  evangel- 
istic and  benevolent  work.     The  headquar- 
ters   of    two    of    the    general    benevolent 
enterprises  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
denomination  are  located  in  Evansville  —  the 
board  of  directors  of  each   being  made  up 
from  the  officers  or  members  of  this  congre- 
gation.    They    are   the   woman's   board  of 
foreign  missions   and  the  board  of  relief  for 
disabled    ministers    and    the     widows    and 
orphans  of   deceased    ministers.     Each  re- 
ceives   and   distributes    many  thousands   of 
dollars   every  year.     The   present  trustees 
are:    Wilham  Hacker,  S.  B.  Sansom,  E.  L. 
Cody,  Charles  S.  Fendrick  and  Alvah  John- 
son. 

In  1874  a  mission  Sunday-school  was  or- 
ganized in  the  upper  portion  of  the  city  and 
for  its  accommodation  a  neat  brick  chapel 
was  erected  a  few  months  later  at  a  cost  of 
$4,000.  This  mission  has  grown  into  a 
church,  now  called  the  Jefferson  Avenue 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  On  June 
ist,  1888,  Rev.  J.  H.  Miller  was  employed 
as  assistant  to  Dr.  Darby,  his  field  of  labor 
being  chiefly  connected  with  the  Jefferson 
Avenue  and  Hebron  (in  Knight  township) 
churches.  '  Mr.  Miller  is  now  pastor  of  these 
charges.  Large  flourishing  Sabbath  schools 
are  connected  with  the  churches.  That  at  the 
parent  church  has  an  average  attendance  of 
375,  and  is  superintended  by  Dr.  J.  C.  Mc- 
Clurkin;  that  at  Jefferson  Avenue  church 
has  an  average  attendance  of  150,  with  Mr. 
J.  H.  Barrows  as  superintendent. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — The  history 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 


277 


of  Methodism  in  what  is  now   Vanderbui-jrli 
county  antedates  the   history   o£  Evansville 
The  first  settlers  had  hardly  raised  their  rude 
log  cabins  within  the  present  boundaries  of 
the  county  before  the  itinerant  preachers  be- 
gan to  push  their    way   into   the   wilderness 
and  preach  the   word   of  God    wherever  a 
handful  of  men  and  women  could  be  brought 
together.     As  early  as  1811  the  Patoka  cir- 
cuit   was     formed     embracing    the      whole 
country   of  the  Wabash    valley    below  Vin- 
cennes,  and  extending  along  the   Ohio  river 
nearly  to  the  falls  of  the  Ohio  at  Louisville. 
This  circuit  was  in  the  Wabash  district  and 
western  conference.  The  preachers  appointed 
to  the   circuit   visited   this   neighborhood,   in 
their  regular  rounds,  for  thirteen  or  fourteen 
years  before  the  permanent   organization   of 
a  society  was  effected.  The  first  rider  of  the 
circuit  was   Rev.  Benjamin  Edge,  and   the 
first  presiding  elder  Rev.  James  Axley.  The 
succeeding  pioneer  preachers  were:     Revs. 
John  Smith,  1812,  with  the  eccentric  and  en- 
ergetic Peter  Cartwright  as  presiding  elder; 
James    Porter,    1813;   John   Scripps,    1814; 
Thomas  A.  King,   181 5;  Daniel   McHenry 
and  Thomas    Davis,    1S16;  Thomas   Davis, 
181 7;  John  Wallace  and   Daniel  McHenry, 
i8i8;John  Wallace,  i8i9;Elias  Stone,  1820; 
James     L.    Thompson,      1821;      Ebenezer 
Z.  Webster,  1822;  William  Medford,    1823; 
William     H.    Smith    and     George    Randall, 
1824.     The  names   of  some   of  these   early 
preachers  became  household  words  in   the 
Christian  homes  of  the  new  country.     Burn- 
ing with  zeal,  the}-  allowed  no  barrier  to  keep 
them  from  their  work.       In   severe   weather 
and  at  all  times  they  braved  every  hardship, 
and    traveled    hundreds    of   miles    on    foot 
through  the  then  wilderness,  preaching   the 
word  and  calling  sinners  to  repentance.  The 
organization    of    classes     was     everywhere 
vigorously  prosecuted.     In  the  cabins  of  the 
settlers,  or  in  the  open  woods  in  all  the  settle- 


ments, preaching  was  held  as  fre<juently  as 
possible  and  converts  as  well  as  those  who 
had  brought  Methodism  with  them  in  their 
hearts  from  their  old  homes  were  brough 
together  in  classes.  But  there  is  no  reliable 
evidence  of  the  formation  of  a  class  int 
Vanderburgh  county  prior  to  that  organized 
in  Evansville  in  1825.  The  year  1819  wit- 
nessed the  settlement  in  southwestern  Indiana 
of  man}'  men  of  intelligence  and  great 
moral  worth.  Many  of  these  were  Method- 
ists who  came  from  across  the  sea  to  build  new 
homes  for  themselves  and  their  descendants 
in  this  land  of  liberty.  Perhaps  none  were 
more  closely  identified  with  the  firm  establish, 
ment  of  Methodism  in  Evansville  than  Rob- 
ert Parrett  and  Joseph  Wheeler,  both  pio- 
neer local  ministers  who  did  much  in  their 
day  and  generation  to  advance  the  cause  of 
morals,   education   and   religion   in   southern 

Indiana. 

Robert  Parrett  was  born  in  England  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1791.  His  early  education  and 
trainin<r  were  of  a  character  suitable  for  his 
acceptance,  at  a  proper  age,  of  a  living 
under  the  church  of  England.  But  his 
reading  and  associations  inclined  him  to  ac- 
cept the  teachings  and  religious  views  ad- 
vanced b)-  John  Wesley.  About  the  year 
1816  the  family  of  Mr.  Parrett  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  and  here,  in  a  new  coun- 
tr}',  his  liberal  views  became  more  firmly 
fixed  and  resulted  in  his  active  participation 
in  the  advancement  of  the  tenets  of  the 
Methodist  faith.  In  1819  he  located  in 
Posey  county  and  spent  the  years  of  his 
early  manhood  in  the  business  of  farming. 
At  the  same  time  he  put  himself  in  com- 
munication with  the  pioneer  Methodists  of 
the  day  and  contributed  his  full  share 
toward  the  establishment  of  that  branch  of 
the  Christian  church  in  southwestern  In- 
diana. 

In  the  same  year  the  Rev.  Joseph  Wheeler 


27.? 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


and  an  elder  brother,  the  Rev.  Richard 
Wheeler,  both  men  of  education  and  refine- 
ment and  devoted  to  the  propagation  of  the 
doctrines  of  Methodism,  had  reached  Evans- 
ville  from  England  and  taken  up  their  resi- 
dence in  the  blue  grass  settlement  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  county.  These  three 
men  were  brought  together  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  the  Rev.  John  Schrader, 
who  had  begun  to  preach  within  the  Patoka 
circuit  in  1814. 

In  the  double  log  warehouse  of  Hugh  Mc- 
Garv,  on  Saturda)',  December  12,  1819,  the 
first  INIethodist  sermon  in  Evansville  of  which 
any  account  can  be  found,  was  preached  by  the 
Rev.  John  Schrader,  the  services  being  at- 
tended by  Revs.  Robert  Parrett  and  Joseph 
Wheeler.  It  has  been  said  by  one  having  an  ex- 
tensive acquaintance  with  pioneer  preachers 
that  "  No  name  will  ever  possess  a  loftier, 
purer  and  sweeter  ring  among  the  descendants 
of  the  early  pioneers  than  that  of  John 
Shrader."  Evansville  had  already  been 
fixed  as  a  point  in  the  Patoka  circuit  for 
stated  preaching  of  the  gospel,  and  had 
been  taxed  56^  cents  per  quarter  for  the 
support  of  the  ministry-.  At  the  first  Meth- 
odist meeting  held  in  McGary's  warehouse 
it  was  arranged  that  the  Rev.  Robert  Par- 
rett and  the  two  Wheeler  brothers  should 
conduct  religious  services  regularly  at  that 
place,  each  of  them  once  every  six  weeks, 
and  the  appointments  w-ere  so  arranged 
that  there  was  divine  service  at  that  ware- 
house every  other  Sunday,  besides  an  occa- 
sional extra  sermon  by  the  circuit  rider. 

Thus  matters  continued  until  the  spring 
of  1 82 1,  when  the  few  Methodists  in  Evans- 
ville obtained  permission  from  Dr.  John  W. 
Shaw  to  use  the  front  room  of  his  new  resi- 
dence, then  in  process  of  erection,  as  a  place 
of  worship.  The  building  was  weather- 
boarded  and  lathed,  but  not  plastered.  This 
house  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the  Chand- 


ler block  on  First  street  between  Locust 
and  Walnut.  The  Shaw  mansion  continued 
to  be  occupied  by  the  Methodists  as  their 
place  of  worship  until  the  early  part  of  1824, 
when  the  congregation  obtained  use  of  a 
large  room  adjoining  the  Warner  tavern, 
where  the  meetings  were  continued  for  the 
next  three  years. 

It  occupied  the  space  next  to  the  opera- 
house  near  the  corner  of  First  and  Locust 
streets,  and  was  called  the  "  den,"  for  here 
the  fast  3^oung  men  of  the  village  congre- 
gated to  play  cards  and  drink,  but  the  clever 
tavern-keeper,  when  it  w-as  time  for  the 
preacher  to  come  around,  had  it  vacated, 
swept  and  cleaned.  Thus  side  by  side,  from 
the  same  vantage  ground,  vice  and  virtue 
began  the  struggle  for  the  mastery  in  this 
communit}'. 

In  the  spring  of  1825  Mr.  Parrett  took  up 
his  permanent  residence  in  Evansville,  and 
continued  to  reside  in  Vanderburgh  count}^ 
until  the  day  of  his  death.  While  there  had 
been  gospel  preaching  in  the  village  by  the 
Methodist  clergyman  with  some  degree  of 
regularity  during  the  preceding  six  years,  it 
does  not  appear  that  there  had  been  any 
church  regularly  organized.  On,  Sunday, 
the  19th  day  of  May,  1825,  Father  Parrett 
organized  the  first  regular  class  at  this  place, 
consisting  of  Robert  Parrett,  his  wife,  Mar- 
tha Parrett,  Edward  Hopkins,  his  wife,  Mary 
Hopkins,  Jane  Lewis,  Abraham  P.  Hutch- 
inson, Arthur  McJohnson,  his  wife,  Mary 
Mcjohnson,  Hannah  Robinson,  Jane  War- 
ner and  Mrs.  Seaman.  With  this  class  the 
Methodist  church  in  Evansville  may  be  said 
to  have  been  firmly  organized,  and  from 
that  day  forward  it  has  grown  and  strength- 
ened with  the  growth  and  advancement 
of  the  city's  population.  Though  the  church 
was  established  upon  an  enduring  basis,  it 
yet  had  no  stated  place  of  worship.  The 
membership  being  small,    and    as    with    all 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 


879 


pioneers,  their  resources  limited,  it  was  not 
possible  to  build  a  church  edifice.  The  old 
court-house  was  partly  finished,  and  in  the 
winter  of  1827,  the  services  of  the  sanctuary 
were  removed  from  the  Warner  tavern  to 
the  court  room.  The  accommodations  were 
of  the  poorest  description.  About  this  time 
a  subscription  was  set  on  foot  whicli  re- 
sulted in  the  building  of  the  "little  brick 
school-house,"  that  stood  for  many  years  on 
the  northwest  side  of  the  old  public  square, 
being  for  a  long  time  the  only  school-house  in 
Evansville.  In  this  little  school-house  or  in 
the  court-house,  as  convenience  dictated, 
tha  Methodists  continued  to  worship  until 
their  number  increased  to  an  extent  that  en- 
abled them  to  undertake  the  erection  of  a 
regular  church  edifice. 

As  previously  indicated,\Villiam  H.  Smith 
and  George  Randle  were  on  the  circuit  in 
1824.  About  this  time  Richard  Hargrave 
filled  out  an  unexpired  term.  In  1825 
James  Garner  and  Joseph  Tarkington  rode 
the  circuit.  Their  successors  were:  Asa 
D.  West,  1826;  Charles  Slocum,  1827; 
Samuel  Cooper,  1828;  John  Fox  and  A. 
Arrington,  1829;  John  Richey,  1830-1831; 
Enoch  G.  Wood,  1832;  Enoch  G.  Wood 
and  Cornelius  Swank,  1833;  John  A.  Brouse 
and  M.  Reeder,  1834;  Isaac  Owen,  1835; 
Isaac  McElroy  and  Wm.  Beharrell,  1836; 
Lemuel  M.  Reeves  and  Joseph  S.  Barwick, 
1837;  John  S.  Bayless,  1838. 

Under  Mr.  Bayless  this  point  in  the  cir- 
cuit considered  itself  of  sufficient  importance 
to  mantain  a  preacher,  and  therefore  became 
a  station,  with  fifty-three  names  on  the 
record,  and  immediately  the  building  of  a 
church  was  begun.  It  was  completed  and 
dedicated  in  1839.  I"  size  it  was  40x60 
feet,  and  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $5,350.00. 
This  remained  the  house  of  worship  until  1865 
when  Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal  church  was 
built.  The  property  was  subsequently  sold  and 


is  now  owned  by  the  count)-  of  Vanderburgh, 
the  building  having  been  converted  into 
rooms  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Van- 
derburg  superior  court.  In  the  erection  of 
this  church  Rev.  Robert  Barrett  acted  a 
conspicuous  part.  Besides  being  a  liberal 
donor  toward  the  construction  fund  the  brick 
for  the  building  of  the  edifice  were  made 
upon  his  farm.  His  sons,  John,  Richard 
and  WiHiam  F.,  wrought  diligently  in  mould- 
ing the  brick  for  the  kiln,  and  the  two  last 
named  drove  the  teams  that  hauled  the 
materiii!  on  the  ground  where  the  house  was 
built.  Here  Father  Parrett  often  preached 
in  his  happiest  vein,  and  he  continued  his 
diligent  labors  in  the  church  until  called  to 
his  final  rest. 

At  this  juncture  a  few  words  may  be 
properly  written  touching  the  lives  and  char- 
acters of  these  two  pioneer  preachers.  From 
the  organization  of  the  church  until  he  was 
called  home  to  his  reward.  Father  Parrett 
never  falter  _'d  in  the  good  work  which  his 
hands  and  heart  had  willingly  undertaken. 
While  the  church  at  Evansville  was  to  him 
a  special  charge  it  must  not  be  supposed 
that  his  ministerial  labors  were  confined  to 
his  services  in  behalf  of  tliis  church  and  in 
the  immediate  vicinit}-  of  his  residence.  He 
frequently  spent  weeks  together  at  camp- 
meetings  and  other  religious  gatherings,  al- 
ways willingly  taking  up  his  burden  in  the 
Master's  cause,  and  testifying  earnestly  of 
his  faith  in  the  saving  power  of  the  grace 
of  God.  Methodists  of  the  Indiana  confer- 
ence regarded  him  as  a  shining  light  in  their 
church  organization. 

Intellectuallv  he  was  a  man  of  rare 
strength  and  judgment.  His  sermons  evinced 
a  mind  of  comprehensive  power  and  com- 
manding logic.  He  was  also  at  times  ver\- 
eloquent  in  thought  and  expression.  In  the 
summer  of  1827,  he  delivered  an  address  at 
Princeton  on  the  life,  character  and  public 


280 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


services  of  Adams  and  Jefferson,  who  died 
within  a  few  hours  of  each  other,  upon  the 
preceding  Fourth  of  July,  which  was  pro- 
nounced by  such  a  man  as  the  late  Judge 
Samuel  Hall  as  a  masterpiece  of  truth  and 
eloquence.  The  Westcni  Sun,  published  at 
Vincennes  by  the  venerable  Elihu  Stout, 
said:  "  This  speech  has  not  been  excelled  by 
any  of  the  powerful  orations  delivered  in 
the  senate  of  our  country.  " 

In  civil  life  he  stood  exceptionall}-  high  in 
the  opinion  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He  was 
never  an  office-seeker,  but  in  1858,  when 
there  seemed  to  be  a  special  demand  for  the 
best  men  of  the  county  in  the  office  of  county 
commissioner,  he  consented  to  the  use  of  his 
name  in  that  connection.  He  was  triumph- 
antly elected  over  several  competitors,  and 
was  serving  in  the  capacity  of  a  commis- 
sioner at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Father  Parrett  died  January'  29,  i860,  at 
the  age  of  sixty  years,  greatly  lamented  by  all 
who  knew  him.  In  his  death  society  lost  a 
good  citizen,  the  church  a  bright  ornament, 
and  his  family  a  counselor  whose  worth 
was  beyond  estimate.  But  his  noble  ex- 
ample lives  to  be  cherished  and  emulated 
through  all  the  coming  time. 

Rev.  Joseph  Wheeler  was  a  native  of 
Oxfordshire,  England,  born  near  Oxford,  the 
great  English  seat  of  learning,about  the  year 
1778.  His  family  was  reared  in  the 
English  church,  but  when  a  mere  vouth 
the  teachings  of  John  Wesley  took  deep 
root  in  his  mind,  and  in  due  time  he 
embraced  the  faith  and  became  a  zealous 
adherent  of  the  Methodist  church.  When 
seventeen  years  old  he  was  licensed  to 
preach,  and,  proceeding  to  London,  entered 
actively  into  missionary  work.  He  took  a 
devoted  interest  in  spreading  the  new  faith 
among  the  people  of  that  great  metropolis 
and  along  the  country  lanes,  forming  classes 
wherever  a  handful  could   be   erot  tosrether. 


When  about  forty  years  old  he  migrated  to 
this  country,  intending  to  proceed  to  Albion, 
111.,  but,  reaching  Evansville  in  August,  1819, 
was  detained  by  sickness,  and  in  a  few  days 
hearing  of  the  English  settlement  in  the 
blue  grass  region,  set  out  to  establish  him- 
self there.  He  at  once  began  his  labor  of 
love  in  breaking  the  bread  of  Hfe  to  the 
scattered  denizens  of  the  wilderness :  he  was 
a  ready  and  willing  helper  of  the  circuit 
rider  and  scattered  many  seeds  that  ripened 
into  good  fruit.  While  alternating  with 
Father  Parrett  in  preaching  at  Evansville, 
he  generally  came  on  foot,  staff  in  hand. 
Father  Wheeler  preached  regularly  in  Blue 
Grass  and  attended  all  the  early  day  camp 
meetings,  and  was  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful preachers  in  camp  meeting  work. 
Later  he  preached  at  Mechanicsville  and  in 
all  parts  of  that  section.  He  became 
devotedly  attached  to  the  people  of  that 
settlement,  and  they  with  one  accord  loved 
and  honored  him  as  a  father.  He  preached 
there  thirty  3-ears  and  only  ceased  when  in- 
creasing years  and  faiHng  strength  pre- 
vented his  engaging  in  the  work.  For  a 
time  he  supplied  the  pulpit  of  the  Walnut 
Street  Presbyterian  church.  His  religious 
creed  rose  above  sectarianism,  and  he  looked 
upon  all  Christians  as  brothers  in  the  spirit. 
Among  his  best  and  most  devoted  friends 
were  some  who  looked  to  other  altars  as  a 
place  of  worship.  He  was  three  times  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  though  never  seeking 
worldly  recognition.  He  was  a  superior 
farmer  and  earnestly  industrious  in  everj^ 
walk  of  life.  Exceedingly  vigorous  and 
robust,  he  always  met  his  appointments  on 
foot  and  had  the  reputation  of  being  a  great 
pedestrian.  In  1864,  at  the  ripe  age  of 
eighty-six  years,  after  a  life  well  spent  and 
full  of  good  work  in  his  Master's  service, 
Father  Wheeler  passed  to  his  reward. 
After  the   building  of  the  Locust  Street 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURDH. 


281 


church,  the  following  ministers  succeeded 
each  other  at  this  station:  John  Daniels, 
1839;  Anthony  Robinson,  1S40;  John 
Kearns,  1841  and  1842;  Samuel  Reed,  1843; 
F.  C.  Holliday,  1844;  William  M.  Daily, 
1845;  G.  C.  Beeks,  1846;  W.  V.  Daniel, 
1847;  Thomas  A.  Goodwin,  1848  and  1849; 
James  H.  Noble,  1850;  James  Hill, 
1852;  C.  B.  Davidson,  1853  and  1854; 
E.  H.  Sabin,  1855  and  1856;  Hiram  Gil- 
more,  1857  and  1858;  S.  T.  Gillett,  1859 
and  i860;  B.  F.  Rawlins,  1861  and  1862; 
Albion  Fellows,  1863.  Rev.  Mr.  Fellows 
died  wiiile  in  this  charge  in  February,  1865, 
and  was  succeeded,  in  April,  1865,  by  Rev. 
C.  N.  Sims,  who  ministered  to  the  congre- 
gation until  1867.  The  year  1864  marks 
another  epoch  in  the  history  of  this  congre- 
gation. In  the  winter  of  this  year  it  was  de- 
termined to  build  a  new  church  at  the 
corner  of  Third  and  Chestnut  streets.  The 
work  was  pushed  forward  with  wonderful 
rapidity,  and  in  the  winter  of  1865  the 
building  was  enclosed.  In  the  spring  of 
1866  it  was  dedicated  to  God's  service  by 
Rev.  Thomas  M.  Eddy,  D.  D.,  assisted  by 
Rev.  L.  Bowman,  D.  D.  The  church  is 
built  of  brick,  in  the  Florentine  style  of 
architecture,  with  an  auditorium  65x90  feet 
in  size,  with  a  seating  capacity  for  800  per- 
sons; a  lecture  room,  40x70  feet  large,  and 
six  additional  apartments,  devoted  to  pas- 
tor's study,  organ  and  parlor  purposes. 
The  entire  cost  of  the  building  was  $100,- 
000;  some  $10,000  have  been  spent  in 
church  improvement  since. 

Since  those  last  mentioned  the  following 
ministers  have  been  in  charge  of  the  work  at 
the  new  church,  known  as  Trinity :  Reuben 
Andrus,  D.  D.,  1867-9;  -'-'•  ^^-  Carpenter, 
1870-73  (in  the  spring  of  1S72  Mr.  Car- 
penter exchanged  pulpits  with  Rev.  II.  C. 
Westwood,  of  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  Mr.  West- 
wood  remaining    till  the  fall  of    1873);  Earl 


Cranston,  D.  D.,  1874;  Reuben  Andrus, 
D.  D.,  1875-77;  G.  D.  Watson,  D.  D.,  1S78; 
B.  F.  Rawlins,  1879;  F-  C.  Igleheart,  1880; 
J.  L.  Pitner,  1881-2;  Frost  Craft,  1883-5; 
J.  S.  Woods,  D.  D.,  1886,  and  at  present  in 
charge.  Trinity  has  always  had  in  its  pulpit 
the  hisrhest  order  of  talent.  Each  of  the 
names  mentioned  in  the  list  of  its  pastors  is 
familiar  to  Methodists  throughout  the  confer- 
ence, and  in  many  instances  throughout  the 
state  of  Indiana.  The  present  pastor,  Dr. 
Woods,  is  a  powerful  and  effective  preacher, 
being  Ijgical  and  convincing  in  argument, 
unique  in  his  style  of  thought  and  manner  of 
presentation,  happ}'  and  strikinglj'  original  in 
the  choice  of  illustrations,  fervent  and  true  in 
appeal  and  possessing  a  vast  fund  of  infor- 
mation on  which  he  draws,  to  the  delight  of 
his  hearers,  with  the  skill  characteristic  of  a 
trained  intellect. 

Dr.  Woods  was  born  in  Morgan  county, 
Ind.,  October  11,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of 
William  and  Elizabeth  (Shell)  Woods.  His 
father,  a  nati\e  of  Ireland,  born  about  1806, 
came  with  his  parents  to  America  when  a 
child.  His  mother  was  born  in  East  Ten- 
nessee about  1809.  They  came  to  Indiana 
about  1830  and  settled  as  pioneers  in  Mor- 
gan count)^  They  were  pious  Methodists, 
hved  useful  lives,  and  were  respected  by  all. 
Dr.  Woods  was  reared  on  the  farm,  attended 
the  district  schools,  and  learned  the  wagon- 
maker's  trade  with  his  father,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  eight  years.  In  1855  he  professed 
religion  and  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  He  wasHcensedtopreachin  1856,  and 
two  years  later  was  admitted  to  the  Indiana 
conference.  His  first  appointment  was  to  the 
Williamsburg  circuit,  in  1S5S,  and  in  1S66 
he  was  appointed  to  his  first  station,  at 
Princeton.  Thereafter  he  labored  at  Mt. 
Vernon  and  New  Albany  in  this  state.  In 
1876  he  was  appointed  presiding  elder  of 
the  Indianapolis  district,  and  after  four  years 


^82 


heligious  history. 


returned  to  New  Albany,  whence  he  went 
to  Vincennes.  In  1884  he  was  appointed 
presiding  elder  of  the  Evansville  district, 
and  after  three  years  was  appointed  pastor 
of  Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In 
1S81  the  degree  of  D.  D.  was  conferred  on 
him  bv  Asbury,  now  DePauw,  University. 

The  church  is  in  a  very  prosperous  con- 
dition, now  having  540  members.  Trinity 
is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  influential 
Methodist  churches  in  the  state.  She  is 
powerful  in  any  spiritual  task  she  under- 
takes, and  has  been  the  inspiration  of  man}- 
of  the  revivals  of  religion  that  have  blessed 
the  city.  The  first  Methodist  Sunday-school 
in  the  city  was  organized  in  May,  1837,  in 
the  little  school-house  on  Main  street.  Rev. 
William  M.  Elliott  being  the  superintendent, 
and  twenty-two  scholars  being  enrolled  the 
first  day.  The  work  of  this  Sunday-school 
in  the  advancement  of  religion  and  the  bet- 
terment of  society,  is  beyond  human  reck- 
oning. Rev.  William  M.  ElHott  remained 
superintendent  seven  years.  His  successors 
have  been:  John  Ingle,  jr.,  nineteen  3'ears; 
W.  T.  Iglehart,  six  years;  John  F.  Glover, 
three  years;  F.  M.  Thayer,  eight  years; 
Charles  E.  Scoville,  two  years;  William  B. 
Jaquess,  two  years;  A.  W.  Emerj',  three 
years;  and  J.  W.  Barbour,  now  serving. 
The  average  attendance  is  325.  The  pres- 
ent trustees  are:  Joseph  P.  Elliott,  J.E.  Igle- 
hart, William  F.  Parrett,  George  Lant,  Lee 
Howell,  L.  S.  Clarke,  R.  Ruston,  Geo.  P. 
Heilman,  James  Scantlin. 

7iio/e  Street  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  — The  Methodists  of  the  old 
Locust  Street  church  estabished  a  mis- 
sion which  in  1S51,  was  organized 
into  Ingle  Street  church  with  twenty- 
five  members  under  the  charge  of  Rev. 
Daniel  Cloud.  The  pastors  in  succession 
have  been:  Revs.  W.  McK.  Hester,  W.  F. 
Mason,  J.  H.  Ketcham,  M.   M.   C.  Hobbs, 


Jesse  Walker,  L.  M,  Walters,  A.  Turner, 
Hayden  Hays,  J.  B.  Likely.,  James  Hill, 
J.  H.  Clippenger,  William  E.  Davis,  J.  W. 
Webb,  E.  Hawes,  J.  A.  Scammahorn, 
William  Telfer,  J.  V.  R.  Miller,  John  Walls, 
Morris  S.  Woods  and  C.  E.  Asbury,  tlie 
pastor  now  in  charge.  Mr.  Asbury  was 
born  in  Owen  county,  Ind.,  thirty-one  years 
ago  and  was  graduated  at  DePauw  Univer- 
sity, at  Greencastle,  in  1881.  He  at  once 
began  his  ministerial  work  and  soon  gave 
abundant  evidence  of  his  fitness  as  a  laborer 
in  the  Master's  vineyard.  Of  generous  im- 
pulses, strong  convictions,  and  great  force  of 
character,  he  wields  a  large  influence  for 
good.  In  1852  this  congregation  built  its 
first  house  of  worship,  which  was  continued 
in  use  until  it  became  wholly  inadequate  for 
the  comfortable  accommodation  of  the  grow- 
ing congregation.  About  1874  a  handsome 
new  structure  was  erected  on  Ingle  street 
between  Seventh  and  Eighth.  It  is  built  of 
brick  in  modern  Gothic  style,  40x70  feet  in 
dimensions,  the  main  auditorium  seating 
250  comfortably,  and  the  prayer-meeting 
room  seating  100.  During  the  past  year, 
the  church  has  been  much  improved 
and  beautified  at  a  cost  of  $3,000.  From 
its  foundation  this  church  has  manifested 
great  zeal  in  revival  work.  The  member- 
ship  has  at  times  grown  to  large  propor- 
tions. hX  present  it  numbers  180.  The 
Sabbath-school  —  George  L.  Daum,  sr.,  su- 
perintendent, has  an  average  attendance 
of  175. 

Kiiii^-slcv  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — 
As  a  mission  of  Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  Kingsley  was  organized  in  1868 
and  placed  in  charge  of  Rev.  Edwin 
Mcjohnston,  a  local  minister,  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Vanderburgh  county,  and 
a  true  Christian.  For  some  time  the  society 
worshipped  in  Mr.  Mcjohnston's  wareroom, 
on  the  corner  of  Eighth  and   Canal    streets, 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 


28S 


but  efforts  were  very  early  made  to  provide 
a  suitable  house  for  the  worship  of  God.  A 
frame  building,  costing  about  $2,500  and  of 
sufficient  size  to  comfortably  seat  400,  was 
erected  at  the  corner  of  Eighth  and  Gum 
streets,  and  in  1869  was  dedicated,  Rev. 
Reuben  Andrus,  D.  D.,  then  pastor  of 
Trinit}',  officiating.  The  following  pastors 
followed  Rev.  Edwin  Mcjohnston  in  the 
work,  at  this  station:  Revs.  John  Poucher, 
Francis  Walker,  W.  W.  Rundell,  R.  B. 
Martin,  James  Dixon,  W.  H.  Grim,  J.  W. 
McCormick,  I.  N.  Thompson,  M.  S.  Heav- 
enridge,  John  W.  Payne,  Samuel  Reed  and 
G.  W.  Fanchler,  the  present  pastor,  who 
has  recently  entered  upon  the  first  year  of 
his  work  at  this  place.  The  church  now 
has  about  200  members.  From  its  organi- 
zation the  Sunday-school  at  Kingsley  has 
been  a  bright  spot  in  the  results  of  church 
work.  Its  first  superintendent  was  Mr.  John 
F.  Glover,  who  exercised  great  zeal  and  in- 
telligence in  the  work  of  caring  for  the 
moral  welfare  of  the  children.  The  school 
has  been  blessed  and  prospered  by  God  at 
all  times.  There  are  now  in  its  classes  17S 
children.  Mr.  Edward  Blackman  is  at 
present  the  superintendent. 

Simpson  C/iapcl  Mcthodht  Episcofal 
Church.  —  In  the  .  fall  of  1859,  the 
conference  made  an  appropriation  for 
the  establishment  of  a  mission  at  Evans- 
ville,  and  appointed  Rev.  E.  H.  Sabin 
missionar)',  who,  upon  coming  to  his 
work,  organized  at  Ingle  street  the  first 
quarterly  conference,  and  selected  a  site  for 
a  church  on  Pennsylvania  street,  between 
Eighth  and  Ninth  avenues.  The  work  of 
construction  was  soon  commenced,  and  the 
building  was  completed  in  Februar\-,  1861. 
This  church  was  then  known  as  the 
Pennsylvania  Street  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  but  later  the  building  was  sold, 
and    the     present    edifice     at    the    corner 


of  Illinois  street  and  Eleventh  avenue 
was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,000. 
With  appropriate  ceremonies  the  chapel 
was  dedicated  in  April,  1884.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  list  of  the  pastors  who  have  served 
the  church  since  its  organization:  Revs. 
E.  H.  Sabin,  E.  Hawes,  H.  B.  Cassavant,  J. 
Waring,  John  W.  Webb,  M.  Wood,  John 
Maddox,  Edwin  Mcjohnston,  John  Poucher, 
W.  E.  Robbins,  J.  W.  Culmer,  Levi  S. 
Knotts,  John  Allen,  Dr.  James  Dixon,  J. 
Burr,, J.  B.  Holloway,  William  Telfer,  S.  O. 
Dorse}',  J.  F.  McGregor,  W.  E.  Davis, 
G.  C.  Cooper,  George  E.  Piatt,  Paul  C. 
Curnick,  W.  S.  Biddle,  John  B.  Smith  and 
T.  P.  Walter,  the  present  pastor.  The 
church  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition,  the 
membership  numbering  128.  The  Sabbath 
school  has  an  average  attendance  of 
about  300. 

First  German  J^Iclhudist  Episcopal 
Church. —  Organized  in  1842,  this  was  the 
(irst  church  formed  by  the  German  Metho- 
dists of  the  cit}'.  After  four  years  the  con- 
gregation had  become  able  to  build  a  house 
of  worship  costing  $1,263,  which  was  de- 
voted to  this  use  twenty-two  years,  when  it 
was  replaced  at  a  cost  of  $34,621.00,  bv  a 
commodious  brick  structure  now  in  use  and 
standing  at  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Vine 
streets,  on  the  very  spot  where  was  located 
the  first  gra^■eyard  used  by  the  early  citi- 
zens of  Evansville.  When  dedicated,  this 
church  was  said  to  be  one  of  the  largest  and 
finest  German  Methodist  churches  in  the 
United  States.  The  following  pastors  have 
served  the  charge:  Peter  Schumaker,  11. 
Koeneke,  M.  Mulfinger,  John  Hoppen, 
Christian  Wittenback,  Fr.  Heller,  John  Bier, 
Charles  Schelper,  Henry  Lich,  Fr.  Becker, 
John  Reimer,  John  Hoppen,  G.  A.  Breuriig, 
John  II.  Lukemyer,  John  Reimer,  Gottloeb 
Trefz,  P.  F.  Schneider,  Fr.  Schimmelpfennig, 
C.  Bozenhard,  John  C.  Weidman,  John  W. 


28i 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


Roecker,  G.  Nachtrieb,  J.  H.  Lich,  and  E. 
F.  Wunderlich,  the  present  pastor,  who  took 
up  the  work  here  in  1887.  Under  the 
efficient  labors  of  its  pastors  the  church  has 
maintained  a  steady  growth,  its  present 
membership  numbering  300.  An  interest- 
ing Sunda3--schooI  with  an  average  attend- 
ance of  200,  witli  Frank  Weil  as  superin- 
tendent, is  connected  with  the  church.  The 
members  of  the  tirst  quarterly  conference 
were :  Conrad  Herchelmann,  William  Elliott, 
Jacob  Kehrt,  Peter  Knauz,  John  Jugle,  John 
Muth,  Andreas  Roth,  Charles  Kellar,  John 
Kappler,  and  Carl  Wiewel;  and  those  of  the 
present  quarterly  conference  are :  E.  Weber, 
A.  K.  Stork,  John  Habbe,  Jacob  Meyer, 
Mike  Meyer,  A.P.  HoeIcher,Jacob  Schwam- 
bach,  J.  D.  Becker,  George  Roessner,  J.  C. 
Muth,  William  Mull,  Fred  Tosettel,  G. 
Herth,  Phillip  Gourdan,  L.  Roth,  R.  Blem- 
ker,  E.  Holtkamp  and  M.  Manger.  The 
present  pastor  is  an  able  executive  as  well 
as  a  good  preacher.  The  church  is  out  of 
debt  and  in  a  prosperous  condition  both  tem- 
porally and  spiritually. 

Second  German  Methodist  episcopal 
Church,  on  south  side  of  Indiana  street,  be- 
tween Eleventh  and  Twelfth  avenues,  was 
established  as  a  mission  in  18S7,  and  the 
church  building,  a  small,  neat  frame  struc- 
ture, costing  $1,403.00,  was  dedicated  by 
Rev.  E.  F.  Wunderlich  on  the  23d  of  Octo- 
ber in  that  year.  Rev.  John  C.  Speckmann 
was  the  first  pastor,  his  successor  being 
Rev.  John  Bockstahler.  The  church  now 
has  25  members  and  a  small  but  growing 
Sunday-school.  Two  charges  in  the  coun- 
try are  also  attended  by  the  pastor. 

African  Zion  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
— This  society  first  worshipped  in  an  old  frame 
building  on  East  Tennessee  street,  but  now  has 
a  neat  frame  church  located  atNo.  i704Fulton 
avenue.  Among  the  pastors  who  have  had 
charge    were    Revs.    Hardin,  Temple    and 


Ervin.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  An- 
thony Bunch,  whose  earnestness  and  zeal  in 
the  work  is  fast  building  up  a  large  congre- 
gation. 

Fifth  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ( colored") . 
—  This  church  has  a  very  small  membership 
and  holds  its  services  in  a  rented  room,  north- 
east corner  Garfield  avenue  and  Illinois 
street.  Rev.  Stephen  Anderson  is  the 
pastor. 

AfricanMethodist Episcopal  Church. — This 
society  was  organized  in  1843  in  a  log  cabin 
near  the  river,  by  Rev.  George  Johnson,  its 
first  pastor.  The  present  church  building  on 
Fifth  street  near  Walnut  street  is  70x40 
feet  in  size,  and  cost  $5,000.00.  The  fol- 
lowing pastors  have  ministered  to  the  con- 
gregation: Revs.  George  Johnson,  William 
Curtis,  Elisha  Weaver,  Daniel  Winslow, 
Levi  Bass,  Charles  Rollins,  H.  Green,  A. 
Brooks,  A.  T.  Hall,  B.  McCarry,  Henry 
Brown,  W.  S.  Sankford,  J.  H.  Alexander, 
Johnson  Mitchem,  M.  Lewis,  Dr.  D.  P. 
Roberts,  James  Simpson,  D.  S.  Bentley,  H. 
H.  Thompson,  and  Jesse  Bass,  the  present 
able  pastor.  The  church  is  one  of  the 
strongest  in  the  city,  its  present  membership 
numbering  325. 

Eree  Methodist  Church. —  This  branch  of 
the  Methodist  church  clings  to  the  original 
and  simple  faith  of  the  primitive  members, 
having  organized  as  a  distinctive  branch  at 
Pekin,  N.  Y.,  in  i860.  They  believe  in 
simplicity  in  everything,  in  dress,  houses  of 
worship  and  manner  of  fife.  Their  require- 
ments and  discipline  of  members  are  very 
risrid.  The  denomination  has  made  some 
progress  and  cherishes  the  hope  of  re\'iving 
the  spirit  of  primitive  Methodism.  The  work 
of  the  church  has  been  among  the  poor  and 
humble,  from  whence  chiefly  their  earnest 
ministers  have  been  taken.  The  church  in 
this  city  was  established  largely  under  the 
labors  of  J.  W.  Vickery,  a  local  preacher. 


EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 


285 


The  church,  a  neat  frame  building  worth 
$2,000,  IS  situated  at  No.  1321  Wahiut 
street,  with  a  comfortable  parsonage  at- 
tached, and  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  B.  T. 
Roberts,  in  1S72.  Among  the  pastors  have 
been  John  Hardin,  M.  C  Belem,  J.  Lewis, 
and  Thomas  W.  Thornburg,  the  present 
pastor,  who  has  had  charge  for  two  years. 
Through  Mr.  Thornburg's  earnestness  in 
his  work  the  church  has  prospered,  now  hav- 
ing twenty-five  members.  The  conference 
of  this  year  has  transferred  Mr.  Thornburg 
to  Danville,  111.,  and  appointed  as  his  suc- 
cessor here,  Rev.  A.  F.  Niswanger.  A  well 
attended  Sunday-school  is  superintended  by 
Mr.  Louis  Habenicht. 

SL  PauPs  Episcopal  Church. — Existing 
records  do  not  show  that  any  clergyman  of 
this  church  ever  officiated  in  Evansville  until 
the  year  1835.  ^"  December,  of  this  year, 
Right  Rev.  Jackson  Kemper,  Bishop  of  the 
Northwest,  came  to  Evansville  and  preached 
to  the  people.  Rev.  A.  H.  Lamon  was 
probably  here  at  that  time.  On  January  9, 
1836,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  store  of 
Messrs.  Goodsell  &  Lyon,  and  there  a  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  church  to  be  known 
as  St.  Paul's  church,  was  organized. 
At  that  meeting  William  Town  was  chair- 
man, and  James  Lockhart,  secretary.  Fred- 
erick E.  Goodsell  and  John  Mitchell  were 
elected  wardens,  and  John  M.  Dunham,  Ira 
French,  James  Lockhart,  Joseph  Wheeler, 
jr.,  and  William  Town  were  elected  vestry- 
men. January  17,  following.  Rev.  A.  H. 
Lamon  was  invited  to  take  pastoral  charge 
of  the  new  church.  He  accepted,  and  meet- 
ings were  held  in  the  old  court-house.  Here 
they  remained  until  1840,  but  the  place  was 
unavoidabl}-  distasteful  to  cliurchmen.  Be- 
fore tiie  parish  was  a  year  old  the  subject  of 
a  church  building  was  earnestly  discussed. 
At  lengtli  the  rector  and  vestry  were  em- 
powered to  obtain  an  eligible  lot  on  which  to 


erect  a  temple  to  God.  A  building  com- 
mittee was  appointed  January  7,  1839,  con- 
sisting of  John  Mitchell,  William  B.  Butler, 
F.  E.  Goodsell,  Nathan  Rowley,  and  Joseph 
Wheeler,  jr.  Soon  thereafter  ground  was 
broken  and  earnest  work  on  the  new  edilice 
was  commenced.  The  energetic  rector  was 
so  deeply  interested  in  it  that  he  even  car- 
ried brick  for  the  walls.  On  January  12, 
1840,  it  was  solemnly  set  apart  for  the  ser- 
vice of  God,  by  Right  Rev.  Jackson  Kemper. 
For  forty-three  years  the  conjrrerfation 
worshipped  in  this  house,  which  was  of  brick, 
40x70  feet,  with  a  ceiling  20  feet  high.  It 
was  a  comfortable  and  commodious  house, 
and  architecturally  considerably  in  advance 
of  the  ordinary  church  structures  of  those 
days. 

Mr.  Lamon  served  as  rector  until  1844, 
when  he  resigned.  He  was  indefatigable  in 
his  efforts  to  build  up  the  church,  and  his 
Christian  character  was  admired  by  all. 
While  caring  for  and  nursing  yellow  fever 
sufferers  in  Louisiana  he  contracted  the 
disease  and  died.  His  heroism  was  un- 
doubted and  his  consecration  entire.  In  1845 
Rev.  N.  A.  Okeson  took  charge  of  the  par- 
ish and  resigned  in  the  following  year.  For 
a  time  Rev.  W.  Vaux  held  occasional  ser- 
vices. November  5,  1847,  Rev.  Charles  A. 
Foster  was  elected  rector.  Mr.  Foster  was 
finely  educated  and  his  attainments  were  of 
a  high  order.  He  was  an  eloquent  and  a 
forcible  speaker.  In  June,  1856,  he  was 
succeeded  b}-  Rev.  Anthony  Ten  Broeck,  a 
man  of  culture  and  sound  churchmanship, 
and  tenacious  of  the  rubrics,  but,  on  account 
of  the  austerity  of  his  manners,  he  was  not 
popular  with  many  of  his  parishioners. 
From  November,  1857,  to  January,  i860, 
Rev.  Sidney  Wilbur,  a  young,  energetic  and 
zealous  man,  served  as  rector.  Rev.  Elias 
Birdsall  was  next  called  to  the  rectorship. 
He  remained  five  years;  his  pastorate  was  a 


286 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


happy  and  successful  one;  he  was  beloved, 
honored  and  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him.  Rev.  Henry  Spalding  assumed  charge 
of  the  parish  in  January,  iS66.  His  pastor- 
ate was  crowded  with  noble,  energetic  and 
zealous  work  in  all  the  avenues  of  church 
activit}'.  The  old  church  was  much  beau- 
tified, and  aggressive  Christian  missionary 
and  Sunday-school  work  was  carried  on. 
Rev.  Mr.  Strong  followed  Mr.  Spaulding, 
remaining  but  four  months.  The  next  rec- 
tor  was  Rev.  Wl  H.  Van  Antwerp,  a  cul- 
tured scholar  and  Christian  gentleman,  who 
had  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all.  From 
the  fall  of  1874  to  November,  1879,  Rev. 
W.  N.  Webb  was  in  charge  of  the  parish. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  T.  J.  Holcombe, 
who  remained  only  eighteen  months.  In 
November,  1882,  Rev.  Charles  Morris,  the 
present  rector,  was  called  to  the  pastorate. 
Mr.  Morris  was  born  in  Lynchburg,  Va., 
about  thirty-five  years  ago.  When  he  was 
ten  years  of  age  his  father  removed  to  New 
York,  and  there  he  received  his  rudimentary 
training.  In  1867  he  entered  William  and 
Mary  College,  and  upon  his  graduation, 
took  up  the  study  of  law  at  Richmond  Col- 
lege, Va.,  receiving  the  degree  of  LL.  B. 
He  practiced  law  for  two  years,  then  went 
to  New  York,  whence  he  soon  returned  to 
Virginia  with  the  intention  of  entering  the 
Virginia  Theological  Seminar}'.  He  was 
graduated  from  this  mstitution,  and  then  en- 
tered the  ministry.  His  first  parish  was 
Ashland,  Va.,  whence  he  went  to  Hopkins- 
ville,  Kv.  As  a  preacher  he  is  plain,  earn- 
est, direct,  forcible,  practical.  As  a  pastor 
he  is  affable,  kind-hearted  and  pleasing.  He 
combines  the  quahties  of  a  good  pastor  and 
and  a  good  preacher.  Services  were 
held  for  the  last  time  in  the  old 
church  on  April  15,  1SS3.  On  his 
arrival  Mr.  Morris  began  agitating  the 
question  of  erecting   a  new  church,  and  his 


efforts  bore  early  fruit.  In  the  spring  of 
1883  it  was  determined  to  build.  Messrs. 
Charles  Viele,  M.  J.  Bray,  jr.,  and  A.  H. 
Lemcke  were  appointed  a  building  commit- 
tee. Mr.  Viele  gave  the  use  of  Viele  Hall 
to  the  church  as  a  temporary  place  of  wor- 
ship; the  old  church  was  dismantled  and 
torn  down,  and  the  work  of  erecting  the 
new  building  went  forward  steadily,  under 
the  wise  direction  of  the  committee.  On 
March  2,  1886,  the  congregation  assembled 
in  the  new  house  for  the  purpose  of  dedi- 
cating it  to  the  service  of  God.  The  Bishops 
of  Indiana  and  Illinois  and  twelve  other  min- 
isters were  present,  to  assist  in  the  cere- 
monies, which,  from  first  to  last,  were  solemn, 
impressive  and  long  to  be  remembered. 
The  building  cost  upward  of  $50,000. 
Its  foundation  lies  in  the  form  of  a  cross;  its 
style  is  exquisitely  Gothic;  its  proportions 
are  nicely  adjusted;  the  abutments  and  win- 
dows are  judiciously  placed;  the  colors  of 
the  materials  are  harmoniously  blended;  the 
tower  and  spire  rise  124  feet  heavenward; 
and  the  whole  is  crowned  by  a  large  gilded 
cross,  which  towers  high  over  all,  drawing 
the  eyes  of  men  toward  it  from  all  parts  of 
the  city,  and  emphasizing  the  words  of 
Christ:  "If  I  be  hfted  up,  I  shall  draw  all 
men  unto  me."  The  entire  structure  is  an 
architectural  triumph,  and  a  lasting  monu- 
ment to  those  who  erected  it.  In  1865, 
a  parsonage  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $5,582.30, 
the  greater  portion  of  which  was  contrib- 
uted by  Mrs.  Charles  Viele,  by  whose  mu- 
nificence the  church  is  being  constantly 
blessed.  In  18S5,  for  $7,000,  Mr.  Charles 
Viele  bought  the  large  brick  residence  of 
the  late  Hon.  John  S.  Hopkins,  and  recently 
remodeled  and  repaired  it  for  use  as  a  rec- 
tory. It  is  now  a  beautiful,  modern  dwell- 
ing. The  present  membership  of  St.  Paul's 
is  320.  The  Sabbath  school  has  an  average 
attendance    of    150;  the  rector  is    superiq- 


^Ci^^^r^^JUO   iM>,  ^^.c^^aJA 


EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 


289 


tendent,  and  E.  N.  Viele  is  assistant.  The 
present  vestrymen  are:  H.  A.  Cook,  M.J. 
Bray,  S.  W.  Douglass,  S.  S.  Scantlin,  E.  N. 
Viele,  A.  S.  Green,  C.  F.  Artes,  George 
W.  Newman  and  F.  B.  Emer\-. 

Church  of  the  Holy  ] n)iocc)its. — This  church 
was  organized  in  1868,  and  the  same  year 
the  propert}',  corner  of  Ninth  and  Division 
streets,  was  presented  to  the  diocese  by  Mrs. 
Charles  Viele.  At  a  cost  of  about  $25,000.00 
the  church  building  was  also  erected  by 
Mrs.  Viele,  and  dedicated  on  March  3, 
1869,  by  Right  Rev.  Bishop  J.  C.  Talbot. 
Two  little  children  had  been  taken  from 
Mrs.  Viele  b\'  death,  and  she  built  this  mon- 
ument with  a  finger  pointing  to  another  life, 
and  here  the  tender  love  of  motherhood, 
sympathy  for  fellow-creatures  and  devotion 
to  the  cross,  have  a  comel\-  personation  for 
all  time  to  come.  The  following  rectors 
have  had  charge  of  the  church:  Rev. 
Spruile  Burford,  1868-1870;  Richard  T. 
Kerfoot,  1870-1875;  R.  C.  Talbott,  jr., 
1876-1879;  A.  O.  Stanley,  1879-1881;  John 
K.  Karcher,  March  to  October,  18S1;  John 
A.  Dooris,  1S81-1885;  L.  F.  Cole,  1885  to 
November  ist,  1888,  when  he  resigned. 
The  present  officers  of  the  church  are: 
W.  \V.  Flagler  and  John  Ficthner, 
wardens;  Charles  Viele,  John  L.  A\ery, 
Levi  D.  Lockyear,  William  R.  Carroll  and 
John  Constance,  vestrymen.  There  are  now 
120  communicants.  The  Sabbath  school  is 
in  a  prosperous  condition,  having  an  average 
attendance  of  125. 

Chapel  of  the  Good  Shepherd. —  This 
church,  which  is  a  mission  under  the  care  of 
St.  Paul's  Episcopal  church,  was  established 
in  1874.  'T'^'^  chapel  is  on  the  corner  of 
Michigan  street  and  Third  avenue.  Rev. 
Jesse  R.  Bicknell  was  the  first  pastor,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  P.  Jones,  who 
remained  in  charge  until  1879.  For  some 
time  the  church  was  without  a  pastor,  the 
17 


services  being  read  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Boniface. 
At  present  the  parish  is  in  charge  of  Rev. 
Charles  Morris,  of  St.  Paul's.  The  church 
is  in  a  prosperous  condition  and  has  an  in- 
teresting Sunday-school. 

First  Baptist  Church. —  The  Baptists 
were  among  the  earliest  of  the  pioneer 
Christian  workers.  Thej' labored  with  great 
zeal  and  made  many  converts.  Elder 
Ezekiel  Saunders  and  Elder  John  B.  Stinson 
were  leaders  of  the  two  schools  that  held 
sway  in  early  times.  Churches  were  es- 
tablished in  various  parts  of  the  county  and 
camp  meetings  were  annually  held.  In 
Evansville  the  first  church  building  was 
erected  by  the  followers  of  Ezekiel  Saunders. 
It  was  built  of  hewn  logs,  and  stands  to  this 
day  as  one  of  the  lingering  land-marks  of 
olden  times,  being  now  used  as  a  stable  by 
Mr.  William  Dean,  a  well-known  citizen. 
The  oldest  Baptist  church  organization  now 
existing  in  Evansville,  was  effected  July  4, 
1847,  when,  agreeable  to  previous  notice, 
several  brethren  and  sisters  belonging  to 
Baptist  churches  met  in  the  hall  of  the 
Neptune  engine-house,  above  Main  street, 
chose  Rev.  N.  V.  Steadman  as  moderator, 
and  organized  the  church.  There  were 
present  Rev.  N.  V.  Steadman,  Rev.  E.  D. 
Ow-en  and  wife,  of  Indianapolis,  J.  P. 
Matthews,  Alvira  D.  Stoddard  and  S.  Z. 
Millard,  of  Henderson,  Ky.,  Elizabeth  Bees- 
ley,  of  Cranfield,  England,  and  Merriam 
Wilcox. 

At  subsequent  meetings  quite  a  number 
of  additions  were  made,  and  on  July  31st, 
the  church  held  its  first  communion  service. 
November  7,  1847,  Sister  Sarah  Kazar 
(now  Mrs.  Judge  Foster),  was  received  into 
the  church  by  baptism,  and  on  November 
nth.  Sister  Elizabeth  Turnock  was  re- 
ceived by  letter.  These  two  sisters  are  yet 
alive,  are  still  members  of  the  church  and 
residents    of    Evansville;    verily    they    are 


290 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


mothers  in  Israel,  zealous  in  the  cause  of 
Christ  and  the  welfare  of  their  church.  On 
the  27th  of  November,  1848,  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  select  a  lot  preparatory  to 
the  erection  of  a  church  building  and  to  so- 
licit subscriptions.  The  committee  was 
Rev.  Steadman  and  Brother  Millard,  Sisters 
Kazar,  Turner  and  Beesley.  About  185 1 
a  lot  was  purchased  on  the  corner  of  Second 
and  Clark  streets,  and  on  the  ist  day  of 
February,  1S52,  the  first  meeting  was  held 
in  the  basement  and  in  November,  1853, 
the  building  was  completed  at  a  cost  of 
$3,000.  The  membership  at  that  time  was 
only  thirty-nine.  After  the  removal  of  the 
E.  &  T.  H.  railroad  depots  from  that  por- 
tion of  the  city  in  which  the  church  building 
was  located,  indications  were  plainly  seen 
that  the  central  portion  of  the  city  would  be 
further  eastward  and  it  was  decided  by 
the  members  of  the  church  to  sell  the  build- 
ing and  purchase  a  lot  in  a  more  desirable 
locahty.  Judge  M.  W.  Foster  proposed  to 
sell  the  lot  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Cherry 
streets  for  the  sum  of  $Soo.  The  locality 
and  price  being  satisfactory  the  purchase 
was  made.  Judge  Foster  then  donated  lib- 
erally toward  its  purchase.  In  1863  the 
old  building  was  sold  to  Maj.  Jesse  W. 
Walker,  and  Marble  Hall  on  Main  street 
was  rented  and  here  the  church  held  ser- 
vices for  some  time,  but  this  arrangement 
was  unsatisfactor}^  and  efforts  were  put  forth 
toward  obtaining  the  means  to  build  a  new 
church  edifice.  In  due  time  work  was  com- 
menced, the  corner  stone  being  placed  in 
position  by  Sisters  Sarah  K.  Foster  and 
Elizabeth  Turnock,  and  on  March  iS,  1868, 
the  building  was  dedicated  to  the 
service  of  God  by  the  church  and  the  pas- 
tor, the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Baker.  It  cost 
about  $25,000,  is  of  brick  and  has  a  seating 
capacity  for  about  500  persons. 

The  rnembership  is  novy  about  200.     The 


pastors  of  the  church  have  been:  Rev. 
N.  V.  Steadman,  1847;  Rev.  Joseph  A. 
Dixon,  1850;  Rev.  H.  Robb,  1855;  Rev. 
F.  D.  Bland,  1S56;  Rev.  H.  A.  Cook,  1859; 
Rev.  T.  E.  Veach  1861;  Rev.  Isaac, 
Bloomer,  1865;  Rev.  George  F.  Pentacost, 
1866;  Rev.  Samuel  Raker,  1868;  Rev. 
A.  C.  Caperton,  1870;  Rev.  S.  F.  Thomp- 
son, 1871;  Rev.  H.  D.  D.  Straton,  1874; 
Rev.  A.  B.  Miller,  1S78;  Rev.  Ira  D.  Hall, 
1885;  Rev.  F.J.  Cather,  1887;  and  Rev. 
D.  Heagle,  D.  D.,  the  present  pastor.  The 
trustees  have  been:  Asa  Marsh,  N.  V. 
Steadman,  William  Felsted,  Charles  Morri- 
son and  Eben  Bray,  1S50;  Asa  Marsh, 
Eben  Bray,  T.  W.  Simpson,  Alfred  White, 
Judge  M.  W.  Foster,  1856;  Alfred  White, 
T.  W.  Simpson,  R.  S.  Cobb,  J.  D.  Wilcox, 
Judge  M.  W.  Foster,  i860;  Joseph  Turnock, 
F.  C.  Gale,  Alfred  White,  T.  W.  Simpson, 
Judge  M.  W.  Foster,  1862.  In  1863,  a  va- 
cancy occurred  by  the  death  of  Judge  Fos- 
ter, and,  b}'  a  unanimous  vote,  Dr.  I.  Haas 
was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  In  1871, 
F.  C.  Gale,  having  removed  from  the  city, 
John  J.  Roach  was  elected  to  fill  his  place. 
Thus  in  twenty-six  years  only  two  changes 
have  been  made.  The  clerks  have  been: 
J.  P.  Matthews,  N.  V.  Steadman,  A.  L. 
Robinson,  William  C.  Turnock.  Perhaps 
the  most  marked  instance  of  devotion  shown 
by  a  true  and  genuine  Baptist  belie\-er  is 
that  of  Mother  Elizabeth  Turnock,  who  took 
her  letter  from  the  Philadelphia  church, 
March  30,  1837,  and  removed  to  the  west, 
settling  within  fourteen  miles  of  Evansville, 
then  a  little  town,  and  the  nearest  point  to 
her  containing  a  church  of  her  faith  and  or- 
der. This  distance  she  often  walked  to  at- 
tend divine  service.  Father  Joseph  Turnock 
joined  the  Baptist  church  in  1853.  This 
aged  couple  still  live,  enjoying  good  health, 
and  the  respect  of  all,  and  remaining  stead- 
fast   to  the    faith    of   their  earlier  years. 


BAPTIST  CHURCH. 


291 


Since  the  organization  of  the  First  Baptist 
church,  several  missions  liave  been  formed, 
or,  it  may  be  said,  additional  churches  have 
been  organized,  which  have  taken  some  of 
the  membership  of  the  First  church. 

On  April  6,  1S56,  the  German  church 
was  organized,  and  held  its  first  meeting  in 
the  basement  of  the  First  Baptist  church. 
In  March,  1H57,  a  southern  Baptist  church 
was  organized  by  the  Rev.  John  Brjxe  and 
Rev.  Jacob  Cole,  of  Henderson,  Ky.  Meet- 
ings were  held  in  the  old  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  church  on  Chestnut  street.  It 
did  not  become  a  permanency.  In  i860, 
the  Robinson  Baptist  church  was  formed. 
It  had  an  existence  for  about  three  years, 
after  which  nearly  all  the  membership  re- 
turned to  the  First  church.  In  1885,  the 
Unity  Baptist  church  was  organized  by  the 
Rev.  D.  B.  Miller,  and  prospered  for  about 
two  years,  and  then  ceased  to  hold  meet- 
ings. In  188S,  about  fifteen  or  twenty 
members  of  the  First  church  withdrew,  and 
organized  the  present  Baptist  Calvary 
church.  The  congregation  holds  its  meet- 
ings in  the  upper  rooiTi  of  the  engine-house, 
on  Third  street,  near  Walnut.  The  Rev. 
Fleming,  of  Boonville,  preaches  twice  a 
month. 

General  Baptist  Church.  —  This  church 
was  organized  in  this  city  in  July,  1866. 
Elders  Benoni  Stinson,  Alvah  Parker,  and 
George  W.  Moore  being  appointed  by  the 
General  Baptist  church  in  Perry  township 
to  constitute  the  church.  A  year  after  the 
organization  was  effected  the  society  built  a 
house  of  worship  on  Indiana  street,  between 
Wabash  and  Tenth  avenues,  which  was 
afterward  removed  to  the  present  site,  cor- 
ner Indiana  street  and  Twelfth  avenue.  The 
church  is  a  neat  frame  edifice  built  at  a  cost 
of  $1,260.00,  including  the  ground.  Rev. 
George  W.  Moore  was  the  first  pastor, 
serving  for  fourteen  years,  and  what  growth 


the  church  has  enjoyed  has  been  due  largely 
to  his  leadership.  Rev.  J.  Blackburn  suc- 
ceeded Mr.  Moore.  Rev.  William  II.  Ivey, 
the  present  pastor,  has  had  charge  for  two 
years.  He  is  an  efficient  worker  and  is 
much  respected.  At  the  commencement 
there  were  but  twenty-eight  members,  but 
before  the  building  was  completed  the  mem- 
bership grew  to  nearly  100.  At  this  time 
the  number  remains  about  the  same.  Eze- 
kiel  Burdette  is  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day-school, which  numbers  about  sixty. 
The  members  of  this  church  worship  ac- 
cording to  the  belief  and  doctrine  promul- 
gated in  early  days  by  Elder  Benoni  Stin- 
son. They  are  a  body  of  ver\'  earnest  and 
benevolent  Christian  workers. 

The  Old  Baptist  Church.  — Ahoxxt  1835, 
the  followers  of  Elder  Ezekiel  Saunders,  a 
pioneer  preacher,  organized  this  church,  and 
for  a  time  it  prospered,  but  of  late  has  be- 
come verj'  weak.  The  association  has  no 
regular  pastor,  but  meetings  are  held  occa- 
sionally. It  has  a  small  brick  church  on 
Mary  street  between  Michigan  and  Virginia 
streets. 

First  German  Baptist  Churc/i.  —  This 
congregation  was  organized  April  6,  1856, 
and  has  always  been  small  in  numbers.  The 
building  is  situated  on  the  corner  of  Edgar 
and  Franklin  streets,  and  is  a  beautiful  frame 
structure,  $1,100  having  been  spent  in  im- 
proving it  during  the  past  year.  The  society 
is  out  of  debt  and  owns  church  property 
valued  at  $5,000.00.  It  has  seventy  mem- 
bers and  is  rapidly  growing.  The  Sunday- 
school  has  an  attendance  of  over  100;  Henry 
Ashley,  superintendent.  The  pastor  also 
preaches  at  a  church  in  German  township. 
The  following  pastors  have  ministered  to 
this  congregation:  Rev.  Woertner,  Charles 
Tecklenburg,  A.  Tranchel,  and  William 
Lipphardt,  the  present  pastor. 

Liberty  Baptist  Chiireh    (^colored). — This 


292 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


church  was  organized  in  March,  1865,  by 
Col.  Woods,  a  white  man,  whose  devotion 
and  earnestness  in  the  cause  among  the 
colored  people  deserves  much  commenda- 
tion. He  remained  their  pastor  for  the  first 
3'ear,  during  which  period  meetings  were  held 
in  a  small  brick  dwelling  house  on  Chest- 
nut street.  In  1866  a  frame  church  40x65 
feet  was  erected  on  the  corner  of  Seventh 
and  Oak  streets,  the  present  site  of  the 
church  building.  This  was  torn  down  in 
1880,  when  the  erection  of  a  large  brick 
church  was  commenced  and  completed,  but 
not  without  a  severe  trial,  for  on  June  9, 
1886,  a  terrible-  cyclone  passed  over  the 
city,  doing  much  damage,  wholly  destroy- 
ing the  new  and  handsome  church,  then 
practically  finished,  occasioning  a  loss  of 
upward  of  $7,000.  This  calamity,  it 
seems,  was  only  a  test  of  the  zeal  and  de- 
votion to  God's  work  of  this  people,  for, 
undaunted,  with  the  aid  of  subscriptions 
and  some  help  from  outside  sources,  they 
at  once  proceeded  to  clear  away  the 
debris  and  commenced  building  the  beauti- 
ful structure  now  in  use.  It  is  built  of 
brick,  is  60x85  feet,  has  a  seating  capacity 
for  900,  and  cost  $6,500.  Rev.  Green 
McFarland  became  pastor  in  1866,  and  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occurred  July 
9,  1881.  Rev.  Dennis  Rouse,  the  present 
pastor,  took  charge  in  October,  1881,  and 
under  his  faithful  ministry  the  church  is 
growing  steadily.  During  his  ministry  over 
300  members  have  been  received.  The 
membership  now  numbers  780.  The 
Sunday-school  has  an  average  attendance  of 
175,  with  Mr.  C.  H.  Lancaster  superin- 
tendent. 

Missionary  Baptist  Church  {colored). — 
This  church  was  organized  in  1870,  with  a 
membership  of  seventy-five.  The  congre- 
gation first  worshiped  in  a  small  frame 
church     on    the    present    site    of  the    nevy 


building,  which  is  located  on  the  northwest 
corner  of  Virginia  street  and  Twelfth 
avenue.  It  is  a  neat  frame  church,  cost 
about  $1,200,  and  was  built  in  1883.  The 
pastors  have  been  Revs.  Grant  Clay, 
Dennis  Rouse,  Jordan  Barnett,  Henry 
Beecher,  D.  T.  Carraway  and  George 
Dorsey,  who  is  the  present  pastor.  There 
are  125  members  and  a  good  Sunda\--school 
of  50. 

McFarland  Chapel  [Colored). —  This 
church,  named  in  honor  of  Rev.  Green  Mc- 
Farland, was  organized  October  15,  18S2, 
by  about  100  members  who  withdrew  from 
the  "  Liberty  Baptist  church,"  and  called 
Rev.  W.  H.  Anderson  to  the  pastorate,  who 
still  remains.  Its  first  meetings  were  held 
at  the  superior  court  room,  on  Locust  s'.reet, 
and  later  in  a  building  on  the  corner  of  Fifth 
and  Cherry  streets  until  their  new  building 
was  finished.  The  new  chapel  is  of  moder- 
ate size,  built  of  brick  and  together  with  the 
ground  cost  $6,000.  It  was  finished  and 
dedicated  in  1887.  The  membership  num- 
bers over  300  and  the  Sunday-school  has  an 
attendance  of  eighty,  with  A.  G.  Smith,  su- 
perintendent. Rev.  W.  H.  Anderson,  a 
learned  gentleman,  greatly  beloved  by  his 
congregation,  in  his  labors  here  is  meeting 
with  deserved  success.  Previous  to  coming 
here,  he  was  pastor  of  the  Third  Baptist 
church,  Terre  Haute,  for  ten  years. 

JVew  Bethel  Baptist  Church  {Colored).— 
This  branch  was  organized  several  years 
ago.  The  small  congregation  of  about 
twent}'  members  worship  in  a  rented  room 
on  Campbell  street.  Rev.  H.  T.  Green  is 
the  pastor. 

Catholic  Churches. — It  was  a  noticeable 
feature  of  the  Cathohc  priesthood  in  the 
pioneer  days  that  wherever  they  found  a 
community,  no  matter  how  small  or  how 
widely  scattered,  wherein  they  could  estab- 
lish a   mission,  there  the  cross  was    erected 


CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 


293 


and  the  protecting  care  of  the  church  spread 
over  the  inliabitants.  No  hardship  was 
accounted  too  severe  and  no  sacrifice  too 
great  to  stand  in  the  way  of  the  propagation 
of  a  religion  which  the)-  beheved  to  declare 
the  voice  and  will  of  God.  The  first  infor- 
mation of  any  Catholics  residing  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Evansville,  was  communicated  in  the 
fall  of  1S36,  to  the  Right  Rev.  Gabriel  Brute, 
first  bishop  of  Vincennes,  by  Rev.  Father 
Bateux,  and  the  companions  of  his  journey, 
who  lodged  on  their  arrival  here,  at  the 
Mansion  House,  then  kept  by  Francis  Linck, 
a  citizen  well  remembered  to  this  day  and 
esteemed  by  all  the  older  inhabitants  of  the 
city.  Mr.  Linck,  born  in  1774,  was  a  native 
of  Stockheim,  in  Wurtemburg,  and  in  1836 
was  the  only  Catholic  in  Evansville,  except 
perhaps  the  late  John  Walsh.  In  March, 
1837,  Very  Rev.  Father  De  la  Ilielandiere, 
vicar-general  of  the  Rev.  Bishop,  accompa- 
nied by  Rev.  Father  Shawe,  visited  Evans- 
ville with  a  view  of  establishing  a  mission, 
and  on  the  3rd  day  of  May,  following.  Rev. 
Father  Anthon}-  De'ydier  was  dispatched  to 
take  charge  of  the  mission. 

Father  Deydier  was  born  in  France, 
April  30,  1788,  and  was  ordained  a  priest 
at  the  cathedral  of  Vincennes,  March  25, 
1837.  Very  few  knew  that  he  had  reached 
the  full  strength  of  his  manhood  when  he 
took  upon  himself  holy  orders,  and  was 
placed  in  charge  of  the  mission  in  this  city. 
While  here  he  lived  a  blameless  and  well 
spent  life,  unobtrusive  in  his  deportment,  but 
with  a  kind  word  for  all.  After  almost  a 
year's  residence  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Linck, 
in  January,  183S,  he  built  a  lodge  room, 
10x15  ^^'^^  ™  svic,  at  the  corner  of  Fifth  and 
Chestnut  streets.  Here  he  made  his  abode, 
using  his  little  room  as  a  dwelling  and  for 
chapel  purposes  for  about  three  years.  For 
Sabbath  day  services  larger  rooms  at  the 
homes  of   Catholics  were  occasionally  used. 


He  labored  heroically  among  his  people, 
did  much  missionary  work  in  the  country 
adjacent  to  Evansville,  and  in  1838  made 
a  successful  trip  to  the  east  to  raise  funds 
for  the  erection  of  a  church  building.  The 
histor}'  of  Catholicism  in  Evansville  since  that 
time  is  the  history  of  a  wonderful  growth. 
The  worthy  priest  who  stood  by  the  church 
in  its  infancy,  lived  to  see  it  become  rich  and 
powerful  with  a  numerous  priesthood  within 
the  territory  where  he  once  labored  alone  — 
lived  to  see  a  sturdy  oak  grown  from  the 
acorn  planted  by  his  hands.  When  old  age 
and  increasing  inhrmities  had  impaired  his 
usefulness,  he  retired  from  the  active  minis- 
try and,  returning  to  Vincennes,  passed  the 
evening  of  his  life  in  comparative  rest, 
greatly  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  His 
death  occurred  February  11,  1864. 

T/ic  Assioiipfi'oii  Pan's/i. — The  Assump- 
tion parish  was  the  first  Catholic  congrega- 
tion organized  south  of  Vincennes,  and 
remained  the  sole  church  until  1851,  when 
the  Holy  Trinity  parish  was  organized  for 
German-speaking  Catholics. 

In  1839  a  lot  on  Second  street  upon  which 
to  build  Assumption  church  was  secured  for 
the  sum  of  $1,200.  In  1840,  August  5,  the 
corner-stone  was  laid  by  the  French  Bishop 
of  Nancy,  Monseigneur  Forbin  Jeanson, 
who  was  then  on  a  visit  to  the  diocese  of 
Vincennes.  Rev.  Stephen  Badin,  the  first 
priest  ordained  in  the  United  States, 
preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion.  In 
that  year  Rev.  Roman  Weinzoepfel,  just 
ordained  at  Vincennes,  was  sent  as  assistant 
to  Father  Deydier.  In  1849  Rev.  Patrick 
McDermott  became  the  assistant  priest  of  As- 
sumption parish;  he  celebrated  his  first  mass 
in  Evansville,  Christmas  da}',  1849,  and  be- 
came pastor  in  1859.  The  church  property 
on  Second  street,  through  the  instrumental- 
ity of  Capt.  F.  P.  Carson,  was  sold  for 
$50,000,    of    which    $5,000   was    due    the 


m 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


bishop  and  paid  to  him;  and  in  April,  187 1, 
the  present  site  of  Assumption  church, 
corner  of  Seventh  and  Vine  streets,  was 
purchased.  Work  on  the  present  church 
began  in  1872,  and  on  the  7th  da}'  of  July  of 
that  year  the  corner-stone  was  laid  b}' 
Bishop  de  St.  Palais.  Very  Rev.  Bede 
O'Connor  was  the  orator.  Father  McDer- 
mott  built  the  church  on  the  grand  scale  in 
which  it  is  now  seen.  He  labored  with  zeal  and 
saintly  ardor  until  1879,  when,  much  to  the 
regret  of  his  parishioners,  he  was  appointed 
pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  church,  Indianapolis, 
where  he  died  September  13,  1882.  From 
the  date  of  removal  of  Father  McDermott 
until  the  appointment  of  the  present  Very 
Rev.  pastor,  about  five  months.  Rev.  John 
Gueguen,  then  chaplain  of  St.  Mary's  Hos- 
pital, had  charge  of  Assumption  church. 
Verv  Rev.  Eugene  F.  McBarron  took 
charge  November  7,  1879.  Under  his  ad- 
ministration many  additions  and  improve- 
ments to  the  parish  grounds  and  buildings 
have  been  made.  Among  these  are  a  fine 
hall  and  school  building,  a  pastoral  residence, 
repairing  and  frescoing  the  church  and  the 
purchase  of  twenty  feet  of  additional 
ground.  These  represent  an  outlay  of 
nearly  $20,000. 

The  parish  grounds  extend  200  feet  on 
Seventh  street  and  150  feet  on  Vine  street. 
All  the  buildings  front  on  the  former  street. 
On  the  corner  stands  the  pastoral  residence, 
a  tastefully  constructed  and  happily  arranged 
house,  costing  upward  of  ^4,000.  About 
the  center  of  the  grounds  stands  the  stately 
and  massive  Assumption  church,  which  cost 
$73,000.  The  next  building  is  the  Sister's 
house,  representing  $2,000;  and  lastl}'  the 
Assumption  Hall  and  school  building  which 
is  worth  over  $7,000.  These  buildings, 
improvements,  grounds,  furniture  and  other 
parish  property  are  worth  the  large  sum  of 
$123,000.     The  debt  is  only  $13,000. 


Assumption  Church  is  cruciform  and  of 
Romanesque  style  of  architecture,  60x90 
feet  in  the  transept,  52  feet  to  ceiling  and 
149  feet  long.  It  is  built  of  brick,  with  stone 
trimmings,  and  is  reputed  one  of  the  most 
substantial  and  beautiful  church  edifices  in 
the  west. 

The  Assumption  schools  consist  of  four 
rooms,  three  of  which  are  taught  by  the 
Sisters  of  Providence,  who  live  in  the 
adjoining  residence,  and  one,  the  higher 
grade  in  the  male  department,  by  Mr.  John 
F.  Boyle.  He  has  held  the  position  since 
1885,  and  succeeded  Mr.  T.  A.  Crosson, 
who  taught  from  18S2  until  that  time. 
There  are  225  children  in  attendance.  The 
building  erected  in  1 881,  is  of  brick,  44x84 
feet,  two  stories,  with  the  upper  floor  in  use 
as  the  Assumption  Hall.  The  parish  now 
has  200  families,  and  the  trustees  are  John 
McDonagh,  C.  J.  Murphy,  Eugene  McGrath, 
M.  Gorman,  Charles  McCarthy,  and  J.  J. 
Nolan. 

Very  Rev.  Eugene  F.  McBarron,  dean, 
member  of  the  bishop's  council  and  immov- 
able pastor  of  the  church  of  the  Assump- 
tion, was  born  near  New  Albany,  Floyd 
county,  Ind.,  June  18,  1844.  He  pursued 
his  studies  at  St.  Thomas'  Seminary,  near 
Bardstown,  Ky.,  at  Notre  Dame  University, 
at  St.  Meinrad's  Benedictine  Abbey,  and 
finally  at  the  Grand  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice, 
Montreal,  Canada,  where  he  finished  theol- 
ogy and  learned  the  French  language.  He 
was  ordained  priest  at  Vincennes,  June  8, 
1871,  by  Bishop  de  St.  Palais.  His  first 
mission  was  at  St.  Mary's  of  the  Woods, 
Vigo  count}',  where  he  remained  eight 
}ears,  maintaining  and  improving  the  high 
moral  status  of  his  congregation.  In  1879 
Bishop  Chatard  appointed  him  pastor  of  the 
Church  of  the  Assumption.  By  his  learn- 
ing, business  capacity  and  financial  abilit}', 
he    is  admirabh'    fitted  for   his  responsible 


CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 


295 


position.  He  adds  to  his  knowledge  a  spirit 
of  retirement,  and  to  bis  zeal  an  excellent 
judgment.  His  preaching  is  plain  and  for- 
cible, while  Iiis  methods  of  teaching  youth 
adn  expounding  the  Christian  doctrine  are 
xevy  happy,  making  frequent  use  of  com- 
parisons, and  often  employing  odd  words 
and  phrases  to  impress  a  special  point  upon 
his  auditors.  He  is  immovably  firm,  just  in 
his  decisions,  zealous  in  his  labors,  and  not 
above  taking  advice.  In  the  management 
of  the  financial  and  business  interests  of  his 
conirreiiation  he  has  been  signally  success- 
ful.  In  consequence  of  these  characteristics 
there  are  few  priests  more  worthy,  better 
appreciated  or  more  loved  than  Very  Rev. 
Father  McBarron. 

Rev.  Patrick  H.  Rowan,  assistant  pastor 
of  the  church,  was  born  March  14,  1859, 
studied  at  St.'Meinrad's  Benedictine  Abbey 
from  1874  to  1878,  and  thereafter  for  over 
two  years  in  the  American  college  at  Rome. 
His  health  failing,  he  returned  to  the  United 
States,  and  was  ordained  priest  at  Baltimore 
by  Cardinal  Archbishop  Gibbons,  May  13, 
1885,  and  on  the  7th  of  June  following  cele- 
brated his  first  mass.  On  June  20,  1885, 
he  arrived  at  Evansville,  commissioned  by 
Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Chatard  for  his  present  posi- 
tion in  Assumption  parish.  Father  Rowan 
knows  the  German  and  Italian  languages 
well,  is  possessed  of  an  excellent  education 
and  many  charming  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart. 

//('/)'  Trinllx  Par'nh  was  not  regarded 
as  a  separate  congregation  until  185 1,  when 
the  new  church  of  that  name  was  solemnly 
blessed  in  the  presence  of  the  right  reverend 
bishop,  and  thereafter  used  exclusively  by 
the  German-speaking  Catholics.  Previously 
Catholics  of  all  nationalities  attended  the 
Assumption  church.  For  several  years 
separate  services  continued  to  be  held  there 
for  the  Germans,  and  Rev.  Fathers  Charles 


Oppermann,  Martin  Stahl,  Conrad  Schnied- 
erjans  and  Roman  Weinzoepfel  succeeded 
each  other  in  charge  of  the  Germans  and  as 
assistants  to  Father  Deydier.  The  first 
resident  pastor  for  the  Germans  was  Rev. 
Francis  X.  Kutassy,  who  arrived  in  1848. 
It  was  he  who  organized  Holy  Trinity  par- 
ish and  built  the  church. 

In  the  work  of  building  the  new  church 
he  was  ably  assisted  by  the  following  gentle- 
men, who  composed  his  first  building  com- 
mittee: B.  Nurre,  H.  Ahlering,  H.  Her- 
mann, M.  Nies,  Fr.  Ziegenhagen,  and  H. 
Rechtin.  In  1849  the  corner-stone  was 
laid  by  Bishop  de  St.  Palais,  but  on  account 
of  the  ravages  of  the  cholera  the  work  was 
not  completed  until  1851.  In  1855  a  par- 
sonage was  built  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  In 
1866  Rev.  J.  Ferd.  Viefhaus  was  sent  as 
assistant  to  Father  Kutassy.  Stained  glass 
windows  were  put  in  in  1867,  at  a  cost  of 
$2,700.  In  1868  two  large  vestry  rooms 
were  built  as  an  addition  to  the  church,  at  a 
cost  of  $3,000.  In  1873  the  front  of  the 
church  was  newly  built,  and  a  grand  tower 
and  spire  erected.  The  edifice  was  then  of 
these  dimensions-.  Length,  147  feet;  width, 
70  feet;  height  to  ceiling,  35  feet.  The 
spire  stands  202  feet.  In  the  tower  is  a 
chime  of  nine  bells,  which  cost  $5,000.  In 
1872  Rev.  Charles  Loescher  became  the 
assistant  priest,  Rev.  Father  Viefhaus  hav- 
ing undertaken  the  work  of  building  up  St. 
Mary's  parish.  In  1873  Rev.  James  Merckl 
became  assistant.  On  the  nth  of  October 
1874,  the  golden  jubilee  of  the  noble  pastor, 
Rev.  F.  X.  Kutassy,  was  celebrated  with 
pomp,  and  as  a  sort  of  finish  to  his  labors, 
for  he  died  on  the  27th  of  that  month,  as- 
sisted in  his  last  iiours  by  his  dear  friend, 
Father  McDermott,  who  administered  to 
him  the  last  sacraments.  He  was  buried  in 
the  new  St.  Joseph's  cemetery,  the  first 
priest  there  interred,  and  a  grand  monument 


396 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


was  erected  to  his  memory  in  1875.  Rev. 
Father  Merckl  was  in  charge  for  seven 
months,  or  until  the  arrival  of  Rev.  P.  J.  J. 
Duddenhausen  as  pastor,  May  19,  1875,  to 
whom  was  given  Rev.  A.  Oster  as  his  as- 
sistant in  July  of  that  year.  Father  Dud- 
denhausen began  many  reforms  in  the 
congregation,  adopted  business  methods, 
and  celebrated  the  public  service  of  the 
church  with  pomp  and  solemnity.  He  was 
given  Rev.  William  Bultmann  as  his  assist- 
ant, July,  1877,  and  in  1880  Father  F.  B. 
Luebberman  became  his  assistant,  taking 
Father  Bultmann's  place,  that  reverend  gen- 
tleman having  undertaken  the  work  of 
organizing  St.  Boniface's  parish. 

Attention  was  paid  to  the  matter  of  edu- 
cation as  early  as  185 1,  when,  with  the 
organization  of  Holy  Trinity  parish,  its  first 
little  brick  school-house  was  built.  In  1853 
the  Sisters  of  Providence  came  to  teach  the 
children  of  the  parish.  In  i860  a  school 
was  built  especially  for  female  children,  and 
in  1863  a  residence  was  built  for  the  sisters. 
A  clearing  out  of  all  the  old  buildings  took 
place  in  1869,  when  the  present  school 
building  was  erected.  It  is  58x105  feet, 
three  stories,  with  the  upper  floor  used  as  a 
hall.  Mr.  Blaes,  of  Piqua,  Ohio,  teaches  the 
higher  school.  St.  Joseph's  Academy,  owned 
by  the  Sisters  of  Providence,  is  a  separate 
institution,  situated  on  Division  street.  It  is 
three  stories  in  height  and  has  se\eral 
boarding  scholars  and  daj-  pupils.  Rev. 
Father  Duddenhausen  died  in  1886,  and 
was  buried  in  St.  Joseph's  cemetery.  His  zeal 
and  labors  were  great,  and  he  was  mourned 
by  his  congregation.  He  was  born  in  Prus- 
sia, June  15,  1842,  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  September  20,  1863,  and  was  or- 
dained priest  December  23,  1865.  He  was 
pastor  at  Lawrenceburg  from  October, 
1870,  until  Maj',  1S75,  when  he  became 
pastor  of    Holy  Trinity  parish,  Evansville. 


He  was  succeeded  a  little  over  a  year  ago 
by  Rev.  H.John  Diestel,  who,  for  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  had  been  the  pastor  of 
St.  Philip's,  in  Posey  county.  He  was  born 
in  Hanover,  German}',  October  7,  1838. 
Having  pursued  his  preparatory  studies,  he 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1857,  and 
entered  St.  Charles'  Seminar\-  at  Vincennes, 
where  he  was  ordained  priest  by  Bishop  de 
St.  Palais,  December  21,  1864.  Father 
Diestel  is  a  portly  man,  of  soldierly  bearing. 
In  the  pulpit  he  is  of  great  force,  and  is 
known  as  an  eloquent  and  earnest  preacher. 

His  assistant  is  Rev.  Francis  Siepen,  a 
native  of  Evansville,  a  young  man  of  much 
promise.  He  studied  in  Austria,  and  was 
ordained  June  26,  1887,  by  Bishop  Chatard. 
He  is  a  zealous,  useful  man.  The  congre- 
gation, even  after  giving  up  200  families  to 
the  new  St.  Anthony's  parish,  is  yet  the 
largest  in  Evansville,  having  over  400  fam- 
ilies, or  nearly  3,000  souls  in  all. 

The  recent  frescoing  of  the  church  cost 
$3,200.  The  parish  grounds  are  at  the 
corner  of  Third  and  Vine  streets,  and  are 
150x225  feet.  The  parish  debt  is  $16,650.55, 
and  the  value  of  the  property  is  over  $125,- 
000.  There  are  over  400  children  attend- 
ing the  parish  schools. 

The  present  trustees  are:  F.  Harnish- 
feger,  Joseph  Hoffman,  Joseph  Sabee,  Val- 
entine Schmitz,  sr.,  J.  Pierre  and  John 
Erthal. 

SL  Mary's  Pan's//.— St.  Mary's  is  the 
third  of  the  Catholic  congregations  formed 
in  Evansville,  and  dates  back  to  1866,  the 
year  of  the  appointment  of  its  present  pas- 
tor by  Bishop  de  Saint  Palais.  The  first 
work  done  bjr  the  pastor,  Rev.  John  Ferdi- 
nand Viefhaus,  after  the  purchase  of  the 
present  site  of  the  parish  buildings,  was  the 
erection  of  a  two-story  brick  school-house 
at  a  cost  of  $5,000.  This  building  is  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  Cherry  and  Upper  Sixth 


CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 


397 


streets,  where,  on  the  former  street,  the 
parish  grounds  extend  240  feet,  by  145  feet 
on  the  hitter.  Tlie  next  of  the  parish  build- 
ings is  the  church,  a  brick  structure  of  im- 
posing architecture  and  dimensions.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  de  St. 
Palais,  October  28,  1866.  Sixteen  priests 
were  present,  together  with  a  vast  concourse 
of  people.  Very  Rev.  Bede  O'Connor  and 
others  preached  on  the  occasion.  It  was 
finished  and  dedicated  by  Bishop  de  St. 
Palais  in  1S67,  and  was  used  for  the  tu-st 
time  January  i,  1S68.  It  is  Gothic  in  style, 
and  its  dimensions  are  66x140  feet,  its  cen- 
ter ceiling  being  fifty  feet  high.  The  fres- 
coing is  tasteful,  the  altars  elegant  and  in 
keeping  with  the  style  of  architecture.  The 
spire,  surmounted  by  a  golden  cross,  stands 
175  feet,  and  in  the  tower  is  a  chime  of  three 
bells,  noted  for  size  and  sweetness  of  tone. 
St.  Marj-'s  church  has  cost  $60,000. 

The  pastoral  residence,  a  commodious 
two-story  brick  structure,  which  cost 
$6,200,  was  built  in  1881.  The  girls'  school 
and  sisters'  house,  a  three-story  brick  edi- 
fice, 45x80,  cost  $14,000,  and  was  erected 
in  1 87 1.  It  accommodates  the  female  por- 
tion of  the  309  children  of  the  parish  who 
attend  their  own  Cathohc  schools.  The  Sis- 
ters of  St.  Francis  are  in  charge,  while  the 
boys'  school  is  under  the  direction  of  Prof. 
Fred.  Schonlan. 

From  a  report  made  to  Bishop  Chatard 
in  1880  by  the  reverend  pastor,  it  appears 
that  during  the  thirteen  years  from  1867  to 
1880,  St.  Mary's  congregation  paid  out  for 
improvements,  interest,  salaries,  etc.,  the 
very  large  sum  of  $152,000.  This  mani- 
fests the  accord  with  which  priest  and  peo- 
ple labor  for  the  common  good  and  the 
advancement  of  religion  and  education. 
The  debt  is  onl}-  $18,000.  There  is  a  mem- 
bership of  255  families,  representing  1,500. 
Rev.      John     Ferdinand     Viefhaus     is      a 


native  of  German}-,  born  at  Essen,  Janu- 
ary 5,  1838;  pursued  his  studies  at  the 
Universities  of  Munster,  Tubingen  and  Bonn; 
was  ordained  by  Bishop  Baudri,  April  27, 
1862;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in 
1865,  and  the  following  year  was  sent  by 
Bishop  de  St.  Palais  to  Evansville,  as  assist- 
ant to  Rev.  Father  Kutassy,  then  pastor  of 
Holy  Trinity  parish.  In  that  year  (1866), 
St.  Mar3'"s  parish  was  created,  and  he  was 
appointed  its  pastor.  He  is  a  learned  and 
zealous  priest,  and  enjoys  the  reputation  of 
being  an  eloquent  and  forceful  speaker. 

Sf.  Boniface's  Parish  was  organized  on 
January,  1880.  The  first  move  in  the  crea- 
tion of  St.  Boniface's  parish,  was  a  meeting 
of  prominent  Catholic  Germans  at  the  resi- 
dence  of  Mr.  Charles  Schulte,  on  Wabash 
avenue,  October  20,  1878.  Besides  Mr. 
Schulte,  there  were  present  at  the  meeting 
Messrs.  Henry  Reitman,  Adam  Helfrich, 
John  T.  Rechtin  and  August  Rosenberger. 
A  letter  setting  forth  tiie  facts  was  sent  to 
the  bishop,  and  block  sixtj-three  on  Wabash 
avenue,  400x250  feet,  worth  $10,000,  w^as 
purchased  for  $5,000,  as  the  site  of  the 
parish  buildings.  On  January  4,  1880, 
Bishop  Chatard  visited  Evansville,  received 
the  deed  to  the  property  from  the  gentlemen 
named,  created  the  St.  Boniface's  parish,  and 
appointed  as  its  pastor  Rev.  William  Bult- 
mann,  who  had  been  assistant  priest  at  Holy 
Trinity  church.  At  the  meeting  of  inter- 
ested Catholics  where  these  things  were 
done,  $10,000  were  promptly  pledged  in 
support  of  the  new  parish.  Work  was  be- 
gun on  the  temporary  frame  church  Febru- 
ary I,  of  that  year,  and  on  the  following 
Sunday,  February  6,  high  mass  and  vespers 
were  sunc  in  the  same.  After  two  months 
an  addition  had  to  be  made  to  accommodate 
the  people,  and  tliis  wooden  structure,  less 
than  a  year  later,  had  to  give  way  to  the 
present  grand  edifice.     The  corner-stone  of 


298 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


the  present  St.  Boniface's  church  was  laid 
with  imposing  ceremonies,  September  4, 
18S1,  bv  Rev.  Roman  Weinzoepfel. 
Father  Duddenhausen  preached.  All 
the  Catholics  of  Evansville  were  out 
in  their  thousands,  and  the  day  was  a  mem- 
orable one.  The  work  on  the  new  church 
was  pushed  so  rapidl}-  that  the  sacred  edi- 
fice was  dedicated  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 
April  27  of  the  following  year.  Rev.  J. 
Ferdinand  Viefhaus,  pastor  of  St.  Mar3''s 
church,  delivered  the  dedicator^'  sermon. 
The  church  presents  a  grand  and  imposing 
front  view,  is  70x147  feet  and  its  two  spires 
stand  202  feet.  In  its  towers  are  three  bells, 
weighing  3,700  pounds.  In  1885  a  splendid 
school  building  was  erected  by  the  parish  at 
a  cost  of  $10,000.  The  first  frame  school 
was  built  by  Mr.  Adam  Helfrich,  and  its  use 
donated  by  him  for  a  year.  In  the  begin- 
ning the  number  of  school  children  did  not 
exceed  fifty,  but  220  are  now  in  attendance. 
The  school  accommodations  have  been  en- 
larged and  improved,  by  the  erection  of 
a  beautiful  school  building  with  six  rooms, 
each  24x36  feet,  spacious  halls  and  an  im- 
posing exterior.  The  Ursuline  Sisters,  from 
Louisville,  are  in  charge.  Bishop  Chatard 
dedicated  the  school  building  December, 
18S5.  The  number  of  families  in  the  parish 
is  210,  and  the  number  of  souls  is  about 
1,400.  Not  including  a  pastoral  residence, 
which  will  soon  be  undertaken,  the  value  of 
improvements  and  grounds  of  St.  Boniface's 
parish  is  nearly  $100,000.  The  people  are 
generous,  and  take  a  just  pride  in  their 
parish  and  its  institutions,  while  their  pastor 
is  devoted,  laborious  and  lovable. 

Rev.  William  Bultmann  was  the  assist- 
ant at  Holy  Trinity  church  from  July  17, 
1877,  to  January  6,  18S1,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  his  present  charge.  In  the  great 
work  of  building  up  the  St.  Boniface's  con- 
gregation, and  presiding  over   the   erection 


of  its  elegant  church  and  school,  Father 
Bultmann  showed  his  talent  for  directinsj 
temporalities.  His  correct  judgment  and 
easy  methods  are  quite  notable.  He  is  popu- 
lar both  with  his  people  and  with  non-Cath- 
olics; is  unassuming  but  zealous,  and  his  de- 
votion to  his  charge  is  great.  He  was  born 
at  Vincennes,  February  2,  1854,  ^^'^^^  edu- 
cated at  St.  Meinrad's  Benedictine  Abbey 
and  at  Indianapolis,  where  the  Diocesan 
seminar}'  was  then,  was  ordained  at  St. 
Meinrad's,  May  28,  1877,  by  Bishop  de 
St.  Palais  and  almost  immediately  entered 
the  vineyard  to  satisfy  his  cherished  desires 
of  saving  souls  and  preserving  and  spread- 
ing the  faith. 

Sacred  Heart  Parish. — The  Sacred 
Heart  Parish  is  the  fifth  organized  in  Evans- 
ville. Within  its  present  limits  there  were 
found  fifty  families  in  1885,  for  whom  it  was 
a  great  hardship  to  attend  the  Assuniption 
chui-ch,  more  than  a  mile  distant.  On  learn- 
ing the  facts  the  right  reverend  bishop  con- 
sented to  the  building  of  a  church  for  these 
people,  which  would  be,  for  a  time,  a  sort 
of  chapel  of  ease  to  Assumption  church. 
Very  Rev.  E.  F.  McBarron  and  Rev.  P.  H. 
Rowan,  pastors  of  Assumption  parish,  began 
the  good  work  in  June,  1885.  During  their 
tour  collecting  funds  for  the  new  church 
they  were  cordially  received  by  all  the  peo- 
ple, who  r)ianifested  a  very  generous  spirit. 
Mr.  John  A.  Reitz,  a  prominent,  wealthy 
citizen  of  another  parish,  donated  not  onl}- 
the  ground,  75-^'i5o  feet,  but  also  the  church 
building,  32x85  feet,  the  construction  of 
which  he  personally  superintended.  He  has 
recently  made  another  donation  of  ground 
for  the  proposed  Sacred  Heart  school,  in- 
structing the  pastor,  Rev.  P.  R.  Fitzpatrick, 
to  go  on  with  the  work  and  call  upon  him 
for  the  money. 

Rev.  P.  R.  Fitzpatrick    took    charge    of 
the  Sacred  Heart  parish  December  4,  1887, 


CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 


^99 


and  its  independence  dates  from  that  time. 
The  church  was  dedicated  November  15, 
1S85.  There  are  now  over  sixtj-  families 
in  the  parish  and  about  forty  school  children. 
There  is  not  a  cent  of  debt,  and  the  busi- 
ness of  the  congregation  goes  on  very 
smoothly. 

Rev.  P.  R.  Fitzpatrick  was  born  in  the 
County  Carlow,  Ireland,  in  1843.  He  be- 
gan his  studies  for  the  priesthood  in  his 
native  country,  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  when  quite  a  youth,  and  was  ordained 
priest  at  Vincennes,  December  21,  1864,  by 
Rt.  Rev.  Maurice  de  St.  Palais.  He  has 
rendered  effective  service  in  the  priesthood 
at  Madison,  Vevay,  and  Indianapolis.  He 
has  a  warm  nature,  a  generous  heart  and  a 
bright,  well-stored  mind.  Because  of  his 
honesty  of  purpose  and  outspokenness  he  is 
admired  and  much  beloved  bv  the  thousands 
who  know  him. 

St.  Ant/iony's  Parish  has  been  recently 
created.  Its  first  pastor.  Rev.  Joseph  Schuck, 
was  appointed  March  10,  1888.  It  is  in- 
tended to  erect  a  school  building,  which,  for 
the  present,  is  to  answer  the  purpose  of  a 
church  also.  It  is  to  cost  $10,000,  and  will 
be  44x100  feet,  forty  feet  high.  The  site 
of  St.  Anthony's  church  is  at  the  corner  of 
First  and  Second  avenues  and  Columbia 
street.  It  is  150x250  feet,  and  is  the  gift 
of  Mrs.  Magdalene  Reis,  a  wealthy  and 
charitable  lady.  The  parish  has  upward  of 
200  families. 

Rev.  Joseph  Schuck,  a  native  of  Ger- 
manv,  born  July  27,  1850,  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1869,  and  after  studying  for 
this  diocese  was  ordained  priest  at  Vin- 
cennes by  Bishop  de  St.  Palais,  November 
2,  1873.  He  has  had  charge  of  St.  Joseph's 
church,  Vanderburgh  county,  and  during  the 
past  two  jears  has  been  at  Millhousen.  His 
appointment  to  his  new  charge  is  an  earnest 
of  its  success,  as  he  is    not  only    practical  in 


business  affairs,  but  is  a  worker  and  a    man 
of  zeal. 

GcniHin  hutlicraii  Trinity  Church. — 
Among  the  Germans  who  came  to  this  city 
on  the  tide  of  immigration  that  poured  in 
about  1845,  there  were  many  who  had  been 
taught  to  worship  God  in  accordance  with 
the  teachings  of  Martin  Luther.  A  leader 
of  these  Christians  was  Rev.  Andrew  Sau- 
pert,  who  enjoys  the  proud  distinction  of 
being  the  oldest  Christian  minister  in  contin- 
uous service  in  Evansville.  He  has  served 
his  contrretration  with  (jreat  zeal  and  devo- 
tion  for  more  than  fort}'  years.  The  church 
in  his  charge  was  organized  in  1847,  since 
which  time  it  has  been  blessed  and  pros- 
pered to  such  an  extent  that  its  membership 
now  numbers  about  1,000,  including  the 
children,  comprising  many  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  the  cit}'.  In  1871  the  congrega- 
tion erected  the  handsome  church  edifice 
now  in  use  and  standing  on  Illinois  street, 
between  Third  and  Fourth  avenues,  at  a 
cost  of  $25,000.  It  is  90x45  feet  in  size, 
built  in  Gothic  style,  seats  700  persons,  has 
a  steeple  145  feet  high,  the  brick  tow'er  ris- 
ing 82  feet  heavenward. 

Gcrmui  Lutheran  St.  E nianucl" i  Church. 
—  The  congregation  which  established  the 
church  of  this  name  was  a  part  of  that 
brought  together  by  Rev.  Andrew  Saupert. 
Because  of  differences  of  doctrinal  belief 
among  the  members  a  schism  was  created 
in  the  church,  which  led  to  the  foundation 
of  this  societ}'  in  1854,  in  which  year  a 
commodious  brick  church  was  built  on  the 
corner  of  First  avenue  and  Franklin  street, 
which  is  continued  in  use.  At  first  the 
church  was  connected  with  the  Evangelical 
Synod  of  North  America,  but  is  at  this  time 
connected  with  the  Missouri  Synod.  The 
pastors  who  have  served  this  church  suc- 
cessively, have  been  Rev.  Risch,  J.  Dirk- 
sen,  who  died  while  in  charge  of  the  church ; 


300 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


Chr.  Young,  J.  A.  Reidenbach,  J.  Bank, 
Henry  Koenig,  who  served  about  twelve 
years,  and  George  Bachmann,  the  present 
efficient  and  beloved  pastor.  Rev.  Bach- 
mann came  to  this  field  of  labor  November 
24,  1876,  from  Cincinnati  and  Reading, 
Ohio,  and  under  his  zealous  work  there  has 
been  a  stead}'  growth  until  now  the  mem- 
bership numbers  600.  A  successful  day 
school  is  maintained  by  the  church,  where 
about  seventy-five  children  receive  instruc- 
tion. .  The  list  of  members  comprises  many 
prominent  families,  and  the  trustees  are  R. 
Muenstermann,  Henry  Koerber  and  Will- 
iam Bussv-  In  Perrv  township  there  is  a 
filial  of  this  church,  which  is  in  charge  of 
Rev.  Bachmann.  On  Virginia  street,  be- 
tween Heidelbach  and  Elsas  avenues,  a 
neat  brick  church  or  school  building  was 
erected  in  1887  by  St.  Paul's  Evangelical 
Lutheran  church.  This  church  was  organ- 
ized August  19,  18S7,  and  has  been  minis- 
tered to  by  Rev.  Bachmann.  The  present 
building  is  designed  to  be  used  as  a  school, 
and  the  present  purpose  is  to  erect  a  church 
edifice  on  the  corner  of  Elsas  avenue  and 
Virginia  street.  It  is  agreeable  to  note  that 
between  Trinity  and  St.  Emanuel's  church 
there  is  now  great  unity,  and  the  two  con- 
gregations, with  their  pastors,  work  harmo- 
niously in  building  up  their  Master's 
kingdom. 

German  Jivaiio-eliral  Associafioii  (^Salciii). 
— In  1844,  Mr.  Butz,  a  Pennsylvanian  by 
birth,  who  had  been  a  member  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Association  in  his  native  state,  came 
to  Evansville  and  began  to  labor  for  the 
church  of  his  choice,  his  efforts  being 
blessed  with  signal  success.  But  ow^ng  to 
some  difficulties  the  work  was  abandoned 
until  a  few  years  later,  when  an  old  church 
pioneer  b}'  the  name  of  Rev.  Jacob  Trome- 
ter,  took  up  the  work  again  by  preaching 
in  the  house  of  Mr.  Butz.    Rev.  Trometer's 


successor  was  Rev.  Philip  Bretsch,  who  at 
the  close  of  his  pastorate  reported  six  fami- 
lies as  members.  Because  of  discourage- 
ment the  work  was  again  entirely 
abandoned,  until  1852,  when  a  new  class 
was  organized  through  the  labors  of  Revs. 
Wiethaup  and  Schermaier,  who  traveled  in 
the  counties  adjoining  Evansville,  doing 
missionarj^  work.  At  the  annual  conference 
in  1853,  a  mission  was  established  at  Evans- 
ville, and  Rev.  George  Messner  was  ap- 
pointed as  first  missionarv.  He  refused  to 
accept  the  appointment  and  the  mission  was 
served  during  the  year  by  ministers  travel- 
ing in  Gibson  and  Warrick  counties.  During 
this  year  initiator}-  steps  were  taken  toward 
the  erection  of  a  church,  for  which  purpose 
a  lot  was  bought  on  the  corner  of  Division 
and  Eighth  streets,  for  $360. 

In  1854  Rev.  Frederick  Wiethaup  was 
stationed  here.  During  this  year  the 
church  was  built,  and  dedicated  on  the  2nd 
day  of  April,  Rev.  Christ  Glaus  presiding 
elder,  officiating.  In  1855  Rev.  Joseph 
Fischer  was  pastor;  under  his  administration 
a  parsonage  was  built.  Subsequent  pastors 
have  been:  Revs.  M.  Hoehn,  1856-57; 
Jacob  Drometer,  1858;  Henry  Kramer, 
1859;  ^■^^  ^-  Schafer,  1860-61;  John  Fuchs, 
1862-63  ;M.  Mayer,  1864-65;  H.  L.  Fischer, 
1866-67;  C.  F.  Mathies,  1868;  Frederick 
Wiethaup  and  J.  A.  Maier. 

In  1872  Rev.  H.  L.  Fischer  assumed  the 
charge;  during  his  administration  the  church 
was  rebuilt  to  the  present  size.  Later  pas- 
tors have  been:  Revs.  M.  Hoehn,  M. 
Mayer,  H.  Haas,  Jacob  Mode,  William  G. 
Braechly,  C.  Stier,  E.  Bohlander,  and  N.  J. 
Platz,  the  present  pastor. 

At  its  organization  the  members  of  the 
church  were  Jacob  Blauth  and  wife,  Bar- 
bara Blauth,  Henry  Kraft  and  Catherine 
Kraft;  in  1857  there  were  33  members;  by 
1863  the  number  had  grown  to  70;  and  at 


GERMAN  CHURCHES. 


SOI 


present  there  are  105  in  full  connection. 
The  Sunday-school  has  ninety-five  scholars 
and  officers.  The  value  of  church  property 
is  $5,000. 

Z/oii's  Germtin  Ev.ingclical  Church. — On 
New  Year's  day,  1849,  with  thirty-five 
members,  this  church  organization  began 
its  life.  Rev.  Henry  Toelke,  a  devout  man, 
and  ever  faithful  in  the  work  of  building  up 
God's  kingdom,  was  iirst  called  to  the  pas- 
torate, and  continued  to  serve  the  congrega- 
tion in  that  capacity  for  four  years,  during 
wiiich  time  he  accomplished  great  good  in 
la\ing  strong  foundations  for  a  large  con- 
gregation. The  society  is  composed  of 
citizens  native  to  German}'  or  of  German 
descent,  and  has  been  so  prospered  that  its 
membership  now  numbers  250;  or,  counting 
all  men,  women  and  children  who  regularly 
worship  at  its  altar,  about  600  souls  niay  be 
said  to  belon<r  to  it.  In  its  faith  and  form  of 
government  it  approaches  those  pertaining 
in  the  Presbyterian  church.  The  regular 
pastors  who  followed  Rev.  Toelke  were 
Rev.  H.  Jumpe,  who  served  in  that  relation 
but  one  year,  Rev.  H.  Mangert,  who  re- 
mained but  six  months.  Rev.  F.  Linschaw, 
who  remained  four  }'ears,  accomplishing 
much  for  the  welfare  of  the  church,  and 
Rev.  Christian  Schrenck,  a  successful  min- 
ister devoted  to  the  cause  of  Christ  and  be- 
loved by  all,  who  for  twenty-six  years 
expounded  the  word,  reaping  a  rich  harvest 
by  his  zealous  and  untiring  effort,  and 
bringing  a  large  measure  of  prosperit}-  to 
the  church.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev. 
John  Frick,  who  has  been  in  charge  during 
the  past  six  years.  His  ability  as  a  scholar 
and  his  worth  as  a  man  ha\e  given  him  a 
strong  hold  upon  the  affections  of  the  peo- 
ple. The  present  church  building,  attractive 
in  appearance  and  commodious  in  dimen- 
sions, on  Fifth  street,  between  Ingle  and 
Bond,  was    erected    in    1S55    at    a    cost    of 


$5,000.00.  The  Sabbath  school  numbers 
200.  The  followinfT  named  fjentlemen  are 
the  present  trustees  of  the  church:  J.  II. 
Roelker,  William  Rahm,  sr.,  William  Suhr- 
heinrich,  John   Greiss,  and  Adolph   Goeke. 

St.  yohii's  German  Evangelical  Church. — 
In  1850  eighty-nine  families  congregated 
themselves  together,  and  organized  a  church 
under  the  name  of  the  German  United 
Evangelical  St.  John's  church.  This  organ- 
ization adopted  a  liberal  faith  and  the  con- 
stitution was  made  to  recognize  two  classes 
of  members,  actual  and  nominal,  the  former 
including  those  who  rendered  assistance  at 
the  founding  or  building  of  the  church,  or 
paid  the  sum  of  $25.00  after  its  establish- 
ment, and  the  latter,  those  who  pay  a  3'early 
sum  for  current  expenses.  The  first  services 
of  worship  were  held  in  the  old  court-house, 
under  the  direction  of  Rev.  H.  C.  Straeter. 
Preparations  for  the  building  of  a  church 
edifice  were  at  once  commenced  and  on  the 
1st  da}'  of  June,  1S51,  the  corner  stone  of 
the  handsome  and  commodious  structure,  at 
the  corner  of  Third  and  Ingle  streets,  now 
in  use,  was  laid.  The  church  was  completed 
in  the  following  year,  and  with  appropriate 
ceremonies  was  dedicated  on  the  2Sth  day  of 
November,  1852.  At  that  time  Rev.  Theo- 
dore Kilingsohr  was  pastor.  From  Novem- 
ber, 1853,  to  June,  1S54,  Mr.  Rudolph  Kehr 
conducted  services.  His  successor,  in 
August,  1S54,  "^"^^  Rev.  William  Schmitt, 
who  retained  the  pastorate  until  the  close  of 
the  year  1858.  Out  of  the  meagre  records 
of  that  time,  it  is  ascertained  that  the  mem- 
bership numbered  152  in  1857.  From  1859, 
to  May,  1864,  Rev.  Carl  Kretzschmar  was 
the  pa  ;tor,  and  under  his  wise  and  zealous 
administration  the  membership  grew  to  340. 

In  Mav,  1864,  the  p.-^sent  pastor.  Rev. 
C.  L.  Chr.  Runck,  assumed  the  charge, 
and  at  once  new  life  and  spirit  were  breathed 
Into  the  church,  a  rapid  improvement  in  its 


S02 


RELiaiOUS  HISTORY. 


spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  resulting 
from  his  efficient  labors.  At  that  time  the 
church  was  burdened  with  a  debt  of  more 
than  $4,000,  the  payment  of  which  was  soon 
provided  for.  In  1)565,  ^^e  lots  forming  the 
present  site  of  the  parsonage  and  school- 
house  were  purchased;  in  1866,  a  beautiful 
parsonage  was  built,  and  two  years  later,  a 
commodious  school-house  for  the  use  of  the 
church,  was  erected.  In  1866,  a  new  organ 
was  placed  in  the  church,  and  in  1872,  a  gal- 
lery-, new  altar  and  other  appurtenances  were 
added  to  the  church  interior.  Up  to  this  time 
the  walls  had  been  bare,  but  now  they  were 
frescoed  and  the  entire  interior  generally 
adorned  and  beautified.  Ten  j'ears  later  the 
church  interior  was  again  renovated  and  re- 
paired at  a  cost  of  $ir,ooo,  b}'  which  it  was 
made  one  of  the  most  beautiful  churches  in 
the  state  of  Indiana.  These  improvements 
were  made  possible  by  the  wise  business 
management  of  the  pastor,  a  constant  growth 
in  the  membership  and  through  the  efforts 
of  two  church  societies  established  in  1867, 
one  composed  of  the  young  ladies  and  the 
other  of  the  elderly  ladies  of  the  church. 
By  his  power  of  organization  the  present 
pastor  has  gathered  about  him  a  large  flock, 
numbering  650  families,  and  probably  not 
less  than  3,000  souls,  all  respectable  mem- 
bers of  the  community,  of  high  standing 
The  Sabbath-school  has  an  average  attend- 
ance of  350  children. 

Pastor  Runck  is  a  man  of  large  mental 
attainments  and  ranks  among  the  best  pulpit 
orators  in  southern  Indiana.  He  is  a  pro- 
found thinker,  a  good  reasoner,  logical  and 
eloquent  in  the  presentation  of  his  sermons. 
He  goes  to  the  pulpit  without  manuscript  or 
notes,  but  his  utterances  show  deep  and 
thorough  study.  When  setting  out  to  e.\- 
pound  a  doctrine  he  continues  until  the  sub- 
ject has  been  exhaustivel_y  considered  and  so 
clearly  elucidated  that   all   ma}'  understand. 


Frequent  and  apt  quotations  from  works  of 
science,  art,  poetry,  and  general  literature 
as  well  as  from  the  Bible  adorn  his  sermons. 
The  German  Inaguage  is  used  exclusively 
in  his  pulpit  work.  The  largeness  of  his 
congregation  is  an  eloquent  testimonial  of 
his  power  and  popularitv.  For  almost  a 
quarter  of  a  centur}'  he  has  occupied  this 
field  of  labor  and  all  who  know  him  love 
him  and  delight  to  do  him  honor. 

C.  L.  Chr.  Runck,  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel and  preacher  at  the  German  United 
Evangelical  St.  John's  church  in  Evansville, 
Ind.,  is  the  son  of  a  teacher  and  sur- 
veyor, born  on  the  2 2d  of  April,  1836,  at 
Nuenschweiler,  in  the  Bavarian  Rheinpfalz. 
He  had  his  preparatory  education  in  the 
gymnasium  (college)  at  Zweibruecken, 
Rheinpfalz,  and  made  his  academical 
studies  at  the  University  of  Utrecht,  Hol- 
land. Coming  to  this  countrj-  in  i860,  he 
made  his  pastoral  debut  at  Black  Creek, 
Welland  county,  Canada  West;  after  two 
years  he  was  called  by  a  congregation  of 
North  Buffalo,  the  twelfth  ward  of  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  for  two  years  did  pastoral 
work  to  the  same  satisfaction  of  all  as  in  his 
first  place.  In  Mav,  18  64,  he  came  to 
Evansville,  Ind.,  where  he  has  built  up  the 
St.  John's  congregation  to  the  largest  of  the 
city.  As  a  man  and  citizen  he  stands  in  high 
esteem,  respected  by  all  denominations  for 
his  religious  tolerance,  and  loved  b}-  all  his 
parishioners.  According  to  his  science  and 
high  scholarship,  he  is  a  very  eloquent 
speaker  and  powerful  orator,  besides  that 
his  name  is  favorably  known  over  the 
whole  United  States  as  the  author  of 
"  Polyhymnia,"  a  collection  of  church  cho- 
ruses for  mixed  voices  with  text  by  him- 
self. He  looks  on  a  great  success  in  the 
past,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  he  may  do 
more  blessed  work  in  the  future.  He  was 
married    at   Erie,  Penn.,  September  9,  1861, 


GERMAN  CHURCHES. 


303 


to  Miss  Catharine  Blass,  who  was  born  in 
German}- July  17,  1843.  She  is  a  woman 
of  extended  education ;  has  written  several 
Sunday-school  books,  among  wliich  is 
"  Lost  Princes,"  that  has  proved  a  great 
help  in  Sabbath  school  work.  For  many 
years  she  was  president  of  the  ladies'  soci- 
ety of  St.  John's  church,  and  her  life  has 
been  devoted  to  Christianity. 

Gcniiaii  RcfoDiicd  C/iitrc/i,  located  on 
the  east  side  of  Elsas  avenue,  betwei.-n  Indi- 
ana and  Illinois  streets,  and  organized  in 
1871,  this  church  is  a  mission  aided  by  the 
church  organization.  It  has  had  many  trials 
and  losses  chiefly  through  the  removal  of 
its  members,  and  at  one  time  came  very  near 
being  abandoned,  but  at  the  present  is  gain- 
ing in  membership,  and  the  interest  is  grow- 
ing. The  congregation  owns  a  neat  frame 
church  building  of  ample  size  and  a  small 
parsonage.  The  church  propert}-  is  valued 
at  $3,000.  Rev.  C.  T.  Martin  dedicated 
the  church  in  1871,  and  remained  its  pastor 
until  1873.  The  subsequent  pastors  have 
been:  Rev.  N.  Weirs,  1873-75;  K-^v.  J.J. 
Janett,  1875-81;  Rev.  J.  G.  Schmid,  Rev 
Landau,  Rev.  Sheller  and  Rev.  J.  Wernley, 
the  present  pastor,  who  came  here  from 
Chicago,  and  has  had  charge  but  a  short 
time.  There  are  about  sevent\'-ti\-e  mem- 
bers, and  the  Sunday-school  numbers 
seventy-hve,  with  Mr.  F.  A.  Riehl  as  super- 
intendent. During  Rev.  J.  J.  Janett's  min- 
istry the  church  was  in  especially  good  con- 
dition, he  being  a  very  earnest  worker  and 
powerful  man. 

T/ic  C/iurr/i  of  the  L'nilx. — In  1851  or 
1852  the  first  I_Initarian  service  was  held  in 
Evansville.  During  1857  and  185S  there 
was  occasional  preaching  by  Revs.  J.  H. 
Heywood,  J.  K.  Ilosmer,  J.  G.  Formati, 
H.  F.  Bond,  M.  Staples  and  others.  The 
first  Liberal  Christian  church  was  organized 
February    4,     1866.     Rev.     D.     II.     Clark 


preached  ten  months,  services  being  held  in 
the  court-house.  The  Church  of  the  Unity 
was  organized  the  first  Sunday  in  Novem- 
ber, 1875,  and  services  were  held  in  a  hall 
on  Main  street,  corner  of  Fifth.  Mrs.  Ann 
Maidlow,  a  charitable  lad}',  and  a  member 
of  the  society,  gave  enough  to  build  a 
church,  in  consequence  of  which  the  edilice 
at  the  corner  of  Seventh  and  Walnut  streets 
was  erected.  Its  corner  stone  was  laid  Oc- 
tober 30,  1875,  and  it  was  completed  April 
1st,  1877.  Rev.  George  Chainey  was  called 
to  pastorate,  and  for  a  time  built  up 
the  congregation,  but  because  of  his  ex- 
tremely liberal  teachings,  dissensions  arose, 
and  the  church  organization  was  aban- 
doned. 

Disciples  of  C/irist,  the  followers  of  the 
celebrated  Alexander  Campbell,  distinctively 
known  as  Christians,  began  to  hold  meet- 
ings in  this  city,  in  1S68,  and  in  Janu- 
ary of  the  following  year,  Rev.  George 
Flower  came  to  the  city,  preached  and  or- 
ganized a  church.  His  success  was  great, 
and  he  was  succeeded  in  the  pastorate  by- 
Rev.  Carter,  and  he  by  Rev.  Alfred  Flower, 
father  of  the  former  pastor.  On  account  of 
deaths,  removals  from  the  neighborhood, 
and  other  causes,  the  society  afterward  be- 
came so  reduced  that  the  organization  was 
practically  abandoned.  But  on  November 
15,  1885,  it  was  re-organized,  chiefly  through 
the  instrumentality  of  Messrs.  W.  W. 
Ireland,  Joseph  Jutton,  F.  W.  Gibbs,  Louis 
Carter,  J.  R.  Furguson,  B.  R.  Beecher,  J.  L. 
Yockey,  Albert  Mace,  Dr.  Floyd  Williams 
and  others.  The  members  in  this  city  wor- 
shiped for  many  years  at  the  corner  of 
Second  and  Clark  streets.  The  first  minis- 
ter in  charge  after  the  re-organization  was 
Re\-.  George  Piatt,  wh.o  served  the  congre- 
gation until  March,  1886,  when  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Neil  MacLeod,  the  present 
pastor.     The  church  has  exhibited   wonder- 


SOI 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


ful  vitality  from  tlie  first  establishment 
and  it  shows  a  steady  and  substantial 
growth.  In  the  past  year  the  congregation 
purchased  the  Unitarian  church,  which  was 
built  by  that  congregation  in  1876,  at  a  cost 
of  $6,000.  The  price  paid  was  $4,000.  It 
is  a  very  neat  structure,  36x60  feet,  and 
capable  of  comfortably  seating  300  people. 
The  present  membership  of  the  Christian 
church  is  125,  which  is  being  steadily  aug- 
mented. The  Sunday-school,  of  which  J.  R. 
Furguson  is  superintendent,  numbers  100 
scholars.  The  present  trustees  of  the  church 
are:  Floyd  Williams,  Joseph  L.  Stubbs  and 
W.  W.  Ireland. 

Jewish  Temples. — The  congregation  B'nai 
Israel  was  organized  in  1857.  Seven  years 
later  the  society  built  the  temple,  corner 
Sixth  and  Division  streets,  at  a  cost  of 
$45,000.00.  The  style  of  ai^chitecture  is 
Moorish  Saracenic,  and  the  building  is  very 
handsome.  The  main  auditorium  is  45x70 
and  seats  600.  The  following  pastors  have 
served  the  congregation :  WiUiam  Wechsler, 
M.  Delbanco,  B.  L.  Fould,  S.  Hecht,  Dr. 
E.  B.  M.  Browne,  Dr.  Isaac  Schwab,  Dr. 
Falk  Vidaver,  Dr.  Meyer  Elkin,  and  Dr.  J. 
H.  M.  Chumaceiro,  the  present  incumbent, 
who  has  been  in  charge  since  February  i, 
18S8.  There  are  now  about  100  families  in 
the  congregation,  and  the  Sabbath-school 
very  large  and  flourishing.  The  present 
officers  are:  Dr.  J.  H.  M.  Chumaceiro, 
rabbi;  Abe  Strouse,  president;  I.  Heimann, 
vice-president;  A.  Loe\venthal,sr., secretary; 
S.  I.  Loewenstein,  treasurer;  Isaac  Rieser, 
sexton;  Prof.  C.  Mathias,  organist;  N.  Gross, 
A.  Brentano,  Louis  Roser,  Solomon  Kahn, 
and  A.  Gugenheim,  trustees.  The  society' 
is  wealthy  and  intelligent,  and  contains  some 
of  the  best  citizens  in  the  community. 

The  congregation  B'nai  Moshe,  was  or- 
ganized in  1870,  but  until  about  ten  years  ago 
it  was  without  a   minister  and  had  but  few 


members.  The  first  rabbi  was  Rev.  Abr. 
Lane,  who  remained  three  years.  His  suc- 
cessor was  Dr.  Jacob  Jacobsohn,  who  served 
four  years.  Those  following  were  Rev. 
Leven,  Rev.  Wolpart,  and  Rev.  H.  Fein- 
schreiber,  the  present  incumbent.  The  soci- 
et\'  now  has  twenty-five  families  in  its  mem- 
bership, and  maintains  a  Hebrew  day  school 
with  twenty  pupils,  taught  by  Rev.  H.  Fein- 
schreiber.  In  1880  a  church  was  built  on 
Ingle  street,  between  Sixth  and  Seventh,  at 
acost  of  about  $2,500.  It  is  a  frame  structure 
and  seats  about  200.  The  present  officers  are : 
Rev.  H.  Feinschreiber,  rabbi,  A.  Morris, 
president ;  Robert  Paul,  vice-president ;  Louis 
Newman,  secretary;  Isaac  Ringolsky, 
treasurer;  Samuel  Newman,  Israel  Green- 
berg  and  M.  Fischer,  trustees. 

Yoting  Afeii's  Christian  Association.  — 
By  this  agency,  organized  April  15,  1S67, 
much  good  has  been  accomplished  through 
its  efforts  to  lead  to  Christ  the  young  men 
of  the  city.  The  association  has  met  every 
obstacle  that  sin  could  throw  in  its  way,  but 
never  yielding,  has  pushed  forward,  until  the 
degree  of  prosperity  attained  is  highly  satis- 
factory. The  good  done  in  many  hundred 
individual  hearts  can  never  be  measured  by 
statisticians,  and  God  alone  knows  the  great 
number  of  souls  saved  through  seed  scat- 
tered by  its  work.  Regular  meetings  are 
held,  and  a  free  reading-room  maintained, 
where  all  the  leading  newspapers  and 
periodicals  can  be  found.  The  present  of- 
ficers are:  L.  M.  Rice,  president;  Gen. 
J.  M.  Shackelford  and  A.  W.  Emery,  vice- 
presidents;  J.  W.  Gleichman,  recording 
secretary;  Ira  D.  McCoy,  treasurer;  J.  F. 
Habbee,  general  secretary.  The  member- 
ship, averaging  about  300,  comprises  many 
of  the  most  intelligent  and  progressive 
young  men  in  the  city.  Efficient  assistants 
in  the  prosecution  of  the  work  undertaken 
by  this  association  are   the  members  of   tht^ 


CEMETERIES. 


305 


Ladies'  Auxiliary,  the  present  oftkers  of 
which  are:  Mrs.  John  Hubbard,  jM-esident; 
Mrs.  Samuel  Bayard,  vice-president;  Mrs. 
C.  L.  Wedding,  treasurer,  and  Mrs.  J.  E. 
Wheeler,  secretary. 

Ccniclcries. — In  early  days  little  attention 
was  paid  to  the  adornment  of  places  of  sep- 
ulture. When  Hugh  McGary  proposed  to 
donate  a  portion  of  his  lands  to  the  then 
new  county  of  Vanderburgh  to  secure  the 
choice  of  his  town  as  the  permanent  seat  of 
justice,  he  was  careful  to  reserve  one  acre 
of  land  the  title  to  which  he  refused  to  di- 
vest himself  of.  This  acre  of  land  com- 
menced at  the  tombstone  of  Amanda  F. 
McGary  and  ran  an  equal  distance  in  each 
direction  parallel  with  the  streets  of  the 
town.  It  was  selected  by  Col.  McGary  in 
the  presence  of  the  board  of  commissioners 
in  February,  i82i.The  tombstone  of  Aman- 
da McGary  stood  near  the  center  of  the 
space  now  covered  by  the  German  Metho- 
dist church  at  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Vine 
streets.  That  locality  was  used  as  a  public 
burying  ground  even  before  the  original 
town  was  laid  out,  and  for  several  years 
thereafter.  It  was  in  the  woods  and  suf- 
ficiently remote  from  the  village  on  the 
river  bank.  Indians  and  white  settlers  are 
supposed  to  have  shared  together  this  final 
resting  place.  Its  limits  were  not  at  first 
contracted  or  defined  with  certainty,  inter- 
ments being  made  in  all  parts  of  the  woods 
near  there.  It  was  a  neglected  spot,  for 
even  as  late  as  1836,  says  an  old  settler: 
"  It  was  no  light  task  to  cut  the  way  into  it, 
such  a  thicket  of  brushwood  and  briers 
covered  the  ground.  "  Many  are  yet  living 
who  remember  the  broken  tombstones  and 
neglected  graves  of  this  early  "burying 
ground. " 

As  the  town  grew  in  size  what  is  now  called 
the    "  old    graveyard "    on  Mulberry  street 
became  the  "  silent  city  of  the  dead."     The 
18 


period  of  its  degeneration  and  neglect  com- 
menced with  the  establishment  of  the  now 
beautiful  Oak  Hill.  At  present,  within  con- 
venient reach  of  the  city  there  are  several 
cemeteries,  the  natural  beauties  of  each 
adorned  by  the  artistic  hand  of  man,  and 
constituting  with  the  solemnity  of  silence 
and  the  impressiveness  of  solitude  appro- 
priate homes  for  the  cherished  dead,  where 

The  heart,  half  desolate  and  broken, 
Far  from  the  city's  pomp  its  vigils  may  keep, 

And  wreathe  with  fairest  flowers,  affections'  tokens. 
The  pale,  cold  marble,  where  its  loved  ones  sleep. 

Oak  Hill  Cemetery  is  located  one  and  a 
half  miles  northeast  of  the  cit3^  It  was 
purchased  about  i860,  and  originally  con- 
tained eighty  acres,  but  through  subsequent 
additions  it  has  been  much  enlarged.  The 
cemetery  grounds  include  a  lovel}-  hillock, 
and  from  the  summit  in  the  center  a  fine 
prospect  of  the  surrounding  country  is  ob- 
tained. It  has  been  vastly  improved  by 
gravel  walks,  drives,  etc.,  and  highly  orna- 
mented with  trees  and  shrubbery,  while 
manv  a  shaft  of  chiseled  stone,  ma<rnificent 
tombs,  and  stately  sepulchral  monuments 
rear  their  heads  in  the  midst  of  the  never- 
varying  and  perennial  greenery.  The  cem- 
etery is  under  the  control  and  management 
of  a  board  of  trustees  appointed  by  the  city 
council.  John  S.  Goodge  for  many  years 
has  been  a  thoughtful  and  efficient  super- 
intendent. 

..SV.  Joseph^ s  Cemetery. —  In  1872  the 
Catholics  of  E\ansville  found  themselves 
with  very  poor  burial  facilities,  largely  on 
account  of  the  growth  of  the  cit}',  and  its 
encroachments  upon  their  cemetery,  unsuit- 
ing  it  for  further  occupation  as  such.  The 
necessity  for  the  present  cemetery  arrange- 
ments forced  all  the  congregations  to  act, 
and  they  did  act  wisely  and  well.  A  com- 
mittee so  instructed  purchased  seventy  acres 
of  pleasantly  situated  land  one  and  one-fourth 


S06 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


miles  west  of  the  city  limits,  on  the  old 
Cynthiana  road,  in  Perry  township,  and 
reachable  also  by  the  New  Harmon)-  road. 
Later  purchases  have  increased  the  number 
of  acres  to  ii6,  and  strict  and  wholesome 
rules  govern  the  association  using  and  con- 
ducting the  cemetery.  Any  Catholic  in 
Evansville  can  become  a  member  of  the  St. 
Joseph's  Catholic  Cemetery  association  by 
purchasing  one  lot  in  the  same.  All  the 
Catholic  pastors  of  the  city  are  ex-officio 
members  of  the  board  of  directors.  The 
present  officers  are :  Very  Rev.  E.  F.  Mc- 
Barron,  president;  B.  Enneking,  secretary; 
H.  Hermann,  treasurer;  John  Streite, 
sexton. 

The  cemetery  has  been  laid  out  most 
beautifully,  and  is  adorned  with  many  ele- 
gant monuments.  The  great  figure  of  the 
recording  angel,  standing  near  the  entrance, 
is  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Robert  Fergus,  while  the 
central  figure  of  the  crucifixion,  an  imported 
work,  occupies  the  circle  or  central 
part  reserved  for  the  burial  of  priests.  Al- 
ready there  are  four  interred  in  this  holy 
spot —  Father  Kutassj',  Father  McDermott, 
Father  Duddenhausen  and  Father  Kline, 
O.  S.  B. 

Locust  Hill  Cemetery. —  This  place  of 
burial,  owned  by  the  city,  was  opened 
more    than    fifteen    years    ago    and   in  its 


arrangement  and  adornments  is  quite  at- 
tractive. It  is  on  the  Princeton  road,  two 
and  a  half  miles  north  of  the  city. 

Lutheran  Cemetery. —  Tastefully  planned 
in  all  its  details,  and  well-kept,  this  is  truly 
a  place  of  beauty.  The  grounds  were  pur- 
chased and  consecrated  to  the  use  of  the  be- 
loved dead  many  years  ago,  by  Trinity 
cliurch,  one  of  the  strongest  religious  organi- 
zations in  the  city.  It  is  two  miles  northeast 
of  the  city,  is  controlled  by  the  Lutheran 
churches,  and  for  many  years  has  been  care- 
fully looked  after  by  its  custodian  and  super- 
intendent, Mr.  John  A.  Saupert. 

Roiehill  Jewish  Cemetery,  located  on  the 
Stringtown  road,  three  miles  from  the  city, 
was  dedicated  b}^  Rabbi  Falk  Vidaver,  in 
1879,  since  which  time  it  has  been  improved 
and  beautified,  until  now  it  is  a  veritable 
spot  of  beaut}'.  It  is  under  the  control  of  a 
board  of  governors,  consisting  of  N.  Gross, 
president;  A.  Strouse,  vice-president;  A. 
Brentano,  secretary;  Henr}'  Joseph  and 
Jacob  Eichel.  George  Betsch,  superintend- 
ent. 

Mt.  Sinai  yezi'is/i  Cemetery,  on  Baby- 
town  road,  was  dedicated  in  1876,  by  Rabbi 
Rabinowitz.  The  board  of  directors  is  com- 
posed of  Samuel  Newman,  Israel  Green- 
berg,  Robert  Paul,  Isaac  Ringolsky  and  M. 
Fisher.     Isaac  Friedman,  superintendent. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

By  J.  W.  DAVIDSON,  A.  M. 

Schools  —  First     Teachers  —  Early     Schools  —  Township     Schools  —  Public 
Schools  of  Ev'ansville  —  School  Examiners  and  County  Superintendents. 


With  all  thy  getting,  get  understanding. 

— Solomon. 

'N  that  remarkable  production  of  the  pen 
of  Dr.  Manassah  Cutler,  the  "  Ord- 
inance of  1787/'  these  words  are 
found;  "Religion,  morality  and  knowledge, 
being  necessary  to  good  government  and 
the  happiness  of  mankind,  schools  and  the 
means  of  education  shall  forever  be  encour- 
aged." 

Our  forefathers  of  the  continental  congress 
'in  passing  the    memorable   ordinance  "  built 
wiser  than  they  know." 

In  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  the  above 
quoted  language,  the  constitution  of  Indiana 
reads  as  follows: 

"  Knowledge  and  learning  generally  dif- 
fused throughout  a  community,  being  essen- 
tial to  the  preservation  of  a  free  government, 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  assembly 
to  encourage,  by  all  suitable  means,  moral, 
intellectual,  scientific,  and  agricultural  im- 
provement, and  to  provide  by  law  for  a  gen- 
eral and  uniform  system  of  common  schools, 
wherein  tuition  shall  be  without  charge  and 
equally  open  to  all." 

The  state  of  Indiana  has  so  carefully  hus- 
banded her  educational  finances  that  the  per- 
manent fund  has  reached  the  enormous  sum 
of  $10,000,000,  a  greater  fund  than  that 
of  any  other  state  in  the  Union.  A  part  of 
this  is  loaned  to  the  state.  The  rest  is  ap- 
portioned to  the  several  counties  and  placed 
in   charge   of   the   county   auditors,    to    be 


loaned    to  the    people    at  six   per    cent  per 
annum  in  advance. 

All  loans  must  be  secured  by  first  mort- 
gage on  real  estate  valued  b}-  appraisers  ap- 
pointed on  the  part  of  the  state,  and  onh' 
one-half  of  the  amount  of  appraisement  can 
be  secured  as  a  loan.  Improvements  are  not 
considered  in  the  appraisement.  No  person 
can  borrow  more  than  $2,000.  Xo  part  of 
the  expense  of  making  loans  or  collecting 
interest  is  borne  by  the  school  fund.  And 
if  on  foreclosure  of  mortgage  the  sum  loaned 
shall  not  be  realized,  then  the  county  becomes 
responsible  for  having  accepted  an  insecure 
loan,  and  must  make  up  the  deficit  both  in 
principal  and  interest.  The  several  counties 
are  also  held  responsible  for  interest  on  prin- 
cipal allowed  to  remain  idle.  Thus  the 
reader  will  observe  that  the  school  fund  of 
Indiana  is  carefully  guarded,  and  is  very  ap- 
propriately called  the  "  Permanent  Fund." 
With  the  revenue  from  liquor  hcenses,  dog 
fund  surplus,  local  taxation  and  interest  on 
the  permanent  fund,  the  state  expends  an- 
nually $5,000,000  for  the  education  of  its 
youth. 

Perry  township  has  the  honor  of  having 
had  the  first  school  in  the  county.  It  was 
taught  by  Thomas  Trueman  in  1819,  on  the 
present  site  of  the  County  Orphan  Asylutn, 
below  the  city.  The  house  was  built  of  un- 
hewn logs,  and  had  a  dirt  floor.  The 
cracks  in  the  walls  were  not  chinked. 
Trueman  VV43  3  sailor  of    the  revolutionary 

{307) 


308 


SCHOOLS. 


war,  well  advanced  in  years  when  he 
opened  his  first  school  in  Vanderburgh 
county.  At  this  time  there  being  no  school 
in  the  town  of  Evansville,  the  bo3s  from 
town  went  to  Trueman's  school,  which  was 
then  about  two  miles  in  the  country. 
Trueman  was  a  rude,  eccentric  individual, 
who  lived  alone,  and  gained  a  sustenance  by 
hunting,  trapping  and  trading.  He  taught 
in  different  parts  of  the  county  for  about 
fifteen  years.  He  died  in  German  township, 
and  specially  requested  his  friends  to  cre- 
mate his  body  in  a  log  heap  after  death. 
His  request  seemed  so  strange  to  his  simple- 
minded  frontier  friends,  that  they  took  it 
for  granted  that  it  was  the  result  of  a  freak 
"Si  insanity,  and  he  was  not  cremated.  He 
was,  perhaps,  the  first  cremationist  of  In- 
diana. 

Among  other  teachers  who  taught  in 
Perry  township  in  early  times  was  George 
Thompson,  in  1824.  The  school-house  was 
located  on  what  is  now  the  farm  of  Wash- 
ington Stinchfield.  Later  came  Grimes, 
Foster  and  Campbell.  Of  the  trustees  who 
did  good  service  for  the  township  may  be 
mentioned:}.  B.  Cox,  James  S.  Wills,  David 
Stephens,  Simon  Waterman,  Philip  Koch, 
Henry  Lauer,  L.  Schmadel,  Fred  W. 
Buente,  Herman  Klamer  and  Theodore 
Hartig,  present  incumbent.  Enumeration 
of  school  children  in  township  for  1888,  840. 
Length  of  school  term,  nine  months. 

In  Armstrong  township  the  first  school 
was  taught  by  Andrew  Erskine,  in  1826. 
The  house  stood  near  the  present  home  of 
Mr.  Leroy  Calvert.  It  was  built  of  round 
logs,  with  puncheon  floor,  clapboard  roof. 
One  log  was  cut  out  and  greased  paper  put 
in  to  admit  light.  In  each  end  was  a  large 
"stick  and  mud  "  fire  place;  one  for  the 
boys  and  one  for  the  girls.  Among  the 
pioneer  teachers  of  the  township  were 
James   Cury,  Mr.    Elliott,  Daniel  B.  Crad- 


dock,  Cadwallader  and  others.  These 
early  schools  were,  of  course,  private,  and 
the  products  of  the  farm  were  legal  tender 
for  tuition. 

At  the  expiration  of  tlie  three  months' 
term  the  teacher  would  collect  the  tuition 
in  wheat,  corn,  pork  or  furs  and  take  a 
wagon  load  of  his  salary  to  the  nearest 
market  and  exchange  it  for  such  articles  as 
he  needed.  Ver}'  little  tuition  was  paid  in 
cash.  Among  the  trustees  who  did  efiicient 
service  for  the  township  are  Leroy  Calvert, 
John  F.  Pruitt,  Caswell  Calvert,  Henry 
Hilderbrandt,  James  C.  Calvert,  the  present 
trustee.  School  enumeration  last  year, 
503;  school  term,  eight  months. 

The  first  school  in  Scott  township  was 
taught  by  Daniel  B.  Craddock,  in  1835,  on 
the  "  Staser  farm."  The  other  early  teach- 
ers, as  far  as  can  be  ascertained  were :  Mrs. 
Barker,  Abiah  Foster,  Joel  Mulby,  Har- 
rison Jones,  James  Perry,  John  Arbin, 
Mr.  Taylor,  Alexander  McCutchan.  Later 
came  William  Hennesse,  William  Atchison, 
Arad  McCutchan,  James  Vickery,  Miss 
Kate  Headen,  James  Henr}',  Hannah 
Fisher,  Thomas  Peck,  John  Runcie,  Dr.  John 
L.  Dow,  and  Cawson  Potts.  The  first 
trustee  was  Andrew  Erskine,  and  others 
who  served  with  credit  are :  Joseph  Berridge, 
John  G.  Potts,  John  W.  Peck,  Henry  Bosse; 
present  incumbent,  William  Schomberg. 
Enumeration  of  school  children,  544;  term 
of  school,  si.x  months. 

The  first  school  in  Center  township  was 
taught  by  William  Morgan,  in  1830,  fol- 
lowed by  William  Grimes  and  Thomas 
Trueman.  The  school  was  held  in  a  little 
cabin  on  what  is  now  known  as  the  "  Hopkins 
farm."  In  the  schools  the  boys  wore  buckskin 
breeches  and  the  girls  wore  buckskin  aprons. 
As  Trueman's  method  of  punishment  was  to 
use  the  rod  across  the  knees  as  the  pupil 
sat  on  the  puncheon  benches,  the  buckskin 


EARLY  SCHOOLS. 


309 


aprons  served  to  mitigate  the  severity  of  the 
"ancient  mariner's"  blows.  Grimes  em- 
ployed his  time  between  recitations  by  crack- 
ing hickory  nuts,  on  one  of  the  puncheon 
benches,  with  a  bench  leg,  which  he  would 
slip  out  of  the  bench,  and  then  replace  it 
when  the  next  class  was  ready  to  recite. 
Among  the  pioneer  teachers  of  the  town- 
ship may  be  mentioned:  Andrew  Erskine, 
Alex  McCutchan,  Taylor  and  Foster. 
Later  teachers  are:  Thomas  Conyngton, 
Levi  Erskine,  William  T.  Iglehart,  Joel 
Mulby,  Charles  G.  Olmstead,  William  At- 
chison, Hester  M.  Wood,  Anna  Headen, 
R.  P.  Hooker,  Louis  F.  Guire.  In  1859 
there  was  a  select  (jraded  school  organized 
at  McCutchanville,  under  charge  of  S.  R. 
Hornbrook,  afterward  colonel  of  the"Sixty- 
fifth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry. 
This  school  exerted  a  salutary  influence  on 
the  whole  section  of  Vanderburgh  county, 
known  as  "blue  grass"  region.  In  this 
school  Col.  Hornbrook  sowed  good  seed, 
which  has  borne  abundant  fruit. 

Center  township  has  the  honor  of  having 
had  the  first  free  school  in  the  county.  On 
the  south  slope  of  Locust  cemetery  hill, 
about  two  miles  from  the  city,  there  stands 
a  little  brick  house,  almost  hidden  from 
view  in  an  apple  orchard  of  a  half  century's 
growth.  In  this  little  house  J.  Kilblock 
opened  a  free  school  for  the  benefit  of  any 
children  who  wished  to  attend,  and  kept  his 
school  open  three  or  four  months  in  the 
year,  until  the  public  school  system  was  es- 
tablished. Father  Kilblock  was  a  pious, 
philanthrophic  individual,  and  made  his  liv- 
ing chiefly  as  an  itinerant  clock  tinker.  The 
old  gentleman  is  still  living  and  lias  the  re- 
spect and  esteem  of  all  his  acquaintances. 
The  trustees  have  been :  Andrew  Erskine,  D. 
Lingsley,  Charles  Broughton,  Levi  Erskine, 
Samuel  Gibson,  George  W.  Hornb}-,  Will- 
iam Wood  and  John  W.  Laubscher.     Pres- 


ent incumbent  Christ  Kratz;  school  enumer- 
ation, 787,  term  seven  months.  All  the 
school-houses  are  brick  and  of  modern  de- 
sign, with  one  graded  high-school  at 
McCutchanville. 

The  first  school  in  German  township  was 
taught  on  the  "  Nightingale  farm,"  now 
owned  by  William  Seibert.  The  first 
teacher  was  William  Lacy,  in  1832.  The 
next  school  was  built  near  St.  Joseph  and 
was  taught  b}-  Trueman  the  sailor.  The 
school-house  was  a  mere  hut  with  one  log 
left  out  to  admit  light,  no  paper  or  glass  be- 
ing used.  The  pioneer  teachers  were : 
Grimes,  Efliott,  Adrian  Young,  James 
Patten,  Samuel  Grant,  Amanda  Foster, 
Joseph  Shaw.  The  teachers  of  later  years  are 
John  F.  Pruitt,  Henry  B.  Wood,  Don 
Emerson,  Samuel  Broaddus,  S.  S.  Lovejoy, 
A.  J.  Angermeier,  John  F.  Boyle,  Louis  F. 
Guire,  Fannie  Goldsmith,  Amelia  Christ 
and  Daniel  W.  Farquher.  Trustees,  Adam 
Wolf,  William  Umbach,  George  Naab, 
Charles  Gantner,  Simon  Hartig,  Fred  Werk- 
man  and  A.  J.  Angermeier,  the  present  in- 
cumbent. School  enumeration,  704;  term 
eiffht  months.  The  buildings  are  nearlv  all 
built  of  brick  and  are  of  the  latest  design. 

In  Knight  township  the  first  school,  as 
well  as  can  now  be  determined,  was  opened 
in  1832,  near  the  site  of  what  is  now  known 
as  the  Terry  school.  The  teacher's  name 
was  J.  Combs.  In  1836  James  Craddock 
taught  in  the  same  old-fashioned  log  house; 
Rufus  Dresser,  in  1838.  In  1837,  William 
Olmstead  opened  a  school  on  the  river  road 
on  the  old  Garrett  farm.  About  the  year 
1835,  a  well-educated  eastern  teacher  whose 
name  cannot  now  be  ascertained,  introduced 
into  the  Terry  school  a  blackboard,  which 
was  considered  by  the  patrons  as  a  device  to 
enable  the  teacher  to  escape  labor,  and  their 
indignation  was  aroused  to  a  degree  of  bit- 
terness.    One    morning   when    the  teacher, 


SIO 


SCHOOLS. 


accompanied  by  some  pupils,  opened  the 
clapboard  door  of  the  school,  there  was 
found  written  on  the  board,  in  a  bold  hand, 
the  following: 

Any  man  of  common  sense, 

Would  throw  the  blackboard  over  the  fence. 

At  the  end  of  the  term  the  teacher  and  the 
blackboard  "  had  to  go."  Teachers  of  later 
years  were :  John  Hall,  Alex  Lewis,  America 
Stanfield,  Elizabeth  Knight,  Lee  Ewing, 
George  Warren.  The  more  recent  teachers 
are:  Edna  Street,  Lillian  Brooks,  Fannie 
Kelsey,  Robert  L.  Cowan,  Louis  F.  Guise, 
and  Barney  Blackburn.  Trustees  in  earlier 
years  were :  William  Knight,  Orville  Kelsey, 
Wilson  Collins;  in  later  years  Ira  Grainger, 
A.  Knight,  Samuel  Gramger,  Henry  B. 
Smith,  Henry  Barnett  and  J.  J.  Byrnes. 
The  township  has  eight  good  brick  school- 
houses  and  two  frame  houses.  School 
enumeration,  5S1;  school  term,  ten    months. 

In  Union  township  the  first  school  was 
taught  in  1830  by  William  Hazelwood. 
Later  came:  Campbell  Willard,  Eliza 
Hardin,  James  Dennison,  Henry  Simmons, 
A.  T.  Everett,  S.  C.  Rogers,  Adrian  Young, 
George  W.  Moore,  Paul  Slaughter,  Hannah 
Fisher,  Don  Emerson,  Winnie  Hooker 
(Enslie).  Early  trustees  were:  Simeon 
Long  and  William  McDowell.  Later  trus- 
tees :  William  Martin,  Joseph  Parrett,  Sam- 
uel Barker,James  King,  James  F.  Saunders, 
Albert  Kamp,  John  Neal  and  R.  W.  King. 
School  enumeration,  277.  The  south  part 
of  Union  township,  better  known  as  Con- 
gressional township  8,  is  the  fortunate  pos- 
sessor of  300  acres  of  unsold  school  land, 
which  rents  for  an  annual  rental  of  $10  to 
$12  per  acre,  and  produces  enough  revenue 
to  keep  the  schools  in  session  all  the  year 
without  a  tuition  levy. 

But  little  can  be  said  concerning  the 
schools  of  Pigeon  township,  because  of  the 
fact  that  the  city  of  Evansville  includes  with- 


in its  corporate  limits  nearly  the  whole  of 
Pigeon  township.  Nearly  all  the  suburban 
residents  are  transferred  to  Evansville  for 
school  purposes.  The  township  proper  has 
but  one  school,  which  has  been  taught  for  a 
number  of  years  by  Mr.  George  S.  Prit- 
chett;  the  enumeration  is  ninety-three;  the 
present  township  trustee  is  PhiHp  Spiegel. 
The  pioneer  teacher  of  the  city  of  Evans- 
ville was  George  Thompson,  who  taught  in 
a  little  log  cabin  situated  near  the  corner  of 
First  and  Vine  streets,  in  the  year  1821. 
Soon  after  this,  William  Price  taught  school 
in  the  old  Baptist  church  near  Mulberry  and 
First  streets.  It  was  a  log  dwelling  house 
at  first,  but  was  purchased  by  the  Baptist 
society  and  used  as  a  church  and  school- 
house.  The  old  building  is  yet  standing 
and  doing  service  as  a  stable.  It  is  now  the 
property  of  William  Dean,  Esq.,  and  is  the 
oldest  landmark  of  the  pioneer  times  of 
Evansville.  In  1821  the  citizens  of  Evans- 
ville raised  a  sufficient  amount  of  money  to 
build  a  brick  school-house,  and  they  em- 
ployed Daniel  Chute  as  teacher  at  a  salary 
of  $300  per  year.  The  house  was  built  on 
the  court-house  square  near  the  corner  of 
Third  and  Main  streets.  This  school-house 
had  a  large  fire-place  in  each  end,  so  large, 
in  fact,  that  more  light  came  through  the 
fire-place  than  through  the  two  small 
windows  in  the  front.  For  thirty  years  did 
Mr.  Chute  labor  to  educate  the  youth  of 
Evansville.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Dart- 
mouth College  and  a  fine  scholar.  He  was 
a  truly  pious  man,  but  believed  in  "  watch- 
ing "  as  well  as  "  praying."  At  opening 
exercises  he  prayed  standing  with  his  eyes 
open,  and  a  long  fishing  cane  in  one  hand, 
and  when  he  caught  a  boy-  in  mischief  dur- 
ing prayer  he  would  stop  short  and  call  out, 
"  Woe  be  to  you,  John,"  and  strike  him 
over  the  shoulder  with  the  long  cane,  then 
resume  and  finish  the  prayer.     The  writer 


PIONEER  TEACHERS. 


Sll 


recollects  him  as  a  teacher  of  girls  in  the 
old  Park  school,  and  would  judge  from  Mr. 
Chute's  genial  countenance  that  there  was 
anything  in  his  nature  but  "woe"  for  any- 
body. 

Among  the  pioneer  teachers  who  deserve 
to  be  remembered  are  Miss  Philura  French, 
whose  first  work  in  this  community  as  a 
teacher  began  in  1832,  and  who  subse- 
quently became  the  wife  of  Mr.  John  Shank- 
lin  and  mother  of  J.  G.  Shanklin,  George 
W.  Shanklin  and  Mrs.  John  M.  Harlan,  all 
well  known  to  the  general  public;  Miss 
Evans  who  taught  in  1834;  Miss  Slocum  in 
1836;  Miss  Seldon  and  Miss  Burgess  as- 
sisted by  Miss  Mary  Wilson,  now  the  vener- 
able mother  of  Mr.  J.  S.  Reilly,  of  the 
Evansville  Courier  company,  and  Miss 
Edith  Reill}',  now  one  of  the  members  of 
the  High  school  corps.  The  writer  is  in- 
debted to  the  courtesy  and  fine  memorj'  of 
Mrs.  Reilly  for  many  items  of  this  sketch. 
As  well  as  can  now  be  ascertained  Miss  Julia 
Barnes  came  to  Evansville  and  opened  a 
school  in  183S.  Then  came  the  Misses 
Morton,  sisters  of  Vice-President  Morton. 
The  Draper  sisters  taught  in  the  old  Ma- 
ghee  homestead,  corner  Third  and  Chestnut 
streets.  Then  came  Mr.  Safford  and  wife, 
followed  by  Mr.  Green,  Miss  Dean,  Miss 
Abbott,  Mr.  Thompson  and  Miss  Conyng- 
ton.  These  schools  were,  of  course,  all 
private.  After  the  inauguration  of  the  pub- 
lic schools,  the  private  schools  graduallv 
disappeared.  Miss  Lura  Jacobs  and  Mrs. 
Mary  Jacobs  Maghee  were  emplo\'ed  in  the 
first  public  school  of  Evansville.  Mrs.  Ma- 
ghee is  still  living  in  the  citv  and  is  well 
known  as  the  wife  of  J.  B.  Maghee,  Esq., 
and  mother  of  Dr.  W.  H.  Maghee,  a  well 
known  physician  of  the  city.  Ne.\t  to  Mr. 
Chute  in  length  of  service  as  a  teacher  in 
Evansville  stands  J.  W.  Knight.  His  work 
was    confined  chiefly    to   the    upper     part 


of  the  city,  and  to  boys  only,  as  in  his  time 
the  sexes  were  separated  in  the  schools. 
His  methods,  while  not  very  agreeable  to 
the  sensibilities,  as  the  writer  can  testify 
from  personal  experience,  were  excellent  in 
developing  memory,  reason  and  will  power. 
And  there  are  many  people  who  believe  he 
has  never  been  equaled  in  Evansville  as  a 
teacher  of  boys. 

Tlie  following  is  a  roll  of  teachers  who 
have  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city 
for  a  period  of  fifteen  years  or  more:  Mr. 
J.  W.  Knight,  Mrs.  V.  C.  Read,  Mrs.  L.  J. 
Plummer,  Mrs.  Lucy  McFarland,  Mrs. 
Mary  O'B.  Miller,  Mrs.  Sarah  C.  Ander- 
son, Mrs.  Margaret  Findley,  Miss  Eva  K. 
Froelick,  Miss  Maria  Bisbee,  Miss  Edith 
Reilly,  Miss  Mary  E.  White,  Miss  Hulda 
Ratim,  Miss  L.  M.  Ashley,  Miss  JuHa  Bier- 
bower,  Miss  Hattie  Bierbower,  Miss  MoUie 
Stembridge,  Miss  Anna  S.  Farrell,  Miss 
Lou  E.  Wyttenbach,  Miss  Laura  Brooks, 
Miss  Jennie  Brown,  Miss  Hattie  Durham, 
Miss  Anna  L.  Forsythe,  Miss  Clara  Rey- 
nolds, Mr.  M.  Z.  tinker,  Mr.  Robert  P. 
Hooker,  Mr.  Z.  M.  Anderson,  Mr.  A.  J. 
McCutchan.  The  first  board  of  school 
trustees  was  composed  of  H.  Q.  Wheeler, 
Christian  Decker  and  William  Hughes,  Mr. 
Wheeler  serving  as  superintendent.  The 
succeeding  superintendents  were  as  follows: 
William  Baker,  E.J.  Rice,  C.  H.  Butterfield, 
A.  M.  Gow,  John  M.  Bloss,  John  Cooper, 
and  J.  W.  Layne,  the  present  incumbent. 
The  school  enumeration  of  the  city  for  the 
last  year  is  16,448,  with  a  school  enrollment 
of  over  6,000.  Length  of  term,  ten  months. 
The  citv  has  twelve  commodious  buildintjs 
of  modern  design  and  finish,  valued  with  the 
real  estate  at  more  than  $600,000.  The 
corps  of  teachers  number  165.  The  public 
schools  are  the  pride  of  the  city.  They 
have  been  kept  remarkably  free  from  the 
influence  of  politics,  sectarianism  and  rings, 


312 


SCHOOLS. 


and  it  is  the  determination  of  the  school 
board  and  the  wish  of  the  people  that  they 
shall  ever  remain  so.  The  members  of  the 
present  school  board  are  Samuel  G.  Evans, 
J.  E.  Inglehart  and  J.  W.  Roelker.  The  differ- 
ent school  examiners  of  the  county  were  as 
follows:  Daniel  Chute,  Dr.  Negley,  Dr. 
G.  B.  Walker,  Thomas  E.  Garvin,  Dr.  Rey- 


nolds, n.  Q.  Wheeler,  S.  K.  Lavitt,  J.  W. 
Knight  and  T.  W.  Peck.  In  1873  the  office 
of  school  examiner  was  abolished,  and  that  of 
county  school  superintendent  created,  and 
Mr.  Robert  P.  Hooker  appointed  to  till  the 
newly  created  office.  His  successors  were 
F.  P.  Conn,  Ernst  D.  McAvoy  and  J.  W. 
Davidson. 


Western      S.oqt     Pub      Cn 


cc-r^^ 


y^c^t^^^ 


«-<,-^j?^.^ 


CHAPTER  X. 

Libraries  —  Life  of  Willard  Carpenter  —  The  Carpenter  Homestead  —  The 
City  Library  —  History  of  the  Wii-lard  Library  —  Catholic  Library  — 
Vanderburgh  County  Library. 


^j,;^-lLLARD  CARPENTER,  an  en- 
terprising pioneer,  citizen  and  bene- 
factor of  Evansville,  was  born  in 
Strafford,  Orange  county,  Vt.,  on  the 
15th  of  March,  1803.  His  father,  Willard 
Carpenter,  sr.,  was  born  April  3,  1767,  and 
died  at  Strafford,  November  14,  1854.  He 
was  married  at  Woodstock,  Conn.,  Febru- 
ary 23,  1791,  to  Polly  Bacon,  who  was  born 
March  15,  1769,  and  died  March  4,  i860, 
also  at  Strafford.  All  the  children,  twelve 
in  number,  were  born  and  reared  on  the 
same  farm.  Mrs.  Carpenter  lived  to  see 
twelve  children,  fifty-two  grand-children, 
fifty-three  great-grand-children,  and  one 
great-great-grand-child;  in  all,  118  lineal 
descendants.  There  was  much  of  the  re- 
markable in  the  life  of  Willard  Carpenter 
the  younger,  whose  name,  even  at  this  time 
in  southern  Indiana,  is  a  sj-nonym  for  skill 
and  sagacity.  When  a  young  man,  he  re- 
ceived the  sobriquet  of  "  Old  Willard." 
The  leading  feature  of  his  career  was  his 
zeal  for  public  interests,  and  it  is  readily 
conceded  that  the  general  prosperity  of  the 
district  in  which  he  lived  was  largely  due  to 
his  individual  efforts.  As  a  typical  Yankee, 
he  possessed  sturdy  independence  and 
tenacity  of  purpose  to  an  unusual  degree. 
Always  thrift}-  and  energetic,  with 
great  powers  of  physical  endurance,  pluck 
and  perseverance,  a  strong  and  comprehen- 
sive mind,  and  great  business  ability,  it  is 
not  strange  that  he  rose  from  the  hardest 
poverty  to  great  wealth.     When  a  boy   he 


spent  his  da3'S  on  a  farm,  in  the  manner 
common  to  pioneer  lads,  for  his  father  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Orange  county, 
building  his  cabin  in  the  forests,  and  v^'ith 
the  help  of  his  boys  making  a  clearing  and 
conducting  his  farm.  School  privileges 
were  meagre.  To  read,  write  and  cipher 
was  regarded  as  the  nltima  thnle  of  a 
school  education;  and  three  months  a  year 
for  four  or  five  winters,  in  the  primitive  log 
school-house,  was  considered  sufficient  time 
for  him  to  spend  upon  his  early  mental 
training.  He  remained  at  home  with  his 
father  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old.  Now 
and  then,  b,-  doing  odd  jobs,  he  turned  a 
penny.  His  first  twenty-five  cents  was 
made  by  digging  snake-root  and  selling  it 
to  his  uncle.  This  money  was  immediately 
put  out  at  six  per  cent  interest,  and  in  pro- 
cess of  time,  through  additions  made  to  it, 
he  found  himself  in  possession  of  seven  dol- 
lars. He  then  determined  to  go  west. 
With  a  pack  on  his  back  he  made  his  way 
to  the  Mohawk,  and  passed  through  Troy 
about  the  time  of  the  great  fire  in  1822.  Up- 
on reaching  Albany  he  turned  his  capital  of 
seven  dollars  into  a  stock  of  Yankee  notions, 
and  from  there  sturdily  tramped  up  the  val- 
ley of  the  Mohawk,  on  his  way  to  Buffalo. 
He  then  went  down  the  lake  shore,  and  into 
Ohio  as  far  as  Salem,  where,  having  disposed 
of  his  wares,  he  rested,  while  visiting  an 
uncle,  who  had  moved  to  this  place  some  j'^ears 
previous.  Not  content  with  being  idle,  he 
went  to  work  in  the  woods  with  two  other 


sie 


LIBRARIES. 


men,  and  in  the  summer  and  autumn  of  that 
year —  1822  —  they  cleared  eight)'  acres  of 
forest  land,  for  which  they  received  five  dol- 
lars an  acre.  Owing  to  the  scarcity  of 
money  he  was  paid  in  notes  of  hand,  payable 
in  grain.  These  he  disposed  of  and  went  to 
teaching  a  district  school.  His  salary  in  the 
spring  amounted  to  $140,  which  was  also 
paid  in  grain  notes.  He  then  concluded  to 
learn  tanning  and  shoemaking,  but  became 
dissatisfied  after  a  six  months'  trial  and  gave 
it  up.  He  was  now  about  twenty  years  old 
and  ready  to  begin  life  in  earnest.  Disposing 
of  all  his  effects,  he  bought  a  horse  and  a 
watch,  and  with  about  sixteen  dollars  in 
his  pocket  turned  his  face  eastward 
to  find  a  wider  held  in  New  York  state.  On 
his  way  to  Buffalo  he  was  taken  in  by  some 
sharpers  on  the  "  little  joker,"  who  won  his 
watch  and  all  his  money  but  one  dollar. 
They  returned  him  four  dollars,  and  with 
this  he  was  glad  to  mount  and  get  away. 
Before  reaching  Buffalo  he  was  attacked 
with  a  severe  illness,  but  continued  his  jour- 
ney, passing  through  Buffalo  to  Manlius,  a 
town  lying  some  miles  east,  where  he  found 
an  old  schoolmate  with  whom,  on  account 
of  his  illness  and  the  depleted  condition  of 
his  purse,  he  was  glad  to  remain  for  a  week 
or  so.  In  a  short  time  he  engaged  to  assist 
in  floating  a  raft  down  the  Mohawk  to 
Schenectady.  He  was  to  receive  sixteen 
dollars  a  month  for  his  services,  but  upon 
reaching  his  destination  the  raft  was  at- 
tached for  debt,  and  he  received  nothing. 
He  walked  back  to  Manlius  for  his  horse, 
which  had  been  left  with  his  friend,  when, 
to  his  disma}',  he  found  that  the  animal  had 
died  in  his  absence.  He  next  engaged  to 
work  with  pick  and  shovel  on  the  Erie  canal 
with  a  company  of  about  1,000  Irishmen 
and  Ben  Wade,  of  Ohio.  Here  the  work 
and  wages  were  fair,  but  the  accom- 
modations were  so  unendurable  that  after  a 


short  time  he  sought  other  emplovment. 
While  at  Glenfield  Corners  he  was  offered 
the  position  of  teacher  in  the  school  at  that 
place.  The  school  had  been  a  troublesome 
one,  the  last  teacher  had  been  unceremon- 
iously ejected  b\'  the  larger  boys,  and  in  a 
few  days  a  conspiracy  was  formed  against 
the  new  pedagogue;  but  being  determined 
to  rule,  he  managed  to  subdue  the  ring- 
leader, older  and  larger  than  himself,  by  the 
union  of  stratagem  and  force,  and  had  no 
further  trouble.  In  1824,  his  father,  to  in- 
duce his  return  home,  presented  him  with  a 
farm,  and  later  offered  him  $600,  but  these 
he  refused,  determining  to  make  his  way 
through  life  unaided.  Two  years  after,  he 
visited  his  father  and  returned  with  his 
brother  John  to  Troy,  where  the}-  engaged 
in  merchandising.  Mr.  Carpenter  prosecuted 
his  business  interests  with  vigor  and  at  one 
time  with  such  boldness  as  to  dismay  his 
brother,  and  a  dissolution  followed.  Ephriam, 
another  brother  similar  in  character  to  Wil- 
lard,  succeeded  John,  and  they  continued 
in  Troy  ten  years.  In  1837  Wil- 
lard  came  to  Evansville  at  the 
solicitation  of  A.  B.  Carpenter,  whom 
he  joined  in  the  wholesale  dry  goods 
and  notion  business.  They  began  under  fav- 
orable auspices,  but  suffered  in  the  wide- 
spread financial  crash  of  1837.  Upon  his 
arrival  here,  after  a  trip  to  Troy,  where  he 
had  gone  to  settle  his  business  there,  he 
found  the  business  of  the  firm  in  a  deplora- 
ble state.  Owing  to  the  crash,  their  county 
correspondents  were  in  a  precarious  condi- 
tion and  sharp  work  was  necessarv  to  realize 
anything  out  of  their  accounts.  Mr.  Car- 
penter, however,  was  equal  to  the  emer- 
gency. He  reached  here  on  Sunday  and  at 
once  took  in  the  situation.  Learning  that  a 
company  of  merchants  was  to  leave  for  the 
upper  country,  by  the  way  of  Vincennes  and 
Terre   Haute,  he  saw  that  his  only  chance 


WILLARD  CARPENTER. 


317 


was  to  outstrip  them.  lie  left  here  at  nine 
o'clock  that  night;  at  Vincennes  employed 
Judge  Law  to  take  charge  of  his  business 
there;  pushed  on  to  Terre  Haute;  emploj-ed 
Judge  Farrington  there,  and  by  Tuesday 
morning,  at  daybreak,  was  closeted  in  Dan- 
ville, 111.,  with  an  attorney  of  that  place.  He 
then  started  home,  and  by  Wednesday  noon 
met  the  other  merchants  on  their  outward 
journey,  between  Vincennes  and  Terre 
Haute.  The  result  was  that  the  Carpenters 
received  their  claims  in  full,  while  the  others 
hardly  realized  ten  cents  on  the  dollar.  This 
feat  practically  introduced  Mr.  Carpenter  to 
Evansville,  and  the  energetic  spirit  shown  in 
it  characterized  his  subsequent  conduct. 
In  February  following,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Lucina  Burcalow,  of  Saratoga  county, 
N.  Y. 

When  the  state  of  Indiana  found  herself 
almost  hopelessly  in  debt,  after  the  failure 
of  the  internal  improvement  system,  Mr. 
Carpenter  violently  opposed  everv  sugges- 
tion of  repudiation,  and  took  a  prominent 
part  in  providing  means  of  an  honorable  sat- 
isfaction of  all  obligations.  At  a  public 
meeting  held  in  this  cit}-  in  1842,  it  was 
resolved  to  ask  an  appropriation  of  lands  to 
aid  in  the  completion  of  the  Wabash  and 
Erie  canal.  Mr.  Carpenter  circulated  the 
petitions  for  this  purpose  in  seventeen  dif- 
ferent states  and  through  live  different 
legislatures,  defraying  his  expenses  out  of 
his  own  pocket.  The  bill,  after  much  oppo- 
sition, passed  both  houses  of  congress,  to  be 
ratified,  however,  by  the  legislature  of  Indi- 
ana. Here  there  was  great  opposition,  and 
again  Mr.  Carpenter  made  himself  useful  in 
advancing  the  public  good.  In  1849  he  ^^'^^ 
one  of  the  principal  movers  in  the  Evans- 
ville and  Terre  Haute  Railroad  enterprise, 
subscribing  largely,  and  taking  more  stock 
than  any  other  two  men  in  the  county.  It 
was  intended  that  this  road  should  run  up 


the  White  River  valley  to  Indianapolis;  but 
in  1853  Mr.  Carpenter  resigned  as  a  director, 
and  with  ex-Senator  O.  H.  Smith  entered 
into  an  agreement  to  build  a  railroad  from 
Evansville  to  Indianapolis,  later  known  as 
the  "  Straight  Line."  Mr.  Carpenter  threw 
his  whole  intellectual  vigor  into  this  work. 
Over  $900,000  were  procured  on  the  line — 
Mr.  Carpenter  himself  having  subscribed 
$65,000 — the  work  of  grading  progressed 
rapidly,  the  road-bed  was  completed  for 
fifty-five  miles,  and  Mr.  Carpenter  went  to 
Europe  to  purchase  the  rails.  At  this 
juncture  opposition  sprang  up,  a  pamphlet 
containing  many  misrepresentations  was 
published  and  distributed  among  the  banks 
and  rail-makers  in  London,  Paris  and  Wales, 
and  when  the  negotiations  were  completed 
excepting  the  details,  he  was  thwarted  in 
the  great  undertaking.  He  then  called 
upon  Vorse,  Perkins  &  Co.,  who  had  a 
house  in  London  and  also  one  in  New 
York,  doing  a  commission  business  for 
railroad  companies  in  America,  and  after 
much  negotiation,  made  a  contract  with  that 
firm,  agreeing  to  pay  them  $12,000  of  mort- 
gage bonds  per  mile  upon  the  road-bed, 
$100,000  worth  of  real  estate  bonds,  and 
$100,000  of  Evansville  cit\-  bonds,  which 
the  city  had  subscribed,  but  not  then  deliv- 
ered. All  excepting  the  Evans\-ille  bonds 
he  had  with  him;  and  these  latter  were  to 
be  handed  over,  in  Jul}-  of  the  same  year,  to 
the  commission-house  of  Vorse,  Perkins  & 
Co.  in  New  York  city.  Mr.  Carpenter  now 
wrote  in  full  to  the  vice-president,  Mr. 
H.  D.  Allis,  urging  him  to  call  the  city 
council  together  immediately  and  ask  them 
to  deliver  the  $100,000  bonds  to  Vorse, 
Perkins  &  Co.  in  New  York.  The  ene- 
mies of  the  road  were  now  at  work  in  his 
own  city,  and  the  council  refused.  Mr. 
Carpenter  then  offered,  if  they  would  con- 
sent, to  secure  them  by  mortgaging  all  tht 


S18 


LIBRARIES. 


real  estate  he  held  in  the  city  and  county, 
which  was  extensive,  indemnifying  the 
city,  so  that  the  road  should  be 
built  and  cars  should  be  running  over 
the  first  fifty-five  miles — to  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  crossing  —  b}-  the  next  Decem- 
ber, 1859.  This  the  council  very  unwisely 
refused  to  do,  owing  to  the  selfishness  of  the 
opposition  part}'.  This  caused  the  failure 
of  the  Straight  Line  railroad  —  a  great  detri- 
ment to  Evansville  and  a  great  mortification 
to  Mr.  Carpenter,  who  had  spent  five  years 
of  his  time,  had  been  once  to  Europe  and 
fourteen  times  to  New  York,  all  at  his  own 
expense.  This  was  thirty  years  ago.  Since 
that  time  the  business  citizens  of  Evansville 
have  had  time  to  reflect  on  the  mistake  the}' 
made,  and  have  rectified  the  same,  so  far  as 
possible,  by  at  last  building  the  road.  In 
1865,  through  Mr.  Carpenter's  donations,  the 
Christian  Home  was  founded.  It  consisted 
of  grounds  and  a  large  new  house  of  twelve 
rooms.  This  act  of  charity  was  for  the 
reform  of  homeless  girls  who  had  gone 
astray.  His  donations  in  this  behalf 
amounted  to  about  $10,000.00.  To  the 
various  churches  of  Evansville  he  gave 
over  $14,000.00.  In  1840  he  erected 
a  building  upon  his  own  land  and 
established  the  poor  house  system, 
whereby  the  paupers  were  kept  at  a 
great  saving  to  the  county.  This  was  ac- 
complished during  his  five  years'  service  as 
county  commissioner.  He  also  advanced 
liberally  of  his  own  means  for  repairing  and 
corduroying  roads,  and  as  an  evidence  of 
the  appreciation  of  his  worth  in  this  particu- 
lar, he  was  elected  the  second  term  to  his 
office  over  his  own  protest.  In  1851  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  legislature,  and 
served  during  the  long  term  of  the  session 
of  185 1-2.  While  here  he  was  active  in 
getting  through  several  important  measures, 
among   them    bills    for  the   equalization  of 


taxation;  for  lowering  the  salaries  of  coun- 
ty officers,  and  for  raising  those  of  state  of- 
ficers. The  Willard  library  is  an  example 
of  munificence  seldom  witnessed.  The  his- 
tory of  this  benefaction  is  elsewhere 
recorded  in  these  pages.  The  endowment 
of  this  institution  was  the  crowning  success 
of  the  noble  life-work  of  this  unpretending 
and  unassuming  man. 

Foremost  in  all  enterprises  intended  for 
the  general  good,  taking  an  active  part  in 
all  questions  of  state  and  county  policy,  he 
invariably  threw  his  influence  in  favor  of 
what  was  right  and  advantageous  for  all  the 
community.  The  latter  years  of  his  life 
were  devoted  almost  entirely  to  philanthropic 
purposes.  He  died  November  6,  1883,  full 
of  years  and  full  of  honor.  His  wife,  who 
was  to  him  a  helpmeet  in  all  that  the  word 
implies,  died  June  30,  1884.  Five  children 
were  born  to  them,  of  whom  only  two  sur- 
vive, Louisa  and  Albert  W. 

One  of  the  prominent  landmarks  of  the 
city  of  Evansville  is  the  Carpenter  home- 
stead, situated  on  the  street  bearing  his  name. 
Mr.  Carpenter  began  its  construction  in 
1848,  and  completed  the  building  in  the  fol- 
lowing year.  At  the  time  it  was  probably 
the  most  imposing  edifice  in  this  section  of 
the  state,  and  it  is  said  that  people  came 
many  miles  to  view  it.  It  greatly  resembles 
the  southern  style  of  architecture  and  is  at 
this  time  perhaps  the  most  substantial  build- 
ing in  the  city.  Through  the  center  is  a 
broad  hall,  while  extensive  piazzas  and 
porches  form  part  of  its  distinguishing 
features.  Its  solidity  is  in  keeping  with  the 
character  of  its  builder,  and  with  all  his 
undertakings.  AU  the  material  excepting 
the  brick  was  shipped  from  Lawrenceburg, 
Ind.  After  its  completion  j\Ir.  and  Mrs. 
Carpenter  went  to  New  York  and  there 
purchased  the  furniture  for  the  new  home 
which  was  shipped  to    Evansville    via  New 


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4 


CITY  LIBRARY. 


321 


Orleans.  This  homestead  was  occupied  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carpenter  until  their  deaths, 
and  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  their 
son,  Albert  W.  Carpenter. 

CV/r  Library.—  On  the  29th  of  July,  1855, 
a  notice  appeared   in   the    Evansville  Dally 
Juunial  and  the  Evansville  Daily  Enquirer 
appeahng  to  the  citizens  who  were  interested 
in  establishing  a  library  and  reading  room, 
to  meet  and  adopt   measures  for  the  organ- 
ization of  an  association    for    that   purpose. 
Pursuant  to  this  call,  a  meeting  was  held  at 
the    Crescent    City  Hall    on    Monday,  July 
•^oth,  at  8  a.  m.    An  association  was  formed, 
composed  of  thirty-six  members,  known  as 
the  Evansville  Library  Association,  and  in- 
corporated under  the  laws  of  the  state  of 
Indiana,    August    10,    1855,    its     expressed 
purpose  being  to   promote    the   diffusion    of 
useful  knowledge.     On  the  18th  of  August, 
1855,  the  first  election  of  officers  was  held, 
resulting  as   follows:     For   president,  John 
Ingle,    sr.;    vice-president,    Conrad    Baker; 
recording  secretary,  George  Foster;  corre- 
sponding secretary,  James  Harlan,  jr.;  treas- 
urer,   Samuel    Bayard;    directors,    G.    W. 
Rathbone,  J.   E.   Blythe,  G.  Copeland,  W. 
E.  Hollingsworth,  Wilham  Heilman. 

To  defray  the  expenses  of  the  association 
this  plan  was  adopted:  A  capital  stock  of 
$30,000  was  to  be  divided  into  1,000  shares 
of  $30  each,  to  be  paid  in  installments  often 
per  cent  annually.  The  stockholders  were 
to  be  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  the  cor- 
poration. Rooms  were  selected  in  the  sec- 
ond story  of  Judge  Foster's  building,  corner 
First  and  Main  streets,  and  a  committee  ap- 
pointed for  selecting  and  purchasing  books. 
Four  hundred  dollars  worth  of  books  were 
purchased;  and  Mr.  John  F.  Crisp  being 
elected  librarian,  the  library  was  opened  to 
subscribers  on  December  i,  1855.  In  1874, 
very  little  interest  was  manifested  in  the  li- 
brary;    the     stockholders     who    paid    up 


promptly  were  few;  consequently,  citizens 
did  not  desire  to  subscribe  to  a  library  which 
contained  no  late  edidons.  A  meeting  of 
the  officers  and  stockholders  was  held  to 
discuss  the  (juestion  as  to  the  best  method  of 
disposing  of  the  property  of  the  association. 
It  was  finally  agreed  to  donate  it  to  the  city 
on  conditions.  Accordingly,  a  meeting  of 
the  stockholders,  for  the  purpose  of  trans- 
ferring all  books,  paper  and  property  of  the 
association,  was  held  August  11,  1874,  Mr. 
Rahm,  representing  the  city  council,  and 
Prof.  A.  M.  Govv,  representing  the  school 
board,  accepting  the  donation  on  behalf  of 
the  city. 

This  was  the  beginning  of  a  new  era  in 
the  history  of  the  library.  Immediately  the 
common  council  placed  the  trust  in  the 
hands  of  the  school  board,  consisting  then 
of  Dr.  H.  W.  Cloud,  J.  H.  Polsdorfer  and 
Luke  Wood.  These  gentlemen  took  a 
deep  interest  in  their  work,  and  as  soon 
thereafter  as  possible  a  building  on  the 
corner  of  Seventh  and  Vine  streets  was  re- 
fitted and  furnished  as  a  home  for  the  new 
library. 

Immediately  some  400  additional  volumes 
were  ordered,  and  by  June  i,  1875,  the 
more  important  of  these  having  arrived,  the 
library  was  for  the  first  time  thrown  open 
to  the  public  for  the  registration  of  names. 
On  this  occasion  appropriate  addresses  were 
made  by  James  ]VL  Shackleford,  Blythe 
Hynes  and  Luke  Wood.  June  14,  1875, 
books  were  first  loaned  to  the  people. 

The  library  contained  about  9,600  vol- 
umes, and  was  known  as  the  Evansville 
city  library.  Its  books  were  subsequently 
transferred  by  action  of  the  school  board  to 
the  alcoves  of  the  Willard  library. 

Wlllard  Library.— yir.  Willard  Carpen- 
ter was  a  man  of  great  natural  ability,  untir- 
ing- energy,  and  intensely  interested  in  the 
growth   and   prosperity   of    a    city   whose 


322 


LIBRARIES. 


development  from  a  village  he  had  wit- 
nessed and  aided.  In  all  the  progressive 
steps  of  early  da\-s  the  public  records,  the 
public  press,  and  the  testimony  of  yet  living 
witnesses,  show  that  he  was  always  in  the  j 
forefront.  His  knowledge  of  men  and 
affairs  taught  him  that  the  life  of  a  republic 
in  which  every  man  is  a  sovereign  depends 
on  the  education  of  the  masses.  lie  was  j 
intensely  practical  in  his  benevolence,  as  in 
all  other  things,  and  seeing  the  need  of  a 
library  to  which  citizens  of  all  classes  might 
have  access,  he  endowed  an  institution  which 
is  a  monument  to  his  memory  more  lasting 
and  more  suggestive  than  any  column  of 
marble  or  any  statue  of  bronze.  The  com- 
plete scheme  of  Mr.  Carpenter's  magnificent 
benefaction,  as  stated  in  the  general  portion 
of  his  letter  to  the  trustees  of  the  institution, 
which  were  first  named  bj-  him,  is  here 
presented : 

"EVANSVILLE,  August   23,   1876. 

"  Gentlemen  :  I  have  intended  for  many 
vears  to  devote  to  some  public  use,  a  por- 
tion of  the  property  and  means  which  I  have 
acquired  by  a  long  life  of  labor.  I  have,  at 
various  times,  endeavored  to  benefit  the 
community  in  which  my  life  has  been  mostly 
spent,  by  inaugurating  various  enterprises. 
Legal  difficulties,  and  other  obstacles,  have 
intervened  to  render  inoperative,  schemes 
for  the  public  good,  which  I  have  at  various 
times  undertaken  to  put  in  operation. 

"After  consultation  with  many  gentlemen 
of  this  city,  I  have  concluded  without  fur- 
ther dela}^  to  establish  and  endow  a  public 
library,  to  be  located  in  a  public  park,  on 
land  owned  by  me,  situate  in  the  city  of 
Evansville.  I  am  induced  to  do  this  in  the 
well-grounded  hope  that  such  an  institution 
may  become  useful  toward  the  improvement 
of  the  moral  and  intellectual  culture  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Evansville,  and  collaterally  to 
those   of   the   state   of    Indiana;    and    also 


toward  the   enlargement  and   diffusion    of  a 
taste  for  the  fine  arts. 

"The  city  of  Evansville  has  reached  in 
population  and  commercial  importance  a 
period  in  which  such  a  scheme  should,  and  I 
have  no  doubt  will,  meet  with  the  hearty 
approval  and  assistance  of  the  municipal  au- 
thorities and  all  private  citizens. 

"  In  presenting  to  you  the  object  I  propose, 
I  wish  you  to  understand  that  the  details 
proper  to  its  organization  and  government, 
and  its  future  control  and  conduct,  are  to  be 
left  to  your  judgment  and  discretion,  and  the 
perpetuity  of  that  control  I  confide  to  you 
and  your  successors,  to  be  appointed  in  the 
manner  prescribed  in  this  letter. 

"  But  I  desire  to  present  m}'  views  in 
general  of  the  object  and  purposes  of  the 
proposed  institution,  in  order  that  by  no 
possibility  shall  the  propert}-  hereby  donated 
ever  be  diverted  to  any  other  purpose;  and 
that  the  result  of  much  thought  and  labor  on 
my  part,  shall  be  commensurate  with  the 
high  objects  to  be  attained;  and  as  a  guide, 
and,  as  it  were,  an  organic  law  for  you,  in 
the  discharge  of  your  duties. 

"  I  have  directed  skilled  attornej-s  to  pre- 
pare a  deed  convcN'ing  to  you  the  property 
therein  described,  estimated  by  me  to  be 
worth  the  sum  of  $400,000*  the  said  deed  to 
be  signed  and  executed  by  my  wife  and  my- 
self. The  property  thereby  conveyed  lies 
in  the  limits  of  Evansville  or  contiguous 
thereto. 

"I  desire  and  direct  that  the  building  for 
the  public  library  hereby  proposed  shall  be 
located  on  that  portion  of  the  property 
designated  in  said  deed  which  is  generally 
known  as  Carpenter's  field.  The  remainder 
of  said  tract  of  land  known  as  Carpenter's 
field  shall  be  forever  kept  as  a  public  park. 
It  shall  be,  at  the  discretion  of  the  trustees, 
enclosed  bv  a  neat  fence;  and  fountains, 
flowers,  trees,  grass-plats,  and  all  the  usual 


WILLARD  LIBRARY. 


S23 


accessories  of  a  park,  shall  be  provided  and 
kept  in  order,  so  as  to  make  the  park  a  re- 
sort for  the  people  for  all  time  to  come. 

"  I  desire  that  the  co-operation  of  the  city 
in  this  scheme  of  a  public  park  shall  be 
secured,  so  that  the  S(juare  now  owned  by 
the  city  adjoining  this  tract  of  land  shall  be 
made  subsidiarj-  to  the  general  purpose  of 
promoting  public  health  and  popular  recrea- 
tion. The  control  of  the  said  public  park 
under  proper  municipal  regulations,  shall 
remain  with  the  trustees  hereby  appointed. 
You  and  your  successors  will  constitute 
forever,  a  board  of  trustees,  seven  in  num- 
ber, to  be  maintained  in  perpetual  succession 
for  the  accomplishment,  preservation,  and 
supervision  of  the  purposes  for  which  the 
librar}^  and  park  are  to  be  established.  To 
you  and  your  successors,  therefore,  by 
virtue  of  the  said  deed  and  this  instrument, 
I  give  full  and  exclusive  power  to  take,  re- 
ceive and  hold  in  fee  simple,  the  said  real 
estate  in  said  deed  particularlv  described, 
and  to  sell  and  convev  in  fee  simple,  at  such 
times  and  for  such  prices  as  may  be  deemed 
advisable,  all  the  said  real  estate  except  that 
which  is  particularly  set  apart  for  the  said 
library  and  park,  and  out  of  the  pro- 
ceeds of  such  sale  to  erect  a  suitable 
building  to  improve,  ornament  and  adorn 
said  park,  and  to  purchase  books,  maps  and 
works  of  art  for  the  use  of  the  people  of  all 
classes,  races  and  sexes,  free  of  charge, 
forever.  A  permanent  fund  shall  be  created 
out  of  the  proceeds  of  such  sale  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  institution." 

These  words,  with  a  more  particular  state- 
ment as  to  the  details  of  management,  bv 
which  a  suitable  building  should  be  erected, 
books  and  works  of  art  provided,  and  the 
perpetuity  of  the  library  maintained,  were 
directed  to  Thomas  E.  Garvin,  Alexander 
Gilchrist,  Henry  F.  Blount,  John  Laval, 
Matthew  Henning  and_  Charles   H.  Butter- 


field,  citizens  whose  names  were  selected 
because  of  Mr.  Carpenter's  personal  knowl- 
edge of  their  "  fitness  for  the  important 
trust."  The  trust  was  accepted  by  the 
gendemen  named,  and  on  the  23d  day  of 
August,  1876,  the  deed  convej-ing  the  large 
amount  of  property  set  apart  from  Mr.  Car- 
penter's estate  for  the  purposes  of  the  library, 
was  executed  and  soon  thereafter  placed  on 
record.  Yielding  to  a  general  expression 
of  the  public  desire,  Mr.  Carpenter  con- 
sented that  the  name  of  the  institution  should 
be  "  The  Willard  Library,"  and  the  name 
of  the  park  should  be  "  The  Willard  Park." 
In  his  younger  days  Mr.  Carpenter  had 
thrown  himself,  heart  and  soul,  into 
the  prosecution  of  manj-  public  enter- 
prises designed  to  push  forward  the 
development  of  Evansville's  magnificence, 
but  never  did  he  take  a  ffreater  in- 
terest  nor  exhibit  greater  energy  and  zeal 
than  in  the  practical  achievement  of  the 
plan  provided  for  wholh"  by  the  results  of 
his  past  individual  effort.  He  desired  in  his 
own  lifetime  to  see  the  library  in  successful 
operation,  "  to  embellish  our  city,  to  instruct 
and  elevate  the  people,  and  to  promote  the 
growth  of  virtue  and  knowledge,"  and  at 
once  commenced,  in  connection  with  the 
trustees,  the  performance  of  the  laborious 
duties  incident  to  the  plan.  Reed  Bros., 
architects,  planned  a  building,  which  in  its 
appearance,  its  completeness  and  adaptabil- 
ity to  the  purposes  named,  is  a  triumph  in 
architecture,  an  adornment  to  the  city,  and 
an  enduring  monument  to  the  wisdom  of  its 
projectors  and  builders.  Its  cost  was  about 
$80,000,  and  it  was  erected  under  the  per- 
sonal supervision  and  direction  of  Mr. 
Carpenter,  who,  notwithstanding  his  ad- 
vanced years,  visited  the  building  constantly, 
and  within  two  months  of  his  death 
climbed  to  the  very  top  of  its  walls. 
The      building      was      not      erected     by 


3^4- 


LIBRARIES. 


contract,  and  there  was  not    a  portion  of  it 
slighted  in  construction. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Carpenter  occurred 
November  6,  1883,  before  the  hbrary  was 
opened  to  the  public,  but  not  until  the  build- 
ing was  substantially  completed.  After  his 
death  the  trustees  finished  the  building,  im- 
proved the  grounds,  and  with  appropriate 
ceremonies  opened  the  doors  of  the  institu- 
tion to  the  people.  In  the  board  of  trustees 
some  changes  have  occurred  by  reason  of 
resignations  and  removals  from  the  city. 
At  present  it  is  composed  of  the  following 
well-known  citizens:  H,  F.  Blount,  Charles 
H.  Butterfield,  J.  A.  Lemcke,  Alexander 
Gilchrist,  S.  G.  Evans,  O.  F.  Jacobi,  and 
Thomas  E.  Garvin.  About  15,000  volumes 
of  the  best  works  on  all  subjects  and  some 
valuable  art  treasures  are  nowon  its  shelves. 
The  efficient  librarians  are  Misses  Lou 
Scantlin  and  Tillie  Goslee,  who  have  been  in 
the  institution  since  its  opening. 


Evansville  Catholic  Library  Association. — 
This  association  was  organized  in  March, 
1869,  its  purposes  being  to  disseminate  use- 
ful knowledge  that  would  aid  in  the 
strengthening  and  upbuilding  of  the  church. 
Its  rooms  are  at  the  Church  of  the  Assump- 
tion, corner  Seventh  and  Vine  streets.  It 
contains  about  1,000  volumes  and  is  under 
the  control  of  a  board  of  trustees,  with 
Eugene  McGrath,  president;  E.  C.  Carson, 
secretary  and  librarian. 

The  Vanderburgh  County  Library,  in  the 
county  auditor's  office,  and  the  Pigeon 
Township  Library,  in  the  trustee's  office, 
have  a  large  collection  of  useful  books, 
probably  more  than  5,000  volumes,  acces- 
sible to  the  general  public,  but  recent  publi- 
cations are  slowly  added  to  these  libraries, 
and  because  of  better  facilities  afforded  by 
the  Willard  hbrary,  are  frequented  but  little 
by  the  students. 


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CHAPTER  XI. 


Bench  and  Bar  —  Circuit   Court — Early   Terms — First    Officers Early 

Judges  — John  J.  Audubon  in  Court  —  Trial  and  Execution  of  John  Harvey 
—  Character  OF  Early  Trials — Later  Circuit  Judges — Changes  Under  the 

New    Constitution  —  Court    Seals  —  Probate    Court  —  Common    Pleas 

Criminal  Circuit  Court  —  Superior  Court  -  -  The  Bar,  Past  and  Present. 


ROM  the  time  when,  amid  grand  and 
fearful  demonstrations  of  power,  tlie 
decalogue  was  given  to  the  world, 
tit  and  suitable  times  and  places  for  the  ex- 
pounding and  enforcement  of  the  laws  have 
been  indispensable  in  the  history  of  every 
civilized  people;  the  rigid  maintenance  of 
the  substantial  framework  of  the  laws  being 
the  palladium  of  safety,  harmony  and  order, 
and  the  only  reliable  and  sure  preventative 
of  confusion,  oppression  and  relaxation  into 
anarchy  and  barbarism.  The  importance  of 
law  courts,  then,  cannot  well  be  over-esti- 
mated. The  law,  without  adequate  means 
for  its  enforcement,  would  be  a  dead  letter. 
The  church,  notwithstanding  its  high  and 
holy  mission,  but  for  human  laws  would  be 
powerless,  and  that  such  laws  are,  or  ought 
to  be,  inspired  by  divine  law,  is  not  dis- 
puted; but  whether  so  inspired  or  not,  they 
must  be  executed  b}'  the  courts.  The 
judge,  the  clerk,  the  sheriff  and  attorneys  are 
each  and  all  officers  and  integrals  of  the 
court,  and  in  order  that  justice  ma}-  be  ad- 
ministered, the  officers,  from  the  highest  to 
the  lowest,  ought  to  be  men  of  known  integ- 
rity, and  peculiar  fitness  for  their  positions. 

The  construction  of  the  various  public 
buildings  devoted  to  the  administration  of 
justice,  and  for  the  punishment  of  offenders 
against  the  law,  the  formation  of  the  various 
corporate  bodies  whose  seats  of  justice  have 
19 


been  Evansville,  and  some  facts  concerning 
courts  held  here  before  the  organization  of 
Vanderburgh  county  in  1818,  are  recorded 
in  another  chapter. 

In  this  state  the  circuit  court  has  always 
been  a  court  of  general  jurisdiction,  and 
other  courts  have  been  aids  or  relief  for  that 
court;  therefore, this  chapter  will  be  devoted 
mainly  to  the  circuit  court.  From  the  time 
of  its  first  organization  to  the  adoption  of  the 
code  of  1852,  the  circuit  court  was  presided 
over  by  a  president  judge,  a  man  "  learned 
in  the  law,"  and  two  associate  judges  in 
each  county  elected  by  the  people.  The 
associate  judges  presided  in  the  absence  of 
the  president  judge,  and  sat  with  him  when 
present,  with  the  power,  but  rarely  exercised, 
to  o\'errule  the  president  judge.  The  cir- 
cuit court,  from  time  to  time  in  Vanderbur^-h 
county,  has  had  limitations  placed  on  its 
jurisdiction  by  the  formation  of  other  courts, 
as  hereinafter  adverted  to.  By  the  acts  of 
1852  associate   judges  were  dispensed  with. 

The  following  is  a  substantial  account  of 
the  transactions  of  the  circuit  court  at  its  first 
terms,  the  records  being  quoted  at  some 
length : 

"  February  Term,  iSiS:  At  a  circuit  court 
called  and  held  at  the  house  of  Hu<>-h 
McGary,  in  the  town  of  Evansville,  in  the 
county  of  Vanderburgh,  on  Mondav,  the 
tvventy-thiru  day  of  February,  one  thousand 

[327) 


S28 


BENCH  AXD  BAR. 


eight  hundred  and  e4ghteen,  the  day 
appointed  by  an  act  of  the  general  assembly 
of  the  state  of  Indiana,  for  holding  the  first 
circuit  court  in  and  for  the  said  county  of  Van- 
derburgh, when  present  the  Honorable 
Dayid  Hart,  president  judge  of  the  fourth 
judicial  circuit  court  in    the  state  of  Indiana: 

"  Ordered  by  the  court  that  Hugh  McGary 
be,  and  he  is  hereby  appointed  clerk  of  the 
circuit  court  for  the  county  of  Vanderburgh, 
until  a  clerk  be  commissioned  and  qualified, 
who  thereupon  appeared  in  court  and  took 
the  oath  to  support  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States,  the  state  of  Indiana,  and  the 
oath  of  office. 

"  The  sheriff,  John  B.  Stinson,  returned  a 
panel  of  grand  jurors,  who  being  called, 
appeared  as  follows,  to-wit :  John  Patterson, 
foreman;  Andrew  Sullivant,  John  Beach, 
John  Slow,  George  W.  Jacobs,  James  John- 
ston, William  Wagnon,  George  Sircles,  Jesse 
McCallister,  Nathan  Young,  Lewis  Tackett, 
Luke  Wood,  and  John  Xeal,  thirteen  good 
and  lawful  men,  who,  being  tried  and  sworn 
receiyed  their  charge  and  retired  to  consult 
upon  presentments,  etc. 

"On  application  of  Jacob  Call,  and  it  appear- 
ing to  the  court  that  the  said  Jacob  Call, 
Charles  Dewey,  Richard  Daniel,  John  Law 
and  William  Prince,  haye  been  duly  licensed, 
ordered  that  they  be  admitted  to  practice 
law  in  this  court  as  attorneys  and  counsel- 
lors at  la\y." 

The  court  appointed  John  Law  as  prose- 
cuting attorney  for  the  term,  and  added  three 
men,  Patrick  Calvert,  John  Armstrong  and 
Ezekiel  Saunders  to  the  grand  jury,  the 
law  then  retjuiring  that  jury  to  be  composed 
of  sixteen  men. 

With  the  dispatch  usually  characterizing 
grand  juries  of  that  period,  two  indictments 
were  returned  that  same  day,  both  for  adul- 
tery, one  against  Daniel  Robertson,  and  the 
other  against  Mary  Tindal.     The  ordering 


of  a  capias  for  each  of  the  indicted  parties 
returnable  instanter,  completed  the  business 
of  the  court  for  that  day.  On  the  following 
day  the  grand  jury  returned  bills  against 
Matthew  McClair  and  Daniel  Robinson  for 
assault  and  battery,  also  one  endorsed  not  a 
true  bill,  against  William  and  James  John- 
son for  larceny.  But  little  more  business  of 
consequence  was  transacted,  and  the  court 
adjourned  "until  court  in  course,"  having 
been  in  session  two  days.  The  record  for 
the  last  day  is  not  signed,  and  the  term  was 
held  by  the  president  judge  alone,  his  asso- 
ciates not  having  been  elected. 

The  second  term  of  the  circuit  court  be- 
gan on  the  25th  day  of  Ma\-,  181S,  at  the 
house  of  Hugh  McGary.  In  addition  to 
David  Hart,  the  president  judge,  there  ap- 
peared at  that  time  John  McCrary  and 
William  Wagnon  as  his  associates.  John 
Law  was  again  appointed  prosecuting  attor- 
ney. On  the  first  day  of  this  term  occurred 
the  first  trial  by  jury  in  the  new  count)'. 
This  was  in  the  case  of  the  state  of  Indiana 
against  Matthew  McClain  for  assault  and 
batter}'.  That  jury  was  composed  of  the 
following  men :  William  R.  McGary,  George 
Linxweiler,  Levi  Warren,  Edward  Hill,  John 
Neal,  Peter  Linxweiler,  Luke  Wood,  John 
Beach,  John  Slow,  Peter  Vandeventer,  John 
T'.ler,  and  Andrew  Sullivant.  The  jury 
found  the  "  defendant  not  guilty  in  manner 
and  form  as  he  stands  charged  in  the  indict- 
ment." The  first  civil  cause  tried  by  the  court 
appears  in  the  records  of  that  dav  and  was 
an  action  for  debt,  entitled  Joseph  A.  Pat- 
terson and  others  zrrsiis  Harrison  Johnson. 
During  this  term  John  B.  Stinson  was  al- 
lowed $30  for  his  services  as  sheriff  for  the 
year,  and  John  Law,  $100  for  his  year's 
services  as  prosecutor.  The  adoption  of  a 
seal,  the  trial  of  Jesse  McGary  and  other 
matters  of  interest  occurring  at  this  time  are 
mentioned  in  other  connections. 


PERSONNEL  OF  THE  COURT. 


329 


David  Hart,  the  first  president  judge, 
was  an  able  lawyer  who  came  to  Vander- 
burgh county  from  Kentucky,  and  for  a 
lime  practiced  as  an  attorney  in  the  district 
to  which  the  new  count}-  of  Vanderburgh 
was  attached.  His  home  was  in  the  town 
of  Evansville,  and  in  later  3'ears  he  was  one 
of  the  proprietors  of  the  Upper  enlarge- 
ment. His  ability  as  a  man  of  affairs  and  his 
wide  acquaintance  with  the  prominent  men  of 
his  day  in  many  parts  of  the  state  gave  him 
considerable  influence  and  enabled  him  to 
stamp  his  individuahty  upon  the  legislation 
of  the  state.  His  family  returned  to  Ken- 
tucky, where  his  descendants  became  hon- 
ored citizens.  His  successor,  Richard  Dan- 
iel, was  a  most  peculiar  character,  his 
eccentricities  of  thought  and  action  always 
attracting  attention.  But  little  is  known  of 
his  personal  career.  Both  before  and  after 
beinff  on  the  bench  he  was  a  successful 
practitioner  and  rode  the  circuit  through  all 
the  counties  of  southwestern  Indiana.  The 
records  in  this  and  neighboring  counties  in- 
dicate that  he  was  connected  with  much 
important  litigation,  and  tradition  says  that 
he  was  an  able  lawyer  and  a  good  judge. 
Associate  judges  were  residents  of 
the  country  and  were  not  required  to  be 
"  learned  in  the  law."  No  citizen  is  sup- 
posed to  be  ignorant  of  the  law,  but  the 
manifest  ignorance  of  some  associate  judges 
caused  the  courts,  as  formerly  constituted, 
to  be  called  facetiously,  courts  of  100  — 
one  judge  and  two  naughts.  However,  in 
Vanderburgh  county  some  of  the  best  citi- 
zens sat  on  the  bench  as  associate  judges. 
The  first  of  these,  elected  in  1818,  were 
John  McCrary  and  William  Wagnon.  John 
McCrary  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina, 
born  in  1771,  and  came  to  Indiana  territory 
when  forty  years  of  age,  locating  near  the 
northwest  corner  of  what  is  now  \'ander- 
burgh  county.      When  he  came  the  country 


was  new  and  Indians,  were  troublesome.  In 
1813  he  was  on  the  spot  where  Evansville 
now  is;  a  rude  cabin  covered  with  deerskins 
and  buckhorns,  occupied  by  Hugh  McGary, 
was  the  only  house  in  the  vicinity.  He  was 
a  minister  of  the  gospel  and  a  very  devout 
man.  Following  his  settlement  in  Indiana 
he  purchased  extensivelv  through  the  Wa- 
bash valley,  and  later  was  instrumental  in 
establishing  the  Christian  order  in  this  sec- 
tion. He  was  reared  in  a  Presbjterian 
home,  was  educated  in  that  faith,  and  in 
Tennessee,  where  he  lived  before  coming 
northward,  was  a  prominent  revival  preacher. 
He  lived  in  Indiana  twenty-six  years  and  in 
1835  moved  to  Illinois.  He  had  become  far 
advanced  in  life;  his  children  were  all  mar- 
ried; and  two  j-ears  later  he  followed  some 
of  them  to  Iowa  territory,  where  he 
lived  until  his  earthly  career  was 
ended,  in  1859.  In  1824,  he  was 
chosen  to  represent  Vanderburgh  and 
Warrick  counties  in  the  state  legislature. 
Politically,  he  was  a  whig,  and  later  a  re- 
publican. He  retained  his  political  zeal  to 
the  last.  On  the  bench  he  was  upright  and 
just.  Hon.  George  W.  McCrary,  of  Iowa, 
in  later  3-ears  secretary  of  war,  and  United 
States  judge,  was  his  grandson. 

WiUiam  Wagnon  represented  a  different 
t)'pe  of  the  pioneer.  He  early  settled  on 
section  33,  in  what  is  now  Perry  township, 
and  subsequently  removed  to  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  township,  where  he  died  when 
about  ninety  years  of  age.  He  was  a  rough 
character,  unscrupulous,  and  of  a  low  grade, 
mentally  and  morally.  He  wielded  consid- 
erable influence  in  his  da\-,  however,  and 
served  for  some  time  as  a  justice  of  the 
peace  after  leaving  the  bench.  He  sold 
whiskey  to  the  Indians  unlawfully,  so  itis  reli- 
ably stated,  and  thus  put  the  lives  of  the 
settlers  in  danger.  He  was  several  times 
prosecuted  in  the  courts  for  adultery,  and 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


was  divorced  from  his  wife  because  he  aban- 
doned her  and  hved  with  another  woman. 
There  was  an  indictment  against  George 
Wagnon,  a  son  of  the  associate  judge,  and 
himself  a  rough  character,  to  be  tried  at  the 
March  term  of  the  court,  in  1820.  The 
president  judge,  James  R.  E.  G  oodlett,  did 
not- arrive  until  the  Thursday  after  the  court 
met.  On  Tuesday  morning,  Richard  Dan- 
iel, the  attorney  for  George,  moved  the  court 
to  quash  the  indictment,  and  briefly  argued 
the  motion,  when  John  Law,  prosecuting 
attorne}-,  suggested  that  as  one  member  of 
the  court  was  the  father  of  the  defendant, 
and  as  both  must  concur  in  order  to  render 
a  decision,  the  court  might  feel  a  delicacy 
in  passing  upon  the  motion  before  the  arrival 
of  the  president  judge.  The  judges  took 
the  indictment  and  whispered  together  a  few 
minutes,  when  Judge  Wagnon  responded 
that  the  court  did  not  feel  any  delicacy  about 
the  matter,  and  that  the  indictment  was  bad 
and  must  be  quashed,  and  that  his  son 
George  should  go  hence  without  daj-  or 
date.     This  is  verified  by  the  record. 

At  the  second  term  of  the  circuit  court, 
held  in  May,  1818,  the  first  indictment  for 
murder  was  returned  by  the  grand  jury.  It 
was  drawn  by  John  Law,  prosecuting  attor- 
ney, and  charged  Jesse  McGary  with  killing 
his  wife  Catharine.  McGary  was  one  of 
the  roucfh  and  uncouth  backwoodsmen,  and 
resided  in  what  is  now  Scott  township,  near 
the  Gibson  county  line.  When  arraigned 
he  pleaded  not  guilty,  and  his  trial  was 
deferred  until  the  next  term  of  court.  His 
bond  was  fixed  in  the  sum  of  $10,000,  and 
was  signed  by  John  B.  Stinson,  Hugh 
McGary,  WiUiam  R.  McGary,  Daniel 
Miller,  Richard  Carlisle,  Robert  McGary, 
David  Whetstone,  Andrew  Sullivan'i:,William 
Elevens,  George  Linxweiler,  Zadock 
McNew  and  David  Brumfield.  He  was 
put  on  his  trial  at  the  March  term,    1819, 


before  a  jury  composed  of  Presley  Pritchett, 
John  Connor,  Clark  McCalister.  Charles 
Evans,  Benjamin  McNew,  John  Armstrong, 
Isaac  Farmer,  William  Blevens,  jr.,  Peter 
Linxweiler,  James  B.  Robertson,  Robert 
Gibson  and  Morrison  Fitzgerald.  The  ver- 
dict was  "  not  guilty."  The  circumstances 
of  the  case  were  peculiar.  Domestic 
trouble  of  some  sort  had  entered  McGary's 
cabin,  and  one  day  as  his  wife  was  coming 
in  the  door  he  sent  a  ball  from  his  rifle 
through  her  heart.  His  acquittal  was  ob- 
tained on  the  ground  that  he  had  shot  at  a 
dog,  not  knowing  that  the  woman  was  about 
to  enter  the  house. 

Judge  James  R.  E.  Goodlett  succeeded  to 
the  president  judgeship  in  1820,  and  for 
twelve  years  presided  in  this  circuit.  Born 
in  Culpeper  county,  Va.,  he  came  to  Indi- 
ana in  1816  when  about  twenty-six  years  of 
age,  and  settled  at  Cor3rdon.  He  soon 
moved  to  Paoli,  and  as  early  as  1818  went 
to  Princeton,  where  he  was  practicing  his 
profession  when  elected  to  the  bench.  He 
subsequently  moved  to  Evansville,  and  after 
his  retirement  from  the  judgeship  practiced 
law  for  a  time  in  this  part  of  the  state. 
Leaving  here  he  went  to  New  Albany, 
thence  to  Bedford,  where  he  became  a  com- 
mon pleas  judge,  and  died  while  on  the 
bench  about  1857.  He  was  phlegmatic  and 
deliberate,  a  good  counselor,  a  careful  and 
wise  judge,  but  not  a  brilliant  practitioner, 
lacking  that  readiness  of  resource  and 
rapidity  of  thought  so  essential  to  eminence 
as  a  jury  law3-er.  He  was  well  versed  in 
law,  however,  studied  his  cases  well,  and 
made  up  by  thorough  preparation  what  he 
lacked  in  celerity  of  thought.  His  method- 
ical habits  and  long  experience  as  a  judge 
made  him  slow  in  debate,  and  his  arguments 
were  without  any  display  of  enthusiasm  or 
oratorcial  ability.  The  law  and  the  facts, 
clearh',  earnestly  and  forcibl}',  though   sel' 


ASSOCIATE  JUDGES. 


SSI 


dom  eloquentl}^  presented,  were  depended 
on  to  carry  his  points.  Because  of  these 
qualities  he  was  generally  successful  as  a 
practitioner.  On  the  bench  he  was  rigid 
and  austere.  It  was  his  common  prac- 
tice to  fine  attorneys  for  contempt  upon 
meager  provocation.  The  records  show 
that  he  admitted  James  McKinne}'  to  prac- 
tice at  the  March  term,  182 1,  and  on  the 
same  da\-  tined  the  gentleman  fifty  cents  for 
contempt.  The  usual  amount  assessed 
against  those  offending  the  majesty  and 
dignity  of  the  court  was  $3.  When  he  be- 
came a  practitioner  the  "tables  were 
turned,"  and  fines  for  contempt  were  freely 
imposed  upon  him. 

In  1822  another  change  in  the  personnel 
of  the  court  occurred,  when  William  Olm- 
stead  replaced  Judge  Wagnon,  and  a  wider 
difference  in  worth  than  existed  between 
these  two  men  can  scarcely  he  conceived. 
Judge  Olmstead  was  not  a  lawyer,  but  a  cit- 
izen of  high  character,  honorable  and 
upright  in  ever}' social  relation.  In  1S18  he 
emigrated  from  New  York  state  and  settled 
in  what  is  now  Center  township,  where  he 
lived  for  man\'  years.  He  was  intelligent 
and  progressive,  and  did  much  to  elevate 
and  give  tone  to  societ}'.  He  was  a  man  of 
unblemished  reputation,  served  satisfactorily 
as  associate  judge  and  couj^ty  commissioner 
and  by  his  pure  and  wise  private  and  public 
life  rose  to  a  lofty  place  in  the  esteem  of  the 
people.  His  fitness  for  the  bench  was 
generally  recognized;  he  served  in  that  ca- 
pacity for  twenty-two  years  —  by  far  the 
longest  service  of  the  kind  rendered  by 
any  citizen  of  Vanderburgh  county. 

For  fourteen  years,  from  1825  to  1839, 
John  M.  Dunham  was  the  colleague  of 
Judge  Olmstead  on  the  bench,  and  for 
honesty  and  integrity  was  perhaps  the  peer 
of  any  man  in  the  county.  He  was  well 
educated,    conscientious,    thoroughly    just. 


generous,  manly,  and  for  many  3^ears  a 
prominent  citizen  of  recognized  worth.  His 
residence  was  in  the  city,  about  where 
Blount's  plow  factory  now  stands.  In  early 
times  he  was  engaged  in  general  merchan- 
dising, and  succeeded  in  amassing  what  for 
those  days  was  a  great  fortune.  He  was  a 
prominent  church  member  and  intimately 
associated  with  man\-  efforts  to  advance  and 
better  the  moral  tone  of  the  community. 
His  character  and  career,  in  all  respects 
were  worthy  of  admiration.  His  successor, 
John  W.  Lilliston,  who  served  from  1839  to 
1842,  was  his  inferior  in  mental  capacity  and 
moral  strength.  Mr.  Lilliston  had  few  traits 
worth}-  of  emulation.  He  was  ungenerous, 
at  times  unscrupulous,  and  in  pressing 
those  unfortunate  enough  to  become  his 
debtors  was  without  mercy.  His  disposition 
in  this  respect  gained  for  him  the  .sobriquet 
of  "old  Black  Hawk."  At  one  time  he 
made  a  profession  of  religion,  but  shortly 
afterward  fell  into  possession  of  certain  notes 
issued  by  a  church  society  in  the  city  to 
complete  the  construction  of  a  house  of 
worship.  He  obtained  possession  of  the 
church  property  and  on  Sabbatia  morning 
sent  word  to  the  minister  and  his  cong-reca- 
tion  that  the  key  of  the  house  was  in  his 
hands  and  that  the  church  building  was  his 
property,  which  they  could  not  enter  with- 
out committing  a  trespass  punishable  at  law. 
He  had  little  refinement,  was  a  citizen  of  the 
rougher  sort,  and  is  now  chiefiy  remembered 
by  the  characteristics  referred  to.  He  re- 
moved from  the  county,  and,  it  is  said, 
finally  failed  in  business  and  died  in  poverty. 
One  of  the  most  interestino;  of  the  early 
civil  or  chancery  cases  was  that  of  Joseph 
M.  McDowell  et  al.  r'5.  John  J.  Audubon  et 
al.  It  derives  its  chief  interest,  not  from 
the  amount  involved  or  the  character  of  the 
transaction  on  which  it  was  based,  but  from 
;he  subsequent   career   of    the    principal  re- 


BENCH  AND  BAB. 


spondent,  Audubon,  the  famous  naturalist. 
His  establishment  of  a  steam  saw-mill  at 
Henderson  in  early  times  and  the  failure  of 
the  enterprise  are  familiar  facts.  In  i8ig, 
Joseph  M.  McDowell,  William  R.  Bowen 
and  Jonathan  Anthony  filed  a  bill  in  chancery 
against  Jacob  Gall,  John  J.  Audubon, 
Thomas  Litton  and  John  Baddollet,  reciting 
that  Gall,  through  one  Jacob  Rouse.,  had  en- 
tered 569  acres  of  land,  in  fractional  sections 
2  and  3,  township  7  south,  range  11  west, 
and  offered  to  sell  the  same  for  $300  to  the 
complainant,  and  that  Gall,  having  lost  his 
certificate,  a  trip  to  Vincennes  was  made  by 
Mr.  Antlion}'  to  examine  the  record,  when, 
everj'thing  being  satisfactory,  the  purchase 
was  perfected  and  the  money  paid.  The 
character  of  the  ancient  pleadings  is  so  well 
exemplified  in  the  papers  of  this  case,  that 
they  are  freely  quoted  from  in  this  connec- 
tion. After  reciting  the  facts  of  the  pur- 
chase of  the  land  by  the  complainants,  and 
exhibiting  in  detail  all  papers  connected  with 
the  transaction,  the  bill  proceeds  as  follows: 
"  Your  orators  further  state,  that  some 
short  time  after  their  having  so  purchased 
as  above,  they  indirectly  understood  that  a 
mercantile  speculating  Frenchman  by  the 
name  of  John  J.  Audubon,  who  j^our  orators 
pray  ma}'  be  a  defendant  and  party  to  this 
suit,  with  proper  and  sufficient  apt  words  to 
charge  him  with  the  premises,  had,  a  little 
while  previous  to  your  orators'  purchase, 
made  some  kind  of  bargain  with  the  said 
Jacob  Gall  respecting  the  said  land,  which 
information,  though  indirect  and  indistinct, 
induced  your  orators,  who  being  plain  men 
and  unversed  in  the  arts  of  intrigue,  chicane 
and  duplicity,  and  becoming  somewhat 
alarmed,  to  enquire  of  the  said  Gall  the  par- 
ticularities of  the  transaction  between  himself 
and  said  Audubon  respecting  the  said  frac- 
tional sections  of  land,  when  lo!  the  said 
Audubon's  pretended  purchase  was  surrep- 


titious and  malum  in  se,  and  of  so  shameful 
a  character  that  it  did  not  become  indispen- 
sably necessary  to  be  narrated  by  3'our  ora- 
tors in  their  bill,  they  would  willingh'  and 
through  charity  let  it  be  hid,  to  be  hereafter 
brought  up  in  judgment  against  Mr.  Audu- 
bon before  the  awful  bar  of  heaven's  chan- 
cery !  But  inasmuch  as  your  orators  consider 
this  pretended  contract  of  said  Audubon 
with  said  Gall  as  void  ab  initio  from  their 
fraud  and  perjury  and  subornation  of  per- 
jury afterwards  committed  and  transacted, 
for  your  orators  are  informed  and  verily  be- 
lieve that  the  said  John  J.  Audubon,  and 
who,  combining  and  confederating  with 
divers  other  persons,  to  your  orators  at  this 
time  unknown  but  whose  names,  when  dis- 
covered, your  orators  pray  ma}'  be  made 
defendants  and  parties  hereto  with  proper 
and  apt  words  to  charge  them  with  the 
premises,  had  written  an  assignment  and 
transfer  on  the  back  of  said  Jacob  Gall's 
certificate  for  the  aforesaid  two  fractional 
sections  of  land,  which  he  had  artfully  in- 
duced him  to  sign  by  making  certain  une- 
quivocal assurances,  in  which  he,  the  said 
Gall,  at  that  time  too  credulously  confided; 
but  the  said  Audubon's  deceptions  could 
not,  nor  did  not,  last  very  long,  for  shortly 
after  the  assignment,  as  it  became,  and  was 
by  the  regulations  of  the  land  office  at  Vin- 
cennes, necessary  that  the  said  assignment 
should  be  acknowledged  before  some  one 
judge  or  justice  of  the  peace,  wherefore 
they,  the  said  Gall  and  Audubon,  appeared 
before  William  Wagnon,  Esq.,  then  one  of 
the  justices  of  the  peace  in  and  for  the  said 
county  of  Vanderburgh,  and  when  the  said 
Gall,  fortunately  for  himself,  family  and 
friends,  rehearsed  over  and  related  to  the 
said  Wagnon,  in  Audubon's  presence,  and 
hearing  their  contract  and  agreement 
respecting  the  said  land  and  the  considera- 
tion   of  the  assignment   thereof,    the    said 


THE  AUDUBON  CASE. 


Audubon  was  oblifjed  to  show  his  cloven 
foot  and  denied  the  terms  as  previously 
agreed  upon,  whereupon  the  said  Gall  per- 
emptorily and  unhesitatingly  refused  to  ac- 
knowledge the  said  assignment  and  transfer 
and  demanded  back  his  aforesaid  certificate 
of  said  Audubon  which  was  affrontingly 
refused  by  him.  This  put  the  said  Gall  to 
some  considerable  embarrassment,  but  still 
supposing  that  the  said  Audubon  had  some 
modestv  and  veneration  for  truth  and  char- 
acter: he  had  little,  in  fact  no  idea  of  the 
abominable  force  which  was  afterward  acted; 
for  it  appeared  that  he,  the  said  Audubon, 
then,  or  shortly  afterward,  repaired  to  one 
Thomas  Litton  (who  j'our  orators  pray 
may  be  made  a  defendant  and  party  hereto 
with  proper  and  apt  words  to  charge  him 
with  the  premises)  as  a  justice  of  the  peace 
(whose  name  in  that  character  is  a  reproach 
to  the  community)  in  and  for  the  said  county 
of  Vanderburgh  and  bv  persuasions,  or  which 
is  the  more  likely,  bribes  by  the  said  Audu- 
bon, he,  the  said  Litton,  was  induced  to,  and 
did  affix  to  the  said  certificate  and  assign- 
ment a  writing  purporting  to  be  an  acknowl- 
edgment made  by  the  said  Gall  before  him, 
when  in  fact  and  truth  the  said  Gall  never 
did  acknowledge  the  same  before  an\-  iud^-e 
or  justice  whomsoever,  nor  did  he  intend  nor 
would  he  do  so  after  discovering  said  Audu- 
bon's fraud  and  deception,  and  when  this 
abominable  conduct  came  to  the  ears  of  said 
Gall  and  through  him  to  the  vvorld.  the  said 
Litton,  fearful  of  an  indictment  or  prosecu- 
tion for  perjury,  and  other  high  ciimes  and 
misdemeanors,  made  a  precipitate  departure 
and  fled  to  parts  unknown  —  maybe  to  the 
marshes  and  fens  of  Florida,  to  mire 
his  guilt  and  remorse,  or  to  the  banks  of 
the  Mississippi,  where  by  its  accretions  he 
might  bury  his  infamy.  And  your  orators 
are  apprehensive  that  John  Baddollet,  Esq., 
register  of  the  land  ofllce  for  the  district  of 


Vincennes,  who  your  orators  pray  nia\  be 
made  a  defendant  and  party  hereto,  with 
apt  words  to  charge  him  with  the  premises, 
not  being  officially  informed  of  your  orators' 
aforesaid  assignment  and  transfer,  and 
through  the  deception  and  imposition  of 
said  Audubon,  may  grant  and  issue,  if  he 
has  not  already  done  so,  a  final  or  patent 
certificate,  for  the  aforesaid  fractional  sec- 
tions of  land  to  the  said  Audubon  or  to  his 
assigns,  instead  of  to  your  orators,  as  the 
bona  fide  assigns  of  the  said  Jacob  Gall, 
thereby  materially  injuring  and  oppressing 
your  orators;  all  which  said  actings,  pre- 
tenses and  doings  of  the  said  confederates, 
are  contrary  to  equity  and  good  conscience, 
and  tend  to  the  manifest  injury  and  oppres- 
sion of  your  orators.  In  tender  considera- 
tion, whereof,  and  for  that  your  orators  are 
remediless  in  the  premises  bv  the  strict 
rules  of  the  common  law,  and  relievable 
only  in  a  court  of  equity  where  matters  of 
this  nature  are  properly  cognizable."  It  was 
asked  that  "the  said  confederates  may  re- 
spectively make  full,  true,  direct  and  perfect 
answers  upon  their  respective  corporal 
oaths,  according  to  the  best  of  their  respect- 
ive knowledge,  information  and  belief  to  all 
and  singular  the  charges  and  matters  as 
aforesaid,  as  fully  and  in  every  respect  as  if 
the  same  were  here  again  repeated,  and 
the}'  thereunto  particularly  interrogated." 
The  complaint  then  goes  over  again  at  great 
length  the  entire  ground,  interrogating  the 
respondents  as  to  all  the  details  of  the  trans- 
action. The  complainant's  attornc}-  was 
William  Prince. 

Mr.  Baddollet  was  notified  by  subpa^na. 
Gall,  Audubon  and  Litton  b\- ad\-ertisement. 
No  •  answers  were  filed,  and  at  the  Ma}' 
term,  1820,  the  coinplainants  obtained  a  de- 
cree by  default.  Mr.  Audubon  had  removed 
to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  in  March,  1821,  filed 
his  answer.    The  former  decree  was  opened. 


SS4 


]BENCH  AND  BA± 


In  his  answer,  "  reserving  to  himself  all 
manner  of  exceptions  to  the  manifold  defects 
and  want  of  substance  in  said  bill,"  he  de- 
nied generally  the  statements  of  the  com- 
plainants, and  stated  his  case  substantially  as 
follows:  He  had  advanced  Gall  the  money 
necessary  to  enter  the  land,  upon  his  prom- 
ise to  furnish  2,500  saw  logs  at  $1  each; 
which  contract  was  never  fulfilled.  The 
certificate  showing  first  payment  and  a  deed 
from  Gall  were  placed  in  his  hands,  to  be 
held  until  the  logs  were  delivered,  the  trans- 
fer being  made  in  the  presence  of  David 
Megley  and  George  Lindsey.as  witnesses. 
He  advanced  money  to  carry  on  the  work 
of  cutting  timber,  and  Gall,  instead  of  pay- 
ing his  debt,  plunged  deeper  and  deeper, 
until  at  length,  being  led  to  examine  his  se- 
curitv,  he  found  it  not  in  the  form  required 
bylaw.  But  "believing  Gall  incapable  of 
such  conduct  as  he  w'as  subsequently  led 
into  bv  his  co-partners,"  he  let  the  matter 
rest,  till  one  day  he  was  besought  by  Gall 
to  help  him  out  of  a  difficulty.  Gall  had 
been  arrested  in  Henderson  for  a  debt  of 
$180,  and  was  about  to  be  committed 
to  "gaol."  He  declined  to  assist 
further  the  unfortunate  man  unless  he  would 
agree  to  make  a  proper  transfer  to  secure 
his  already  heavy  indebtedness.  This  Gall 
agreed  to  do  in  the  presence  of  witnesses, 
on  the  strength  of  which  Mr.  Audubon  be- 
came bail,  and  later  paid  the  ^iSo.oo.  On 
the  day  following  the  arrest  Mr.  Audubon 
proceeded  to  Gall's  house  in  this  count}-, 
and  procured  what  he  thought  was  a  proper 
assignment,  the  acknowledgment  being 
taken  b\'  Esquire  Litton,  a  neighboring  justice 
of  the  peace.  "  At  this  time  your  respond- 
ent," so  runs  the  answer,  "believes  that 
Gall  was  influenced  by  a  sincere  desire  to 
do  what  he  himself  called  an  act  of  justice 
to  your  respondent  in  securing  him  from  the 
danger  of  being  a  sufferer  in  consequence 


of  the  advances  he  had  made,  and  he  thinks 
that  Gall  would  have  continued  the  straight 
and  correct  line  of  conduct  toward  your 
respondent  which  he  was  then  pursuing,  had 
not  McDowell  and  his  co-partners  upon 
whom  the  infamy  attached  to  the  continu- 
ance of  this  nefarious  transaction  must  and 
will  fall  —  had  not  those  'plain  men,  unversed 
in  the  arts  of  intrigue,  chicane,  and  duplicity,' 
stepped  between  Gall  and  honesty,  and  by 
means  of  their  promises  and  his  necessity, 
tempted  him  to  do  the  deed  for  which  he 
indeed  will  have  to  answer  at  the  awful  bar 
of  heaven's  chancery!"  Mr.  Audubon  then 
proceeded  to  Evansville  to  have  the  county 
clerk  certify  Litton's  official  character,  and 
was  told  by  McGary,  the  clerk,  that  the 
transfer  was  not  yet  in  proper  form.  He  re- 
turned to  have  the  corrections  made — a  sim- 
ple alteration  in  form — and  reaching  Gall's 
house,  found  there  William  Wagnon,  "  an- 
other plain  man,  unversed  in  the  arts  of 
intrigue,  chicane  and  duplicit}',"  also  a  jus- 
tice of  the  peace.  Finding  this  officer  at 
hand  it  w'as  suggested  that  a  new  and 
proper  transfer  be  made,  to  which  Gall 
assented,  but  Wagnon  refused  to  take  the 
acknowledgment,  declaring  that  he  wanted 
the  land  to  remain  in  Gall's  possession,  and 
intimating  that  he  wanted  some  of  it  himself. 
However,  Wagnon  took  Gall  aside  and  re- 
mained absent  with  him  for  some  time. 
Upon  his  return  "  the  aforesaid  type  and 
representation  of  justice,  William  Wagnon, 
expressed  a  willingness  to  take  the  acknow- 
ledgment, but  Gall  had  been  steeped  with 
liquor,  and  now  in  a  brutal  and  drunken 
manner  refused  to  sign.  The  respondent 
then  says :  "  Your  honorable  court  will  ob- 
serve that  this  revolution  was  affected  by 
completely  dissipating  eveiy  sentiment  of 
honor  and  justice  that  still  had  remained  in  the 
breast  of  the  miserable  tool  of  their  diaboli- 
cal plot  b}'  the  excessive  quantity  of  ardent 


EXECUT10^^  OF  HARVEY. 


335 


spirits  with  which  he  was  supplied,  for, 
abandoned  as  he  was,  he  could  not  while  in 
possession  of  his  faculties  act  the  part 
which  was  now  put  upon  him.  Your  res- 
pondent left  the  spot  in  disgust,  and  meeting 
with  Litton,  he  had  the  alteration  effected, 
procured  the  necessary  certificate  from  the 
clerk  of  the  court  aforesaid,  and  immedi- 
ate placed  the  whole  of  the  papers  in  the 
hands  of  John  BaddoUel,  Esq.,  etc.  In  the 
meantime,  by  neglect  of  his  business 
and  dissipation.  Gall's  financial  con- 
dition grew  so  bad  that  he  "could 
not  withstand  the  temptation  held  out  to 
him  by  this  conclave  of  plain  and  honorable 
men  who  it  appears  thought  that  $300 
was  the  fair  market  price  of  souls,  and  a 
full  compensation  for  the  small  crime  of 
perjur)'  which  they  induced  him  to  commit," 
for  he  went  to  Vincennes  and  swore  he  had 
lost  a  certificate  which  he  knew  at  the  time 
was  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Audubon. 

The  answer  charges  that  Gall  never  re- 
ceived the  $300  named  as  a  consideration 
by  McDowell  and  his  associates  and 
further  recites  that  Gall  afterward  told 
Audubon,  "  in  contrition "  that  he  had  re- 
ceived only  "  one  indifferent  horse  with  an 
old  saddle  and  bridle  "  which  "your  respond- 
ent cannot  but  suppose  were  given  to  him 
by  his  kind  friends  to  enable  him  to  leave  a 
place  where  his  stas'  might  have  been  the 
means  of  laying  open  the  plot  so  nicel\'  and 
secretly  formed,  and  rending  asunder  the 
web  of  infamy  so  ingeniously  vvoven. " 
Denying  all  fraud,  combination,  perjury, 
subornation  of  perjury,  bribery,  etc.,  he 
proceeds  to  answer  the  bill  specifically  at 
great  length,  first,  however,  congratulating 
the  complainants  "upon  their  good  fortune  in 
not  being  obliged  to  swear  to  the  bill,  as  they 
have  thereby  escaped  the  temporal  pains 
and  penalties  of  perjury." 

Mr.   Audubon's  attorne}'  was  J.  Hillyer. 


The  case  was  not  finally  settled  until  the 
October  term,  1822,  when  the  following 
entr^-  was  made:  "Whereupon,  the  cause 
coming  on  to  be  tried  upon  the  original  bill, 
answer  and  exhibits,  it  is  ordered,  adjudged 
and  decreed,  that  the  complainants  take 
nothing  by  their  bill,  and  that  the  said  de- 
fendants go  hence  williout  day,  and  recover 
against  the  said  complainants  their  costs  and 
charges  by  them  about  their  suit  in  this  be- 
half expended,  and  the  complainants  be  and 
remain  in  mercy,"  etc. 

The  first  and  only  judicial  execution  in 
Vanderburgh  county  was  the  hanging  of 
John  Harvey,  who  was  put  upon  his  trial  on 
Wednesday,  June  4,  1S23,  and  on  the  7th 
day  of  June  was  sentenced.  The  crime  for 
which  the  death  penalt}-  was  inflicted  was 
the  murder  of  one  Casey,  near  the  old  Mc- 
Dowell farm,  in  Union  township.  The  trial 
was  conducted  before  Judges  Goodlett,  Mc- 
Crary  and  Olmstead,  and  a  jury  composed 
of  Joseph  Wilson,  Joseph  McCallister,  Jesse 
McCallister,  Samuel  Kenj-on,  Elisha  Dur- 
phey,  Lewis  Williams,  John  Fickas,  Henr}' 
James,  Elijah  Waters,  Benjamin  F.  Barker, 
Vicissimus  K.  Phar  and  Robert  Gibson. 
But  one  da\'  was  consumed  in  making  up 
the  jur}'  and  taking  the  evidence.  The  de- 
liberations of  the  jury  w-ere  brief;  the  ver- 
dict, guilt3^  A  new  trial  was  asked  for  and 
denied:  a  motion  to  arrest  judgmicnt  was 
overruled,  and  the  following  judgment 
entered : 

"  Whereupon  all  and  singular  the 
premises  being  seen  and  by  the  court  here 
fully  understood,  it  is  considered  bv  the 
court  here  that  the  said  John  IIar\ey  return 
to  the  count}'  jail  from  whence  he  came, 
from  whence  he  must  be  taken  to  the  place 
of  execution  by  the  sheriff  of  the  county,  to 
some  convenient  place  within  one  mile  of 
the  court-house  in  Evansville,  on  Friday, 
the  27th  day  of  June,  instant,  and    then  and 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


there,  between  the  hours  of  9  o'clock  in  the 
forenoon  and  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  to 
be  hung  upon  a  suitable  gallows,  for  that 
purpose  to  be  erected,  by  the  neck  until  he 
is  dead  " 

The  gallows  was  erected  on  the  public 
square  in  Evansville,  near  the  center  of  the 
southwest  quarter.  The  militia  was  called 
out  under  command  of  Gen.  Robert  M. 
Evans,  assisted  b}'  Col.  Hugh  McGary. 
The  soldiers  marched  upon  the  ground  four 
abreast,  and  formed  a  hollow  sijuare  sur- 
rounding the  gallows.  They  remained  in 
position  until  the  body  of  Harve}'  was  cut 
down  and  laid  in  the  coffin.  When  Maj. 
Warner  (R.  N.),  then  sheriff  of  the  county, 
shook  hands  with  the  condemned  man  he 
cried  like  a  child,  even  before  springing  the 
trap.  Harvey  died  easily,  and  was  buried 
near  the  foot  of  the  gallows.  His  bones 
were  dug  up  when  the  workmen  were  ex- 
cavating for  the  erection  of  the  buildings 
now  occupying  the  ground,  and  were  gath- 
ered up  and  articulated  by  the  late  Dr. 
Isaac  Hutchinson.  Though  the  unfortunate 
man  undoubtedly  did  the  killing  for  which 
he  was  made  to  suffer,  many  persons 
doubted  whether  it  was  a  case  of  murder. 
As  is  common  in  such  matters,  a  woman 
was  in  the    case. 

Besides  the  cases  mentioned,  for  nearly 
twenty  years  there  were  few  trials  of  im- 
portance. The  attention  of  the  court  was 
chiefly  directed  to  petty  criminal  matters. 
Following  the  hard  times  of  1820,  there 
were  a  few  petitions  of  insolvent  debtors  for 
a  release  from  the  payment  of  debts.  Some 
of  these  were  presented  by  men  who  after- 
ward became  prominent,  among  them  John 
M.  Dunham,  Vicissimus  K.  Phar  and  E. 
Saterlee.  Civil  cases  of  small  importance 
and  the  settlement  of  estates  consumed  much 
of  the  court's  time.  Divorce  suits  were  not 
infrequent.    The  principal  of  these,  perhaps, 


because  of  the  prominence  pf  the  parties, 
was  that  between  Dr.  William  Trafton  and 
his  wife  Hannah,  and  that  against  William 
Wagnon,  brought  by  Mar}',  his  wife;  in 
the  former  case  the  property  of  Dr.  Trafton 
was  equally  divided  between  himself  and  wife, 
Jay  Morehouse  and  Horace  Dunham  being 
appointed  by  the  court  to  make  the  division. 
Mrs.  Watrnon  alleged  abandonment  and 
infidelity,  and,  by  agreement  of  the  parties, 
obtained  a  decree.  State  cases  were  nu- 
merous, and  were  based  on  all  sorts  of  vio- 
lations of  law,  those  for  assault  and  battery 
being  the  most  frequent.  In  those  days  a 
man's  readiness  to  fight  and  his  skill  in  per- 
sonal combat  were  tests  of  his  manhood. 
Indictments  for  assault  and  battery  were  re- 
turned against  many  of  the  foremost  men  of 
the  county.  Hugh  McGary  received  more 
attention  in  this  line  perhaps  than  any  other 
individual.  He  was  once  indicted  for  ob- 
taining money  under  false  pretenses, 
and  again  for  adultery,  but  in 
neither  of  these  cases  was  he  found 
to  be  guilty.  Gen.  Elisha  Harrison  was 
tried  for  assault  and  battery  with  intent  to 
murder.  He  was  acquitted  of  the  intent  to 
murder  but  found  guilty  of  the  assault  and 
battery.  His  fine  was  probably  the  lowest 
ever  assessed  by  an}-  jur}-  in  this  county,  be- 
ing one  mill. 

Among  the  pioneers  there  were  few.  if 
an)',  better  men  than  John  Ingle,  and  yet  he, 
too,  was  tried  for  assault  and  battery.  When 
arraigned  he  pleaded  guilt}'  and  threw  himself 
on  the  mere}'  of  the  court.  The  merciful 
judge  punished  him  with  a  fine  of  one  cent. 
Maj.  Alanson  Warner,  a  conspicuous-  figure 
of  early  times,  well  remembered  by  the 
older  citizens  of  to-day,  was  also  fined  for  a 
similar  proof  of  temper.  Ezekial  Saunders, 
the  pioneer  preacher,  and  a  good  man,  was 
indicted  for  usurpation,  tried,  found  guilty, 
and  fined  one  cent.     There  were  also  num- 


EAELY  LITIGATION. 


3S7 


berless  indictments  for  extortion,  taking  up 
horses,  larcenj-,  counterfeiting,  selling  liquor 
or  practicing  medicine  without  license,  adul- 
tery, disturbing  religious  meetings,  gambling, 
and  apparently  every  form  of  wrong-doing 
that  man's  sinful  nature  could  make  pos- 
sible. Philip  H.  Brent  and  James  McClane 
were  charged  with  man-stealing;  other  in- 
dictments of  the  same  kind  were  occasionally 
returned.  Mark  Wheeler  was  one  of  the 
purest  and  most  upright  men  that  ever  lived 
in  this  county,  and  yet  he  was  put  on  trial 
for  marking  a  hog  with  intent  to  steal  it. 
David  Aikin  was  foreman  of  the  jury  that 
tried  the  case.  It  is  hardly  necessar}'  to  say 
that  the  verdict  was  "not  guilty."  In  1824 
Samuel  W.  Hammond  was  indicted  for 
issuing  a  challenge  to  tight  a  duel,  and  upon 
his  trial  bj^  a  jury  of  which  George  W. 
Jacobs  was  foreman,  was  found  not  guilty. 
In  the  next  year  Samuel  Scott,  for  whom  a 
township  was  named,  was  placed  under 
bonds  to  keep  the  peace,  especially  as  to 
Kirby  Wood.  Thus  indefinitely  the  account 
might  be  carried  on.  Individuals  are  named 
m  this  connection  with  no  desire  to  reflect 
discredit  upon  them  but  with  a  view  of 
showing  the  character  of  the  court's  busi- 
ness and  incidentally  the  conditions  of  societ}- 
at  the  times  referred  to.  The  facts  certainlj- 
furnish    no   support    for    theories    of    social 


retrogression. 


The  court's  connection  with  the  pension- 
ing of  soldiers  and  sailors  is  worthy  of  notice, 
that  practice  now  being  unknown.  B3'  laws 
enacted  March  18,  1818,  pensions  were 
granted  to  the  survivors  of  the  revolutionarv 
war,  and  in  order  to  receive  the  benefit  of 
these  laws  apphcants  were  required  to  make 
their  proofs  before  the  court  within  whose 
circuit  they  resided.  The  necessar}-  proof 
was  made  in  the  following  cases:  In  1827, 
by  Daniel  McCollum,  aged  eighty-three 
years,  and  Shadrach  Elkins,  aged  seventy- 


eight  years,  both  residents  of  Posey  county. 
In  1829,  by  John  Henson,  aged  sixty-two 
years,  and  in  1832,  by  Elijah  Stinson,  aged 
seventy-nine  years,  both  residents  of  Van- 
derburgh county.  The  practices  of  the 
grand  jur}-  are  also  worth}-  of  notice.  If 
to-day  grand  jurors  would  take  cognizance 
of  such  cases  as  in  earlier  times  formed 
a  basis  for  indictments  the  court  would  be 
kept  remarkably  busy,  but  perhaps  a  greater 
degree  of  social  purity  than  now  exists  would 
be  obtained.  Some  grand  juries  inquired 
carefully  into  all  things  affecting  the  public 
welfare,  whether  or  not  they  were  strictly 
violations  of  law.  At  the  March  term,  1822, 
the  grand  jury  of  that  year,  with  William 
Pennock  as  foreman,  made  a  general  report 
to  the  court,  denouncing  the  practice,  which 
was  said  to  prevail  in  the  county,  "  of  the 
candidates  for  the  various  oflices  treating 
electors  and  others  with  spirituous  li(juors 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  their  election." 
With  concern  and  regret  they  viewed  the 
practice  as  a  public  evil,  subversive  of  repub- 
lican principles,  and  having  a  tendency  to 
corrupt  the  morals  and  produce  habits,  which, 
if  permitted  to  be  pursued,  would  in  the 
end  destroy  the  pillars  of  the  government. 
Their  report  was  spread  at  length  upon  the 
records  of  the  court  and  directed  to  be 
printed  in  the  EvansviUc  Gazette. 

In  March,  1832,  Judge  Samuel  Hall 
presented  his  commission,  signed  by  Gov. 
Noah  Noble,  as  presiding  judge  of  the 
fourth  judicial  circuit,  and  took  his  seat  upon 
the  bench.  Previously  Judge  Hall  had  re- 
sided at  Princeton,  in  Gibson  county,  where 
he  was  doing  a  small  practice.  He  was  not 
well  known  in  Evansville,  and  probably 
never  tried  a  case  in  the  courts  of  this  count}^ 
before  he  was  called  upon  to  preside.  He 
was  a  safe  counselor,  a  good  judge  of  law, 
cool,  dispassionate  and  accurate,  but  pos- 
sessing   few    of  the    brilliant    qualities  that 


338 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


were  necessary  to  the  conspicuous  advocate 
of  that  day.  After  leaving  the  bench  he  be- 
came president  of  the  E.  &  C.  (now 
E.  &T.  H.)  Railroad  company,  and  was  bet- 
ter known  to  the  people  generally  as  a  rail- 
road man  than  as  a  lawyer.  He  was  an  able 
manager  and  proved  himself  an  efficient  man 
of  affairs.  He  was  deservedly  popular, 
and  was  widely  respected  for  his  qualities 
of  genuine  manliness.  He  had  the  reputa- 
tion of  being  an  upright  and  honorable  citi- 
zen. Nothing  derogatory  to  his  character 
could  be  truthfully  said  by  any  one.  The 
later  years  of  his  life  were  uneventful  and 
he  died  in  Princeton,  where  a  son  of  his 
now  resides.  He  took  some  interest  in  pol- 
itics, and  at  one  time  aspired  to  a  nomina- 
tion for  congress. 

Judge  Hall  resigned  his  office  in  1S35, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Judge  Charles  I. 
Battell,  appointed  to  the  vacanc}',  who 
presided  only  through  one  term  of  court. 
Judge  Battell  was  a  resident  of  Evansville, 
and  a  conspicuous  member  of  tlie  highest  so- 
cial circles.  His  service  on  the  bench  was  of 
short  duration,  and  it  was  not  as  a  judge 
that  h-e  was  best  known.  The  firm  of  Bat- 
tell &  Ingle  had  more  extensive  business  re- 
lations  throughout  the  east  than  those 
enjoyed  by  any  other  firm.  Their  work 
was  chief!}'  of  a  commercial  character,  and 
their  clients  non-residents,  and  the  Branch 
Bank,  then  doing  business  here.  He  was 
scholarly  and  devoted  to  his  books.  His 
practice  was  not  of  that  general  character 
which  enabled  him  to  acquire  his  knowledge 
from  his  associates  at  the  bar,  but  required 
a  careful  consultation  of  authorities.  His 
work  was  chiefly  in  the  adjustment  of  com- 
mercial disputes  and  the  settlement  of  es- 
tates —  a  very  valuable  branch  of  the 
practice,  requiring  the  exercise  of  the 
greatest  care  and  ability  and  permitting  no 
display    which  would  attract  public    notice. 


Judge  Battell  was  not  practical,  but  consci- 
entious and  careful  to  be  right;  in 
.the  privacy  of  his  office  he  was  a  safe 
counselor.  He  was  remarkable  for  his 
absent-mindedness,  and  was  guilty  of  many 
queer  freaks,  due  to  that  characteristic.  It 
is  related  of  him  that  he  often  wrote  letters 
to  parties  at  a  distance,  enclosed  them  in 
envelopes,  which  he  addressed  to  himself, 
posted  them,  and  in  due  time  received  them 
back  through  the  mails.  If  Evansville  had 
a  social  beau  in  early  times,  it  was  Judge 
Battell.  He  was  an  old-school  gentleman, 
polished,  gallant  and  charming  in  conversa- 
tion, a  most  welcome  guest  at  every  social 
gathering,  and  a  delightful  companion  at  all 
times.  He  was  unmarried  and  had  no  rela- 
tives here.  He  retired  from  the  practice 
about  1847,  and  soon  afterward,  while  in 
Ohio,  met  with  a  severe  accident  by  the 
overturning  of  a  stage-coach,  which  crip- 
pled him  for  life.  He  spent  much  of  his 
time  in  Evansville,  and  occasionally  visited 
in  New  York  city,  where  he  died,  probably 
twenty  years  ago. 

At  the  first  regular  election  following 
Judge  Hall's  resignation  Elisha  Embree, 
of  Princeton,  Gibson  county,  was  elected 
judge  of  the  fourth  judicial  circuit,  and 
was  commissioned  December  ri,  1835,  by 
Gov.  Noah  Nobles.  His  first  term  in  this 
county  was  held  in  March,  1836.  Judge 
Embree  was  a  native  of  Kentucky  and 
came  to  Indiana  territor}-  with  his  parents  in 
181 1,  locatincr  near  Princeton.  He  studied 
law  in  the  office  of  Judge  Hall,  and 
was  admitted  to  practice  in  1825. 
Before  sointj  on  the  bench  he 
had  served  in  the  state  senate 
where  he  was  one  of  the  few  who  had  the 
courage  to  oppose  the  internal  improvement 
legislation  which  subsequently  bore  such 
evil  fruits.  In  the  practice  of  his  profession 
at  Princeton,  he  was  eminently  successful, 


AN  ERA  OF  GAMING. 


339 


being  early  recognized   as  an  able  and  elo- 
quent  advocate    and    a    sound   and  practical 
counselor.     Throughout  his  career  he  main- 
tained an  enviable  position  among  the  ablest 
members  of  the  bar.     His  thorough  acijuaint- 
ance  with   every  branch  of  the  law,  and  his 
clear  perceptive  faculties,  made  him  an  ex- 
cellent   judge.  .    It   was  imptjssible  for  the 
best  pleaders  to    confuse  him   or  lead  him 
away  from  the   main  point  in  a  case  by  elo- 
quence, sophistry,  or  any  art   known  to  the 
profession.       He    never    practiced    in    this 
county  and  was  not  known  here   as  a  prac- 
titioner.    He  was  a  plain  man,  practical  and 
unostentatious.      Though   without  polish  or 
the  graces  which  adorn  the  cultured  gentle- 
man, his    mind    was   vigorous,  his    manners 
simple,  and   his  character   above   reproach. 
In  personal  appearance  he  was  tall,  angular, 
with  high  cheek-bones  and  large  features. 
He  always  dressed  in  what  appeared  to  be 
home-spun  jeans  — material  not  in   general 
use  among  judges  and  lawyers  even  at  that 
day.     In  appearance  he  was   almost  a  Jac 
siinilc  of    Gov.    Williams,  known  to    later 
generations,    and  -familiarly    called    "Blue 
Jeans  Williams."     In   1847  he  was   elected 
to  congress,  defeating   Robert  Dale  Owen, 
then    at  the  height  of    his  power  and  con- 
sidered impregnable.       The   campaign    was 
looked  at  as  a    battle    between   giants,    and 
was  hotly  contested.      The  chief  issue  was 
the  tariff,JudgeEmbree  setting  forth  the  ad- 
vantages of  protection  to    American    indus- 
tries and  diversified  interests,  and  Mr.  Owen 
arguing  for  free  trade,    and   predicting   the 
ultimate     greatness    of  the     nation,  if     ex- 
clusively a  producer   of  raw   materials   and 
possessing    a    lirm    hold    upon    the   world's 
markets.      Judge    Embree   served    but  one 
term  in  congress  and    was  defeated   for   re- 
election.      Thereafter  until    1863   when  his 
death  occurred  he  resided  at  Princeton  man- 
aging his  private  interests.      In  every  walk 


of  Hfe  he  attained  a  distinguished  position. 
In  the  transaction  of  the   chancery  busi- 
ness of  the  court  all  of  the  old  common  law 
pleadings  with  their  stilted   and   prolix   ver- 
biage filled  the  pages  of  the  records.      The 
forms  of  actions  were  multifarious.       Debt, 
trover,   covenant,    assumpsit,   detinue,  tres- 
pass,  trespass   on   the  case,  etc.,  etc.,  were 
brought  into  use  to  suit  the  various  combina- 
tions  of  facts.       About    1S35  a  marked  in- 
crease in  this  branch  of  the  court's  business 
was  observable.      Evansville  had  become  a 
town  of  considerable    importance,  and    men 
were  so  occupied  with  business   affairs   that 
they  found  less  time  for  fighting.     That  di- 
version, however,    was    indulged    in    quite 
freely.     Other  forms  of  amusement  began 
to  interest  the  pioneers.     The  excitement  of 
card  playing  had  irresistible  charms  for  the 
most  of  them.      Their    love  for  poker  was 
wonderful.    At  that  time  the  game  was  very 
popular    and    fashionable     throughout    the 
United  States   among  those  of  high   social 
standino-.       Many    men    of  national     repute 
succumbed  to   the    enticements  of  the  game 
and    often    "took    a  hand "    at  high  stakes. 
Representatives   and    senators   in    congress, 
members  of  the  cabinet  and  even  the  presi- 
dents yielded  to    the   fascination.       Steam- 
boats on  the  Ohio  river  were  frequented  by 
professional  gamblers,  some  of  whom   were 
men  of  courage,  education,  social  culture  and 
many  polite  accomplishments  who  gave  tone 
and  rrrace  to  their  unlawful  profession.    The 
evil  prevailed  at  Evansville  and  led  to  scores 
of  indictments  and  limitless  sport. 

Charles  Hancock  and  John  B.  Mansell 
were  tried  in  March,  1837,  for  keeping  a 
o-amins  house,  and  on  conviction  were  fined 
$50.00.  They  fought  the  case  with 
vigor;  asked  for  a  new  trial,  were  denied, 
and  moved  to  arrest  judgment,  w  ere  over- 
ruled, and  finally  paid  the  fine  and  costs. 
There  were  indictments  for   keeping  nine- 


340 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


pin  alleys,  and  for  other  offenses  connected 
with  gaming. 

During  the  campaign  of  1836  between 
Van  Buren  and  Harrison,  the  excitement  in 
Evansville  was  very  great.  As  a  result, 
many  wagers  were  made.  Gen.  Robert 
M.  Evans  and  F.  E.  Goodsell  staked  $500 
each  on  the  electoral  vote  of  Indiana,  Gen. 
Evans  betting  that  Harrison  would  get  the 
vote.  Both  were  indicted  and  fined,  Gen. 
Evans  in  the  sum  of  one  cent,  and  Mr, 
Goodsell  to  the  extent  of  $30.52.  John 
Mitchell  bet  a  coat  pattern  valued  at  $25 
with  William  M.  Walker,  that  Martin  Van 
Buren  would  not  be  elected  president  of  the 
United  States.  After  the  election  both, 
though  among  the  most  prominent  of 
Evansville's  early  citizens,  were  prosecuted 
and  fined  for  their  violation  of  the  law.  It 
may  be  remarked  in  passing  that  the  now 
venerable  Judge  John  Pitcher  was  the  pros- 
ecuting attorney  at  that  time. 

About  this  time  some  other  trials  of  a 
criminal  nature  attracted  general  attention. 
In  1S30  Daniel  Rose,  of  Armstrong  town- 
ship, was  indicted  for  manslaughter.  "  Not 
having  the  fear  of  God  before  his  e}-es,  but 
being  seduced  by  the  instigation  of  the 
devil,"  he  had  killed  Patsey  Rose,  his  wife. 
It  was  charged  that  while  she  was  heavy 
with  child  he  had  beaten  her  with  a  beach 
stick  on  June  10,  in  the  3'ear  named;  that  on 
July  17,  he  had  seized  her  violently  and  put 
her  out  of  the  house,  she  being  sick  at  the 
time,  having  lately  given  birth  to  her  child, 
and  that  two  days  later  she  died.  Judge 
Charles  I.  Battell  prosecuted  the  case,  but 
it  was  not  tried  until  September,  1832,  when 
a  verdict  of  "  not  guilty  "  was  returned. 

In  May,  1835,  "^  child  was  found  dead  in 
an  open  field  near  the  dwelling  of  Nelson 
Jackson,  and  it  was  believed  that 
Ehza  Eaton  was  the  perpetrator  of  the 
crime.     She     was     unrnarried     and     was 


known  to  have  given  birth  to  a  child.  The 
indictment  charged  her  with  causing  the 
death  in  three  different  ways:  first,  by  tak- 
ing it  to  the  field,  secreting  and  deserting 
it,  thus  causing  death  for  lack  of  nourish- 
ment; second,  by  choking  it  with  a  cord; 
third,  by  inflicting  with  some  hard  substance 
a  mortal  wound  on  its  head — a  cut  three 
inches  long  and  an  inch  deep  being  discov- 
ered on  its  head  when  found.  The  prose- 
cution was  conducted  b}'  John  Pitcher,  but 
the  woman  was  acquitted. 

In  the  same  year  Samuel  Taylor  was  in- 
dicted for  stealing  a  horse  from  Joseph  Rose, 
in  Armstrong  township.  Horse-stealing  was 
a  crime  almost  equal  to  homicide.  The 
case  was  continued  through  several  terms. 
At  length  a  writ  of  capias  ad  respondendum 
was  returned,  "  not  found,"  and  the  prose- 
cution of  the  case  ceased. 

Thomas  Barnett,  sr.,  was  indicted  for 
manslaughter  in  1837,  was  tried  two  years 
later  and  acquitted,  having  had  a  previous 
trial,  in  which  the  jur}-  failed  to  agree. 

In  1835  Philip  Hornbrook,  a  most  excel- 
lent gentleman  and  pioneer  citizen  of  Scott 
township,  brought  a  case  into  court  on  ap- 
peal from  a  justice  of  the  peace,  as  next 
friend  of  "Charles  (a  boy  of  color),"  against 
Thomas  Duncan,  and  Henry  Smith,  wherein 
it  was  claimed  that  the  defendants,  with 
"  divers  sticks,  clubs,  knives,  dirks,  swords, 
fists  and  other  weapons,"  had  beaten  the 
boy,  had  tied  with  a  rope  and  taken  him 
about  two  miles  against  his  will  and  had  im- 
prisoned him  twelve  hours.  On  the  tria 
the  jury  failed  to  agree,  and  a  year  later  by 
agreement  the  case  was  dismissed,  the  de- 
fendants paving  the  costs.  About  the  same 
time  the  grand  jury  returned  a  true  bill 
against  Edmond  Maidlow,  another  of  Scott 
township's  best  citizens,  for  harboring  a  ne- 
gro, it  being  charged  that  "  Charles,  a  mu- 
latto "  had  come  into  the  state,  had  not  given 


JUDGE  LOCKHART. 


SJtl 


bond  that  he  would  not  become  a  pauper^ 
and  was  hired  and  harbored  by  Mr.  Maid- 
low  who  knew  these  facts.  Mr.  Maidlow 
was  brought  to  trial  in  March,  1836,  and 
found  not  guiltv.  These  facts  suggest  that 
the  hope  of  obtaining  revenge  was  not  with- 
out its  charm  even  at  that  time. 

Five  colored  people  were  brought  into 
court  on  a  writ  of  h.ihc.is  corpus  in  1836. 
They  were  Delila  Leach  and  her  four  child- 
ren, who  obtained  their  freedom  upon  the 
death  of  their  master,  James  Leach,  of  Mis- 
sissippi, through  the  terms  of  his  will,  which 
also  directed  his  executor  to  send  them  to 
Indiana  or  Liberia  as  they  might  choose. 
The\'  arrived  in  Evansville  with  a  copy  of 
the  late  master's  will  and  letters  from  the 
executor,  and  were  taken  possession  of  by 
Dr.  William  Trafton,  who  claimed  that  they 
were  not  emancipated  bv  the  will  according 
to  the  laws  of  Mississippi,  and  that  by  the 
letter  of  the  executor  he  was  requested  to 
take  charge  of  them.  The  court,  upon 
hearing  the  facts,  discharged  them  from  the 
custody  and  power  of  Dr.  Trafton. 

Following  the  financial  crisis  of  1837  there 
was  an  enormous  increase  in  the  civil  busi- 
ness of  the  court.  There  was  wide-spread 
failure  in  mercantile  circles;  suits  for  the 
recovery  of  debts,  foreclosures  and  eject- 
ments were  a  most  natural  sequence.  The 
letters  of  Amos  Clark,  one  of  the  most 
prominent  lawyers  of  that  day,  are  quoted 
elsewhere  in  these  pages  to  show  the  real 
conditions  of  the  times.  Judgments  were 
taken  against  the  best  men  in  this  part  of 
the  country.  The  rapid  immigration  pre- 
ceding that  year  had  increased  the  number 
of  citizens  who  were  directed  to  the  courts 
of  this  count\'  for  the  preservation  of  rights 
and  redress  of  wrongs,  and  thus  a  large  nat- 
ural increase  in  the  volume  of  the  court's 
business  had  been  effected.  Three  terms 
had  been  established  where  two  had  previ- 


ously sufficed,  but  one  of  these,  owing  to  the 
generally  demoralized  condition  into  which 
all  public  affairs  of  the  state  were  thrown 
about  that  time  was  soon  thereafter  taken 
away.  The  litigation  consequent  upon  the 
hard  times  of  that  period  taxed  the  energies 
of  the  court  probably  as  never  at  anj-  other 
time,  and  certainly  as  never  before. 

The  last  mentioned  of  the  president  judges 
was  Hon.  Elisha  Embree.  His  successor. 
Judge  James  Lockhart,  commissioned  in 
March,  1846,  by  Gov.  James  Whitcomb, 
was  a  resident  of  Evansville,  and  before 
ascending  to  the  bench  had  become  one  of 
the  foremost  lawyers  in  this  part  of  the 
state.  His  selection  to  the  important  office 
was  a  just  tribute  to  his  abilities  and  worth. 
A  native  of  New  York  he  was  born  1806, 
and  died  in  this  city  in  1857.  Admitted  to 
the  Evansville  bar  in  1832,  he  soon  gained 
recognition  as  an  able  and  erudite  lawyer. 
He  was  not  a  man  of  quick  perception  and 
ready  speech,  but  studious  and  painstaking. 
When  addressing  court  or  jury  he  was 
slow,  deliberate  and  earnest.  His  intense 
interest  in  an}-  case  which  he  undertook,  and 
his  deep,  enthusiastic  earnestness  carried 
conviction.  He  was  known  as  a  book  law- 
yer, plodding  patientlv  through  authorities 
\  and  working  his  cases  thoroughl}-.  He  was 
I  much  like  Judge  Iglehart,  well  known  to 
later  practitioners,  except  that  he  lacked 
some  of  the  smoothness  of  the  latter  and  was 
not  as  clear  a  writer.  Throughout  his  ca- 
reer as  a  practitioner  he  held  a  commanding 
position.  On  the  bench  he  was  impartial, 
just  and  thoroughly  capable.  For  several 
years  he  was  prosecuting  attorney  for  the 
district,  was  a  member  of  the  constitutional 
con\ention  in  1 851,  and  was  elected  to  a  seat 
;  in  the  Thirty-second  congress  but  died  be- 
fore taking  the  office.  He  was  well  known 
'  as  a  politician  throughout  the  district,  and 
I  was  a  recognized  leader  of  the  democracy. 


34i 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


Socially  he  enjoyed  a  very  high  standing, 
being  refined  and  cultivated  and  having  a 
most  excellent  wife,  daughter  of  David 
Negley,  of  Centre  township.  The  fact  is 
worthy  of  mention  that  the  only  dinner  ever 
given  to  the  Evans\'ille  bar  was  at  the  hos- 
pitable home  of  Judge  Lockhart,  shortly 
before  his  election  to  congress.  There  were 
then  about  sixteen  la\v\'ers  in  the  city,  and 
all  were  present  on  the  occasion.  It  need 
hardly  be  said  that  a  most  delightful  after- 
noon was  enjoyed.  His  attainments  and 
character  gave  Judge  Lockhart  a  lasting 
hold  upon  the  esteem  of  his  contemporaries 
in  social  and  professional  circles. 

The  next  to  preside  in  the  circuit  court 
of  Vanderburgh  county,  was  Alvin  P. 
Hovey,  who  was  commissioned  in  Septem- 
ber, 1 85 1,  by  Gov.  Joseph  A.  Wright.  The 
career  of  Gen.  Hovey  is  a  part  of  the  state 
and  national  history,  now  fresh  in  the  minds 
of  the  people  because  of  his  recent  elevation 
from  the  halls  of  congress  to  the  highest 
executive  office  in  the  state  of  Indiana.  He 
is  not  the  creature  of  advantageous  circum- 
stances, but  struggHng  against  adversity 
from  his  youth,  by  dint  of  persevering  indus- 
try he  has  achieved  a  most  honorable  career. 
His  home  was  at  Mt.  Vernon,  in  Posey 
county,  and  there  he  pursued  the  study 
of  law  in  the  office  of  that  eminent 
lawver,  Judge  John  Pitcher.  He  was 
a  consumer  of  the  "  midnight  oil,"  study- 
ing under  great  disadvantages,  but  j'ielding 
to  no  form  of  adversit}'.  In  the  old  court 
house,  in  one  of  the  small  chambers  on  the 
upper  floor  he  had  his  bed  and  his  books. 
The  light  from  his  window  was  a  sort  of 
beacon,  late  at  night,  visible  even  beyond 
the  limits  of  the  town.  He  was  a  well-read 
lawyer,  and  as  a  practitioner  was  very  pop- 
ular among  the  members  of  the  bar.  When 
he  went  on  the  bench  he  was  a  j'oung  man, 
but  his  abilities  were  such  that  he  easily  un- 


derstood the  intricacies  of  the  law  and  was 
able  to  solve  disputed  questions  in  harmony 
with  justice  and  right.  Dignity  on  the 
bench  he  always  maintained  with  the  utmost 
rigor.  He  was  ver}'  considerate  of  all  attor- 
neys, especially  of  young  men,  always  giv- 
ing them  a  fair  opportunity,  it  mattering 
not  against  whom  they  were  pitted. 

In  his  earl^'  career  he  affiliated  with  the 
whigs,  but  in  1848  joined  the  democracy 
and  was  soon  thereafter  elected  to  the  judge- 
ship by  that  party.  Later  he  became  a 
repubhcan,  and  for  many  years  has  been  a 
party  leader  in  the  state.  He  has  always 
been  a  decided  partisan,  without,  however, 
obtruding  his  political  opinions  on  others  in 
an  offensive  way.  He  has  been  so  tolerant 
and  considerate  that  manj-,  differing  from 
him  politically,  have  for  him  the  warm- 
est feelings  of  friendship.  For  more 
than  thirty-five  years  General  Hovey 
has  been  one  of  the  most  prominent 
men  in  the  state.  During  the  civil  war  few 
excelled  him  in  patriotic  devotion  to  the 
Union;  few  achieved  a  brighter  record  for 
gallantr}',  heroism,  and  generalship.  He 
has  ably  represented  the  nation  in  foreign 
courts;  he  has  sat  with  honor  and  dignity 
upon  the  supreme  bench  of  the  state;  with 
unusual  abilitv  he  has  served  his  district  in 
the  national  congress,  and  has  become  the 
(governor  of  his  state. 

The  March  term,  1852,  was  the  first  held 
after  1819  without  associate  judges.  In 
1842  John  W.  Lilliston  had  been  succeeded 
by  Conrad  Staser,  an  upright  and  honorable 
man,  who  resided  in  Scott  township.  He 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and,  like  his 
predecessors,  knew  very  little  of  the  law. 
He  was  the  son  of  the  German  pioneer 
Frederick  Staser,  who  was  one  of  tfie 
earliest  settlers  in  the  county.  His  life  was 
uneventful,  his  elevation  to  the  bench  prob- 
ably being  the  greatest  recognition  given  to 


U^'C.iAy 


i/^^L<}r-i^^f7Z7' 


CHANGES  IN  1852. 


S43 


his  abilities  b}'  his  fellow  citizens.  His 
career  as  a  citizen  was  honorable  through- 
out. His  death  occurred  while  on  his  wa\' 
to  California  about  1850.  In  1844  Silas 
Stephens  succeeded  Judge  Olmstead.  Judge 
Stephens  was  a  man  of  sterling  worth,  pos- 
sessing the  attributes  of  genuine  manhood, 
and  in  his  career  reflecting  honor  upon  him- 
self and  the  communit}'  of  which  he  was  a 
part.  lie  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  born  in 
1801,  and  in  his  youth  learned  the  trade  of  a 
saddler.  He  came  to  Vanderburgh  county  in 
1822,  with  no  worldly  possessions  but  the 
clothes  of  a  pioneer  hunter  and  a  rifle.  By 
steadfast  industry,  strict  economy,  and  an 
unswerving  adherence  to  honorable  methods, 
he  accumulated  a  valuable  estate.  His  earh' 
manhood  was  devoted  to  a  business  career, 
he  being  principally  engaged  with  work  at 
his  trade  and  in  mercantile  pursuits.  After 
leaving  the  bench  he  resided  near  the  cit\', 
occupied  with  the  management  of  his  large 
private  interests.  When  elected  judge  he 
had  no  legal  education,  but  his  strong  mind, 
large  store  of  good  common  sense,  his  up- 
rightness and  strict  sense  of  honor,  fitted 
him  admirably  for  the  position.  He  did  not 
allow  himself  to  remain  uninformed  in  the 
law,  but  by  patient  study  became  familiar 
with  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  proved  him- 
self an  able  and  successful  oflicial.  Judge 
Stephens  married  Miss  Julienne  E\ans, 
daughter  of  Gen.  Robert  M.  Evans.  Their 
descendants  occupy  an  honorable  place  in 
this  communilv  to  this  dav. 

The  last  of  the  associate  judges  was 
William  Shook,  who  succeeded  Judge  Staser 
in  1S49.  ^^^  ^^'''^  'I  farmer  residing  in 
Union  township,  very  ilHterate,  possessing 
no  knowledge  of  law,  but  having  good  judg- 
ment and  a  fair  amount  of  common  sense. 
He  was  kind-hearted  and  rather  an  enter- 
prising citizen.  His  habits  of  life  were  not 
(fOod,  and  his  moral  perceptions  were  obtuse. 
?0 


He  was  once  a  justice  of  the  peace,  but  at- 
tained no  other  distinction. 

Before  the  adoption  of  the  code  of  1852 
the  common  law  practice  pro\'ided  for 
actions  at  law  and  suits  in  chancery- ;  actions 
at  law  being  subdivided  and  classified  as- 
sumpsit, debt,  trespass,  case,  trover,  eject- 
ment, etc.  B\-  the  code  the  distinction  be- 
tween actions  at  law  and  suits  in  equity  was 
abolished,  and  one  form  for  all  actions  pro- 
vided, a  complaint  stating  the  facts  consti- 
tuting the  cause  of  action.  This  radical 
change  notwithstandintr  its  tendency  to  ob- 
scure  the  salutary  principles  that  obtained  in 
chancery  courts,  and  to  encourage  loose 
pleading,  has,  on  the  whole,  worked  well, 
under  the  new  order  of  things;  while  before, 
chancery  cases  were  tried  by  the  court, 
afterward  all  cases  at  the  election  of  either 
party  were  tried  by  a  jury,  and  in  cases  that 
wotild  have  been  chancery  causes,  suits  for 
the  settlement  of  long  and  intricate  partner- 
ships, etc.,  there  was  frequently  a  mis- 
carriage of  justice,  for  jurors  were  not 
allowed  even  to  take  notes  of  the  evidence. 
This  condition  of  affairs  was  remedied  by 
the  code  of  1881,  which  provides  that  all 
cases  which  before  the  code  of  1852,  were 
of  exclusive  chancery  jurisdiction,  shall  be 
tried  by  the  court. 

The  adoption  of  the  code  of  1852  ended 
forever  the  careers  of  the  mythical  John 
Doe  and  Richard  Roe,  who  had  for  years 
been  familiar  to  ever}-  lawyer  as  the  chief 
figures  in  a  legal  fiction  used  in  actions  for  the 
recovery  of  real  estate.  The  new  code  pro- 
vided that  every  cause  should  be  prosecuted 
b\'  the  real  party  in  interest  and  against  the 
real  party  complained  of.  The  alacrity 
with  which  Doe  always  stepped  in  to  vindi- 
cate the  alleged  right  of  the  man  out  of  pos- 
session, and  the  equal  promptness  of  Roe  to 
insist  that  the  man  in  possession  was  the 
lawful  owner  and  entitled  to  retain  his  pos- 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


session,  were  such  that  old  practitioners 
could  not  take  a  final  leave  of  these  knights- 
errant  of  the  common  law  without  feelings 
of  intense  regret.  With  the  abolition  of 
fictions,  and  a  modification  and  simplification 
of  many  forms  of  proceedure,  much  of  the 
intricate  learning  of  the  old  common  law  fell 
into  disuse  and  became  mere  matters  of  his- 
tory. Those  who  had  studied  the  common 
law  and  by  long  years  of  practice,  had  be- 
come thoroughly  imbued  with  its  principles, 
admired  it  for  its  grandeur,  wisdom  and  em- 
bodiment of  the  right  principles  of  justice 
and  equity.  It  had  been  founded  on  the 
wisdom  and  experience  of  ages,  and  its  ad- 
mirers stood  in  awe  of  any  attempt  to  prune 
it,  eyen  of  its  smallest  branches.  Man\-  of 
the  old  practitioners  regarded  the  innova- 
tion as  sacrilege,  few  became  reconciled  to 
the  change,  and  some  went  so  far  as  to 
abandon  the  practice  forever. 

The  character  of  the  court's  busin'ess, 
though  transacted  in  a  different  way,  has 
been  much  the  same  since  1852,  as  it 
was  before  that  date.  Extensive  and 
important  litigation  has  frequently  engaged 
its  attention.  Crimes  and  misdemeanors 
have  been  committed  frequently,  and  even 
a  brief  account  of  the  man}-  important  crim- 
inal trials  of  recent  years  can  not  be  under- 
taken. The  penitentiary  has  received  a 
large  ([uota  of  its  inmates  from  Vander- 
burgh county.  \yrong-doing  has  never 
been  allowed  to  go  unpunished  through  a 
lack  of  judicial  integrity  or  a  failure  on  the 
part  of  any  officer  of  the  court  in  the  per- 
formance of  duty. 

The  civil  cases,  because  of  the  advance- 
ment of  the  locality  in  wealth,  and  the  in- 
crease in  the  fortunes  of  individuals  and 
corporations,  have  been  of  much  greater 
importance,  if  measured  by  the  amounts  in- 
volved, in  late  years  than  formerly'.  The 
most  important  of  these,  up  to   the   time  of 


its  trial,  and  perhaps  as  interesting  a  case  as 
any  ever  heard  by  the  court  was  that  enti- 
tled Longworth  vs.  Bell  and  Kiger.  The 
trial  was  conducted  by  Conrad  Baker, 
Thomas  E.  Garvin  and  Alvin  P.  Hovey,  for 
the  plaintiff;  by  James  Lockhart,  J.  J. 
Chandler,  James  G.  Jones  and  James  E. 
Blythe,  for  the  defendants;  and  was  heard 
b}'  Judge  William  E.  Niblack.  It  involved 
the  title  to  160  acres  of  land,  then  near  the 
boundary  of  the  city,  and  now  within  its 
limits.  There  was  rather  a  striking  similar- 
it}''  between  the  case  and  that  in  which 
John  J.  Audubon  was  defendant,  in  earlier 
3'ears.  The  land  in  dispute  had  been 
entered  about  1820,  by  Messrs.  Pear- 
son and  Paxton,  general  merchants 
then  in  business  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  The 
credit  system  was  then  in  vogue  on  land 
entries,  and  full  paj'ment  was  not  at  first 
made.  It  appeared  that  afterward  Mr. 
Longworth  paid  the  purchase  money.  The 
firm  of  Pearson  &  Paxton  failed.  The  cer- 
tificate of  purchase  for  the  land  was  taken 
by  Nicholas  Longworth,  of  Cincinnati,  in 
payment  of  its  debts  with  an  irregular  or  in- 
formal assignment  on  the  back  of,  or  attached 
to,  the  certificate.  Mr.  Longworth  left  the 
certificate  in  the  hands  of  Vachel  Worthing- 
ton,  a  Cincinnati  lawyer,  who  deposited  it  in 
his  safe.  He  then  took  possession  of  the 
land,  and  through  his  agents  had  put  a  part 
of  it  in  cultivation,  had  cleared  it  of  its  tim- 
ber, and  made  use  of  it  as  if  his  title  had 
been  perfect.  After  the  lapse  of  }'ears,  Mr. 
Lonijworth  forjjot  how  his  title  was  obtained 
and  onl\'  knew  in  general  that  he  had  long 
been  in  possession  and  that  his  ownership 
was  based  upon  a  title  properly  acquired,  as 
he  thought,  in  the  first  instance.  The  records 
of  the  land  office  and  of  this  county  showed 
nothing  be\'ond  the  entr\-  of  the  land  by 
Pearson  &  Paxton.  The  claim  of  Bell  & 
Kiger  was  based  upon  deeds  frorn  the  heirs 


LATER  JUDGES. 


34,5 


of  these  merchants.  When  the  suit  was 
commenced  Mr.  Longworth  was  unable  to 
show  title  of  any  sort.  During-  the  progress 
of  the  trial,  the  lawyer  Worthington,  when 
about  to  abandon  the  practice,  was  examin- 
ing the  accumulated  mass  of  old  papers 
in  his  safe  and  ollice  and  discovered 
the  certificate  with  its  informal  assign- 
ment to  Longworth.  The  paper  was  placed 
in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Longworth's  attorneys, 
its  receipt  causing  considerable  rejoicing. 
The  case  was  decided  in  favor  of  Long- 
worth,  and  was  then  carried  to  the  supreme 
court  where  the  judgment  of  the  lower 
court  was  affirmed.  i\nother  important 
case,  attracting  general  interest,  was  that  of 
Mrs.  Saleta  Evans  :■.<.  Mary  Stephens  et  al. 
It  involved  the  title  to  the  Evans  block,  and 
brought  into  question  the  will  of  Gen. 
Robert  M.  Evans.  The  case  was  tried  be- 
fore Judge  John  Baker  of  the  third  judicial 
circuit,  was  sharply  contested,  and  finally 
decided  in  favor  of  the  plaintiff. 

The  cases  in  which  banks,  railroads  and 
other  corporations,  the  city  as  a  corporate 
body,  and  the  county  have  been  parties 
have  been  of  such  magnitude  and  import- 
ance as  to  demand  the  highest  legal  attain- 
ments for  their  proper  settlement.  In  the 
conduct  of  weighty  litigation,  some  of  which 
has  been  carried  to  the  supreme  court  of 
the  state  and  to  the  highest  judicial 
tribunes  of  the  nation,  the  members  of  the 
Evansville  bar  have  displayed  great  abilit}' 
and  learning;  and  in  the  final  determination 
of  those  cases  taken  on  appeal  to  higher 
courts,  the  judgments  of  Vanderburgh 
county  courts  have  been  generally  sus- 
tained, thus  showing  the  high  character  and 
{Cgal  understanding  of  those  whom  the  pub- 
lic has  intrusted  with  the  discharge  of  the 
great  responsibilities  and  duties  attaching 
to  the  bench. 

Judge  William  E.  Niblack  was  commis- 


sioned by  Gov.  Joseph  A.  Wright  in  April, 
1854,  and  succeeded  Judge  Hovey.  Judge 
Niblack  never  resided  in  this  county.  He 
was  a  native  of  Dubois  county,  and  resided 
at  Dover  Hill,  Martin  county,  when  he  went 
upon  the  bench.  At  that  time  he  was  with- 
out experience  in  law,  ex;cept  such  as  he 
had  obtained  by  a  few  years'  practice  in  his 
own  county.  Notwithstanding  this  he  suc- 
ceeded in  becoming  an  able  judge.  What 
he  lacked  in  legal  learning  he  made  up  in 
good  judgment  and  what  is  called  "  hard 
common  sense."  To  be  a  good  judge  it  is 
not  always  necessary  to  be  an  excellent  law- 
yer. With  a  sharp  attorney  on  either  side 
of  a  case  calling  attention  to  every  phase  of 
the  law  involved  and  citing  authorities,  it 
becomes  an  easy  matter  for  a  "  level-headed" 
man  to  solve  disputes  in  accordance  with 
the  right.  Judge  Niblack  was  kind,  affable, 
honest  and  upright,  and  had  many  friends. 
His  pleasant  and  genial  manners  made  him 
an  agreeable  companion,  but  he  was  not  a 
refined  or  polished  gentleman  and  exhibited 
neither  a  fondness  for  literary  work  nor  a 
particular  acquaintance  with  general  litera- 
ture. His  manners  were  so  conciliatory 
that  it  is  said  few  were  offended  by  his  de- 
cisions. Even  when  deciding  adversely,  he 
did  it  in  such  a  way  as  to  relieve  the  decis- 
ion of  all  asperity.  He  was  thoroughly 
just,  and  on  the  whole  an  excellent  judge. 
He  left  the  bench  with  the  respect  of  the 
bar  and  the  confidence  of  the  people. 
Afterward  he  went  to  congress,  being 
elected  with  very  little  opposition  to  fill  the 
term  to  which  Judge  Lockhart  had  been 
previously  elected,  and  later  for  many  3'ears 
sat  upon  the  supreme  bench  of  the  state. 

When  Judge  Niblack  resigned  in  Octo- 
ber, 1857,  to  go  to  congress,  the  vacancy 
was  filled  by  the  appointment  of  Ballard 
Smith.  He  was  commissioned  October  24, 
1857,  by  Gov.  A.  P.  Willard.     At  the  time 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


of  his  appointment  he  was  a  resident  of 
Cannelton,  in  Perry  county,  and  after  leav- 
ing the  bench  removed  to  Terre  Haute, 
where  he  became  one  of  the  foremost  mem- 
bers of  the  Vigo  county  bar.  He  was 
perhaps  the  most  pohshed  judge  ever  on  the 
bench  in  this  circuit.  He  was  refined, 
scholarlv,  and  possessed  in  a  marked  degree 
all  the  characteristics  of  a  genuine  gentle- 
man. Socially  he  maintained  a  high  stand- 
ing and  his  company  was  sought  by  the  best 
people.  He  held  only  a  few  terms  of  court 
here,  but  everybody  liked  him  and  regretted 
his  departure.  On  the  bench,  in  the  trial  of 
causes,  he  gave  great  satisfaction. 

The  universal  regret  at  the  departure  of 
Judge  Smith,  subjected  his  successor,  Judge 
M.  F.  Burke,  to  a  critical  reception.  He  was 
a  resident  of  Washington,  Daviess  county, 
and  was  commissioned  by  Gov.  Willard,  in 
November,  1858.  That  he  gave  eminent 
satisfaction  under  the  circumstances,  was 
proof  of  his  manly  qualities.  He  soon 
inii^ratiated  himself  into  the  good  graces  of 
the  bar  and  became  popular.  He  was  an 
Irishman  by  birth  and  possessed  the  read}' 
wit  peculiar  to  that  race.  He  was  a  hard 
student,  a  thorough  lawyer,  and  an  honest 
and  upright  judge.  While  here,  he  was  a 
man  of  very  correct  habits,  and  his  life  on 
the  bench  was  above  reproach.  In  politics 
he  was  an  acknowledged  leader  of  the 
democracy  in  his  district. 

Judge  William  F.  Parrett  was  commis- 
sioned by  Gov.  A.  P.  Willard  in  August, 
1859,  and  for  ten  years  presided  in  the 
courts  of  this  circuit.  He  resigned  in  1869 
to  engage  in  the  practice  of  law,  but  on 
March  7th,  1873,  was  again  called  to  the 
bench  by  an  appointment  from  Gov.  Thomas 
A.  Hendricks,  and  for  nearl}'  sixteen  years 
held  aloft  the  scales  of  justice  in  this  circuit, 
resigning  December  31,  18S8,  because  of 
his  election  as  a  representative   in  congress. 


None  have  filled  the  position  with  more  be- 
coming dignity  nor  discharged  its  delicate 
duties  with  less  partiality  than  Judge  Par- 
rett. The  extended  notice  of  his  life  de- 
manded by  his  exalted  career  as  a  citizen 
and  jurist  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 
In  this  connection  the  action  of  the  court 
and  bar  upon  the  occasion  of  his  retirement 
from  the  bench  may  be  appropriately  in- 
serted. A  committee,  consisting  of  Gen. 
J.  M.  Shackleford,  D.  B.  Kumler,  James  T. 
Walker,  R.  C.  Wilkinson,  Cicero  Buchanan 
and  J.  G.  Winfrey,  was  appointed  to  draft  a 
suitable  expression  of  the  respectful  feelings 
entertained  for  the  retiring  judge.  In  the 
afternoon  of  January  5,  1S89,  Gen.  James 
M.  Shackleford  arose  in  the  circuit  court, 
and  after  making  a  few  remarks  offered 
the  following  resolution : 

"  Our  distinguished  fellow-citizen  and 
brother,  Hon.  William  F.  Parrett,  having 
resigned  the  judgeship,  which  office  he  has 
held  and  adorned  for  more  than  a  quarter  of 
a  century,  we,  the  members  of  the  Evans- 
ville  bar,  cordially  unite  in  giving  tliis  ex- 
pression of  our  high  regard  for  him,  both  as 
a  man  and  a  jurist.  As  a  man,  he  is  open, 
genial  and  unassuming.  In  private  and  so- 
cial intercourse,  he  is  amiable,  attractive  and 
the  soul  of  generosity;  and  above  all  this, 
he  is  possessed  of  a  temper  instinct  with 
honesty.  Blessed  of  heaven  with  a  clear, 
broad,  comprehensive  and  well-balanced 
mind,  which  he  has  richly  stored  with  legal 
learning,  rooted  and  grounded  in  the  princi- 
ples of  the  law,  he,  during  all  the  years  he 
was  on  the  bench,  dispensed  justice,  •'  sea- 
soned with  mercy,"  with  such  ability  and 
conspicuous  impartiality  as  won  the  esteem 
and  challenged  the  admiration  of  all  con- 
cerned. It  is  a  source  of  pleasure  and  pride 
to  the  members  of  this  bar  to  recount  these 
things;  therefore, 

"  jResoh'cd,  That  as   a  jurist,  Judge  Par- 


JUDGE  PARRETT  RETIRES. 


S47 


rett's  fame  will  adorn  the  brightest  page  in 
the  history  of  tlie  state. 

"  Hcsolvcd,  That  in  the  retirement  of 
Judge  Parrett,  the  bench  has  lost  one  of  its 
ablest  judges  and  brightest  ornaments." 

The  court  ordered  the  resolutions  to  be 
spread  upon  the  minutes,  and  remarks  eulo- 
gistic of  Judge  Parrett  were  made  b\- Col. 
J.  8.  Buchanan,  Col.  C.  H.  Butterfield  and 
Mr.  D.  B.  Kumler. 

During  the  period  from  1S69  to  1873, 
while  Judge  Parrett  was  in  the  active  prac- 
tice of  law,  the  bench  was  occupied  by 
Judge  Jarnes  G.  Jones  and  Judge  David  T. 
Laird.  Judge  Jones  was  appointed  by  Gov. 
Conrad  Baker  in  April,  1869.  For  many 
years  he  had  been  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
members  of  the  bar.  His  methods  of  rea- 
soning were  those  of  a  logician,  and  he  pos- 
sessed the  graces  of  a  natural  orator.  Stand- 
ing at  the  head  of  the  profession  he  became 
familiar  with  every  branch  of  the  practice. 
His  early  mental  training  was  obtained  in 
the  public  schools.  He  was  without  a  clas- 
sical education,  but  through  his  studious 
habits  and  his  tastes  for  mental  work  he 
became  familiar  with  current  polite  litera- 
ture. Durinjx  the  civil  war  he  rendered 
effective  and  devoted  service  to  the  Union 
cause.  Armv  life,  however,  impaired  his 
mental  vigor,  and  while  in  the  service  he 
contracted  habits  of  life  which  greatlv  inter- 
fered with  the  clearness  of  his  intellect.  He 
was  on  the  bench  but  a  short  lime,  and 
while  there,  through  sickness  and  other 
causes,  was  unable  to  add  lustre  to  the  bril- 
liant record  which  he  had  already  achieved 
as  a  member  of  the  bar.  His  health  failed 
rapidly  and  special  judges  tried  many  of  the 
important  cases  coming  before  the  court 
during  his  term  of  othce.  He  is  best 
remembered  by  the  older  members  of  the 
bar  for  the  brilliancy  and  grandeur  of  his 
early  career.     Judge   David   ^P.  Laird   was 


commissioned  in  October,  1870.  He  was  a 
resident  of  Rockport,  Spencer  county,  where 
he  still  remains  a  venerable  member  of  the  bar. 
He  was  a  rough  and  vigorous  character, 
with  little  legal  or  literary  learning.  Though 
without  polish,  he  did  not  lack  good  sense 
and  sound  judgment.  His  conceptions  were 
clear,  and  he  went  to  the  core  of  a  case, 
regardless  of  technicalities,  concerning 
himself  only  as  to  what  was  right  and  just. 
He  was  never  influenced  by  the  wishes  of 
the  parties  to  an  action,  but  endeavored 
alvva^'s  to  dispense  justice  stricth',  without 
bias  or  partiality.  He  was  not  popular 
with  the  bar  at  this  place  because  it  was 
not  believed  that  his  professional  attain- 
ments justified  his  elevation  to  the  bench. 
But  his  probity  and  uprightness  were  uni- 
versall}'  acknowledged  and  in  manj-  re- 
spects he  was  an  excellent  court  officer. 

Judge  R.  D.  Richardson  was  appointed 
in  January,  1S89,  by  Gov.  Gray  to  lill  the 
unexpired  term  of  Judge  Parrett.  Judge 
Richardson  for  many  years  has  been  a  con- 
spicuous member  of  the  bar  at  this  place, 
and  because  of  his  eminence  as  a  law}-er 
and  his  gentlemanW  traits,  has  won  the 
respect  of  the  entire  bar.  When  he  took 
his  place  upon  the  bench,  before  the  trans- 
action of  any  business,  Mr.  D.  B.  Kumler 
arose  and  said : 

"  Ma\'  it  please  your  honor,  I  desire  to 
say  a  word  which  is  of  interest  to  us  all, 
though  it  is  a  little  out  of  the  routine  of  court 
affairs.  On  behalf  of  this  bar  I  desire  to  in- 
form your  honor  that  we  have  e\"ery  confi- 
dence in  your  ability,  honor  and  integritv, 
and  are  certain  that  you  will  make  a  worthy 
successor  to  the  illustrious  and  learned  gen- 
tleman w  ho  has  for  so  man}-  years  filled  the 
seat  of  power  and  digtfity  which  you  now 
occupy.  This  bar  will  have  great  pleasure 
in  practicing  under  your  honor,  and  pledges 
itself  in  that  behalf.'' 


Si8 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


The  bench  of  Vanderburgh  county  has 
been  blessed  with  a  line  of  distinguished 
men,  able,  pure,  and  against  whose  judicial 
integrity  there  has  been  no  taint  whatever. 
This  can  be  said  rarely  of  a  line  of  judges 
extending  through  nearly  three-quarters 
of  a  century.  There  was  never  a  sustained 
charge,  and  indeed  never  a  suspicion  of  cor- 
ruption against  any  one  of  the  fifteen  judges 
who  have  presided  in  the  circuit  court  of 
this  county.  All  have  been  thoroughly 
trained  in  the  profession,  and  their  methods 
have  been  in  strict  accordance  with  profes- 
sional ethics. 

The  Circuit  Court  Seal.  —  At  the  second 
term  of  the  Vanderburgh  count}-  circuit 
court,  held  Ma}'  25,  1818,  a  scroll,  called  in 
the  records  "  a  common  scrawl,"  surround- 
ing the  words,  "  Seal,  C.  C,  Vanderburgh 
County,"  was  adopted  as  the  seal  of  the 
court  until  a  more  suitable  one  could  be  pro- 
vided. This  was  continued  in  use  until  the 
June  term,  1S22,  when  the  court  adopted  a 
seal  engraved  with  the  device  of  the  bal- 
ances on  its  face,  and  the  words  "  Seal  of  the 
Vanderburgh  Circuit  Court "  surrounding 
its  center,  being  almost  a  fcic  simile  of  the 
seal  now  in  use.  At  the  October  term, 
1853,  a  seal  was  adopted  which,  on  the  rec- 
ords, is  described  as  follows:  Around  the 
circumference  of  said  seal  there  is  a  circle, 
and  within  this  circle  there  is  a  smaller 
circle,  and  between  the  two  circles  are  the 
words,  "  Seal  of  Vanderburgh  Circuit 
Court,"  and  in  the  center  there  is  the  fol- 
lowing device,  viz.,  a  pair  of  scales,  and  be- 
low the  scales  there  is  the  word  "  Indiana." 

Circuit  Relations. — From  1818  to  1852 
Vanderburgh  county  formed  a  part  of  the 
fourth  judicial  circuit  of  Indiana.  In  April, 
1 85 2,  it  was  made  a  part  of  the  third  judicial 
circuit,  and  later  became  a  part  of  the  fif- 
teenth judicial  circuit.  In  1873,  when  the 
state  was  re-districted,   it   was  joined  with 


Posey  county  to  form  the  first  judicial  cir- 
cuit, in  which  relation  it  remains. 

Probate  Court. —  The  judiciary  system 
of  Indiana  territory  comprised  a  common 
pleas  court,  which  was  abolished  in  18 16. 
To  perform  a  part  of  its  duties,  by  the  early 
laws  of  the  state  a  probate  court  was 
established,  with  jurisdiction  over  all  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  the  settlement  of  estates. 
The  first  probate  court  in  Vanderburgh 
county  was  held  in  the  county  clerk's  office 
in    February,   1821,   with    associate   judges 

John  McCrary  and  William  Wagnon  presid- 
ing. The  associate  judges  of  the  circuit 
court  were  ex-officio  judges  of  this  court 
until  1829.     In  that  year  George  W.  Lind- 

I  say    became  probate   judge    and    served  in 

I  that  capacity,  until  August,  1835.  His  suc- 
cessors   were :    Nathan    Rowlev,    August, 

j  1835,  to  August,  1836;  John  B.  Stinson, 
August,  1836,  to  August,  1841;  Edward 
Hopkins, //'(?  tern.,  for  August  term,  1841; 
Thomas  Hornbrook,  November,  1841,  to 
February,  i846;John  B.  Stinson,  ^ro  tern., 

'  for  August,  1846;  Edward  Hopkins,  No- 
vember, 1S46,  to  August,  1850;  Cadwalla- 
der  M.  Griffith,  August,  1850,  to  August, 
1851;  Ira  P.  Granger,  August,  1851,  to 
August,  1852.  The  old  probate  system 
prevailed  until  the  adoption  of  the  canstitu- 
tion  of  1852,  when  the  common  pleas  court, 
again  revived,  absorbed  its  business.  The 
judges  in  this  court  were  all  very  prominent 
men  in  early  times  and  closely  identified 
with  the  best  interests  of  the  city  and 
countv.  They  were  not  lawyers  but  men 
of  sound  judgment  and  of  unquestioned  in- 
tegrity. The  -  records  show  that  a  very 
large  amount  of  important  business  was 
transacted  by  each  of  them. 

CoiuDion  Pleas  Court. — By  the  acts  of 
1852  the  court  of  common  pleas  was  created 
with  exclusive  jurisdiction  over  estates  and 
guardianships,  and  largely  concurrent  juris- 


COMMON  PLEAS  COURT. 


Slfi 


diction  with  the  circuit  court,  except  cases 
involving  title  to  real  estate,  actions  for  slan- 
der, libel  and  breach  of  promise  to  marry. 
The  circuit  court  retained  exclusive  juris- 
diction over  felonies,  except  enumerated 
cases  for  the  benefit  of  defendants,  in  order 
to  secure  a  speedy  trial;  and  exclusive  juris- 
diction over  misdemeanors  was  given  to  the 
court  of  common  pleas,  except  the  cases  over 
which  justices'  courts  had  exclusive  juris- 
diction. The  first  term  of  the  common 
pleas  court  of  the  first  district,  of  which 
Vanderliurgh  countv  was  a  part,  was  held 
at  the  court  house  in  Evansville,  and  began 
on  the  first  Mondav  in  January,  1853,  Hon. 
Conrad  Baker  presiding.  This  eminent 
jurist  and  statesman  occupied  the  bench  in 
this  court  until  December,  1S53,  being  ap- 
pointed and  commissioned  by  Gov.  Joseph 
A.  Wright.  His  successor  was  Judge  Asa 
Iglehart,  a  man  of  great  legal  and  literary' 
attainments,  who  administered  this  import- 
ant trust  during  three  years.  From  Decem- 
ber, 1856,  to  December,  i860.  Judge  Joel 
W.  B.  Moore,  a  citizen  of  Warrick  county 
and  prominent  member  of  the  Boonville 
bar,  presided.  At  that  time  the  district 
was  composed  of  Warrick  and  Vander- 
burgh counties.  It  was  subsequently 
enlarged  so  as  to  include  Posey  and 
Gibson  counties  also.  Judge  Moore  was 
succeeded  in  December,  i860,  by  Judge 
John  Pitcher,  a  citizen  of  Posey  county, 
and  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  in  the  state  of 
Indiana.  After  six  years  he  was  succeeded 
by  Judge  Andrew  L.  Robinson,  who  served 
but  one  year.  The  next  to  preside  in  this 
court  was  Judge  Morris  S.  Johnson,  who 
from  December,  1867,  to  December,  187 1, 
acceptably  discharged  the  duties  of  the  posi- 
tion. Judge  William  P.  Edson,  of  Posey 
county,  still  prominent  in  the  profession, 
assumed  the  ollice  in  December,  1871,  and 
continued    therein    until    September,    1872, 


when  he  was  succeeded  by  Judge  William  M" 
Land,  of  Gibson  county.  At  the  January 
term,  1873,  Judge  John  B.  Handy,  of  War- 
rick county,  later  judge  of  the  circuit  court 
of  Warrick  county,  and  now  a  conspicuous 
member  of  the  Boonville  bar,  took  his  seat 
upon  the  bench.  Judge  Handy's  term  was 
closed  by  the  termination  of  the  court's  exis- 
tence. By  the  act  of  March  6,  1873,  the 
court  of  common  pleas  was  abolished  and  all 
matters  confided  to  it  restored  to  the  juris- 
diction of  the  circuit  court. 

When  the  common  pleas  court  was  cre- 
ated appeals  could  be  taken  to  the  circuit 
court,  but  that  right  was  afterward  abolished, 
appeals  to  the  supreme  court  of  the  state 
being  allowed.  The  clerk  and  sheriff  of 
the  county  officiated  in  the  common  pleas 
as  well  as  in  the  circuit  court.  By  the  act 
of  June  II,  1852,  a  court  of  conciliation  was 
created  providing  that  any  person  claiming 
to  have  a  cause  of  action  against  another  for 
libel,  slander,  malicious  prosecution,  assault 
and  battery,  or  false  imprisonment  might 
serve  on  him  a  written  notice  briefly  stating 
the  cause  of  action  and  requiring  him  to  ap- 
pear, at  a  time  and  place  named,  before  the 
judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas,  who 
was  ex  officio  judge  of  the  court  of  concilia- 
tion. None  but  the  parties,  guardians  of 
infants,  husbands  of  wives,  parties  plaintiff 
or  defendant,  were  permitted  to  appear  at 
the  hearing.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  court 
to  affect  a  reconciliation  if  it  could  reasona- 
bl}'  be  done,  and  if  settled  the  entr}'  thereof 
ended  tJie  matter.  Without  such  notice  and 
appearance  of  the  plaintiff  before  the  court 
of  conciliation  he  could  not  recover  costs  in 
the  action,  and  if  the  defendant  failed  .to 
appear,  then  if  he  defeated  the  action,  he 
could  not  recover  costs.  In  theory  the  law 
was  a  good  one,  but  in  practice  it  was  a  fail- 
ure, for  the  parties  appeared  but  refused  to 
be  conciliated.    The  law  creating  this  branch 


.m 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


of  the  court  was  repealed  in  1867.  The 
judges  of  this  court  who  resided  in  Evans- 
ville,  Hon.  Conrad  Baker,  Asa  Iglehart, 
Andrew  L.  Robinson  and  Morris  S.Johnson, 
are  mentioned  more  at  length  elsewhere  in 
these  pages. 

Criminal  Circuit  Court. —  In  1869,  the 
general  assembly  created  a  criminal  circuit 
court  in  Vanderburgh  county,  the  county 
constituting  the  twenty-eighth  judicial  circuit. 
The  first  term  of  this  court  was  held  at  the 
court-house  in  Evansville,  on  the  first  Mon- 
day in  June,  1869,  with  Hon.  Andrew  L. 
Robinson  as  judge,  and  William  P.  Har- 
grave  as  prosecutor.  A  seal  bearing  within 
the  circle  about  the  center,  the  words: 
"  Vanderburgh  Criminal  Circuit  Court,  Indi- 
ana," and  on  its  face  the  device  of  an  eagle 
holding  in  its  beak  a  scroll  with  the  words 
"justice"  written  thereon,  was  adopted,  and 
the  court  proceeded  to  business.  Judge 
Robinson  was  succeeded  in  November, 
1870,  by  Judge  C.  H.  Butterfield,  who 
served  until  June,  1872.  Judge  William  P. 
Hargrave  was  then  elected  and  continued  to 
administer  justice  in  that  court  until  July, 
1877.  In  the  following  September  the  busi- 
ness of  the  court  was  transferred  to  the  cir- 
cuit court.  During  its  existence  the  criminal 
circuit  court  had  exxlusive  jurisdiction  over 
criminal  causes  arisinsr  in  Vanderburgh 
county,  except  such  misdemeanors  as  were 
exclusively  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
justice's  courts.  Judges  Robinson  and  But- 
terfield are  well  known  through  distin- 
guished services  in  other  branches  of  the 
law.  Judge  Hargrave  possessed  peculiari- 
ties which  affected  his  popularity  as  a  court 
officer.  He  was  a  fair  lawyer  and  an  honest 
judge.  After  leaving  the  bench  he  removed 
from  Evansville  and  entered  the  ministry  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Superior  Court. —  The   superior  court  of 
Vanderburgh   county  was  created  b}-  legis- 


lative enactment  in  1877.  Its  first  term  was 
held  at  the  court-house  in  Evansville  on  the 
first  Monda\'  in  August  of  that  year.  Judge 
Azro  Dyer,  an  able  lawyer  and  upright  citi- 
zen, was  appointed  by  Gov.  James  D.  Will- 
iams to  occup}'  the  bench  in  this  court,  his 
commission  being  dated  July  7?  1877-  I^y 
successive  elections.  Judge  D\er  has  contin- 
ued to  serve  in  this  important  capacity  to 
the  present  time.  At  the  first  term  of  the 
court,  rules  for  its  government  were  pre- 
pared b\- Judges  Azro  Dyer  and  William  F. 
Parrett,  assisted  by  Hons.  Asa  Inglehart, 
Charles  Denby  and  Edward  E.  Law.  The 
court  has  concurrent  jurisdiction  with  the 
circuit  court  of  Vanderburgh  county,  ex- 
cept in  criminal  cases. 

T/ic  Bar. — The  Evansville  bar  through- 
out the  past  has  been  composed  chielly  of 
men  of  large  legal  attainments  and  of  high 
character.  Among  the  practicing  lawyers 
either  residing  in  Evansville  or  attending  the 
courts  of  this  county  during  the  first  ten 
years  of  the  existence  of  the  county  there 
were  many  men  worthy  of  a  more  extended 
notice  than  can  be  given  in  this  connection. 
Of  these,  Amos  Clark,  John  Law,  Horace 
Dunham,  John  Pitcher,  Eben  D.  Edson,  and 
John  A.  Brackenridge  were  pre-eminent.  A 
few  years  later  came  James  G.  Jones,  W.  T. 
T.  Jones,  H.  G.  Barkwell,  John  Ingle,  jr., 
John  J.  Chandler,  Conrad  Baker,  James 
Blythe,  Lemuel  Q.  DeBruler,  Thomas  F. 
DeBruler,  Thomas  E.  Garvin,  Andrew  L. 
Robinson,  and  others  of  superior  natural 
endowments  and  large  attainments. 

Amos  Clark  was  a  well-read  lawyer,  a 
good  coimselor,  fine  pleader,  and  a  man  of 
public  spirit,  largely  influential  in  the  early 
development  of  this  section,  and  one  of  the 
most  prominent  figures  of  earl\-  times.  Fol- 
lowing the  panic  of  1837  he  met  severe 
financial  reverses,  and  left  here  for  Texas, 
where      he     permanentl}'     located.       John 


EVANSVILLE  BAR. 


351 


Law  was  the  first  prost-cutor  in  V'ander- 
burgh  county,  and  was  one  of  the 
most  distintjuished  men  ever  connected 
with  the  bar  of  Evansville.  lie  was  an  able 
and  erudite  lawyer,  a  ripe  scholar  and  a 
perfect  gentleman.  Full  of  anecdotes,  with 
very  pleasant  manners,  of  a  friendly  dispo- 
sition and  skilled  in  the  fraces  of  life,  he 
was  a  conspicuous  figure  in  social,  as  well 
as  professional  circles.  Horace  Dunham 
occupied  a  high  place  at  the  bar,  and  was 
considered  an  able  lawyer  and  an  upright 
man.  John  Pitcher,  Eben  D.  Edson  and 
John  A.  Brackenridge  were  not  residents  of 
the  county,  but  their  superior  talents  and 
frequent  attendance  upon  the  court  gave 
their  names  an  indissoluble  connection  with 
the  history  of  Vanderburgh  count}-.  Judge 
John  Pitcher  still  resides  at  Mt.  Vernon.  In 
vigor  of  intellect  he  stands  to-day  the  peer 
of  any  man  of  his  j-ears  in  the  state,  and 
during  the  period  of  his  activitj'  he  was 
always  the  equal  of  all  in  his  profession  in 
excellence  and  endowments.  This  vener- 
able man  is  now  ninety-six  years  of  age,  but 
his  mental  brilliancy  is  undimmed 
by  the  weight  of  years.  Mis  mem- 
ory is  good,  and  his  conversation 
sharp,  pointed,  and  epigrammatic.  He 
is  well  posted  on  current  political  events, 
and  his  mind  is  a  veritable  storehouse  of  use- 
tul  information  concerning  the  olden  times. 
His  mental  strength  and  acuteness  are  such 
that  his  chief  pleasures  are  obtained  from 
the  pursuit  of  scientific  and  literary  publica- 
tions. Eben  D.  Edson  was  from  Posey 
count\-,  and  John  A.  Brackenridge  from 
Warrick.  Each  attained  marked  distinction 
not  only  in  the  count}*  of  his  residence,  but 
throughout  southern  Indiana.  Ex-Governors 
Powell  and  Dixon  and  Judge  Towles,  of 
Henderson,  Ky.,  were  also  prominent  prac- 
titioners in  the  Vanderburgh  county  court 
in   early    da\s.     The    superior   qualities   of 


James  G.  Jones, W.  T.  T.  Jones,  John  Ingle,  jr., 
Conrad  Baker,  Asa  Inglehart,  James  M. 
Shanklin,  and  others  of  his  associates  are 
elsewhere  adverted  to.  Judge  H.  G.  Bark- 
well  is  still  living,  though  retired  from  prac- 
tice. For  many  years  he  was  a  prominent 
practitioner  throughout  southern  Indiana,  and 
won  honorable  distinction.  John  J.  Chand- 
ler was  accomplished  in  literature,  a  pro- 
found lawyer,  a  progressive,  generous,  public- 
spirited  citizen,  and  one  of  the  brightest 
ornaments  that  ever  adorned  the  legal  pro- 
fession in  the  state  of  Indiana.  His  abilities 
were  of  the  highest  order  and  his  memory  is 
held  in  the  profoundest  respect  by  every  one 
who  was  in  a  position  to  know  his  character 
and  his  worth.  Andrew  L.  Robinson  was  in 
many  respects  the  equal  of  Mr.  Chandler. 
He  was  a  noted  man  in  the  district,  and 
through  the  force  of  his  character  and  at- 
tamments,  made  his  influence  co-extensive 
with  his  acquaintance.  Physically  he  was 
large  and  of  commanding  presence.  At  the 
bar  or  on  the  stump  his  speech  was  power- 
ful, and  at  times  he  was  genuinely  eloquent. 
Few  men  have  occupied  so  large  a  place  in 
the  histor}'  of  this  county  and  section  as  did 
this  learned  lawyer.  James  E.  Blythe  was 
recognized  as  one  of  the  most  effective  ora- 
tors and  best  lawyers  in  this  state.  He  was 
a  sound  counselor  and  a  very  brilliant  advo- 
cate. The  firm  of  Jones  &  Blythe  was  one 
of  the  strongest  in  the  city  during  its  exist- 
ence. Morris  S.  Johnson  was  a  good  law- 
yer, safe  counselor  and  excellent  judge,  but 
not  a  brilliant  ad\ocate. 

L.  Q.  DeBruler  and  Thomas  F.  DeBruler 
were  men  of  large  influence,  and  gained  for 
the  DeBruler  name  a  distinguished  place  in 
the  annals  of  their  times.  Thomas  E.  Gar- 
vin, now  the  oldest  member  of  the  Evan.s- 
ville  bar  in  point  of  contiimous  service  is  the 
link  connecting  the  old  time  bar  with 
the  present  period.  His  business  conduct  e.\- 


S52 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


emplifies  the  strictly  honorable  methods  of 
the  old-time  practice.  Thoroughly  versed 
in  ever}'  branch  of  law  and  familiar  with 
ever}'  authority,  he  has  always  been  a  safe 
counselor,  while  his  abilities  as  an  advocate 
have  been  of  a  high  order.  His  natural 
talents,  his  studious  habits  and  his  adher- 
ence to  legitimate  methods  early  gained  for 
him  an  enviable  prominence  among  his  asso- 
ciates at  the  bar,  and  this  position- he  con- 
tinues to  hold.  In  his  profession,  in  politics, 
and  as  a  progressive  citizen,  he  has  for  many 
years  been  a  recognized  leader  throughout 
his  county,  the  district  and  the  state.  Judge 
William  F.  Parrett  was  admitted  to  practice 
here  in  1849,  and  Charles  Denby  in  1S54. 
These  distinguished  men  were  important 
additions  to  the  bar.  Both  have  been  for 
many  years  among  the  most  conspicuous 
figures  in  legal  and  political  circles  in  south- 
ern Indiana.  Gen.  James  M.  Shackelford 
came  herein  1864.  He  had  won  distinction 
on  the  field  of  battle,  and  earl\-  attained  rec- 
ognition as  an  exceptionall)'  brilliant  lawyer. 
About  the  same  time,  Peter  Maier,  a  good  law- 
yer and  an  upright  man,  and  Judge  Azro  Dyer, 
an  ornament  to  the  profession,  and  during 
its  entire  existence  judge  of  the  superior 
court,  became  associated  with  this  bar. 
Charles  H.  Butterfield  and  S.  R.  Horn- 
brook  soon  thereafter  were  admitted  to 
practice  here.  Mr.  Hornbrook  is  a  cultured 
gentleman  of  literarv  tastes,  a  good  law3'er, 
conscientious  in  his  practice  and  successful. 
Col.  Butterfield  has  a  brilliant  military 
record,  is  a  well-read  law3'er,  and  for  some 
time  has  been  county  attorney.  J.  S. 
Buchanan,  II.  C.  Goodwin  and  George  P. 
Peck  were  all  valuable  acquisitions  to  the 
bar.  Mr.  Peck  was  a  good  man  in  every 
respect,  of  strong,  clear  intellect.  He  died 
here  while  in  the  practice  about  tvvent}' 
years  ago.  Messrs.  Buchanan  and  Good- 
win are  still  prominent  members  of  the  bar. 


Late  in  the  sixties  the  strength  of  the  bar 
was  greatly  added  to.  Such  men  as  John 
E.  Iglehart,  D.  B.  Kumler,  James  B. 
Rucker,  Robert  D.  Richardson,  H.  A.  Mat- 
tison,  Jesse  W.  Walker  and  James  M. 
Warren  became  identified  with  it.  The  two 
last  named  are  no  longer  among  the  living; 
Robert  D.  Richardson  has  advanced  to  the 
bench,  and  each  of  the  others  named  occu- 
pies an  honorable  and  conspicuous  place 
among  those  constituting  the  present  bar. 
James  M.  Warren  was  prominent  here  for 
several  years ;  his  health  failing,  he  went  to 
Denver,  Col.,  and  there  died.  Jesse  W. 
Walker  had  an  excellent  reputation  as  a 
lawyer  and  public  officer.  He  held  many 
positions  of  trust,  and  was  considered  one  of 
the  best  men  in  all  respects  that  ever  lived 
in  Evansville.  Concerning  those  who  have 
been  most  conspicuous  during  the  last 
twenty  years,  not  elsewhere  noted,  only 
biief  mention  can  be  made  here. 

Victor  Bisch,  long  a  member  of  the  bar, 
is  an  able  and  talented  man,  more  prominent 
as  a  public  officer  than  as  a  practitioner. 
W.  F.  Smith  is  a  sound  lawyer,  profession- 
ally above  reproach,  and  gentlemanl}'  in  all 
his  characteristics  and  conduct.  Alexander 
Gilchrist,  and  his  associate  in  business.  Cur- 
ran  A.  DeBruler,  are  recognized  through- 
out the  state  as  profound  lawyers.  Their 
attainments  are  of  the  highest  order,  and 
their  practice  extends  through  the  circuit, 
the  state  and  federal  courts  to  the  highest 
judicial  tribunal  in  the  land.  Mr.  Gilchrist 
graduated  at  Union  college,  with  the  highest 
honors,  practiced  at  Ovid,  N.  Y.,  for  a  time, 
and  coming  west  located  in  Evansville.  His 
superior  abilities  gave  him  a  high  rank  at 
once,  and  to-day,  as  a  counselor  he  is  con- 
sidered without  a  superior  at  the  bar.  His 
studious  habits  have  made  him  an  erudite 
scholar  in  many  branches  of  literature,  not 
directly    connected     with    his    professional 


EVANSVILLE  BAR. 


s->s 


work.  As  a  man  his  excellence  is  unsur- 
passed; he  exhibits  al\va3's  the  qualities  of 
genuine  and  sturd\'  manliness;  his  purposes 
are  honest,  his  methods  straightforward  and 
upright,  and  his  conduct  in  strict  liarmony 
with  manly  principle  and  professional  ethics. 
Curran  A.  DeBruler  is  distinguished  both 
for  his  eloquence  and  his  learning.  He  is  a 
son  of  L.  Q.  DeBruler,  and  came  here 
from  Rockport.  As  an  advocate  he  is 
the  peer  of  an\'  man  in  southern  Indi- 
ana. Because  of  his  high  rank  and  recog- 
nized abilities  he  has  figured  in  most  of  the 
important  cases  in  this  part  of  the  state.  lie 
is  studious,  painstaking  and  accurate  in  pre- 
paring his  cases,  judicious  in  their  manage- 
ment, and  perfectly  fair  with  every  interested 
party.  As  a  speaker  he  is  brilliant,  earnest, 
logical,  eloquent,  and  convincing.  His  schol- 
arly attainments  have  made  him  popular, 
not  only  as  an  advocate,  but  as  a  political 
orator  and  as  a  lecturer.  Edward  Hatfield 
was  a  strong  man  in  man)-  ways.  Self- 
taught  and  of  vigorous  mind,  he  ranked 
high,  especiallv  as  a  criminal  lawyer.  He 
died  young,  but  not  before  he  established 
an  excellent  reputation.  Paris  C.  Dunning 
was  an  excellent  gentleman  of  the  old  school, 
dignified  and  learned.  He  was  here  but  a 
short  time,  but  while  a  member  of  this  bar, 
maintained  a  high  standing.  R.  C.  Wilkin- 
son has  been  a  successful  practitioner,  mak- 
ing commercial  law  a  specialty.  He  is 
prominent  as  a  politician  and  popular  as  a 
man.  William  H.  Gudgel  is  an  able  lawyer, 
for  a  time  was  prosecuting  attorney,  and 
made  the  race  for  congress  from  this  dis- 
trict as  the  candidate  of  the  republican  party, 
but  failed  of  election.  G.  E.  Smith  was  a 
brilliant  speaker,  a  good  lawyer,  and  had  a 
fine  record  as  a  Union  soldier.  He  was 
much  respected  Uy  all  who  knew  him.  John 
Brownlee,  a  graduate  of  Albany  law  school, 
is  in  all  respects  a  good  lawyer.    For  a  time 


he  was  prosecuting  attorney  and  now  has  a 
good  practice. 

George  A.  Cunningham  is  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  young  attorneys  at  the  bar. 
He  possesses  the  qualifications  of  a  good 
lawyer,  sound  judgment,  a  clear  mind,  re- 
tentive memory,  oratorical  ability,  and  famil- 
iarity with  the  law.  W.  W.  Ireland  and 
Alfred  C.  Tanner  have  made  creditable 
records  as  citizens  and  lawvers.  r<.  B. 
Vance  came  to  this  cit\-  from  Henderson, 
Ky.,  as  attorney  for  the  L.  &  N.  R.  R.  Co. 
He  is  a  finished  scholar,  an  excellent  lawyer, 
painstaking,  careful  and  accurate.  He  is  a 
clear  reasoner,  an  able  debater,  logical  and 
profound.  Although  not  long  a  member  of 
the  bar,  he  has  made  an  enviable  reputation. 
Both  members  of  the  firm  of  Iglehart  & 
Ta3-lor,  attorneys  for  the  E.  &  T.  H.  R.  R. 
Co.,  are  particularly  able  in  corporation  law, 
and  in  the  general  practice  maintain  a  high 
rank.  W.  J.  Wood  also  makes  a  specialty 
of  corporation  law,  and  has  made  a  credita- 
ble reputation.  He  came  here  from  Flor- 
ence, Ala.,  and  early  exhibited  great  ability 
as  a  man  of  affairs.  His  enterprising  spirit 
and  energetic  activity  have  done  much  to 
advance  the  material  development  of  Evans- 
ville.  His  future  is  bright  and  enviable. 
J.  G.  Winfrey,  J.  G.  Owen,  Edward  E. 
Law,  J.  E.  WiUiamson,  Philip  Ere)-  and 
others  are  men  of  ability,  and  are  creditably 
connected  with  the  practice. 

The  following  list  of  attorneys  is  as  nearly 
complete  as  practicable.  Admissions  to 
practice  were  not  indexed  on  the  early 
records,  and  on  that  account  some  names 
may  be  omitted.  Many  practitioners  here 
named,  especially  in  the  first  part  of  the  list, 
did  not  reside  in  Evansville,  but  only  came 
occasionally  at  term  time;  and  in  some  in- 
stances the  person  named  was  perhaps  ad- 
mitted to  try  a  single  case.  In  1818,  Jacob 
Call,  Charles  Dewey,  Richard  Daniel,  John 


Soi. 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


Law,  William  Prince,  James  Hylliar,  Willis 
C.  Osbourne,  James  A.  Boitr,  and  James 
R.  E.  Goodlett;  in  1819,  Elisha  Roberts, 
George  W.  Lindsey,  Amos  Clark,  General 
W.  Johnson,  Charles  I.  Battell,  Samuel 
Leggette,  Samuel  Hall  and  Robert  M. 
Evans;  in  1820,  David  Ilart  and  Philip 
Triplett;  in  1821,  Jacob  R.  Everson,  James 
McKinney  and  Horace  Dunham;  in  1823, 
T.J.  Evans;  in  1825,  John  Mosely;  in  1829, 
George  W.  P.  Maxwell  and  Abner  T.  Ellis; 
in  1830,  Eben  D.  E.  Edson,  W.  T.  T.  Jones, 
Archibald  Dixon  and  David  H.  Hylliar;  in 
1832,  James  Gibbs;  in  1833,  James  M. 
Lockhart;  in  1834,  John  Ta3dor;  in  1835, 
James  G.Jones  and  Lazarus  Powell,  jr.;  in 
1836,  Thomas  Towles,  jr.,  Elisha  Embree, 
E.  S.  Terry  and  H.  G.  Barkvvell;  in  1837, 
Emory  Kinne}-;  in  1838,  Charles  Moore, 
Burwell  B.  Sayre,  Francis  E.  Walker,  John 
Ingle,  jr.,  and  Edward  H.  Hopkins;  in  1839, 
John  J.  Chandler;  in  1840,  George  Wheel- 
wright and  James  Davis;  in  1841,  Conrad 
Baker  and  James  E.  Blythe;  in  1843,  Ben- 
jamin M.  Thomas,  Asa  C.  Mills  and 
Alvin  P.  Hovey;  in  1844,  Robert  M- 
Evans,  Samuel  Peper,  Lemuel  Q.  De- 
Bruler,  John  M.  Grimes  and  William 
Newton;  in  1845,  James  T.  Walker; in  1846, 
Samuel  R.  Hammill,  Thomas  F.  DeBruler, 
Hugh  B.  Montgomery,  Nathaniel  C.  Foster, 
Thomas  E.  Garvin,  and  James  J.  Thornton; 
in  1847,  John  Eakin,  Benoni  Stinson,  jr.,  H. 
Q.  Wheeler,  and  Andrew  L.  Robinson;  in 
1848,  George  H.  Todd,  James  R.  Harper, 
and  William  A.  Wandell;  in  1849,  William  ^■ 
Parrett,  Asa  Iglehart,  William  S.  Palmer, 
Lewis  C.  Stinson,  William  P.  Hall,  and 
Dennison  D.  Carder;  in  1850,  Clement  B. 
Simmonson,  Harrison  S.  Kiger,  Thomas  II. 
Bruner,  Morris  S.  Johnson,  and  Benoni 
Stinson;  in  185 1,  William  Bar,  Alvah  John- 
son, John  R.  Garvin,  William  K.  McGrew, 
and    Brackett    Mills;    in    1852,   Samuel    B. 


Garrett,  Theodore  Venneman,   and   Wilson 
Shook;  in  1853,  Willet  E.  Andrews. 

The  state  constitution  of  1852  provided 
that  any  citizen  of  good  moral  character 
might  be  admitted  to  practice  as  an  attornev 
in  the  circuit  courts  of  the  state.  Under  this 
provision  a  great  manj^  persons  have  been  ad- 
mitted who  in  fact  never  formed  a  part  of  the 
Vanderburgh  count}-  bar.  The  admissions  as 
fully  as  practicable  up  to  1870  will  be  given; 
and  thereafter  only  those  who  for  a  time, 
long  or  short,  have  been  associated  with  the 
bar  as  resident  practitioners  will  be  named. 
In  1854  William  A.Jones,  Z.  M.  P.  Carter, 
Richard  A.  Clemens,  James  Blythe 
Hynes,  Y.  Allison,  James  McLain  Hanna, 
James  L.  Allen,  Charles  Denby;  in  1855, 
G.  W.  Ilardin,  James  S.  Collins, 
RoN'al  S.  Hicks,  Lloyd  M.  Lowe; 
in  1856,  Henry  C.  Bard,  Marcellus  Emery, 
Edmund  B.  Se3'mour,  William  G.  McDow- 
ell; in  1857,  Jacob  Lunkenheimer;  prior  to 
1858,  John  W.  Foster,  M.  R.  z\nthes,  Hor- 
ace Plumer  and  James  M.  Slianklin;  in  1858, 
Alexander  C.  Donald  and  William  E.  Rust; 
in  1859,  Samuel  K.  Leavitt,  George  W. 
Moore,  William  H.  Walker,  jr.,  A.  T. 
Whittlesey,  John  E.  Gallagher  and  James 
Reid;  in  1861,  George  W.  Merrill;  in  1862, 
Albert  G.  Dennis,  James  C.  Dennj^  J.  G. 
Shanklin,  Ben  Stinson,  C.  E.  Marsh,  E.  E. 
Law,  George  W.  McBride,  Peter  Maier; 
in  1864,  Azro  Dyer,  Robert  A.  Hill,  Will- 
iam Reavis,  Napoleon  B.  Risinger,  Andrew 
J.  Fletcher,  J.  M.  Shackelford,  George  W. 
Shanklin;  in  1865,  Charles  H.  Butterfield, 
Charles  G.  Bennett,  J.  G.  Gardner,  W.  P. 
Ilargrave,  S.  R.  Ihirnbrook;  in  1866,  Selby 
Ilarne}',  William  Land,  Thomas  L.  Davis; 
in  1867,  John  E.  Cleland,  John  Brownlee, 
Charles  Potter,  John  McGrath,  William  G. 
Williamson,  William  H.  Beadle,  H.  C. 
Gooding,  C.  W.  Molton,  George  P.  Peck, 
John  C.  Patterson,  James  F.  Welburn,  J.  S. 


LIST  OF  ATTORNEYS. 


355 


J^iiclianan,    J.    II.    Beadle,    George    Peck, 
William   Harrow;  in    fS6S,    L.    T.    Harris, 
Jesse  W.  Walker,  Calvin  Taylor,  James  M. 
Manna,  J.  B.  Rucker,  Clinton  Staser,  David 
D.   Doughty,  Joseph  McClary,   Patrick    A. 
Curtis,   A.    IT.   Clark,    Thomas    R.    Cobb 
O.  F.  Baker,    Henry  W.    Bippus;    in    1869, 
H.    A.  Mattison,   R.   D.   Richardson,   J.  E. 
Iglehart,  D.    B.   Kumler,  Charles  H.  Mann, 
John   Schubert,  Moses  Weil,   LeRoy  Will- 
iams, N.  F.  Malott,  James  M.  Warren,  S.  D. 
Dial,  J.  G.  Dailey,  Luke  Wood,  George  W. 
Robertson,  Lee     Dinkelspiel,      Curran    A. 
DeBruler;  in    1S70,   Galen  L.  Spencer,  Ar- 
thur E.  Adams,   George   K.  Amory,  Gaines 
II.  Hazen,    William   A.  Tracewell,  William 
A.  Porter,  W.  Frederick  Smith,  J.  E.  Will- 
iamson, Edwin  R.  Ilattield,  Royal  S.  Hicks; 
in   1S70    and    1S71,    Victor    Bi.sch,    W.   M. 
Blakey,     Cicero    Buchanan,    T.    L.    Davis, 
John         C.         Graham,         Jacob         Ilerr, 
Harrison      R.       Littell,     J.       M.       Hum- 
phreySjWilliam  D.  Mavhall,  Thomas  J.  Moon- 
ey;  in  1872  and  1S73,  William   Armstrong, 
James  W.  Brown,  William  Fordham,  A.   C. 
Hawkins,  Alexander  Gilchrist,   George    L. 
Meddrick,  Alfred  C.  Tanner,  Rane  C.  Wil- 
kinson, Fount  S.  Yager;  in  1S74,  Edwin    S. 
Abbett,  August  Brauns,  Paris  C.   Dunning, 
R.  \'.  Hodson,  William  H.  Gudgell,  George 
Palmer;  in    1S75,    Adolf    Pfaefflin,   W.     G. 
Bradley,  A.  C.   Jones,  Julius    A.    Coleman 
Rudolpli    Kehr,    S.     E.    Smith,    Karl    F. 
Thieme,    George    R.    Thomson,    M.  V.  B. 
Van    .\rsdale,    Bernard    Wagner,    C.    H. 
Wesseler;  in  1876,  Robert  S.    Holt,    C.    H. 
MjCarer,  John   W.   McFarland;    in     1877, 
Elhanan  C.  Devore,  George.  W.  Dannetell,- 
Richard  J.  Dixon,  Philip  W.  Frey,  William 
M.  Hull,  A.  N.  C.  Leveson-Gower,    Harry 
F.  Lyon,  Frank  L.  Mills,    Isaac  S.  Moore; 
in  1878,  Morris,  C.  Baum,  George  A.  Cun- 
ningham,   Charles   F.    Gould,    William  W. 
Ireland,  J.  Erian  Martin,  J.  G.   Winfrey;    in 


1879,  Hugo  Legler,  August  Pfaefflin, 
James.  Wartmann;  in  1880,  Converse 
Clement,  Duncan  C.  Givens,  Thomas 
Hislop,  S.  B.  Vance,  Charles  L. 
Wedding,  W.  J.  Wood,  W.  R.  Shackelford; 
in  1881,  R.  C  Benjamin,  William  A.  Cord, 
Henry  L.  Minor,  Henry  S.  Slaughter,  Wil- 
liam Kerlman,  John  Lenihan,  jr.,  D.  B. 
Miller,  Aaron  W.  Richards,  C.  S.  Roberts; 
in  18S2,  George  S.  Clifford,  H.  P.  Cormick, 
Theodore  Landsberg,  O.  W.  Mitchem, 
N.  E.  Talley,  Edwin  Taylor;  in  1883, 
Thomas  E.  Crumbaugh,  Graham  F.  Denb}', 
W.  S.  Hurst,  Willis  Charles,  J.  F.Parrett, 
Daniel  H.  Patrick;  in  1884,  Thomas  H. 
Brown,  James  L.  Keith,  Alfred  H.  Edwards, 
W.  J.  Vicker\;in  18S5,  John  Coker,  John  H. 
Foster,  Thomas  E.  Garvin,  jr.,  C.  B.  Harris, 
Charles  E.  Johnson,  A.  J.  McCutchan, 
James  G.  Owen,  A.  L.  Wheaton;  in  1887, 
J.  A.  Clippinger,  Louis  O.  Rasch,  Andrew 
C.  Vance;  in  1SS8,  W^illis  Howe,  Walton 
M.  Wheeler,  John  L.  Craig,  T.  S.  Harrison, 
Oscar  E.  Wood,  W.  C.  Wilson,  Leroy  M. 
Wade. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Judge  Asa  Iglehart. — Levi  Iglehart, 
the  tifth  son  of  John  Iglehart,  of  Anne 
Arundel  county,  Maryland,  was  born  August 
13,  1786;  married  Anne  Taylor,  and  about 
the  year  181 5,  crossed  the  mountains  and 
settled  in  Ohio  County,  Ky.,  where  their 
eldest  son  Asa,  was  born  December  8,  1S16. 
In  1823,  the  familv  moved  to  Warrick 
count}-,  Ind.  .  In  later  life  Judge  Iglehart 
thus  described  southern  Indiana  as  it  was 
when  he  moved  here:  "The  countr}'  was 
wild  indeed;  there  were  no  roads,  mere  paths, 
no  wa<xon  roads,  no  waifons  to  i"iin  in  them, 
and  no  houses  but  log  cabins.  There  was 
not  more  than  one  or  t  .vo  frame  houses  in 
Warrick  count\-.  The  whole  countrv  was  a 
wilderness,  in  which  wild  game  was  veiy 
plentiful.     Wolves  were  so  bad  that  the  set- 


S56 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


tiers  —  we  could    not  call   them    farmei-s  — 
could  not  raise  pigs  enough  to  furnish  them 
pork,  and    could    not    keep    sheep    at    all." 
Here  he  spent  his    youth,  and   lived  to    see 
great  changes   in    the  country;  no    one  con- 
tributed more  by  sturd}'  character  and  indus- 
trious   habits    to     produce    these    changes. 
The  educational  advantages  of    the  country 
in  his  youth   were    also    described  by    him : 
"  In  that  new  country',  where  there  were  no 
books,    and    newspapers   were    very    rare, 
opportunities  for  education   were  verv    poor 
indeed;   but    father    and    mother,  especialW 
the  latter,  were    anxious  for  the    promotion 
and  education  of  their  children.     Stimulated 
by  her  precept,  we  all  earlj'  acquired  a  taste 
for    books.     We     subscribed    for    weekly 
papers  very    early,  and    supplied    ourselves 
with     what     few     school    books    could    be 
obtained,  and  went  to  school,  a  few    months 
each  winter  in  the    impro\ised  rude    cabins, 
which  were    called   school-houses   in  those 
rude  days.     But,  in  fact,  our  education  was 
obtained  more  at  home,  from  the  scant}'  sup- 
ply of  books  we  had,  and  from  our   applica- 
tion, and  by   stimulating   each    other.      One 
of  the  sources  of   education  and    stimulation 
was    the    early   Methodist    preachers,  who 
found  their  way  as  well  to  the  wild  woods  of 
Warrick    county,  as    every    where    in    this 
country  which  has  been  reached  by  civiliza- 
tion.    They  were  generall}'  better  educated 
than  the  most  of  the   people  in  the    country 
then  were,  and  they    stimulated  us  to    seek 
for    better    educational    opportunities;    and 
though  none    of    us    ever    went    to    college 
we    obtained    all  the    education  which    was 
attainable  in  those  early  days  without  going 
to  college."     At  the  age  of  twenty-four,  he 
married  Anne  Cowle,  a  ladv  of    intelligence 
and  culture,  both  literary   and    social,    quite 
above  her  surroundings,  whom  he  sought  in 
associations,  which    he  describes :    "  In    the 
neighborhood  adjoining  to  ^vhere  the   farm 


of  the  senior  Iglehart  was  situated  in  War- 
rick county,  across  a  neighboring  creek  in 
Vanderburgh  county,  were  several  families 
of  English  people,  who  were  tradesmen  in 
London.  Around  them  were  clustered  two 
or  three  other  families  of  northern  Protes- 
tant Irish,  constituting  one  of  the  most  intel- 
ligent rural  communities  in  all  the  western 
country."  The  influence  of  this  community 
upon  both  the  country  and  city  of  Evansville, 
may  readily  be  seen  to  this  da}-.  x\fter  his 
marriage,  he  says,  "by  seemingly  irresisti- 
ble passion  for  learning  the  law,  I  com- 
menced the  study  while  on  the  farm,  and 
pursued  it  with  great  enthusiasm,  little  short 
of  romance,  and  ha\ing  been  admitted  to  the 
bar  at  thirty-two,  changed  my  location  and 
life,  and  adopted  the  profession  of  the  law." 
In  1849,  ^^^  removed  to  Evansville,  and 
immediately  entered  the  firm  of  Ingle, 
Wheeler  &  Iglehart,  where  he  remained 
until  he  was  appointed  common  pleas  judge 
to  till  a  vacancy  in  1854,  and  subsequently 
he  was  elected  without  opposition  to  the 
same  position.  In  1S58,  he  came  again  to 
the  bar,  after  thorough  elementar\-  training 
and  four  years'  experience  on  the  bench,  and 
his  success  came  rapidly  and  certainly.  His 
natural  capacity,  his  reputation  for  learning 
in  the  law,  his  untiring  industry, 'liis  unyield- 
inrr  will  and  inteirritv,  which  no  one  ever 
questioned,  all  combined  to  make  his  success 
full  and  complete.  For  many  years  his 
income  from  the  practice  compared  favora- 
bl)'  with  that  of  other  leaders  of  the  bar  of 
tlie  state.  His  personal  ac(|uaintance  with 
the  leading  law\'ers  of  the  state  was  very 
great.  He  was  active  in  organizing  the 
first  state  bar  association,  and  was  its  first 
president.  He  was  an  original  promoter 
and  member  of  the  bar  association  of  the 
United  States.  He  was  for  many  years  an 
editorial  contributor  of  the  Central  Lazv 
yonnial^  and  his  views  on  interesting  legal 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


357 


questions  were  often  expressed  throu<rh  this 
channel  and  attracted  the  attention  of  tiie 
bar  throughout  the  west.  lie  revised 
"  McDonald's  Treatise"  for  justices  in  Indi- 
ana, which  subsecjuently  became  known  as 
"  lyleliarl's  Treatise."  lie  prepared  with 
great  labor  an  original  work  on  "Pleading 
and  Practice"  in  Indiana.  His  was  a  pioneer 
work  in  this  state,  wliere  the  code  practice 
is  in  force.  Subseijuently  other  works  of 
the  same  general  character  followed;  but 
the  portion  of  his  work  on  "  Pleading,"  that 
is  an  adaptation  of  pleading  as  it  exists  at 
the  common  law,  to  the  law  in  Indiana  under 
the  code,  is  a  concise  elementary  discussion, 
wiiich  has  not  been,  and  probabl}-  will  not 
be  superseded,  and  is  valuable  especially  to 
students  of  law  in  this  state.  These,  with 
minor  literary  labors,  were  performed  in 
the  midst  of  active  practice.  Judge  Igle- 
hart's  practice  in  the  supreme  court  of 
Indiana  for  many  years  was  great,  and  his 
opinions  were  always  received  by  that  court 
with  respect.  Before  the  federal  court  was 
established  in  Evansville,  he  practiced  regu- 
larl\-  in  the  federal  court  at  Indianapolis, 
with  men  like  Hendricks  and  McDonald,  and 
he  conducted  successfully  a  number  of  ver\- 
important  cases  through  the  supreme  court 
of  the  United  States.  Judge  Iglehart's  mind 
was  distinguished  bv  clearness  of  percep- 
tion, incisiveness  and  discrimination  of 
thought;  and  such  (|ualities  always  indicate 
a  superior  order  of  intellect.  Not  onl}- 
was  his.  reach  and  grasp  of  thought  clear 
and  incisive,  but  it  was  at  the 
same  time  broad  and  comprehensive. 
lie  very  naturally,  therefore,  took  his 
place  as  a  jurist  at  the  head  of  his  profes- 
sion. There  are  certain  principles  of  law 
that  Judge  Iglehart  traced  more  fully,  and 
understood  more  thoroughU',  it  is  believed, 
than  an\'  jurist  in  our  state.  lie  was  vast  in 
labors,  patient  and  profound  in  his  researches. 


The  reports  of  the  decisions  of  our  highest 
court  of  appeal  will  preserve  the  conclusive 
evidence  of  all  this  down  into  future  gener- 
ations. The  following  testimonial  was, 
among  others,  gi\-en  h\  a  resolution  of  the 
Evansville  bar:  "It  was,  however,  at  the 
bar  that  he  excelled.  It  was  there  he  made 
for  himself  the  name  which  we  cherish.  As 
a  commercial  and  corporation  lawyer  he 
was  without  a  peer  in  Indiana.  As  a  special 
pleader  he  had  no  rival.  He  was  master  of 
all  the  branches  and  intricacies  of  our  juris- 
prudence. For  twenty-five  years  he  was 
the  leader  of  a  bar,  made  famous  by  the 
namt^s  of  Blythe,  Jones,  Chandler,  Baker, 
Law  and  others,  dead  and  living.  In  the 
history  of  Indiana,  Asa  Iglehart  wil 
always  rank  with  Willard,  Judah,  Morton 
and  Hendricks,  as  one  of  her  great  men." 
The  following  estimate  of  Judge  Iglehart'sl 
character  as  a  lawyer  has  been  given  by  one 
who  was  capable  of  describing  it:  "He 
was  no  ordinary  man.  In  nati\e  breadth 
and  strength  of  mind,  in  his  accurate  and 
extensive,  I  might  say  overwhelming,  knowl- 
edge of  the  law,  in  his  unrivaled  capacity 
for  work  —  a  qualit}-  which  often  supplies  the 
place  of  genius,  which  is  genius  —  he  was 
one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  with  whom 
I  have,  ever  met.  This  was  my  deliberate 
conviction  when  I  first  met  him,  more  than 
fourteen  years  ago,  and  years  of  association 
with  him  only  strengthen  this  conviction. 
The  privilege  of  conversing  with_  Judge 
Iglehart,  of  hearing  him  discuss  legal  ques- 
tions in  the  courts,  was  in  itself,  if  improved, 
a  liberal  education  in  the  law.  I  never  left 
him,  after  even  a  casual  conversation  upon 
legal  topics,  but  what  I  felt  I  had  been  the 
,  gainer.  His  grasp  upan  legal  principles 
was  sure  and  Hrm.  In  this  day,  when  the 
multiplication  of  report;;  has  become  an  in- 
tolerable burden,  the  tendency  in  all  of  us 
is  to  become  rnere  case-lawyers.    Too  many 


358 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


of  us  bow  down  to  the  authority  of  a  case, 
or  a  dictum,  no  matter  how  ill-considered  it 
may  be,  with  almost  cringing  servility. 
Judge  Iglehart,  without  the  advantage  of 
early  education,  who  was  a  self-taught  man, 
might  have  been  pardoned  had  he  shared 
this  tendency.  But  of  all  men,  he  was  freest 
from  this  bondage.  He  sought  always  to 
found  his  contention  upon  the  bed-rock  of 
legal  principles,  and  when  he  had  found  his 
sure  foundation,  he  brushed  aside  the  decis- 
ion, or  even  the  text-writer,  which  stood  in 
the  way  of  his  maintenance  of  those  princi- 
ples with  little  ceremony."  On  one  occasion 
he  persuaded  the  supreme  court  of  Indiana 
to  overrule  Judge  Redlield,  one  of  the  lead- 
ing American  text-writers.  Judge  Gi-esham, 
several  years  after  he  had  sat  as  judge 
-  of  the  United  States  circuit  court, 
and  before  whom  the  leaders  of  the 
bar  of  the  country  had  practiced, 
wrote  of  Judge  Iglehart  after  his  death: 
"All  things  considered,  his  career  was  a 
remarkable  one.  ♦  *  *  I  have  met  few 
men  who  had  greater  power  of  analysis, 
and,  just  now,  I  can  recall  no  one  who 
examined  and  briefed  a  case  better.  *  *  * 
His  life  was  honorable  and  blameless."  In 
his  case  the  man  was  greater  than  his  pro- 
fession. Professions,  institutions  and. states 
are  the  work  of  man,  but  man  himself  is  the 
work  of  God.  In  the  underlying  personal- 
ity of  Judge  Iglehart  were  embodied  the 
largest  gifts  and  rarest  qualities  of  a  rich 
and  noble  manhood.  There  are  immutable 
moral  forces,  certain  primal  virtues  upon 
which  family,  society  and  the  state  must 
rest;  with  these  he  was  richly  endowed,  and 
these  were  the  sources  of  his  great  power. 
To  him  patronage  and  official  recognition 
could  give  nothing.  His  claim  to  distinc- 
tion, his  titles  of  nobility,  his  royal  investi- 
tures came  direct  from  the  hand  of  God. 
His  faith  in  the  great  fundamental  principles 


of  revealed  religion  was  as  the  faith  of  a 
little  child.  He  believed  that  the  great  ver- 
ities of  religion  were  established  facts,  and 
in  those  facts  his  soul  rested  with  utter  con- 
fidence. To  him  religion  was  a  matter  to 
be  verified  by  the  test  of  experience,  and 
hence,  his  was  a  practical  religion.  The 
church  of  his  choice  and  her  interests  was 
ever  before  him  and  her  prosperity  was 
dear  to  his  heart.  He  was  generous  in  her 
support,  loyal  to  her  doctrines,  and  gave,  as 
a  most  trusted  and  faithful  official,  wise 
counsel  and  cheering  words.  His  home 
was  ever  open  to  his  pastor,  and  anj-  visit- 
ing minister  of  his  church.  He  enjoyed  the 
services  of  his  church,  and  was  devout  and 
faithful  in  his  attendance.  When  called 
upon,  he  could  alvva3S  in  fitting  and  earnest 
words  give  a  reason  for  his  faith,  and  while 
not  demonstrative  in  words  or  manner,  yet 
a  close  observer  could  catch  a  glimpse  of  a 
heart  touched  and  fuU  of  feeling,  and  see  his 
eyes  fill  as  emotions  strong  and  deep  would 
touch  his  inmost  soul  under  the  spell  of 
speaker  or  song.  He  took  an  early  and 
abiding  interest  in  educational  affairs  in 
Evansville  and  abroad.  He  was  for  several 
3-ears  trustee  of  Evansville  public  schools 
and  for  many  years  a  trustee  of  De  Pauw 
University,  and  gave  freely  of  his  time, 
counsel  and  money  to  its  support.  He  car- 
ried into  his  daily  life^  at  home  and  abroad, 
a  pure  Christian  character,  untarnished  and 
unstained.  No  man's  life  was  more  unself- 
ish. His  unbounded  liberality  aided  much 
to  extend  the  sphere  of  his  influence.  In 
personal  appearance  Judge  Iglehart  was 
commanding.  He  was  very  stout  in  frame, 
and  his  massive  head  was  for  many  years 
covered  with  silver  white  hair,  crowning 
the  impressiveness  of  a  noble  presence.  Ill 
health  compelled  him  to  retire  from  his 
work  several  years  before  his  death,  which 
occurred  February  5,  1S86. 


C^ti(t^ 


'A 


/^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


3(il 


John  Law,  an  eminent  jurist,  whose  life 
work  made  him  a  conspicuous  figure  in  the 
history  of  Indiana,  was  a  native  of  New 
London,  Conn.,  born  October  28,  1796.  His 
ancestry  was  no  less  notable,  his  grand- 
father being  a  member  of  the  first  conti- 
nental congress,  and  his  father,  Lyman 
Law,  as  a  lawyer  and  as  a  congressman, 
was  a  prominent  man  in  Connecticut.  He 
was  careful  in  the  education  of  his  son  John, 
and  the  latter  received  his  earlier  training 
in  the  school  of  Jonathan  Pomero}-,  an  en- 
thusiast in  an  educational  way,  who  devoted 
a  culture  shaped  at  Yale  college  to  the 
training  of  students  for  that  institute.  John 
Law  entered  Yale  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen and  graduated  in  usual  time,  distin- 
guishing himself  especially  as  a  classical 
student.  He  then  read  law  in  his  father's 
office,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  181 7. 
The  fall  of  the  next  year  he  opened  an  office  at 
Vincennes,  and  within  a  3-ear  after  his  arrival 
n  Indiana,  stood  prominent  as  a  successful 
practitioner.  As  a  criminal  lawyer  he  was 
especially  famous,  and  his  fame  spread  rap- 
idly throughout  a  wide  region.  For  several 
years  he  was  prosecuting  attorney  in  nearly 
all  the  courts  of  the  old  first  congressional  dis- 
trict, and  he  served  for  a  considerable  period 
as  circuit  judge.  His  powers  of  analysis  and 
clear  mental  inspection  rendered  him  an  able 
judge.  The  gravity  and  dignity  that  he 
well  assumed  in  his  official  capacities  gave 
wa}-  in  social  life  to  a  bright  animation  that 
always  drew  about  him  an  interested  circle, 
and  aided  no  little  in  his  advancement. 
During  the  administration  of  President 
Pierce  he  was  register  of  the  land  office, 
previously  having  served  as  receiver  of  the 
public  money.  In  185 1  he  removed  to 
Evansville,  and  at  this  time  was  ensracred  in 
several  land-title  controversies,  by  the  con- 
duct of  which  he  won  renown.  In  1861  he 
was  elected  by  this  district  as  representative 


in  congress,  for  which  he  was  the  demo- 
cratic candidate,  and  was  re-elected  in  1863. 
He  was  an  able  congressman,  though  in  the 
minority  exerted  a  powerful  influence,  and 
numbered  among  his  friends  the  "  great 
commoner  "  Thaddeus  Stevens. 

TiioMA.s  Edgar  Garvin,  attorney  at  law, 
Evansville,  Ind.,  was  born  at  Gettj'sburg, 
Adams  county,  Penn.,  September  15,  1826. 
He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Providence  Garvin, 
of  Presb}'terian  faith,  and  of  Scotch-Irish 
extraction.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  en- 
tered  Mount  Saint  Mar}''s  College,  at  Em- 
mettsburg,  Md.,  where  he  completed  the 
course  of  stud_v,  after  four  j-ears'  diligent 
application,  and  graduated  June,  1844.  In 
the  autumn  of  the  same  year  Mr.  Garvin 
removed  to  Evansville,  Ind.,  where  he  has 
ever  since  resided.  He  has  seen  the  city  of 
his  adoption  graduall}'  grow  and  increase  in 
commercial  importance  till  it  ranks  among 
the  great  industrial  places  of  the  country', 
and  second  in  population  to  none,  except  the 
capital,  in  the  state  of  Indiana.  Soon  after 
Mr.  Garvin  came  to  Evansville  he  began 
the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Con- 
rad Baker,  ex-governor  of  the  state  of 
Indiana,  and  one  of  the  leading 
lawvers  of  the  country.  Destitute  of  pat- 
ronage it  became  necessary  for  Mr.  Garvin 
to  make  his  own  way,  and  raise  funds  by 
his  own  efforts  to  pursue  the  study  of  law. 
This  he  did  by  accepting  a  position  as 
teacher  in  the  public  schools.  Here  he 
realized  all  the  experiences  of  the  early 
schools  of  Indiana  made  so  famous  by 
Edward  Eggleston  in  his  "  Iloosier  School 
Master."  Mr.  Garvin  has  a  vivid  recollec- 
tion of  the  pioneer  times,  which  he  now  con- 
siders as  forming  an  interestmg  epoch  in  his 
career.  March  27,  1846,  after  an  examina- 
tion, he  was  licensed  by  Judge  James  Lock- 
hart  and  John  Law,  of  the  fourth  and  sev- 
enth    judicial     circuits,    respectively,     and 


S62 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


entered  regularly  upon  the  practice  of  law. 
Immediately  after  this  event  Mr.  Garvin 
formed  a  partnership  with  ex-Gov.  Baker, 
before  mentioned,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Baker  &  Garvin.  This  partnership  was 
pleasantty  and  profitably  continued  for  eleven 
years,  and  wliile  it  lasted  these 
gentlemen  were  employed  as  counsel  in  some 
of  the  most  important  cases  ever  adjudicated 
in  the  state.  Mr.  Garvin  has  always  been 
esteemed  as  a  careful  and  vigilant  attorney, 
in  whose  hands  it  was  safe  to  trust  the  most 
intricate  and  complicated  litigations,  and  in 
consequence  his  clients  have  been  among 
the  most  pronunent  and  influential  citizens 
of  Evansville  and  contiguous  country.  No- 
vember II,  1S49,  ^^  "'^^  married  to  Miss 
Cornelia  M.  Morris,  at  Penn  Yan,  Yates 
county,  New  York.  Mrs.  Garvin  is  a  direct 
descendant  of  the  Morris  family  of  Morris- 
town,  New  Jersey,  and  of  revolutionary 
fame.  In  1862  Mr.  Garvin  was  elected  to 
represent  Vanderburgh  count}'  in  the  state 
legislature,  where  he  served  his  constituents 
with  credit  to  himself  and  the  communitj- 
which  had  elected  him.  Mr.  Garvin 
was  among  the  first  stockholders  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Evansville, 
and  for  many  j'ears  one  of  its  directors,  a 
position  he  still  holds.  In  1S76  his  alma 
mater.  Mount  St.  Mary's  college,  conferred 
upon  him  the  degree  of  LL.  D.,  a  distinction 
rarely  granted,  and  of  which  Mr.  Garvin 
should  feel  justly  proud.  The  later  j'ears 
of  his  life  have  been  mainly  spent  as  a  real 
estate  attorney  and  in  speculation.  He  is  a 
man  of  much  application  and  greatly  de- 
voted to  the  interests  of  those  who  intrust 
their  business  to  him.  It  is  not  alone  in  the 
legal  profession  that  Mr.  Garvin  has  distin- 
guished himself.  In  the  department  of  po- 
lite literature  and  natural  historj^  he  takes 
high  rank.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
trustees  of  the  Willard  library,  and  one  of 


the  board  to  whom  the  property  was 
deeded.  He  has  always  taken  a  lively  in- 
terest in  the  welfare  of  this  institution,  and 
has  been  for  manj'  years  one  of  its  chief 
executive  officers.  He  is  well  known  in 
Indiana,  and  has  many  warm  personal 
friends.  As  an  example  of  self-made  men 
Mr.  Garvin  furnishes  us  a  rare  type.  All 
in  all  his  career  has  been  one  of  uniform 
success  and  there  are  few  citizens  in  the 
state  more  entitled  to  a  place  in  American 
biography  than  Thomas  Edgar  Garvin. 

John  J.  Chandler,  who  in  his  prime 
stood  among  the  foremost  lawyers  of  Indi- 
ana, was  born  in  New  York  city,  November 
17,  181 5,  and  died  at  Evansville,  April  15, 
1872.  The  less  than  thirty-six  years  of 
manhood  within  those  limits  were  crowded 
with  achievements  in  his  profession  which 
won  for  him  a  wide  renown  and  made  him 
one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  Evans- 
ville. He  was  the  son  of  Asaph  Chandler, 
a  native  of  Vermont,  who  moved  to  New 
York  at  an  early  da}-,  and  obtained  com- 
mand and  ownership  ot  a  ship  in  the  New 
York  and  Liverpool  and  New  York  and 
Havre  lines,  and  was  also  at  one  time  a 
merchant  in  the  cit\'.  The  son  soon  dis- 
tinguished himself  bv  a  great  interest  in 
books  and  studv,  and  when  the  family  re- 
moved to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  1834,  he  was 
ready  to  enter  the  university  there.  This  in- 
stitution was  then  under  the  presidency  of 
the  late  Dr.  Philip  Lindsey.  Here  the 
3-oung  student  soon  attracted  notive  as  an 
essayist  on  political  econom}-  and  mental 
philosoph}',  and  as  a  skillful  debater.  He 
graduated  in  1836  at  the  head  of  his  class, 
and  as  the  Seminole  war  was  then  the  most 
prominent  thing  to  attract  the  energy  of  a 
young  man  he  raised  a  company  and  went 
to  the  scene  of  action.  He  participated  in 
several  important  engagements,  and  was 
distinguished  for  braverj-  and  abiht}-    as  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


363 


fighter  and  captain  against  a  treacherous  en- 
emy. On  the  close  of  the  campaign  he  returned 
to  Nashville  and  began  the  study  of  law. 
In  1838  he  came  to  Evansville  and  entered 
the  office  of  Amos  Clark,  where  he  continued 
his  studies.  In  the  spring  of  the  3'ear  fol- 
lowing he  was  admitted  to  practice  in  all 
the  courts  of  the  state,  and  became  a  partner 
of  his  preceptor.  As  a  lavv3'er  he  was  un- 
tiring in  the  study  of  his  cases,  shrewd  as 
a  counselor  and  powerful  as  an  advocate. 
Though  often  abrupt  in  asserting  his  opin- 
ions, and  sometimes  personal  in  the  course 
of  a  warm  argument,  his  most  bitter  oppo- 
nents would  forgfet  their  cha<rrin  in  admira- 
tion  of  the  audacity  and  skill  of  his  manage- 
ment of  the  case  on  trial.  His  disposition 
was  scholarly,  and  he  was  in  all  respects  a 
gentleman,  genial  and  generous,  esteemed 
as  a  friend  as  well  as  admired  as  a  brilliant 
man  of  affairs.  Mr.  Chandler  was  married 
in  1851  to  Mrs.  Ann  Hann,  a  sisterof  the  late 
Dr.  Casselberry,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children.  His  son,  John  J.  Chandler,  is 
now  a  leading  citizen  of  Evansville. 

Hon.  William  F.  Parrett. — Judge 
Parrett,  the  son  of  Robert  and  Martha  Par- 
rett, was  born  on  a  farm  near  Blairsville, 
Posey  county,  Ind.,  August  10,  1825.  In 
1826  his  father  moved  to  Vanderburgh 
county,  and  purchased  a  farm  adjoining  the 
village  of  Evansville,  then  containing  but  few 
inhabitants.  The  Parrett  homestead  em- 
braced all  of  the  present  city  limits  lying 
south  of  Washington  avenue  and  east  of 
Parrett  and  Third  streets.  His  early  youth 
was  passed  on  a  farm  and  going  to  school. 
He  spent  three  j-ears  at  Asbury  (now  De- 
Pauw)  University,  at  Greencastle,  under  the 
renowned  Matthew  Simpson,  who  was  then 
its  president,  and  he  obtained  the  substantial 
benefit  of  a  college  course.  He  was  eight- 
een months  under  John  Douglas,  president 
of  the  old  Evansville  branch  bank,  in  a  posi- 


tion of  trust,  and  readily  learned  accurate 
business  habits  and  ideas,  which  were  of 
value  to  him  in  his  professional  life.  He 
began  the  study  of  law  with  Conrad  Baker, 
later  governor  of  Indiana.  April  7,  1847, 
at  Boonville,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
after  examination.  He  remained  at  Boon- 
\-ille  till  1852,  when  he  went  to  the  Pacific 
coast  and  spent  two  years  and  a  half  in  the 
practice  of  the  law  in  Oregon,  when  he 
returned  to  Indiana  and  continued  in 
the  practice  in  the  firm  of  Lock- 
hart,  Parrett  &  Denby,  at  Evansville. 
In  1855  he  removed  to  Boonville  and  con- 
tinued successfulh'  in  his  profession  until 
August,  1859,  when  he  was  appointed  by 
Gov.  Willard,  judge  of  the  15th  judicial 
circuit,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Craw- 
ford, Perry,  Spencer,  Warrick,Vanderburgh, 
and  Posey.  In  October,  1859,  he  was 
elected  for  six  years  to  the  same  position, 
when  he  removed  to  Evansville,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  In  1865  he  was  re- 
elected for  another  term  of  six  years.  After 
serving  three  years  of  this  term,  he  resigned 
and  entered  into  the  practice  of  the  law  with 
Gen.  James  M.  Shackelford,  and-  subse- 
quently formed  a  partnership  with  Luke 
Wood,  the  firm  name  being  Parrett  &  Wood. 
In  1873,  upon  the  formation  of  the  first  cir- 
cuit of  Vanderburgh  and  Posey  counties, 
Judge  Parrett  was  appointnd  judge  by  Gov. 
Hendricks,  and  later  was  again  a  candidate, 
and  re-elected  over  Judge  Edson  of  Posey 
county  by  a  large  majority.  In  1879,  he 
was  again  elected  to  the  same  position  with- 
out opposition,  his  name  being  printed  on 
all  the  tickets.  By  a  change  in  the  law, 
the  next  election  came  one  year  earlier,  and 
in  1884,  Judge  Parrett  was  again  elected 
judge  over  Mr.  Ernest  Dale  Owen,  of  New 
Harmony,  and  he  remained  on  the  bench 
until  December,  1888,  when  after  his  elec- 
tion to  congress,  he  was  succeeded  by  Judge 


364 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


Robert  D.  Richardson,  of  the  Evansville 
bar.  Judge  Parrett,  upon  his  retirement  from 
the  bench,  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr. 
W.  M.  Blakev,  at  Evansville,  the  tirm  being 
Parrett  &  Blake\'.  He  was  for  several 
years  trustee  of  the  Evansville  public 
schools,  with  H.  W.  Cloud  and  others,  un- 
der whose  management  the  schools  continued 
to  thrive  and  grow  upon  their  liberal  found- 
ations, under  a  policy  which  had  placed  the 
best  citizens  in  that  office.  Judge  Parrett 
was  presidential  elector  for  the  first  judicial 
district  of  Indiana  in  1856,  and  cast  the  vote 
of  Indiana  for  James  Buchanan.  In  1858, 
he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  of  Indiana 
from  Warrick  countv  and  served  the  regular 
and  a  special  term.  In  1888,  he  was  chosen 
by  the  democratic  party  as  its  candidate  for 
congress  in  the  first  district,  and  in  Novem- 
ber was  elected  over  Mr.  F.  B.  Pose}'  of 
Petersburgh.  In  politics  he  has  been  a 
leading  democrat,  although  during  his  entire 
career  upon  the  bench,  he  has  alwa\'s  risen 
superior  to  any  political  prejudices,  and  his 
politics  have  only  been  prominently  recog- 
nized when  he  was  a  candidate  for  office. 
In  November,  1852,  Judge  Parrett  married 
Miss  Harriet  W.  Hinman,  who  died  in  18S8, 
leaving  surviving  two  daughters,  Mar}^  and 
Eva,  who  reside  with  their  father  in  Evans- 
ville. The  retirement  of  Judge  Parrett 
from  the  bench  was  an  epoch  in  the  history 
of  the  bar  of  Evansville  and  vicinity. 
Though  yet  in  full  mental  and  physical 
vigor,  he  is  one  of  the  few  remaining  of  the 
bar  of  this  section  as  it  existed  thirty  years 
ago.  Judge  Parrett's  career  begins  after 
that  of  Lockhart  and  Law,  both  of  whom 
served  in  congress;  contemporaneous  with 
Baker,  who  later  became  governor 
of  Indiana;  Jones,  attorney  general  of 
Indiana;  Shanklin,  who  died  young,  in  the 
beginning  of  great  promise;  Robinson, 
whose  unique  originality   and    sarcasni    and 


great  natural  power  gave  him  high  reputa- 
tion as  an  advocate;  Chandler,  of  superior 
education,  mental  culture  and  high  forensic 
power;  Harrow,  able  and  brilliant;  Blythe, 
stately  and  eloquent;  Iglehart,  with  broad 
intellect,  a  comprehensive  lawyer  and  a 
jurist  of  extensive  reputation;  Pitcher,  of 
marked  ability;  Garvin,  learned  in  the  law, 
classic  in  his  tastes,  and  genial  in  his  social 
life;  Hovey,  who  has  held  high  positions, 
military  and  civil,  now  governor  of  Indiana; 
Denby,  able,  eloquent  and  successful  at  the 
bar,  now'  United  States  minister  to  China; 
Foster,  United  States  minister  to  Mexico, 
Spain  and  Russia;  Hynes,  than  whom  none 
was  more  eloquent,  brilliant  and  charming. 
These  and  others  composed  the  bar  which 
practiced  before  Judge  Parrett  in  the  earlier 
days.  They  were  men  of  strong,  broad 
natures,  robust  manhood  and  sturd\-  char- 
acters. Comparing  favorably  in  natural 
ability  with  these  men,  with  whom  he  asso- 
ciated, (juick  to  feel  the  inspiration  wliich 
these  surroundings  produced,  with  a  natural 
aptitude  to  the  law,  Judge  Parrett  has  in  a 
life  of  continuous  labor  earned  the  tribute, 
which  was  paid  him  bv  the  Evansville  bar, 
upon  his  retirement  from  the  bench.  It 
contains  a  just  estimate  of  his  personal  and 
professional  traits,  by  those  who  know  him 
most  intimately,  and  is  given  elsewhere. 

Conrad  Baker,  who  practiced  law  in 
Evansville  twenty-five  years,  from  1841  un- 
til 1867,  when  he  was  called  to  the  highest 
office  of  the  state,  was  a  native  of  Pennsxl- 
vania,  born  in  Franklin  county,  Februar}' 
12,  1 81 7.  He  was  educated  at  the  Perm- 
SN-lvania  College  at  Gett^-sburg,  and  studied 
law  in  the  office  of  Stevens  &  Smyser,  the 
senior  member  beino-  the  illustrious  Thad- 
deus  Stevens.  Mr.  Baker  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  at  Gettysburg  in  the  spring  of  1839, 
and  practiced  there  for  two  years.  In  1841, 
he   came    west    and    settled    at    Evansville, 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


S65 


which  was  his  home  and  the  theater  of  his 
professional  activity,  until  his  removal  to 
Indianapolis.  He  was  elected  in  1845  to 
represent  Vanderburgh  county  in  the  gen- 
eral assembly,  and  served  one  term.  He 
was  the  first  judge  of  the  court  of  common 
pleas  for  the  first  district,  as  has  been  noted 
in  the  account  of  that  court.  At  the  birth 
of  the  republican  party,  in  1856,  his  was  the 
second  name  on  its  first  state  ticket.  He 
was  nominated  for  lieutenant-governor, 
without  his  knowledge  and  without  effort  on 
his  part,  on  the  ticket  headed  by  Oliver  1'. 
Morton.  They  were  defeated,  and  Willard 
and  Hammond  elected.  In  the  next  cam- 
paign, in  which  Morton  was  elected,  he  was 
not  a  candidate,  but  in  the  war,  which  soon  j 
afterward  broke  out,  he  did  an  honorable 
and  valuable  part.  In  1861,  he  was  com- 
missioned colonel  of  the  First  Cavalry 
(Twenty-eighth  regiment),  and  served  in 
that  position  over  three  years.  From  Au- 
gust, 1861,  to  April,  1863,  he  commanded 
either  his  own  regiment  or  a  brigade  in 
the  field  in  Missouri,  Arkansas  and 
Mississippi.  At  the  latter  date,  the  times 
demanding  men  of  his  stamp  in  the  work, 
he  was  summoned  by  telegraph,  the  order 
from  the  secretary  of  war  reaching  him  at 
Helena,  Ark.,  and  required  to  repair  at  once 
to  Indianapolis  and  report  to  the  provost 
marshal  general.  On  his  arrival  at  Indian- 
apolis he  was  detailed  to  act  as  assistant 
provost  marshal  general  for  Indiana,  and  as 
such  to  organize  the  provost  marshal  gen- 
eral's bureau  in  tliis  state.  lie  |-)erformed 
the  duties  of  this  place,  superintending  vol- 
unteer recruiting  and  acting  as  chief  muster- 
ing ofilcer  until  August,  1864,  when  his 
term  of  service  having  expired,  he  was  re- 
lieved at  his  own  request  and  with  his  regi- 
ment was  mustered  out  a  few  weeks  later. 
In  1864  the  republicans  renominated  Gov. 
Morton,      and      Gen.      Natham      Kimball 


having  declined  the  nomination  for  the 
second  place,  the  central  committee  tendered 
the  nomination  for  lieutenant-governor  to 
Mr.  Baker.  Early  in  the  year  following 
their  election,  Gov.  Morton  was  stricken 
with  disease,  and  he  called  the  legislature  in 
special  session  and  went  to  Europe  in  search 
of  health,  leaving  Gov.  Baker  in  charge 
of  the  executive  department  durmg  five 
months.  At  tlie  next  session  of  the  leefisla- 
ture  Gov.  Morton  was  elected  United 
States  senator,  and  Mr.  Baker  again  assumed 
the  duties  of  governor.  He  was  unanimously 
nominated  for  governor  by  the  republican 
convention  of  1868,  and  was  elected  after  a 
memorable  campaign  by  the  small  majority 
of  961  o\-er  that  formidable  competitor, 
Thomas  A.  Hendricks.  In  that  intense 
political  struggle,  when  every  possible  fail- 
ing of  a  candidate  that  could  be  used  to  his 
discredit  was  eagerly  sought  for,  it  was  a 
remarkable  fact  that  against  Conrad  Baker, 
who  had  been  acting  chief  executive  for 
some  time,  no  charge  of  misconduct  as  a 
man  or  as  an  ofiicer  was  laid.  His  succeed- 
ing administration  of  four  ^-ears  was  like- 
wise honest  and  conscientious.  After  the 
retirement  of  Mr.  Baker  from  the  guberna- 
torial chair,  he  became  associated  in  the 
famous  law  firm  of  Baker,  Hord  &  Hend- 
ricks, and  made  his  home  in  Indianapolis 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Morris  Stanberry  Johnson,  for  four 
years  judge  of  the  common  pleas  court  of 
the  first  district  of  Indiana,  was  a  choice 
spirit  in  tlie  earlier  history  of  Evansville  as 
a  city.  He  was  a  man  in  whom  the  ele- 
ments of  intellect  and  heart  were  well  com- 
mingled, who  was  as  conspicuous  as  a 
genial  and  hospitable  gentleman  as  he  was 
notable  as  a  barrister  and  judge.  He  was 
a  native  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  born  at 
Morristown  March  15,  18 17.  His  mother 
was  a  daughter  of  the  Col.   Stanberry  who 


366 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


fought  at  the  battle  of  White  Plains,  in  the 
war  of  the  revolution,  and  she  was  a  cousin 
of  Henry  Stanberry,  of  Newport,  Ky.,  who 
was  attorney  general  of  the  United  States 
during  the  administration  of  Andrew  John- 
son, and  who  acted  as  one  of  the  attorneys 
for  the  defense  in  the  impeachment  trial.  In 
early  life  Mr.  Johnson  turned  his  studies  in 
the  direction  of  the  law,  but  owing  to  the 
desires  of  his  family  he  devoted  himself  to 
business  until  his  thirty-fifth  year.  In  1844 
he  came  to  Evansville,  and  in  that  year 
the  firm  of  Johnson  &  Crane,  Isaac  A. 
Crane  being  the  junior  partner,  began  do- 
ing business  in  the  line  of  wholesale  and  re- 
tail dry  goods.  The  firm  was  dissolved  after 
a  few  years,  and  Mr.  Johnson  continued  the 
business  alone.  He  removed  for  a  short 
time  to  Nevvburgh,  but  soon  returned  to 
Evansville,  and  revived  his  stud}-  of  law  m 
the  office  of  Gen.  James  E.  Blythe.  He 
soon  afterward  began  the  practice  of  law 
and  formed  a  partnership  with  John  Law 
and  Charles  I.  Battell.  He  was  success- 
ful from  the  beginning  as  a  lawyer,  and 
gained  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  In 
1848  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  presiden- 
tial campaign,  as  a  supporter  of  Taylor  and 
Fillmore,  the  whig  candidates.  After  the 
demise  of  that  party,  however,  he  allied 
himself  with  the  democrats.  His  first 
appearance  as  a  candidate  in  the  political 
arena  was  when  he  was  nominated  for 
mayor  in  1862.  He  made  a  gallant  can- 
vass, but  was  defeated  by  William  Baker 
by  fifty  votes.  In  1867,  Mr.  Johnson  was 
elected  judge  of  the  first  common  pleas  dis- 
trict, to  fill  a  vacancy.  His  competitor  was 
Maj.  A.  L.  Robinson,  who  held  the  office 
by  appointment  of  the  governor.  The  fol- 
lowing year  Judge  Johnson  was  elected 
over  Isaac  S.  Moore,  of  Boonville,  for  a  full 
term,  and  held  the  office  until  December, 
1 87 1.     In    1840    he    had   been   married    to 


Miss  Charlotte  Warner,  of  New  York.  No 
children  were  born  to  them.  The  death  of 
Judge  Johnson  occurred  in  1S72. 

Colonel  Jacob  S.  Buchanan,  attorney 
and  counselor  at  law,  was  born  in  Jefferson 
county,  Ind.,  in  February,  1822.  His 
paternal  grandfather  was  a  native  of  the 
north  of  Ireland  and  of  Scotch  descent;  his 
maternal  grandfather  was  a  German.  His 
father,  a  native  of  Westmoreland  county, 
Penn.,  was  reared  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  and 
about  the  year  1800,  settled  on  the  Ohio 
river,  about  twenty  miles  above  Madison, 
Ind.  Some  two  or  three  years  afterward, 
with  three  of  his  brothers,  he  went  into  Jef- 
ferson count}',  Ind.,  where  they  built  a  block- 
house and  stockade  as  a  defense  against 
Indian  attacks,  and  became  pioneer  farmers. 
Jacob  S.  Buchanan  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
near  Vevay,  Switzerland  county,  Ind.,  to 
which  his  father  had  removed  with  his 
famih'  when  he  was  a  child.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  received  at  the  common  country 
schools  during  the  winter  months,  and  was 
supplemented  by  a  year's  study  with  a 
private  tutor,  after  he  was  twenty-one  years 
old.  He  had  begun  to  read  law  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  years,  more  to  satisfy  a  natural 
fondness  for  study  than  with  a  view  of  tak- 
ing it  up  as  a  profession,  and  he  continued 
this  until  he  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  1849.  In  the  following  year  he  opened 
a  law  office  at  Versailles,  Ind.,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  a  good  practice  in  the 
two  3-ears  of  his  stay  there.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Charlestown,  Clark  county,  Ind., 
where  he  soon  acquired  a  good  practice, 
which  he  retained  until  the  breaking  out  of 
the  civil  war.  Then,  abandoning  his  pro- 
fession, he  went  to  his  old  home  at  Vevay, 
raised  a  company,  and  entered  the  United 
States  cavalry  service.  Subsequently  this 
company  became  a  part  of  the  Third  Indiana 
cavalry,  a  regiment  distinguished  in    the  an- 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


367 


nals  of  the  country  for  its  lieroic  achieve- 
ments. Captain  Buchanan  was  promoted 
to  the  Heutenant  colonelcy  of  the  regiment 
and  was  in  command  of  it  during  the  most 
of  his  military  service.  Col.  Buchanan  in 
November,  1862,  was  then  taken  sick  for 
the  third  time  during  his  service  and  by  the  ad- 
vice of  the  surijeons  resigned  and  returned 
home  to  his  family  at  Vevay.  After  his  partial 
recovery  he  removed  to  Greensburg,  Decatur 
count}',  Ind.,  but  was  unable,  on  account 
of  continued  ill  health,  to  remain  there,  and 
in  about  a  year,  b}'  the  advice  of  physicians, 
removed  to  Arkansas.  There  for  two  years 
and  a  half  he  managed  a  plantation,  recu- 
perated his  health,  and,  in  1S66,  removed  to 
this  city,  where  he  again  commenced  the 
practice  of  law.  Within  a  year  he  succeeded 
in  gaining  a  considerable  patronage,  and  has 
gradually  acquired  a  large  practice.  He  is 
now  the  senior  member  of  the  law  firm  of 
Buchanan  &  Buchanan,  and  is  regarded  as 
one  of  the  most  successful  lawyers  in  the 
city.  He  has  a  strong  lo\e  for  the  practice 
of  law,  but  detests  technicalities.  In  the 
trial  of  his  cases  he  is  absolutely  fair  to  all 
parties  concerned;  is  very  frank  and  candid 
in  all  his  dealings  with  every  one,  and  to 
this  may  be  attributed,  to  a  great  extent,  his 
success.  As  an  advocate,  he  is  earnest  and 
effecti\'e,  a  fluent  speaker,  and  powerful  in 
argument  before  both  court  and  jury.  In 
his  early  jears  he  was  a  whig,  and  upon 
the  formation  of  the  republican  party  allied 
himself  therewith,  but  has  never  been,  in 
any  sense  of  the  word,  a  partisan.  He  has 
invariably  refused  to  accept  any  elective  ollice, 
having  on  various  occasions  declined  nomina- 
tions. He  was  married  injanuary,  1 848, to  Miss 
Julia  A.  Sauvain,  a  descendant  of  one  of  the 
French  families  that  settled  at  Gallipolis, 
Ohio,  t(j\vard  the  beginning  of  the  present 
centurw  Three  children,  now  living,  are  the 
fruits  of  tills  marriage:     Cicero,  the  oldest, 


who  is  the  junior  partner  in  the  firm  of 
Buchanan  &  Buchanan,  himself  distinguished 
as  a  lawyer  and  citizen  because  of  his 
natural  brilliancy  as  a  speaker,  his  thorough 
conversancy  with  every  branch  of  law, 
and  his  aggressive  public  spiritedness. 
Mrs.  Mar}-  O.  Flower,  the  widow  of  the 
late  Rev.  George  E.  Flower,  who  is  now 
living  in  Evansville  with  her  brother  and 
actively  engaged  in  works  of  charit}'  for  the 
poor  and  friendless.  Scott  Buchanan,  the 
youngest  son,  is  now  residing  in  the  state  of 
Dakota,  extensively  engaged  in  wheat 
irrowinsi,  and  is  one  of  the  best  farmers 
in  the  state. 

Cicero  Buchanan,  attorne}-  at  law,  was 
born  on  a  farm  near  Vevay,  Switzerland 
count}-,  Ind.,  November  23,  1848,  and  is 
the  son  of  Col.  Jacob  S.  and  Julia  A.  (Sau- 
vain) Buchanan.  He  received  a  collegiate 
education,  graduating  from  Eureka  College, 
at  Eureka,  111.,  in  1869,.  He  then  began 
the  study  of  law  in  the  oflice  of  his  father 
in  Evansville,  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  1 87 1.  In  the  following  year  he  went  to 
Oregon,  where  he  practiced  his  profession 
one  year,  being  associated  with  the  firm 
of  Mitchell  &  Dolph,  of  Portland.  The 
senior  member  of  this  firm  was  the  well- 
known  United  States  senator  from  Oregon. 
Returning  to  Evansville,  Mr.  Buchanan 
entered  the  practice  again  at  this  place, 
where  he  has  since  remained.  He  is  the 
junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Buchanan  & 
Buchanan,  whose  extensive  practice  em- 
braces many  important  cases  in  the  district, 
state,  and  federal  courts.  His  familiarity 
with  the  law,  and  his  abilities  as  a  speaker, 
have  given  him  a  prominent  place  among 
the  ablest  members  of  the  Evansville  bar. 
In  politics  he  is  a  staunch  republican  and 
by  his  brilliancy  and  effectiveness  as  a  pub- 
lic speaker,  has  largely  contributed  to  the 
success  of  that  party  for  many  years  past. 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


Being  selected  as  the  republican  candidate 
for  presidential  elector  for  the  first  district  of 
Indiana,  in  iS88,  he  canvassed  the  district  in 
a  most  vigorous  and  telling  manner.  He 
was  pitted  in  joint  discussion  against  one  of 
the  ablest  exponents  of  democratic  doctrines 
— Judge  S.  B.  Vance — and  in  a  masterly 
way,  with  convincing  logic  and  a  happy 
style  of  presentation,  handled  the  abstruse 
questions  which  formed  the  issues  of  the  cam- 
paign. Everj'where  his  power  as  an  orator 
and  debater  was  recognized,  and  left  a  last- 
ing influence.  The  spirit  of  progress  is  one 
of  his  possessions.  Every  wise  effort  to  ad- 
vance the  public  good  finds  in  him  an  earn- 
est friend  and  supporter.  He  takes  an 
active  interest  in  the  work  of  temperance, 
and  the  betterment  of  the  moral  condition  of 
the  community.  In  the  Masonic  fraternity 
he  has  attained  exalted  rank,  being  now 
eminent  commander  of  LaValette  com- 
mandery,  K.  T.  He  was  married  September 
2,  1874,  to  Miss  Anna,  daughter  of  Francis 
Allen,  a  pioneer  citizen  of  this  city.  To 
this  union  two  children  have  been  born. 

Major  Hamilton  Allen  Mattison,  at- 
torney and  counselor  at  law,  was  born  in 
South  Berlin,  New  York,  September  23, 
1832,  and  is  the  son  of  Allen  J.  and  Luc}^ 
Mattison.  His  grandfather,  Allen  Mattison, 
was  a  Rhode  Island  Quaker,  who  joined 
the  revolutionary  army  in  1775,  under  Gen. 
Nathaniel  Greene,  and  fought  at  the  battle 
of  Bunker  Hill.  Some  time  after  the  close 
of  the  revolutionar}^  war,  he  removed  with 
his  family  to  South  Berlin,  E  ensselaer  county, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  at 
the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  Hamilton  A. 
Mattison  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  his  early 
instruction  was  received  in  a  common  coun- 
try school  where  he  attended  about  three 
months  in  a  year.  His  ambition  as  a  boy 
was  to  obtain  a  good  education,  and  at  the 
age  of  nineteen  years,  he  entered    the  New 


York  Conference  Seminary,  at  Charlotteville, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  pursued  his  studies,  at  the 
same  time  earning  by  his  own  labor,  as  assist- 
ant teacher,  the  means  necessary-  to  support 
himself  and   pay  for    his  tuition.      Later    he 
entered  Union   College,  from   which  institu- 
tion,  under    the    presidency    of    the    distin- 
guished educator.    Dr.   Eliphalet  Nott,  he 
graduated  in  i860.     From   the    fall  of   that 
year  until  the  summer  of  1S62,  he  was  prin- 
cipal of  the  Bacon  Seminary,  at  Woodstown, 
N.  J.     In  July,  1862,  during  the  progress  of 
the  civil  war,  convinced  that  it  was  his  dut}' 
to  respond   to  President   Lincoln's    call    for 
troops,  he    enlisted    and   raised   a  compan}- 
of  recruits  which  became  part  of  the  Twelfth 
New     Jersey     regiment.     Before     leaving 
the  state  he  was  commissioned  second    lieu- 
tenant and    received  successive    promotions 
as  first  lieutenant,  captain    and    major.     He 
was  on  the  staffs  of  Gens.  Alexander  Hayes 
and  Nelson  A.  Miles,  and  was    actively   en- 
gaged in  about  twenty-five  battles,  received 
three  wounds  at  Chancellorsville  —  from  one 
of  which  he  never  entirely  recovered  —  was 
wounded  twice  afterward  and  had  his  horse 
shot  under  him  at  the  battle  of  the   Wilder- 
ness, at  which  time  he  was  made  a  prisoner 
of  war.     On  that  battlefield    he   was    intro- 
duced to  Gen.   Lee  and  held  a  conversation 
with  him.     Here  began  a  chapter  of   hard- 
ships   in   the    life   of  Maj.  Mattison  such  as 
,can  be  appreciated  only  by  men    who    have 
undergone    similar    sufferings    in    southern 
prison  pens.     He  was  first  taken  to    Lynch- 
burg, Va.,  thence  to  Macon,  Ga.,  and  there 
confined  "  on  short  rations  "  from  the  latter 
part  of   May  until  about    the   first    of  July, 
when  he  was  taken  to    Savannah,  Ga.     He 
was  one  of  fifty    federal  officers  taken    from 
this  place  by  the  rebel  authorities  and  placed 
under  the  fire  of  the  federal  guns  while  they 
were  shelling  the   city   of    Charleston    from 
Folly    Island.     After   several   weeks,   with 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


others,  he  was  taken  to  Columbia,  S.  C, 
and  put  in  a  pen  exposed  to  all  kinds  of 
weather,  without  shelter  of  any  kind,  and 
fed  only  on  coarse  corn-meal  and  sorghum. 
Here  through  intense  suffering  he  remained 
until  November  28,  when,  in  company  with 
a  fellow  prisoner.  Rev.  John  Scamahorn, 
well  known  in  Evansville,  he  made 
his  escape.  Without  money  or  food  and 
with  a  scanty  supply  of  clothing, 
the  two  took  to  the  woods  and  started  out 
to  meet  Sherman's  army  which  they 
believed  to  be  on  its  way  to  Augusta,  Ga. 
They  traveled  across  the  state  of  South 
Carolina,  walking  by  night  and  concealing 
themselves  in  the  woods  and  swamps  during 
the  day.  Reaching  the  Savannah  river, 
they  took  possession  of  a  small  boat  and  ran 
the  gauntlet  of  rebel  guards  and  steamers 
until  they  reached  the  lines  of  Sherman's 
army  at  Savannah,  which  place  had  been 
captured  subsequent  to  their  escape.  They 
had  traveled  nearly  1,500  miles  through 
a  rebel  country  and  were  nearly  prostrated 
with  fatigue.  General  Sherman  ordered 
Maj.  Mattison  to  report  to  the  ami}-  of  the 
Potomac  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  return  to 
duty.  After  visiting  his  home  in  New  York, 
he  rejoined  the  ami)'  of  the  Potomac  about 
March  ist,  1865,  and  took  part  in  all  the 
battles  in  which  that  army  was  engaged  un- 
til the  surrender  of  Lee,  some  six  weeks 
later.  He  was  mustered  out  of  service  at 
the  close  of  the  war,  and  soon  after  entered 
the  Albany  Law  School  from  \Nhich  he  grad- 
uated in  1866,  receiving  the  degree  of 
LL.  B.  The  same  year  he  married  the 
daughter  of  Hon.  Marinus  Fairchild,  of 
Salem,  N.  Y.  He  began  the  practice 
of  law  at  Salem,  in  partnership  with  his 
father-in-law.  In  February,  1868,  he  re- 
moved to  Evansville  and  in  the  following 
fall  took  an  active  part  in  the  political  cam- 
paign,   advocating     the    election     of    Gen. 


Grant  for  president.  In  1870,  he  was 
appointed  county  attorney,  but  resigned  the 
office  in  the  following  year  for  the  purpose 
of  accepting  the  appointment  b}'  the  gover- 
nor to  the  office  of  prosecuting  attornev  of 
the  Vanderburgh  county  criminal  court,  to  till 
a  vacancy.  In  the  fall  of  1872  he  was 
elected  by  the  people  to  the  same  office  for 
a  term  of  two  years.  In  1876  he  was  ap- 
pointed, by  United  States  Chief  Ju3tice 
Waite,  register  in  bankruptcy,  and  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  the  office  until  its 
abolishment  by  law.  In  1887  he  was  ap- 
pointed city  attorney  for  Evansville,  and  was 
reappointed  to  the  same  office  in  1S88.  Ever 
since  his  coming  to  Evansville  Maj.  Matti- 
son has  taken  an  active  part  in  citv,  county, 
and  state  politics.  He  served  four  years  as 
chairman  of  the  republican  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  count)-  and  city,  and  to  his  able 
and  skillful  management  the  successes  of 
the  party  were  largely  due.  He  attended 
the  national  republican  convention  of  1876 
as  an  alternate  delegate  at  large  from  the 
state.  As  a  forcible  stump  speaker  he  has 
a  high  reputation  throughout  the  district. 
In  1888  his  name  was  presented  by  his 
friends  to  the  republican  district  convention 
for  the  congressional  nomination,  without 
his  knowledge  or  consent  (not  being 
present  at  the  time),  and  was  defeated  by 
the  Hon.  F.  B.  Posey  by  but  one  vote.  He 
became  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
at  Troy.  N.  Y.,  in  1862,  and  joined  Reed 
Lodge,  No.  316,  of  this  city,  by  demit  in 
1868;  became  a  member  of  LaValette  com- 
mandery  of  Knights  Templar  in  1872,  and 
has  held  manv  important  offices:  and  is  now 
past  master  of  Reed  lodge,  past  high  priest 
and  past  eminent  commander.  He  joined 
Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal  church  soon 
after  moving  to  Evansville,  and  ever  since 
has  been  an  active  member  of  both  church 
and  Sunday-school.     His   first  wife   having 


S70 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


died  in  1873,  he  was  again  married  Febru- 
ary 7,  187S,  to  Miss  Henrietta  M.  Bennett, 
of  Evansville,  formerly  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
He  has  one  daughter,  the  issue  of  his  first 
marriage.  Maj. '  Mattison  is  numbered 
among  the  leading  lawyers  in  Evansville, 
and  has  been  eminently  successful  in  the 
practice.  As  a  public  officer  he  has  been 
faithful  to  every  trust  and  has  performed 
every  duty  in  a  praiseworthy  manner.  He  is 
a  genial,  kind-hearted,  and  courteous  gen- 
tleman, and  is  esteemed  as  a  man  of  honor 
and  strict  integrit\'  in  all  business  matters. 
Judge  Azro  Dyer,  for  many  3'ears  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Evansville  bar, 
and  at  present  judge  of  the  superior  court 
of  Vanderburgh  county,  was  born  in  Rum- 
sey,  Ky.,  March  12,  1836.  His  father* 
Dillis  Dyer,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut, 
but  emigrated  to  Kentucky  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  years.  He  studied  law  in  that 
state,  and  for  many  years  practiced  his  pro- 
fession at  Hartford,  Ohio  county.  During 
twenty-live  years  he  held  places  of  trust  and 
influence  in  the  affairs  of  the  state."  As 
representative  and  state  senator,  he  took  a 
prominent  part  in  developing  the  internal  im- 
provement s\stem  of  Kentucky,  and  as  an 
agent  of  the  state  caused  the  erection  and  had 
the  subsequent  management  of  the  locks  and 
dams  on  Green  and  Barren  rivers,  that  have 
recently  passed  under  the  control  of  the  gen- 
eral government.  Azro  D3'er  attended  the 
well-known  school  of  Frank  Griffin,  at 
Hartford,  Ky.  Later  he  pursued  his  studies 
at  Rochester  University,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1S54 
entered  the  junior  class  of  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege, from  which  institution  he  graduated, 
June,  1856,  delivering  to  President  Lord  the 
farewell  address  for  the  class.  While  at 
Dartmouth  he  was  a  member  of  the  Greek  so- 
ciety, Alpha  Delta  Phi.  He  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  college  society,  "  Social  Friends," 
of  which  he  was   for  a  time  the   president. 


Returning  to  Kentuck}-  he  read  law  with 
Judge  J.  W.  Becker,  and  attended  the  law 
school  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  March,  1858.  From  that  time 
he  practiced  law  in  McLean  county,  Ky.,. 
until  July,  1864,  when  he  removed  to  Evans- 
ville, Ind.,  where  he  has  since  resided.  For 
thirteen  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  active 
practice  of  his  profession,  and  concerned  in 
many  important  trials  in  the  courts  during 
that  time.  In  March,  1877,  the  superior 
court  of  Vanderburgh  count}'  was  organized 
by  an  act  of  the  legislature,  and  upon  the 
request  of  the  members  of  the  Evansville 
bar,  he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Williams 
as  presiding  judge  of  the  new  court,  which 
position  he  held  until  the  general  election  in 
October,  1878,  when  he  was  elected  for  the 
term  of  four  years.  So  acceptable  has  been 
his  service  in  this  important  position,  that  he 
has  been  twice  re-elected  to  the  office  by 
the  people,  and  is  now  serving  his  twelfth 
year.  His  abilit}-,  promptness  and  faithful- 
ness to  duty  have  been  recognized  by  attor- 
neys, litigants  and  all  persons  having  busi- 
ness in  the  court.  In  1878,  in  company  with 
Gen.  Ben  Harrison  and  Judge  Mitchell  (now 
of  the  supreme  bench),  he  represented  the 
Indiana  Bar  Association  at  the  convention 
of  the  American  Bar  Association  held  at 
Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  in  that  year.  Judge  D3er 
was  married  January  3,  1861,  to  Prudence 
L.,  daughter  of  Henry  J.  Bell,  of  Livermore, 
Kentucky. 

Hon.  Charles  Denbv,  a  distinguished 
lawyer  and  diplomat,  was  born  in  Botetourt 
countv,  Va.,  and  is  now  about  fiftv-eight 
}ears  of  age.  His  education  included  three 
Years  at  Georgetown  College,  in  the  District 
of  Columbia.  Afterward  he  entered  the 
Virginia  Military  Institute,  where  he  grad- 
uated with  hiirh  honors.  He  was  a  profes- 
sor in  the  Masonic  University,  at  Salem, 
Ala.,  until  1S53,  when  he  located  in  this  city 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


371 


and  edited  the  Daily  Emjtiirer,  the  first 
democratic  dail}-  published  in  Evansville. 
While  editing  this  paper  for  his  support  he 
began  the  study  of  the  law  in  the  office  of 
tiie  late  Gov.  Conrad  Baker,  then  a  prac- 
ticing attorney  in  this  city.  In  1S56  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Indiana  legislature. 
When  Sumter  fell,  in  1861,  he  recruited  the 
Forty-second  regiment  of  Indiana  Volun- 
teers, and  was  appointed  lieutenant  colonel. 
After  the  battle  of  Perryville,  in  which 
action  his  regiment  took  an  active  part,  he 
was  promoted  to  the  colonelcy  of  the 
Eightieth  Indiana  infantry.  In  1863  his 
resignation  on  account  of  phjsical  disabilities 
was  tendered,  and  he  returned  to  Evansville, 
where  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law. 
From  that  time  uniil  1SS5,  when  appointed 
by  President  Cleveland  as  United  States 
minister  to  China,  he  devoted  himself  ex- 
clusively to  his  profession.  In  1876  and 
1884  he  was  delegate  at  large  from  the  state 
of  Indiana  to  the  national  democratic  con- 
ventions held  in  those  years.  He  has  been 
requested  several  times  bv  his  party  to 
accept  the  nomination  for  congress,  but  each 
time  he  refused,  preferring  the  practice  of 
law  to  a  participation  in  active  politics.  For 
many  jears  past  he  has  been  the  senior 
member  of  the  law  firm  of  Denb\'  &  Kum- 
ler,  composed  of  himself  and  Daniel  B. 
Kumler.  He  is  distinctively  a  lawyer,  and 
has  few  supericrs  in  his  profession  at  the 
Indiana  bar.  His  practice  has  been  ver\- 
large  and  general,  and  his  knowledge  of  the 
law  is  not  confined  to  any  one  branch,  but 
extends  through  all.  He  has  been  always 
a  close  student  and  a  hard  worker.  His 
achievements  are  proof  of  his  ability.  In 
the  discharge  of  his  delicate  duties  as  min- 
ister of  a  great  nation  to  a  foreign  power  he 
has  exhibited  the  possession  of  particular 
qualifications.  He  has  upheld  the  dignity 
and  honor  of  the  position   in    an    admirable , 


manner,  and  in  his  treatment  of  state  matters 
has  done  credit  to  himself  and  his  country. 
In  the  national  democratic  convention  of 
1 888  his  name  was  seriously  considered  by 
delegates  from  Indiana  and  other  states  in 
connection  with  the  nomination  for  vice- 
president,  but  it  was  not  formally  presented. 
In  1858  he  was  married  to  Maretea  Fitch, 
daughter  of  the  distinguished  senator,  Gra- 
ham N.  Fitch,  of  Logansport,  Ind. 

Graham  Fitch  Denbv,  attorne}'  at  law, 
was  born  in  Evansville,  December  25,  1859. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
this  cit}-.  In  1881  he  began  the  study  of  law 
in  the  office  of  his  father,  Col.  Charles 
Denb}',  and  in  the  same  3'ear  was  admitted 
to  the  bar.  In  the  3'ear  18S8  he  was 
nominated  for  prosecuting  attorney  on  the 
democratic  ticket,  but  was,  with  nearly  all 
democratic  nominees,  beaten. 

Robert  Dale  Richardson,  attorne}-  at 
law,  son  of  William  B.andMar\'  A.  Richard- 
sonwas  born  in  Luce  township,  Spencer 
county,  Ind.,  on  the  i3thdayof  Januarj',  1S47. 
His  father  and  mother  lived  to  celebrate  their 
golden  wedding  in  August,  18S4,  in  the 
presence  of  many  friends  and  eight  living 
children.  The  father  still  survives  in  his 
eightieth  year.  He  has  been  a  potent  fac- 
tor in  shaping  the  events  which  make  up 
the  histor\^  of  his  county.  In  his  life  the 
highest  qualtities  of  citizenship  and  the 
best  traits  of  manl}^  character  have  been  ex- 
hibited. He  twice  represented  his  county 
in  the  legislature,  and  once  served  as  sena- 
tor from  Warrick,  Perry  and  Spencer  coun- 
ties. The  son,  Robert,  spent  his  early  boy- 
hood on  his  father's  farm,  and  received  his 
elementar\'  training  in  the  public  schools  of 
the  neighborhood.  Afterward  he  pursued 
his  studies  at  the  State  University  at  Bloom- 
ington,  Ind.,  where  he  graduated  in  both 
the  literary  and  law  departments  in  1867-8. 
He  came  to  Evansville  in  1868  and  began 


57^ 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


the  practice  of  the  law.  By  his  associates 
at  the  bar  he  is  accorded  high  rank  as  an 
advocate  and  counselor.  During  the  course 
of  his  practice  he  has  been  intrusted  with 
the  management  of  much  important  litiga- 
tion, and  throughout  skill  and  ability  have 
characterized  his  efforts.  In  1S79  he  was 
chosen  as  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Indiana 
University,  his  u//na  niatcr,  which  position 
he  contines  to  hold,  having  been  twice  se- 
lected as  his  own  successor.  In  January, 
1889,  he  was  appointed  judge  of  the  first 
judicial  circuit,  to  till  the  vacancy  caused  by 
the  resignation  of  Judge  Parrett. 

Charles  L.  Wedding,  one  of  the  promi- 
nent and  most  successful  lawyers  in  southern 
Indiana,  was  born  in  Ohio  county,  Ky., 
October  17,  1845,  on  his  father's  farm, 
where  his  infancy  and  boyhood  were  spent 
in  the  usual  monotony  of  farm  life.  His 
father,  Mark  Wedding,  a  carpenter,  was  a 
man  of  strong  common  sense,  high  honor, 
and  belonged  to  a  family  noted  for  their 
good  sense  and  force  of  character.  His 
mother  was  Nancy  J.  Hale,  a  most  excellent 
woman,  and  a  member  of  an  old  and  highly 
respected  family,  one  which  has  given  to 
the  world  several  useful  and  distinguished 
men.  The  father  survives,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-eight;  the  mother  died  in  1874.  ■'^''• 
Wedding's  parents  were  poor,  and  he  was 
afforded  onl\'  the  facilities  of  a  country 
school  taught  by  very  incompetent  men. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen,  when  he  began  the 
study  of  law,  he  had  but  a  very  imperfect 
knowledge  of  the  most  elementary'  branches 
of  common  English  education.  To  be  a 
lawyer  in  the  high  sense  that  implies 
character,  love  of  countrv,  culture,  learning, 
and  usefulness  to  the  community,  was  the 
earl^'  hope  and  settled  determination  of  the 
boy.  Though  surrounded  with  apparently 
insurmountable  difficulties  and  of  a  frasrile 
constitution  —  alvvaj's    rather    delicate  —  he 


had  moral  courage,  energ}-,  and  a  firm 
resolve,  which  never  weakened.  He  pressed 
on  with  a  manliness  which  knows  "no  such 
word  as  fail."'  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  his 
father  bought  liim  the  elementarv  text  books, 
and  for  the  next  year  and  a  half  he  studied 
diligently  about  sixteen  hours  a  day.  This 
entire  time  was  spent  upon  the  same  farm, 
and  much  of  it  in  the  beautiful  forests  — 
God's  first  temples  —  as  they  existed  in  Ken- 
tucky thirty  years  ago.  In  studying  law, 
general  literature,  and  oratorical  exercises, 
the  inspiring  and  healthful  influence  of  such 
a  life,  largely  compensated  for  the  lack  of 
other  training  and  advantages,  regarded 
now  as  quite  indispensable.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  he  applied  for  admission  to  the  bar, 
and  passed  a  successful  examination  before 
those  two  distinguished  judges, James  Stuart, 
then  of  Brandenburg,  and  P.  B.  Muir,  of 
Louisville,  and  was  by  them  duly  admitted 
to  practice  in  all  the  courts  of  Kentucky. 
After  his  admission  to  the  bar,  he  located  at 
Cloverport,  Ky.,  where  he  remained  but 
eight  months,  having  been  engaged  in  sev- 
eral cases  of  local  importance  during  the 
time.  Owing  to  the  disturbed  condition  of 
things  in  Kentucky  at  this  time,  Mr.  Wed- 
ding moved  in  January,  1865,  to  Rockport, 
Ind.  When  he  arrived  at  Rockport  he  was 
not  only  an  inexperienced  countrv  bo}',  but 
among  strangers,  and  without  monev,  knowl- 
edge of  the  world,  or  a  single  friend  to 
encourage  him.  The  Rockport  bar  at  that 
time  was  among  the  ablest  in  the  state. 
There  were  Judges  DeBruler,  Laird  and 
Barkwell,  Gen.  J.  C.  Veatch,  Hon.  Thomas 
F.  DeBruler,  all  lawyers  and  politicians  of 
great  worth  and  eminent  abilities,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  young  men  of  promise. 
Here,  notwithstanding  the  established  repu- 
tation and  high  character  of  his  competitors 
at  the  bar,  Mr.  Wedding  made  rapid  strides, 
and  by  the  time  he  had  attained  his  majority 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


37S 


had  a  leading  business.  On  tiie  4th  of  July 
1865,  when  he  was  but  nineteen  vears  of 
age,  he  delivered  an  oration  at  Roekport  to 
a  great  autlience,  which  at  once  gave  him  a 
reputation  throughout  the  country  as  a 
speaker.  The  war  had  just  closed,  the  sol- 
diers at  home,  and  Lincoln  recently  dead. 
There  was  a  golden  opportunit\-  for  a  great 
effort,  and  Mr.  Wedding  proved  to  be 
equal  to  it.  From  this  time  on  until  he 
moved  to  EvansvlUe,  he  had  a  large  and 
lucrative  practice  at  Roekport,  and  in  the 
federal  and  supreme  courts  of  Indiana. 
After  establishing  and  maintaining  a  most 
enviable  reputation  at  Roekport  for  years, 
he  moved  to  Evansville  as  stated,  in  1880. 
Previous  to  moving  he  had  bought  a  beau- 
tiful home  on  First  street,  where  he  has 
ever  since  resided.  At  Evansville  he 
has  been  equally  successful.  It  is  prob- 
ably true,  that  no  man  of  his  age  in 
southern  Indiana  has  been  emploj'ed  in  more 
important  trials  or  made  more  money  than 
Mr.  Wedding.  While  not  penurious,  he  has 
been  frugal  in  his  habits,  intelligent  and 
prudent  in  his  management  of  his  earnings, 
and  in  the  result  of  his  twenty-three  vears  of 
practice  at  the  bar  in  Indiana  he  has  accu- 
mulated such  a  competencv  as  all  prudent 
men  desire.  This  has  all  been  done  in  the 
legitimate  practice  of  his  profession,  for  he 
never  goes  outside  of  it,  except  when  force 
of  circumstances,  such  as  are  inevitable  in 
the  management  of  all  business,  has  obliged 
him  to  do  so.  He  believes  in,  and  often  re- 
minds his  friends  of  the  truthfulness  of  the 
maxim  — ■  "  Let  the  shoemaker  stick  to  his 
last."  Attracted  to  him  by  his  success,  Mr. 
Wedding  has  had  many  young  men  under 
his  charge  as  law  students,  some  of  whom 
have  made  their  mark,  while  others,  acting 
upon  his  advice,  have  gone  into  ether  busi- 
ness to  which  they  are  better  adapted.  One 
of  Mr.  Wedding's   traits   is   his  perfect  sin- 


cerity and  frankness  in  his  friendship,  and 
also  made  manifest  in  the  expression  of  his 
dislikes  and  prejudices.  You  always  know 
where  to  find  him;  concealment  has  no 
place  in  his  character.  At  Roekport,  De- 
cember the  1st,  1866,  he  was  married  to 
Mary  C.  English,  a  woman  of  great  worth, 
good  sense  and  Christian  character.  They 
have  two  boj's,  aged  respectively  eleven  and 
nineteen.  In  poHtics  Mr.  Wedding  was  an 
original  republican,  but  went  with  the  lib- 
eral republicans  in  1872.  and  actively  sup- 
ported Greeley.  In  1876  he  supported 
Tilden,  making  speeches  in  Indiana  and 
other  states,  which  will  rank  among  the  best 
arguments  made  in  that  famous  campaign 
for  the  democracy.  In  iSSo  he  supported 
Hancock,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the 
campaign.  He  voted  for  Cleveland  in 
18S4,  but  took  no  part  or  interest  in  the 
contest.  He  has  never  claimed  to  be  a 
party  man,  but  always  asserted  his  perfect 
independence  of  party  lines,  and  has  rarely 
voted  a  straight  ticket.  He  never  took  any 
part  in  ward  or  local  politics,  except  to  help 
his  friends  who  have  been  candidates  for 
nomination  or  election.  As  a  lawyer,  Mr. 
Wedding  is  an  able  advocate,  speaking  with 
energy,  sincerity,  and  often  elo(juently.  He 
tries  his  cases  before  the  courts  and  juries 
with  skill  and  abilitv.  He  advises  with 
candor  and  accurac\',  having  at  his  com- 
mand one  of  the  fmest  private  law  libraries 
in  the  state,  kept  with  scrupulous  care.  In 
the  supreme  court  the  records  show  he  has 
been  nearlv  always  victorious,  demonstrat- 
ing his  good  judgment  as  to  the  result  of 
legal  controversies.  \\\\\\  all  this,  he  has 
excellent  practical  judgment  of  men,  busi- 
ness and  business  problems,  and  he  has, 
therefore,  always  had  the  confidence  of  the 
best  business  men  wh-rever  he  is  known. 
In  all  transacTtions  involving  mone\',  charac- 
ter or  integrity,  his  reputation  is  unquestion- 


37^ 


BEyCH  AND  BAR. 


able  and  without  reproach.  Outside  of  his 
professional  practice,  upon  literary  society 
and  other  public  occasions,  his  services  as  a 
speaker  are  much  sought  after,  and  few 
merely  priv-ate  citizens  have  made  more 
public  addresses  than  Mr.  Wedding.  Some 
of  them  have  been  published,  and  highly 
commended,  notably  that  at  the  funeral  ser- 
vices of  Gen.  Grant  in  this  city.  It  is  proper 
we  should  state,  that  for  much  of  the  ma- 
terial in  this  sketch  we  are  indebted  to  Mr. 
E.  M.  Swan,  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Rock- 
port,  and  Vol.  i,  page  56,  of  the  Biographi- 
cal History  of  the  Eminent  and  Self-Made 
Men  of  Indiana. 

Charles  H.  Butterfield,  whose  distin- 
guished services  in  war  and  in  peace,  make 
a  notable  figure  in  the  history'  of  the  city,  is 
a  native  of  Maine,  born  in  Farmington,  May 
17,  1S34.  He  remained  at  home  until  he 
was  seventeen,  assisting  his  father,  and  at- 
tending the  winter  schools.  He  then  entered 
the  Farmington  academ^',  and  in  1S55  com- 
pleted a  preparatory  course  for  college.  In 
the  fall  of  that  year  he  entered  Bowdoin 
College,  and  was  graduated  in  1859.  His 
favorite  studies  were  Latin  and  natural  sci- 
ences, in  which  he  particularly  excelled.     In 

August  of  the  same  year,  he  came  to  Evans- 
es -        ^ 

ville  and  became  the  principal  of  the  high 
school,  in  which  capacity  he  had  acted  three 
years  with  great  credit  to  himself  and  satis- 
faction to  the  patrons  of  the  school,  when 
the  dire  necessities  of  the  national  govern- 
ment, assailed  by  rebellion,  called  upon  him 
irresistibly  to  drop  all  civil  pursuits,  and  go 
to  the  front.  In  the  spring  of  1862  he  as- 
sisted to  recruit  the  Sixty-fifth  regiment, 
expecting  to  go  with  it,  but  was  detained  b\r 
circumstances  beyond  his  control.  He  then 
raised  the  Ninety-first,  and  was  appointed  its 
major,  later  being  promoted  to  lieutenant 
colonel.  His  command  saw  active  and  im- 
portant service.     The  first  exciting  duty  was 


the  chasing  of  the  guerillas  in  the  vicinity' 
of  Henderson,  and  they  were  then  enofaged  in 
the  expedition  after  Morgan  in  the  spring  of 
1S63.  In  the  fall  and  winter  of  1863-4,  ^^^ 
regiment  was  a  participant  in  all  the  battles 
of  the  East  Tennessee  campaign,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1864,  it  formed  a  part  of  the 
Twenty-third  army  corps,  under  the  general 
command  of  Gen.  Sherman,  and  made  the 
march  from  Chattanooga,  to  Atlanta.  This 
famous  campaign  ended,  the  regiment  re- 
turned to  Nashville,  to  fight  under  Thomas, 
and  destroy  the  hopes  of  the  confederacy 
in  the  crushing  defeat  of  Hood.  Then  the 
Ninet\'--first  was  transferred  to  Washington, 
and  took  boat  for  Fort  Fisher,  North  Caro- 
lina, landing  in  time  to  join  Sherman  at 
Goldsboro,  and  in  the  final  battles  and  skir- 
mishes that  followed,  the  regiment  gallantly 
did  its  dut3^  Col.  Butterfield  was  in  com- 
mand at  Salisbury  the  first  day  after  the  entry 
of  the  Union  army.  In  July,  1865,  he  re- 
turned to  Evansville,  and  resumed  the  study 
of  law.  He  was  soon  appointed  superinten- 
dent of  the  schools  and  he  held  this  position 
one  year,  meanwhile  improving  whatever 
opportunity  offered  to  keep  up  his  study  of 
law,  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Conrad  Baker. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  December, 
1865,  and  soon  after  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  his  chosen  profession.  In  1869  he  was 
elected  judge  of  the  criminal  court,  but  re- 
signed this  position  in  1871,  to  accept  the 
mayoralty,  to  which  he  was  elected  at  the 
death  of  Hon.  William  Baker.  He  served 
for  nearly  three  years  as  mayor,  since  which 
he  has  up  to  the  present  time,  been  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  the  law  in  Evansville. 

Capt.  William  Reavis,  pension  claim 
attorney,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Gibson 
count}-,  Ind.,  August  27,  1815.  His  father, 
Isham  Reavis,  was  a  native  of  North  Caro- 
lina, born  March  7,  1781,  who  died  in  Gib- 
son county,  Jul}-  30,  1825;    his  mother  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


375 


born  in  South  Carolina,  January  31,  1781, 
and  died  August  14,  1848.  The  Reavis 
family  emigrated  to  Indiana  territory  in 
1813,  making  their  way  against  many  hard- 
ships and  obstacles  into  the  wilderness  and 
settling  as  pioneers  within  the  limits  of  the 
present  county  of  Gibson.  They  were 
hardy  people  of  unswerying  integrity,  whose 
simple  lives  were  characterized  b\'  the  man- 
ners and  custonis  of  the  early  days  in  this 
section.  William  Reayis  began  the  battle 
of  life  for  himself  when  twenty  years  of 
age.  This  new  countr}'  was  then  without 
a  well  ordered  school  system  and  its  educa- 
tional advantages  were  few  indeed.  Only 
those  endowed  with  natural  acumen  and  an 
inate  fondness  for  stud\'-  obtained  more 
than  a  smattering  of  the  most  elementary 
principles  of  learning.  But  because  of  stu- 
dious habits  and  his  aptness  Mr.  Reavis 
was  early  fitted  for  the  duties  of  a  teacher. 
This  calling  he  followed  for  some  time,  and 
with  a  pleasing  degree  of  success.  In  1846 
he  was  elected  treasurer  of  Gibson  county, 
and  was  re-elected  to  the  same  office  three 
years  later  b}'  an  increased  majority.  The 
county  records  indicate  that  he  was  a  most 
efficient  officer.  In  1859  he  removed  to 
Benton,  Ills.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  law  until  the  commencement  of  the 
the  ci\'il  war.  His  active  interest  in  the 
strife  and  his  loyalty  to  the  union  early 
proved  themselves.  He  was  instrumental 
in  raising  many  troops  and  served  as  captain 
of  Company  G,  Fifty-sixth  Illinois  infantry-. 
His  record  as  an  officer  was  indeed  flatter- 
ing, showing  throughout  the  most  patriotic, 
unselfish,  and  SDldierI\-  conduct.  Coming 
to  Evansville  in  December,  1862,  he  began 
the  business  in  which  he  is  now  engaged. 
He  is  one  of  the  oldest  claim  attorneys  in 
the  state,  and  has  been  successful  in  his 
practice.  He  was  united  in  marriage  in 
1836  to  Eleanor  C.  Burton,  to  whom    eight 


children  were  born.  Upon  the  death  of  his 
first  wife  he  was  again  married  in  1856  to 
Mrs.  Lathena  Damon,  widow  of  the  late 
Volney  Damon,  of  this  county. 

James  T.  Walker,  a  worthy  representa- 
tive of  a  distinguished  pioneer  family,  and  a 
successful  attorne}'  at  law,  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Evansville  October  22d,  1850.  The 
name  of  his  grandfather,  William  Walker, 
was  closely  woven  into  the  early  history  of 
Vanderburgh  count\\  Settling  here  in  1835, 
when  Evansville,  then  a  struggling  village, 
was  feeling  the  first  impulses  of  that  new 
life  which  soon  bore  it  on  from  the  condition 
of  a  village  to  that  of  a  city,  the  family  early 
took  a  prominent  place  among  the  sterling 
people  of  that  period,  and  because  of  high 
character  and  loft^-  aims,  stamped  the 
Walker  name  indelibly  upon  the  annals  of 
their  adopted  count}-  and  city.  Prominent 
as  a  citizen,  of  recognized  ability,  and  pos- 
sessing the  best  qualities  of  magnetic  manli- 
ness, William  Walker,  as  soon  as  war  was 
declared  with  Mexico,  offered  his  own  ser- 
vices to  his  country,  and  raised  a  company 
for  duty  at  the  front.  In  that  company  there 
were  many  men  of  high  local  standing,  and 
later  distinguished  throughout  the  country. 
General  Joseph  Lane,  resigning  his  seat  in 
the  state  legislature,  where  he  sat  as  a  repre- 
sentative from  this  county,  went  to  New 
Albany,  whither  Capt.  Walker's  company 
had  proceeded  to  rendezvous,  and  lliere  took 
his  first  lesson  in  company  drill.  On  the 
field  of  Buena  Vista,  nobly  and  gallantly 
leading  his  command,  soldier-like,  sword  in 
hand,  Capt.  Walker  fell,  pierced  to  death  by 
the  unerring  aim  of  the  Mexican  lancers. 
Gen.  Lane,  many  years  later,  in  speaking  of 
the  hei'oic  character  of  the  man,  said:  "  A 
truer  soldier  fell  not  upon  any  battle-field 
before  or  since."  The  immediate  subject  of 
mention  in  this  connection,  is  the  son  of  the 
late   Hon.  James  T.  and  Charlotte  (Burtis) 


37G 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


Walker.  His  father  was  born  in  Salem,  N.  J., 
April  15,  1S06,  and  after  a  long,  useful  and 
honorable  life, died  in  this  cicy  May  ist,  1877. 

He  was  a  law3-er  by  profession,  and  for 
many  years  was  connected  with  the  office  of 
county  auditor,  during  the  long  and  efficient 
incumbency  of  William  H.  Walker.  In  1844 
he  was  chosen  by  the  people  to  represent 
the  county  in  the  state  legislature,  and  in 
subsequent  years  occupied  many  positions  of 
public  and  private  trust.  His  career  was 
honorable  throughout,  and  his  death  was 
generally  lamented.  The  mother,  Charlotte 
Walker,  still  living,  and  through  the  beaut}- 
of  her  womanly  character  enjoying  the  re- 
spect and  love  of  many  friends,  was  born 
in  this  county  March  2d,  1822.  Her 
parents,  Jc  sse  Burtis  and  his  wife,  natives  of 
New  York  state,  came  to  the  new  west  in 
very  early  times,  and  belonged  to  that  noble 
and  heroic  class  of  pionejrs  who,  undaunted 
by  any  form  of  hardship  or  severity,  built 
their  rude  cabin  in  the  wolf-infested  forests, 
made  small  clearings,  and  planted  the  seed 
which,  ripening,  yielded  the  rich  fruits  of 
civilization  and  Christian  enlightenment. 
Charlotte  Burtis  was  the  second  wife  of 
Hon.  James  T.  Walker.  The  present 
James  T.  Walker  was  the  second  of  their 
children.  His  boyhood  was  spent  in  the 
city  of  his  birth,  and  here  in  the  pubHc 
schools  he  receix-ed  the  foundation  of  his 
intellectual  training.  In  1S66,  having  success- 
fully passed  through  the  schools  of  the  city, 
he  entered  Wabash  College,  at  Crawfords- 
ville,  Ind.,  and  after  a  year's  work  there  was 
matriculated  at  Hanover  College,  at  Han- 
over, Ind.,  one  of  the  leading  educational 
institutions  of  the  state,  where  he  graduated 
in  1870.  Because  of  subsequent  literary  at- 
tainments his  alma  mater  conferred  upon 
him  in  1887,  the  degree  of  A.  M.  In  1872, 
he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of 
Hon.  Charles  Denby,  an  eminent  member  of 


the  bar  and  now  United  States  minister  to 
China,  and  continued  to  enjo}^  the  beneficial 
guidance  in  the  pursuits  of  his  studies  of  this 
able  instructor,  until  he  was  readv  for  ad- 
mission to  the  bar.  He  remained  in  the 
office  of  Mr.  Denbv  until  1881,  when  a 
partnership  with  R.  D.  Richardson  was 
formed.  His  natural  and  acquired  abilities 
as  a  counselor  and  advocate,  his  close  atten- 
tion to  the  interest  of  his  clients,  and  the 
honorable  methods  of  his  practice  have  won 
for  him  an  enviable  position  among  the 
members  of  his  profession.  Mr.  Walker 
affiliates  with  the  democratic  party,  but  has 
not  sought  political  preferment.  In  1S84  he 
was  elected  a  trustee  of  the  public  schools, 
in  which  capacity  he  served  three  3'ears. 
His  ideas  being  progressive  he  is  identified 
with  the  business  advancement  of  the  citv. 
In  the  prime  of  life  his  past  achievements 
give  promise  of  continued  usefulness  and  an 
honorable  career.  Februar}-  20,  1882,  his 
marriage  to  Luc}-  A.  Babcock  was  solem- 
nized. Mrs.  Walker,  a  native  of  Evansville, 
was  born  December  8.  1856,  her  parents 
being  the  well-known  Henry  O.  and  Mary 
E.  (Howser)  Babcock,  natives  of  New 
York  and  Ohio,  respectively,  and  long 
prominently  identified  with  Evansville's  pro- 
gress. Of  this  union  two  children,  Henrv  B., 
was  born  March  10,  18S5,  and  James  T.,  jr., 
born  December  22,  1888. 

Gen.James  M.Shackelford  has  achieved 
eminence  as  citizen,  lawver,  statesman,  and 
soldier.  He  was  born  near  Danville,  Lin- 
coln countv,  Kv.,  July  7,  1827,  his  ancestors 
beinfj  among  the  most  illustrious  citizens  of 
that  state.  His  mental  training  was  intrusted 
to  the  best  instructors.  His  mind  early  ex- 
hibited superior  strength.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  those  manlv  characteristics  which 
have  marked  his  entire  career  were  fully 
developed.  The  war  with  Mexico  was  then 
being  waged,  and  because  of  his  peculia 


•^'f's5«. 


'm^- 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


377 


talents  he  was  offered  and  accepted  a  lieu- 
tenant's commission  in  the  Fourth  Kentuck}- 
infantry,  under  Col.  John  S.  Williams.  The 
Fourth  Kentucky  infantry  did  not  reach  the 
seat  of  hostilities  until  after  the  decisive  bat- 
tles of  the  war  had  been  fought,  but  the 
soldierly  conduct  of  Lieutenant  Shackelford 
gave  his  name  a  creditable  place  in  the  history 
of  that  period.  In  Jul}^,  1848,  he  returned  with 
his  regiment  to  Kentucky.  Choosing  the  legal 
profession  for  his  tield  of  effort,  he  entered 
the  office  of  Judge  Cook,  a  well-known 
lawyer  of  Madison ville,  Ky.,  and  began  his 
studies.  Upon  his  admission  to  practice  in 
1851,  a  partnership  was  formed  with  his  old 
preceptor.  A  few  days  thereafter  the 
young  lawyer  was  retained  to  de- 
fend a  prisoner  charged  with  murder. 
The  evidence  against  the  accused  was  verj^ 
strong,  and  the  prosecution  was  conducted 
b}'  able  and  experienced  lawyers.  Young 
Shackelford's  case  was  well  prepared  and 
abl}-  managed.  His  argument  was  clear, 
direct,  convincing,  and  because  of  the  true 
eloquence  of  his  utterances,  and  the  breadth 
of  learning  displayed,  he  achieved  a  triumph. 
Upon  the  conclusion  of  his  argument  the 
judge  and  bar  congratulated  the  young  man 
upon  his  success.  From  that  time  he  rose 
rapidh',  and  soon  became  an  honored  and  suc- 
cessful practitioner.  For  a  time  he  figured  in 
the  major  part  of  the  important  litigation 
in  southwestern  Kentucky,  and  man}-  of  hi^ 
cases  were  amoog  the  most  noted  in  the 
state.  His  career  as  a  lawyer  was  inter- 
rupted by  the  call  to  arms  in  1861.  Eager 
to  aid  his  country  in  its  hour  of  peril,  he 
offered  his  services,  and  was  authorized  bv 
Pres.  Lincoln  to  raise  a  regiment  for 
the  Union  army.  The  regiment  was  re- 
cruited with  dilliculty,  most  of  his  neighbors 
being  in  sympathy  with  the  confederacy. 
At  length  the  regiment  was  designated  as 
the  Twenty-fifth  Kentucky  infantry,  was 
23 


mustered  in,  with  Col.  Shackelford  in  com- 
mand, and  was  placed  in  Gen.  Craft's  brig- 
ade, Callender's  division.  The  division 
participated  in  the  engagement  at  Fort  Don- 
elson,  where  Col.  Shackelford  performed  a 
gallant  part.  The  exposure  incident  to  the 
service  seriously  impaired  his  health,  and 
upon  the  advice  of  the  surgeons  he  tendered 
his  resignation,  which  was  accepted  with  re- 
gret by  those  who  knew  his  worth  as  a  sol- 
dier. His  health  being  improved,  he  went 
to  Pittsburg  Landing  and  witnessed  the 
fight  at  that  place.  Gen.  Buell  strongly 
recommended  him  for  a  command.  He  was 
authorized  to  recruit  a  regiment  of  cavalry, 
and  within  two  weeks  after  receiving  orders 
raised  over  1,600  men,  from  among  whom 
the  Eighth  Kentucky  cavalr}-  was  enlisted. 
At  Henderson,  Ky.,  before  muster-in,  the 
regiment  was  engaged  with  the  guerillas, 
and  in  the  skirmish  Col.  Shackelford  was 
seriously  wounded  in  the  foot.  He  was  re- 
moved to  hospital  but  returned  to  his  com- 
mand before  he  had  completely  recovered. 
His  command  had  frequent  encounters  with 
the  guerillas,  and  in  the  summer  of  1863 
Col.  Shackelford  was  nominated  by  the 
president  and  confirmed  by  the  senate  as 
brigadier-general,  assigned  to  the  First 
Brigade,  Second  Division,  Twenty-third 
army  corps,  and  given  the  task  of  captur- 
ing the  famous  guerilla  John  Morgan.  His 
successful  accomplishment  of  this  difficult 
task  is  related  in  the  military  chapter  of  this 
work.  The  pursuit  of  the  noted  raider  was 
characterized  by  gallantr}-  and  seldom 
equaled  powers  of  endurance.  The  per- 
sistent valor  displayed  by  the  general  in 
command  as  well  as  by  the  subordinate 
otFicers  and  men  was  remarkable,  and  the 
achievements  of  that  campaign  placed  the 
name  of  Gen.  Shackelford  upon  the  roll  of 
American  heroes.  Soon  after  Morgan's 
capture  the  general  engaged  in   the    East 


378 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


Tennessee  campaign,  and  was  chiefly  in- 
strumental in  causing  the  surrender  of  the 
rebel,  Gen.  Frazier,  at  Cumberland  Gap. 
For  three  months  he  was  fighting  in  the 
valleys  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  He  was 
then  placed  in  command  of  an  army  corps 
composed  of  sixteen  regiments  of  cavalry, 
numbering  over  15,000  soldiers.  While  in 
command  of  this  force  Gen.  Shackelford 
rendered  efficient  and  gallant  service.  Brave 
to  the  verge  of  rashness,  always  capable  of 
making  the  best  disposition  of  his  forces,  a 
good  disciplinarian,  yet  much  beloved  by 
his  men  for  his  magnanimous  impulses, 
and  strictly  conscientious,  he  manifested 
rare  ability  and  proved  himself  under  all 
circumstances  a  true  soldier.  In  the 
latter  part  of  1863  for  domestic  reasons 
Gen.  Shackelford  resigned  and  returned 
to  his  home  in  Kentucky.  He  came  to  Evans- 
ville  in  1864,  resumed  the  practice  of  law, 
and  at  once  took  a  prominent  place  among 
the  foremost  attorneys  of  the  Evansville 
bar.  His  legal  career  has  been  brilliant  and 
his  reputation  as  an  able  and  erudite  law3"er 
extends  throughout  the  state.  His  charac- 
teristics are  accuracy  in  the  preparation  of 
cases,  adroitness  in  their  management,  skill 
in  the  examination  of  witnesses,  fluency  and 
power  in  speech,  and  a  great  familiarity  with 
every  branch  of  the  law.  Politically  he  has 
been  a  staunch  republican.  To  his  able  and 
eloquent  discussion  of  national  questions  and 
the  power  of  his  personal  influence,  may  be 
attributed  much  of  his  party's  success.  In 
1880  he  was  elected  as  a  presidential  elector 
for  the  state  at  large.  He  was  made  presi- 
dent of  the  electoral  college,  and  was  unan- 
imously chosen  by  the  college  to  carr\'  its 
vote  to  Washington.  In  1881,  his  appoint- 
ment as  minister  to  Mexico,  was  urged  by 
the  republicans  of  the  state,  and  would 
doubtless  have  been  made  had  not  the  un- 
timely   death  of    Pres.  Garfield   prevented 


it.  Prominent  republicans,  the  state  electors 
and  many  members  of  the  legislature  united 
in  urging  his  appointment.  The  Evansville 
Courier,  though  not  his  political  friend,  said 
of  him:  "  No  man  in  the  state,  no  man  in  the 
nation  has  been  a  more  consistent  or  a  more 
positive  republican.  No  republican  orator  has 
used  gloves  as  little  as  he  in  dealing  blows 
at  the  democratic  party.  It  is  the  nature  of 
the  man  to  be  true  as  steel  to  his  convictions 
and  to  can;y  them  before  the  eyes  of  all 
men  as  buckler  and  shield.  Loyal  to  the 
right,  as  he  understands  the  right,  his  splen- 
did courage  compels  the  respect  and  admi- 
ration of  those  who  differ  with  him  —  chiefly 
of  his  opponents,  it  would  seem — for  his 
modesty,  when  his  personal  interests  are  at 
stake,  exceeds  his  bravery,  and  notwith- 
standing the  irreat  services  he  has  r^indered 
his  party,  he  has  never  sought  nor  held 
office.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  rare  social 
gifts  and  is  well  versed  in  the  graces  of  life. 
Few  men  in  Indiana  are  more  widely  en- 
dowed intellectually.  He  is  a  fine  lawyer, 
and  as  an  advocate  has  no  superior  at 
the  Indiana  bar.  He  is  studious,  energetic 
and  industrious  in  his  habits,  and  in  temper- 
ament possesses  that  kind  of  amiability 
which  blends  prudence  with  high  resolve." 
His  name  was  afterward  prominently  men- 
tioned in  connection  with  the  gubernatorial 
nomination,  but  he  was  not  an  aspirant 
for  that  honor.  In  1888  he  was  again 
elected  presidential  elector  for  the  state  at 
large,  and  was  unanimously  chosen  presi- 
ident  of  the  electoral  college.  In  recognition 
of  his  high  standing  as  a  citizen,  his  eminent 
qualifications  as  a  jurist,  and  his  promi- 
nence as  a  republican,  Pres.  Harrison  ap- 
pointed Gen.  Shackelford  as  judge  of  the 
United  States  circuit  court  at  Muscogee, 
Indian  territory,  on  March  23,  1S89. 

Clinton   Staser,  attorney   at  law,   was 
born  January  15,  1S42,  in    Scott    township 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


379 


this  county,  and  is  the  son  of  John  C  and 
Marj^aret  (Clinton)  Staser,  the  well-known 
pioneers.  His  boyhood  was  spent  upon  the 
farm,  and  his  early  mental  training  obtained 
in  the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood. 
Coming  to  the  city,  he  pursued  a  course  of 
study  in  the  school  of  Prof.  Knight,  and 
later  attended  the  commercial  coUetre  of 
Jeremiah  Behme.  Determining  to  fit  him- 
self for  the  practice  of  the  law,  he  began  his 
professional  studies  in  the  office  of  Peter 
Maier,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in 
1868,  since  which  time  he  has  been  an 
honored  and  successful  practitioner.  His 
practice  has  been  of  a  general  character, 
but  important  probate  and  mercantile  busi- 
ness has  chiefly  engaged  his  attention.  In 
1870  he  was  married  to  Miss  Clarissa 
Wille}',  of  Delaware,  Ohio.  To  this  union 
seven  children  have  been  born.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Staser  are  members  of  St.  Paul's 
Episcopal  church. 

Wesley  S.  Hurst,  attorney  at  law,  was 
born  in  Dubois  county,  Ind.,  November  9, 
1846.  His  father,  Ira  Hurst,  a  Virginian, 
now  resides  in  Gibson  county  at  a  ripe  old 
age.  His  mother,  Phcebe  (Brenton) 
Hurst,  was  a  native  of  Dubois  county,  and 
died  there  in  1847.  He  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  at 
which  time  he  went  to  work  in  a  printing  of- 
fice at  Jasper,  Ind.,  with  a  view  of  learning 
the  printer's  trade.  He  had  been  there  but 
a  short  time  when  he  decided  to  join  the 
Union  army.  He  enlisted  as  a  drummer  boy 
in  Company  E,  Fifty-eighth  Indiana  in- 
fantr}-,  and,  after  a  jear's  service,  was  hon- 
orably discharged,  because  of  ph3'sical 
disability.  Upon  his  return  home,  he  en- 
tered the  State  University  at  Bloomington, 
where  he  continued  until  186S,  when  he  was 
graduated  in  both  the  departments  of  litera- 
ture and  law.  In  the  early  years  of  his  boy- 
uood    he     had     struggled     hard    for    the 


rudiments  of  his  education,  eagerly  seizing 
upon  e\ery  opportunity  afforded  by  the  then 
imperfect  schools  of  his  locality.  At  fifteen 
years  of  age  he  found  himself  whollv  de- 
pendent upon  his  own  efforts  for  what  he 
most  desired  —  an  education.  At  the  uni- 
versity he  defrayed  his  expenses  bv  work- 
ing as  a  janitor;  a  commendable  thing  this 
was,  for  the  dignity  of  honorable  labor  and 
the  delights  of  a  cultivated  intellect  are  rec- 
ognized by  all.  It  was  impossible  for  him 
to  begin  the  practice  of  his  profession 
immediately  after  his  graduation.  He 
taught  school  in  Pike,  Gibson  and  Warrick 
counties  until  1872,  when  he  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  law  at  Vincennes.  After 
two  years  he  removed  to  Petersburgh,  Ind., 
and  from  there,  in  1883,  came  to  Evansville. 
Here  he  has  attained  a  degree  of  success 
such  as  his  zeal  and  ability  have  warranted. 
He  was  married  in  1869  to  Miss  Anna  Min- 
nis,  of  Gibson  county,  who  was  born  in 
1850,  and  is  the  father  of  two  children, 
Mattie  A.  and  Oscar  W.  He  and  his  wife 
are  consistent  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church. 

PiiiLU'  W.  Frey,  attorney  at  law,  is  a 
native  of  Evansville,  having  been  born  in  this 
city  July  9,  1857.  His  parents,  Louis  and 
Rosalie  Frey,  were  natives  of  Austria  and 
Alsace,  France,  respectively.  His  father 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1847,  and 
nine  years  later  came  to  Vanderburgh  county. 
He  has  always  been  known  as  a  respectable 
and  worthy  citizen.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  the  city,  passing 
through  all  the  grades  and  graduating  from 
the  high  school  in  1874.  Immediately 
thereafter  he  began  the  stud}'  of  law  under 
the  direction  of  Judge  Azro  Dyer,  and  three 
years  later,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Vanderburgh  county,  began  the  active  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  His  success  from  the 
beginning  of  his  career  w^s  s^ssvired,       The 


3S0 


BENCH  AND  BAR. 


democratic  party  nominated  him  in  18S2, 
and  again  in  1884,  for  the  office  of  prose- 
cuting attorney  for  the  first  judicial  district, 
composed  of  Posey  and  Vanderburgh  coun- 
ties, to  which  office  he  was  elected  for  two 
terms.  At  the  expiration  of  his  official 
career  he  again  turned  his  entire  attention 
to  his  private  law  practice,  which,  through 
a  steady  increase,  has  attained  gratify- 
ing proportions.  Mr.  Frey  is  a  young 
man  with  nearly  the  whole  of  his  life's  work 
before  him.  The  accomplishments  of  the 
past  indicate  for  him  a  bright  future.  He 
was  married  in  December,  1886,  to  Miss 
Hattie  Loewenthal,  of  Leavenworth,  Kas. 

William  M.  Blakey,  attorney  at  law, 
was  born  on  a  farm  in  Logan  county  Ky., 
April  21,  1849,  being  the  son  of  George 
T.  and  Sarah  E.  (McLean)  Blakey,  people 
well  and  favorably  known  in  tlie  locality 
where  they  long  resided.  His  youth  was 
spent  upon  the  farm  in  the  monotonous  pur- 
suits common  to  farm  lads.  His  elementary 
mental  training  was  obtained  at  the  public 
schools  of  Oldfield,  a  place  in  his  native 
county.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he 
entered  Bethel  College  at  RusselviUe,  Ky., 
where  he  pursued  his  studies  for  two  j'ears. 


making  rapid  advancement.  He  was  then 
matriculated  at  Asbur}-  University  (now 
DePauw  College),  at  Greencastle,  fnd., 
where  he  graduated  with  the  class  of  1869. 
Returning  to  Russelville,  Ky.,  he  began  the 
study  of  law,  having  for  his  instructor  the 
eminent  Judge  R.  C.  Bowling.  At  the 
same  time  the  zealous  law  student  enjoyed 
the  benefit  of  a  course  of  lectures  at  the 
Law  School  in  Louisville,  K}-.,  in  the  winter 
of  1870-1.  In  November,  1871,  he  came 
to  Evansville  and  at  once  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  spending  four  years  in  the 
office  of  Judge  Azro  Dyer,  and  continuing 
to  the  present  time  with  marked  success. 
His  public  spirit  has  caused  him  to  play  a 
prominent  part  in  local  politics.  His  affilia- 
tions have  been  with  the  republican  party. 
From  1880  to  1884,  he  served  as  chairman 
of  the  county  central  committee  and  much 
of  the  success  achieved  by  the  party  was 
due  to  the  skill  of  his  management  and  the 
devotion  of  his  services.  In  1873  ^^  be- 
came a  Mason,  and  in  1877,  a  Knight  Tem- 
plar, and  has  always  occupied  a  high 
position  in  his  lodges.  His  marriage  to  Miss 
Carrie  McDonald,  of  New  Albany,  Ind., 
occurred  in  November,  1879. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


Secret  and  Benevolent  Orders  —  Free  Masonry —  Odd  Fellowship — Knights 
OF  Pythias  —  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  —  Royal  Arcanum  — 
Knights  of  Honor  —  Other  Secret  Orders  —  Benevolent  Institutions,  Etc. 

ICERO  declared    that  "  fraternity    im-   home,    where    onlv  brethren  of   the    m3'stic 


proves  happiness,  abates  miser}', 
doubles  our  joy  and  divides  our  grief." 
The  fundamental  principles  of  the  secret  so- 
cieties now  existing  in  this  city  tend  to  the 
accomplishment  of  these  results  of  fraternal 
association.  Benevolence,  charit}-  and  merc\' 
mark  their  work;  and  among  their  objects 
are  the  subjugation  of  man's  perverse  will 
and  passions  to  discretion  and  prudence,  and 
the  elevation  of  character,  by  directing  the 
performance  of  noble  and  unselfish  deeds. 
They  are  adapted  to  modern  life  and  habits; 
their  creeds  are  predicated  upon  an  enlight- 
ened and  liberal  public  sentiment;  then-  pur- 
poses and  aims  tind  a  spontaneous  approval 
among  prudent  people,  and  their  teachings  are 
consistent  with  the  highest  order  of  morality. 
Their  benign  influence  reaches  into  number- 
less homes,  arouses  the  noblest  instincts  in 
man's  nature,  purifies  and  betters  society. 
The  history  attempted  here  is  local  and  a 
general  record  of  any  order  is  not  under- 
taken. 

Secret  Societies:  Free  Masonry. —  In  earh' 
daj's  —  prior  to  1817  —  the  states  of  Ohio, 
Indiana  and  Kentuck}-  formed  one  grand 
jurisdiction.  This  amount  of  territory  could 
not  be  overlooked  by  the  grand  ollicers  as 
its  need  demanded :  hence,  on  December  30, 
1817,    a    grand   lodge    exclusively    for    the 


tie  were  permitted   to  be  present,   and   say: 
"Behold    how  good   and   how    pleasant  for 
brothers  to  dwell  together  in  unity."     Early 
in  1S19,  a  number  of  Master  Masons  organ- 
ized and  asked  the  grand  lodge  of  Indiana  to 
grant  thfem  a  dispensation.     This  was  done 
b}'    the    grand    master     with    the    name    of 
Olive    Branch,    U.  D.     A    regular   charter 
was  granted  September    15,  1819.  by  Alex- 
ander   A.    Meeks,    grand    master,   and    the 
lodge  was  known  as   Olive  Branch,  lodge 
No.    10,    with    Jay    Morehouse    worshipful 
master;  William   Olmstead,  senior  warden, 
and    Amos    Clark,    junior    warden.      The 
meetings  of  the    lodge    were    held    in     the 
fourth  story  of  the  warehouse  on  the  corner 
of  Water  and    Locust    streets,    owned  and 
used    by    Shanklin    &  Reilly.     The     craft 
moved    forward    in    the    even    tenor    of    its 
way  for  many  years,  but  in  1833  the  charter 
was   surrendered.     For  fifteen    years  there 
was  no  lodge  of  Master   Masons  in  the  city. 
In  1847  Evansville  became  a  city;  her  popu- 
lation had  increased  rapidly.     Masons  from 
Kentuck}-  and  other  states  had  moved  in  and 
were  here    in  sufficient  numbers  to  form  a 
lodge.     This  they  determined  to  do,  and  on 
the  3d  day    of  April,   1848,    the    following 
brethren  joined   in  a  petition  to    the  grand 
master  of  the  state    asking   for   a  dispensa- 


state  of  Indiana  was  formed.  When  Evans- 1  tion:  Rev.  C.  A.  Foster,  John  C.  Hibbard, 
villa  was  a  small  town  of  a  few  hundred  in-  James  T.  Walker,  Nathan  Rowley,  P.  G. 
habitants,  there  were  a  number  of  resident  I  O'Riley,  Alva  Farnsworth  and  Richard 
Masons    who  were    anxious   for  a  Masonic '  Palridge,  all    of  whom,  except  Rev.   C.  A. 

{3S1) 


38S 


SECRET  AND  BENEVOLENT  ORDERS. 


Foster,  are  now  dead.  Their  request  was 
granted  by  the  grand  master,  who  ap- 
pointed Rev.  C.  A.  Foster  to  be  the  first 
W.  M.;  John  C.  Hibbard,  first  S.  W.:  and 
James  T.  Walker,  first  J.  W.;P.  G.O'Riley 
acting  as  secretary. 

The  following  May  28,  the  grand  lodge 
granted  a  charter,  which  was  signed  by 
Elizur  Deming,  grand  master.  The  title 
bestowed  was  Evansville  Lodge,  No.  64, 
F.  and  A.  M.  The  lodge  has  been  continu- 
ously at  work  from  its  organization  to  the 
present  time,  steadily  increasing  its  member-> 
ship.  Many  hundreds  have  been  admitted 
to  its  secret  circle,  but  by  deaths,  removals, 
and  the  formation  of  two  other  lodges  — 
Reed  Lodge,  No.  316,  and  Lessing  Lodge, 
No.  464  —  its  membership  is  at  present  a 
little  over  100.  A  number  of  its  mem- 
bers have  been  attached  to  the  lodge 
for  over  thirt}^  years.  The  following  gen- 
tlemen have  ofHciated  as  chief  executive  or 
worsliipful  master:  Rev.  C.  A.  Foster, 
1848;  James  T.  Walker,  1849;  W.  Hubbell, 
1850,  '51,  '52;  D.  A.  Farnsley,  1S53,  '54; 
W.  A.  McRea,  1S55,  '56;  William  Hubbell, 
1857.  '58)  '59;  Wm.  E.  Hollingsworth,  i860, 
'61,  '62,  '6y,  T.  W.  Simpson,  1S64;  Alex 
Sharra,  1865;  I.  Haas,  1866,  '68,  '72,  '74, 
'75)  '79  and  '80;  George  W.  Shearer,  1867 
and '73;  C.  H.  Butterfield,  1869,  '70,  '71; 
George  Burch,  1876;  A.  J.  McCutchan, 
1877;  John  Foulks,  1878;  W.  F.  Epmeier, 
1881;  J.  L.  Dow,  1882;  Otis  Wood,  1883; 
M.  Moran,  1884;  Jacob  G.  Kountz,  1885; 
Alex  Crawford,  1886,  '87,  '88. 

Evansville  Lodge,  No.  64,  held  its  first 
meeting  in  the  room  previously  occupied  b}' 
Olive  Branch  Lodge,  in  Shanklin  &  Reilly's 
warehouse,  on  the  corner  of  Locust  and 
Walnut  streets,  where  the  tobacco  ware- 
house of  White,  Dunkerson  &  Co.  now 
stands.  Subsequently  they  removed  to  a 
large  hall  in  the  third  story  of  Judge  M.  W. 


Foster's  building,  on  the  corner  of  Main 
and  First  streets.  This  lodge  room  was 
prepared  expressly  for  Masonic  purposes, 
and  the  craft  remained  in  it  for  many  years. 
Later  the  lodge  removed  to  the  fourth 
story  of  William  H.  Klausman's  building  on 
Main,  between  Second  and  Third  streets, 
where  they  remained  for  several  years.  At 
length  the  membership  desired  more  con- 
venient and  commodious  quarters.  When 
the  Merchants'  National  bank  was  about  to 
erect  a  magnificent  bank  building  on  the 
corner  of  Main  and  First  streets,  a  commit- 
tee was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  bank 
directors,  having  in  view  the  occupancy  of 
the  third  story  b}-  the  Masonic  fraternity  of 
the  city,  which  at  that  time  consisted  of  two 
blue  lodges  and  a  royal  arch  chapter.  This 
committee  did  its  work  well;  the  lodges  took 
a  lease  of  ten  3'ears  and  occupied  it  several 
years  after  the  expiration  of  the  lease. 
In  1887,  when  James  L.  Orr  was  erecting 
liis  commodious  building  on  the  corner  of 
Locust  and  Second  streets,  the  fraternity  felt 
that  their  increase  in  membership  and  the 
addition  of  Simpson  council  and  LaValette 
commandery,  necessitated  additional  rooms. 
A  committee  from  the  commandery  was  ap- 
pointed to  confer  with  Mr.  Orr,  with  a  view 
of  leasing  the  entire  third  story  of  the  new 
building  for  Masonic  and  other  purposes, 
which  was  finally  accomplished.  All  the 
bodies  of  the  Masonic  order  use  these  apart- 
ments, and  are  to  be  congratulated  upon 
having  the  finest  lodge  quarters  in  the  state. 
There  are  separate  rooms  for  the  blue 
lodge,  chapter,  council  and  commandery,  all 
conveniently  arranged  and  handsomely  fur- 
nished throughout.  Elegant  parlors,  a  spa- 
cious banquet  hall,  kitchen,  etc.,  add  to  the 
completeness  of  the  quarters. 

Reed  Lodire,  F.  cf-  A.  J/.— In  1865  a 
number  of  brethren  who  had  not  united  with 
Evansville  Lodge,  No.  64,  wished  to  form  a 


FREE  MASONRY. 


$8S 


new  lodge.  To  this  arrangement  Evans- 
ville  lodge  gave  its  hearty  consent.  A 
petition  was  prepared  by  Dr.  I.  Haas,  the 
master  of  Evansville  lodge,  and  J.  H.  Carlin, 
and  the  names  of  fourteen  Master  Masons 
were  subscribed.  Upon  this  the  grand 
master  issued  a  dispensation  and  appointed 
Rev.  Samuel  Reed,  worshipful  master;  W.J. 
Hargrave,  senior  warden,  andR.  H.  Cooke, 
junior  warden,  with  the  title  of  Reed  Lodge, 
U.  D.  On  the  30th  of  May,  1S66,  the 
grand  lodge  granted  a  charter  to  Reed 
Lodge,  No.  316.  This  lodge  has  prospered 
and  now  numbers  over   100  members. 

The  chief  executives,  or  worshipful  mas- 
ters, have  been:  Rev.  Samuel  Reed, 
1865-6;  W.  J.  Hargrave,  1866-7;  T.  W. 
Simpson,  1867;  W.  E.  Hollingsworth,  186S; 
Alex  Sharra,  1869;  G.  H.  Fish,  1870;  G.N. 
Wells,  1871  and  1873;].  W.Barbour,  1872; 
John  J.  Ha^'s,  1874;  J.  S.  Turner,  1875, 
part  1S84;  A.  C.  Isaacs,  1876,  18S0,  and 
part  1884;  William  M.  Blakey,  1877;  H.  A. 
Mattison,  1878;  W.  N.  Webb,  1879;  J.  W. 
Irwin,  1S81;  S.  W.  Douglas,  1882, '83,  '88; 
J.  W.  Walker,  1SS5;  T.  W.  Summers, 
1886;  Herman  Engle,  1887. 

J^essing-  Lodge,  A'o.  464. —  On  July  9, 
1872,  a  number  of  Master  Masons  who  were 
Germans,  desiring  to  have  a  lodge  of  their 
own,  took  demits  from  Evans\ille  lodge,  No. 
64,  for  the  purpose  of  working  in  the  Ger- 
man language.  They  were  P.  Nonweiler, 
William  Koch,  Ilarry  Joseph,  F.  S.  Zum- 
stein,  Fred  Hoffman,  Julius  Kahn,  Jacob 
Bopp,  H.  W.  Elmendorf,  G.  L.  Altwater, 
Christian  Kratz,  D.  Heilman,  S.  J.  Lowen- 
stein,  Phillip  Klein,  Rev.  C.  L.  C.  Runck, 
Samuel  Meyer  and  William  Pretorius.  A 
dispensation  was  granted  on  the  7th  dav  of 
December,  1S72,  by  Christian  Felta,  grand 
master,  who  appointed  Rev.  C.  L.  C. 
Runck  as  the  first  W.  M.;  Samuel  J. 
Loewenstein,  S.  W.;  G.  L.   Altwater,  J.  W. 


These  members  having  done  their  work  in 
a  satisfactory  manner  to  the  grand  lodge, 
were  granted  a  charter  May  27th,  1873, 
numbered  464.  The  present  membership 
is  sixty-three.  The  chief  executives,  or 
worshipful  masters  of  this  lodge  have  been: 
Rev.  C.  L.  C.  Runck,  1874,  '75;  Fred  Hoff- 
man, 1876;  G.  L.  Altwater,  1877,  '78;  P. 
Nonweiler,  1879;  Jacob  Graul,  1880;  K.  L. 
Back,  1S81;  Ch.  Yung,  1882;  S.J.  Loew- 
enstein, 1885;  Herman  Wilde,  1883,  '84, 
86,  "87  and  '88. 

Evansville  Chaffer,  JVo.  12,  Royal  Arch 
Masons,  was  established  April  25,  1848, — 
first  officers:  Rev.  Colley  A.  Foster,  H.  P.; 
Edmund  H.  Hopkins,  K.;  Solomon  Rath- 
bone,  S.;  James  T.  Walker,  C.  of  H.;  Moses 
Ross,  P.  S.;  Peter  Sharpe,  R.  A.  C;  Ben- 
jamin F.  Dupuy,  1st  G.  M.  V.;  John  D.  An- 
derson, 2nd  G.  M.  v.;  William  Soaper,  3d 
G.  M.  V.  The  chapter  has  been  prosperous 
from  its  inception  to  the  present  time.  Its 
accessions  have  been  of  the  best  material, 
and  its  present  general  condition  is  good, 
financially,  socially,  and  Masonically,  having 
during  recent  years  added  many  excellent 
members.  Col.  Charles  H.  Butterfield  has 
attained  the  rank  of  P.  G.  H.  P.  and  P.  G. 
I.  M.  of  C.  Major  H.  A.  Mattison  is  at 
present  high  priest. 

Simpson  Coitnril,  JCo.  jj,  R.  dr  S.  M., 
was  instituted  May  21,  1867.  Its  first  offi- 
cers were:  George  H.  Fish,  illustrious  mas- 
ter; W.  E.  Hollingsworth,  deputy  illustrious 
master;  Alexander  Sharra,  P.  C.  of  W. ; 
Charles  H.  Butterfield,  C.  of  G.;  A.  J.  Col- 
burn,  recorder;  T.  W.  Simpson,  sentinel. 
Those  who  have  served  as  illustrious  mas- 
ter at  different  times  are:  George  H.  Fish, 
i\lexander  Sharra,  Charles  H.  Butterfield, 
T.  W.  Simpson,  A.  C.  Isaacs,  Charles  H. 
Roberts  and  Chester  H.  Chubb.  The 
present  officers  are:  Chester  H.  Chubb, 
illustrious      master;      H.       A.       Mattison, 


■38J^ 


SECRET  AND  BENEVOLENT  OEDERS. 


deputy  illustrious  master;  Andrew  J.  Mc- 
Cutchan,  P.  C.  of  W.;  Franz  R.  Caden, 
treasurer;  Henr}-  J.  Clark,  recorder;  M. 
N.  Ross,  C.  of  G.;  J.  S.  Averj-,  sentinel. 
Total  number  of  members  at  present,  96; 
the  council  is  in  excellent  condition  in  every 
respect. 

La  Valette  Commandery,  A^o.  ij,  A.  T. — 
Templar  Masonry  is  considered  the  highest 
branch  of  York  Rite  Masonry;  the  order  of 
the  Temple,  or  Knights  Templar  being  the 
highest  of  this  rite.  A  dispensation  was 
granted  by  the  grand  commander  of  the 
state  on  March,  14,  1868.  A  convention  of 
Knights  Templar  was  held  at  the  Masonic 
hall  March  16,  of  the  same  year,  presided 
over  by  the  grand  commander  of  the 
state.  A  commandery  of  Knights  Templar 
was  opened  in  due  form,  and  La  Valette 
commandery  was  organized  under  dispensa- 
tion, closing  on  the  19th  with  twenty-four 
charter  members,  consisisting  of  many  of 
the  prominent  men  of  the  city.  A  charter 
was  granted  April  8,  1868,  by  the  grand 
commandery  of  the  state  of  Indiana.  On  the 
17th  of  the  same  month  the  following  offi- 
cers were  elected:  Sir  George  H.  Fish, 
eminent  commander;  Sir  James  T.  Walker, 
generalissimo;  Sir  J.  Blythe  Hynes,  captain- 
general;  Sir  William  E.  Hollingsworth,  pre- 
late; Sir  Charles  H.  Butterfield,  senior 
warden;  Sir  James  F.  Welborn,  junior 
warden;  Sir  W.  E.  Hollingsworth,  treasurer; 
Sir  Andrew  J.  Colburn,  recorder.  The  growth 
of  this  body  of  Masonry  was  slow  for  the 
first  six  j-ears  of  its  organization.  In  1874 
new  interest  was  taken  in  the  commandery, 
and  the  members  worked  in  earnest,  show- 
ing at  the  end  of  that  year  a  large  increase 
in  its  membership.  This  interest  has  been 
kept  up  until  the  present  time,  having  con- 
ferred the  orders  of  knighthood  upon  over 
200,  closing  with  a  membership  of  136  on 
January  i,  1889.    The  sir  knights,  members 


of  this  commandery,  who  have  filled  the 
office  of  eminent  commander  are  as  follows: 
Em.  Sir  George  H.  Fish,  1868  to  1873  in- 
clusive; Rt.  E.  Sir  E.  W.  Patrick,  1874, 
1875,  1877,  and  1879;  Em.  Sir  C.  H.  But- 
terfield, 1876;  Em.  Sir  William  E.  H-ollings- 
worth,  1878;  Em.  Sir  H.  A.  Mattison,  1880; 
Em.  Sir  WilHam  M.  Blakey,  1881;  Em.  Sir 
George  N.  Wells,  1882  and  1883;  Em.  Sir 
J.  W.  Walker,  1884;  Em.  Sir  S.  W.  Doug- 
las, 1885;  Em.  Sir  E.  B.  Morgan,  1886; 
Em.  Sir  E.  P.  Huston,  1887  and  1888.  The 
present  officers  are  as  follows :  Sir  Cicero 
Buchanan,  eminent  commander;  Sir  W.  S. 
Pollard,  generalissimo;  Sir  Moses  N.  Ross, 
captain  general;  Sir  Charles  Morris, 
prelate;  Sir  Simeon  Joseph,  senior  warden; 
Sir  W.  D.  Ewing,  junior  warden;  Sir  L.  M. 
Baird,  treasurer;  Sir  Herman  Engel,  re- 
corder. The  Masonic  fraternity  now  occupy 
the  third  stor}-  of  the  Masonic  block  on  the 
corner  of  Second  and  Locust  streets,  and 
their  appartments  are  considered  the  finest 
and  best  arranged  in  the  state.  The  com- 
mandery is  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and 
stands  at  the  head  of  the  list  of  command- 
eries  in  this  grand  jurisdiction.  Eminent  Sir 
E.  W.  Patrick  is  past  grand  commander  of 
the  state  of  Indiana. 

Centennial  Chapter,  Order  of  the  Eastern 
Star,  was  organized  in  1S76,  and  worked 
successfully  for  a  time,  but  at  length  sur- 
rendered its  charter.  The  leading  spirits  of 
the  chapter  were:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David 
Schofield,  Col.  and  Mrs.  C.  H.  Butterfield, 
Capt.  and  Mrs.  A.  J.  McCutchan,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  C.  H.  Chubb  and  others. 

McFarland  Lodge  {^colored  Masons). — 
This  lodge  is  the  result  of  a  consolidation  of 
Liberty  and  Olive  Branch  lodges,  which, 
beginning  about  1866,  worked  for  some  ten 
years.  Those  chiefij^  instrumental  in  estab- 
lishing Masonry  among  the  colored  people 
in  this    citv    were:    Albert    Shannon,    Rev. 


ODD  FELLOWSHIP. 


S8S 


Green  McFarland,  Adam  Rouse,  J.J.  John- 
son, Abner  Cloud,  John  Banks  and  A.  W. 
Finley.  Named  in  honor  of  Rev.  Green 
McFarland,  the  lodge  now  working  was 
established  in  September,  1876.  It  has  been 
very  prosperous,  its  present  membership 
being  fifty-six.  Its  worshipful  masters  have 
been:  G.  G.  Robinson,  Rev.  G.  McFarland, 
Rev.  Dennis  Rouse,  Anthony  Garnett,  and 
Lewis  Anderson. 


Pvlh'jg'oras    Lodge,      iVu. 


II     {^colored 


Masons^,  was  organized  with  thirty-one 
charter  members  in  1887.  Edward  James 
and  Nathaniel  Allen  were  the  chief  instru- 
ments in  founding  it.  Its  first,  and  present, 
officers  are:  Rush  Carr,  W.  M. ;John 
Neville,  S.  W.;  George  Austin,  J.  W.;  W. 
A.  Rucker,  Sec;  B.  York,  Treas. 

Odd  J^clloic's/iip. — The  establishment  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  in  Evansville,  occurred  in 
1839.  For  a  few  years  prior  to  that  date 
some  members  of  the  order  had  come  here 
on  the  tide  of  immigration  set  in  motion  by 
the  good  times  incident  to  the  adoption  of 
the  state's  internal  improvement  system  in 
1835-6.  Among  those  who  were  instru- 
mental in  introducing  Odd  Fellowship  into 
the  community  was  William  Wandell,  but  it 
does  not  seem  that  he  was  a  member  of  the 
first  lodge  chartered.  Christian  Decker, 
now  over  eighty  years  of  age,  and  a  very 
prominent  citizen,  was  concerned  in  awaken- 
ing the  first  desire  for  a  lodge  among  the 
few  Odd  Fellows  then  here.  But  for  about 
forty  years  past  Mr.  Decker  has  not  been 
actively  associated  with  the  order.  The 
first  charter  was  granted  to  nine  members, 
and  from  that  time  to  the  present,  a  constant 
increase  has  taken  place  until  now  there  are 
about  600  Odd  Fellows  in  the  city.  The 
lodges  are  in  a  flourishing  condition,  their 
aggregate  available  resources  being  about 
$12,000.  At  lirst  the  growth  of  the 
order    was    very    slow,    and     from      time 


to  time  serious  reverses  were  met,  but 
when  once  a  sure  foothold  was  obtained 
the  trrowth  of  the  order  was  never  allowed 
to  be  checked.  The  early  meetings  were 
held  in  the  second  story  of  a  frame  building 
standing  where  the  Marble  hall  now  is,  in 
the  lower  room  of  which  was  Griffith's 
hardware  store.  After  a  five  years'  occu- 
pancy of  this  place  the  lodge  room  was 
moved  to  an  old  house  belonging  to  Nathan 
Rowley,  Esq.,  upon  the  present  site  of  the 
Merchant's  National  Bank.  Entrance  to  the 
lodge  room  was  gained  by  ascending  a  flight 
of  stairs  constructed  on  the  outside  of  the 
building,  passing  through  a  door  in  the  gable 
much  like  a  trap  door.  Later  meetings 
were  held  in  a  hall,  on  the  corner  of  Locust 
and  Water  streets,  long  since  torn  away. 
Eight  years  were  spent  in  these  quarters, 
and  then  for  twenty  \'ears  a  hall  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  First  and  Main  streets 
was  occupied.  By  this  time  the  member- 
ship had  largely  increased,  new  lodges  had 
been  formed  and  more  suitable  quarters 
were  necessary.  A  handsome  building 
was  erected  on  the  corner  of  Vine  and 
First  streets,  which  cost,  exclusive  of  the 
lot,  upwards  of  $40,000.  Morning  Star 
Lodge  held  $16,000  stock  in  the  building, 
and  Crescent  and  Schiller  lodges,  $7,000 
each.  The  building  was  heavily  mortgaged, 
and  in  1S80  was  sold  at  public  auction  to  D. 
J.  Mackey  for  $32,000.00.  It  was  occupied 
by  the  order  for  eight  years,  and  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  some  years  after  its  sale. 
Prior  to  1880  all  lodges  used  the  same  hall. 
Since  that  date  the  present  hall  at  the  corner 
of  Main  and  Fifth  streets  has  been  used  by 
the  older  lodges.  It  is  90x24  feet,  comfort- 
abl}'  and  handsomely  furnished,  and  well 
fitted  for  a  lodge  room.  Some  lodces  are 
accommodated  in  other  parts  of  the  city  more 
convenient  to  their  members. 

Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  7  was  instituted 


386 


SECRET  AND  BENEVOLENT  ORDERS. 


December  4,  1839.  The  charter  members 
were:  Robert  W.  Dunbar,  Joseph  H.  Phelps, 
F.  C.  Gwathney,  G.  W.  L.  White,  C.  M. 
Griffith,  William  Morrison,  T.  G.  Thurston, 
H.  C.  Gwathney,  and  Christian  Decker. 
The  first  officers  were:  F.  C  Gwathney, 
N.  G.;G.  W.  L.  White,  V.  G.;  H.  C. 
Gwathney,  secretary;  and  C.  M.  Griffith, 
treasurer.  The  present  membership  num- 
bers 106,  and  the  present  officers  are:  Charles 
Green,  N.  G.;  WilHam  Hacker,  V.  G.;  D. 
B.  Norcross,  secretar}-,  and  James  Darling, 
treasurer.  More  than  100  noble  grands 
have  presided  over  the  workings  of  this 
lodge,  among  them  many  of  Evansville's 
most  prominent  citizens,  such  as  James  E. 
Blythe,  H.  Q.  Wheeler,  Judge  James  Lock- 
hart,  Charles  D.  Bourne,  F.  C.  Good- 
sell,  Thomas  W.  Thurston,  James  G.Jones, 
WiUiam  H.  Chandler,  Joseph  P.  Elliott, 
Levi  L.  Laycock,  Philip  Hornbrook,  Joseph 
E.  Turnock,  John  F.  Glover,  Edward  Ta- 
bor, Cyrus  K.  Drew,  William  Warren, 
James  C.  McAlpin,  Pembroke  Wiltshire,  and 
many  others.  Joseph  E.  Turnock's  fidelity 
to  Odd  Fellowship  is  probably  without  a 
parallel,  and  deserves  mention  in  connection 
with  the  history  of  this  lodge.  In  England, 
his  native  country,  fifty-six  years  ago,  he 
became  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  has  ever  since 
been  devoted  to  the  order.  He  has  attended 
his  own  and  other  lodges  not  less  than  8,250 
times.  Now,  and  for  forty  years  past, 
he  has  been  entrusted  with  the  care  and  su- 
pervision of  the  halls. 

EvansviUc  Encampment.,  JVo.  20,  insti- 
tuted January  23d,  1850,  with  seven  charter 
members,  among  them  Joseph  Turnock  and 
William  Hunnell,  who  are  still  living,  the 
others  having  all  passed  away.  The  first 
officers  were:  Daniel  Woolsey,  C.  P.;  Will- 
iam Hubbell,  S.  W.;  WilHam  Wandell,  H. 
P.;  Dr.  Laycock,  J.  W.;  H.  Q.Wheeler, 
scribe,  and  Louis  Hows,  treasurer.     Pres- 


ent officers:  J.  C.  DeBar,  C.  P.;  Amos 
Clark,  S.  W.;  John  Barrows,  J.  W.;  Joseph 
Turnock,  H.  P.;  J.  C.  McAlpin,  scribe,  and 
D.  B.  Norcross,  treasurer.  Present  mem- 
bership, 40. 

Evansville  Lodge,  lYo.  Sj,  was  instituted 
September  14,  1850,  and  chartered  January 
5,  185 1.  After  six  or  seven  years,  for  many 
causes,  it  surrendered  its  charter  and  went 
out  of  existence.  For  a  time  it  prospered, 
having  about  sixty  members. 

Crescent  Lodge,  jYo.  122,  was  instituted 
July  7,  1853,  with  the  following  eleven 
charter  members:  James  Jones,  Robert 
Boyd,  R.  S.  Ruston,  H.  D.  Allis,  D.  S.  An- 
derson, Thomas  M.  Archer,  John  Greek, 
Isaac  White,  John  Gregg,  Charles  Churchill, 
and  James  Laughlin,  jr.  From  this  begin- 
ning the  membership  has  grown,  until  it 
now  numbers  100.  The  present  officers 
are:  Charles  Bycus,  N.  G.;  J.  L.  Catlett, 
V.  G.;  William  Barton,  secretary,  and 
W.  B.  Wright,  treasurer. 

Schiller  Lodge,  A"o.  ijS,  was  instituted  De- 
cember 10,  1853,  and  organized  January 
18,  1854.  The  charter  members  were: 
Philip  Deusner,  Jacob  Sinzich,  Henry  Lutz, 
Henry  Wingert,  Valentine  Wetzel,  Jacob 
Fix,  John  Karsch,  L.  Daum,  M.  Renschler, 
G.  Wolflin,  John  Emerich,  August  Uhl, 
L.  W.  Steinecker,  W.  Mock  and  L. 
Schmidt.  Its  first  officers  were:  M. 
Renschler,  N.  G.;  Philip  Deusner,  V.  G.; 
George  Wolflin,  secretary;  H.  Wingert, 
treasurer.  Its  membership  now  numbers 
18S,  and  its  present  officers  are:  J.  G. 
Junker,  N.  G.;  John  Stroebel,  V.  G. ; 
George  Denker,  secretary;  John  Dannettell 
treasurer. 

Schiller  Encampment,  A\k  6S,  was  insti- 
tuted June  7,  1865.  Its  charter  members 
were:  H.  L.  Dannettell,  Eugene  Kappler, 
Louis  Ulmo,  John  Karsch,  Charles  Schaum, 
Christ.  Wilhelm,  George  Wolfin,  and    Fred, 


ODD  FELLOWSHIP. 


S87 


Kroener.  The  first  officers  of  the  encamp- 
men  were:  Christ.  Wilhehn,  C.  P.;  Henry 
Dannettell,  H.  P.;  Charles  Schaum,  S.  W., 
Eugene  Kappler,  scribe;  Fred  Kroener, 
treasurer;  John  Karsch,J.W.  The  present 
officers  are:  Bernhardjacobi,  C.  P.;  George 
Denker,  H.  P.;  John  Stroebel,  S.W.;  Franz 
Best,  Scribe;  John  Dannettell,  treasurer; 
Frank  Peters,  J.  W. 

J^ising-  Star  Loilgc,  jVu.  5^^,  was  insti- 
tuted March  16,  1877,  with  eighteen  char- 
ter members  and  the  following  officers: 
Alexander  Maddux,  N.  G. ;  William  Alex- 
ander, V.  G.;  Louis  Langhoff,  secretary, 
and  James  M.  Johnson,  treasurer.  The 
others  of  the  charter  members  were : 
William  Koch,  George  Koch,  George  Hall, 
Herman  Kley,  A.  Wood,  W.  B.  Rogers,  J. 
S.  Wills,  E.  L.  Cody,  J.  T.  Woodruff,  J.  W. 
Stark,  John  Wesley,  George  Wound,  W. 
Stinchiield  and  M.  Stinchfield.  The  present 
membership  is -75,  and  the  present  officers 
are:  W.  H.  McDowell,  N.  G.;  R.  A.  Dick- 
enson, V.  G.;  J.  H.  Webster,  secretary  and 
William  Alexander,  sr.,  treasurer. 

Eciific  Lodge,  jVo.  S79i  was  instituted 
May  7,  1S80,  with  twenty-eight  charter 
members,  among  them  Capt.  J.  W.  Wart- 
mtin,  Thomas  J.  Groves,  Edward  Tabor, 
Charles  T.  Jenkins,  John  J.  Hays,  J.  J.  Mar- 
lett,  and  other  prominent  citizens.  The 
first  officers  were:  J.  W.  Wartman,  N.  G.; 
J.  S.  Cameron,  V.  G.;  Joseph  Hennel,  Sec, 
and  Edward  Tabor,  Treas.  The  present 
membership  is  about  seventy,  and  the  pres- 
ent officers  are:  Mike  Jungling,  N.  G. ; 
Frank  Henn,  V.  G.;  W.  D.  Andrews,  Sec, 
and  Horace  Plummer,  Treas. 

Colfax  Lodge,  J\'o.  J/,  Dang /iters,  of  Ke- 
bcka/i,  was  chartered,  upon  application  of 
fourteen  persons,  September  12,  1864. 
Among  the  number  were :  Joseph  Turnock, 
Elizabeth  Turnock,  Alex.  Maddox,  Susan 
Maddox,  Hiram  Nelson,  W.  H.  Smith   and 


wife,  and  Thomas  J.  Graves  and  wife.  The 
first  officers  were:  Ronald  Fisher,  N.  G. ; 
Elizabeth  Turnox,  V.  G. :  Mrs.  C.  Geissler, 
Sec,  and  Lydia  Smith,  Ti-eas.  Present 
officers:  Lydia  Smith,  N.  G.:  Amanda  Bald- 
win, V.  G.;  Mrs.  DeBarr,  Sec,  and  Mrs. 
Hulvershorn,  Treas.     Present  membership, 

125- 

Sarah  Lodge,  J\'o.  Jp,  Daughters  of 
Rebekah,  was  instituted  March  i,  187 1,  and 
organized  November  16,  of  the  same  year, 
with  eighteen  charter  members.  Its  first 
officers  were:  H.  L.  Dannettell,  N.  G.; 
Caroline  Dannettell,  V.  G.;  Susannah 
Hirschmann,  secretar\',  and  Maria  Miller, 
treasurer.  Present  officers:  S.  Wissing, 
N.  G.;  C.  Hast,  V.  G.;  Maria  Heil- 
man,  secretar}-,  and  Louisa  Meyers,  treas- 
urer. 

Diana  Lodge,  Xo.  2j6,  Daughters  of 
Rebekah,  was  instituted  by  D.D.  G.  M.,  Jo- 
seph Turnock,  March  22,  1886,  with 
eitrhteen  charter  members.  Its  first  officers 
were:  Joshua  Beale,  N.  G.;  Rickey  Wood- 
ruff, V.  G.;  Mary  Beale,  secretary,  and 
J.  T.  Woodruff,  treasurer.  Present  officers: 
Nancy  E.  Webster,  N.  G.;  Carry  Wills,  V. 
G. ;  Jennie  Geddes,  secretary,  and  Mary 
Beale,  treasurer.     Present  membership,  68. 

Vanderburgh  Lodge,  Xo.  1702,  G.  U.  O. 
of  O.  F.  (colored  Odd  Fellows),  was  insti- 
tuted in  December,  1875,  and  organized  in 
the  following  January.  Those  chiefly  in- 
strumental in  establishing  the  order  were: 
Philander  Cooper,  Thomas  Brown,  Will- 
iam H.  Beecher,  William  H.  Rowen,  R.  T. 
White,  H.  K.  Adams  and  others.  It  began 
with  about  thirty  members  and  now  has 
seventv-five.  Among  its  noble  grands  have 
been:  Philander  Cooper,  Adam  Rose, 
John  Coffee  and  Benjamin  Paxton.  The 
lodge  has  been  prosperous,  its  affairs  having 
been  conducted  by  some  of  the  best  of 
Evansville's  colored  citizens.  Its  present  ofH- 


388 


SECRET  AND  BENEVOLENT  ORDERS. 


cers  are :  Andrew  Wooden,  N.  F. ;  P.  Cooper, 
N.  G.;  John  Catlett,  V.  G.;  Ben  Paxton, 
Sec;  Robert  L.  Babb,  Treas.;  Esic  Roach, 
chaplain. 

Pride  of  Hope  Lodge,  No.  ig72,  G.  U. 
O.  of  O.  F'.,  was  instityted  September  i, 
1879,  with  fifty-five  charter  members.  The 
lodge  has  been  prosperous  and  now  has 
eighty  members.  Its  present  officers  are: 
David  Kellogg,  N.  G.;  John  McCauley, 
V.  G.;  Peter  O.  Calhoun,  Sec;  Robert 
Franklin,  Treas.;  E.  A.  McWhorter,  Adv. 

Past  Grand  Mastcr''s  CoiDicil,  No.  Jc?,  G. 
U.  O.  of  O.  F.,  was  organized  September 
15,  1880,  with  ten  charter  members.  The 
council  is  next  to  the  highest  branch  in  the 
gift  of  the  order.  It  is  made  up  of  the  most 
prominent  members  of  Vanderburgh  and 
Pride  of  Hope  lodges.  It  now  has  thirteen 
members,  and  has  been  moderately  pros- 
perous. The  first  worshipful  grand  master 
was  Philander  Cooper,  who  has  served 
most  of  the  time  since  the  council  was  or- 
ganized. His  successor,  the  present  W.  G. 
•M.,  is  Granville  Waddill. 

Household  of  Ruth  Lodge,  No.  S43,  G.  U. 
O.  of  O.  F.  (ladies),  was  instituted  in  Sep- 
tember, 1 887,  with  twenty-two  charter 
members.  Its  first  officers  were:  Maria 
Griffith,  M.  N.  G.;  Maggie  B.  McWhorter, 
P.  M.  N.  G.;  Hester  Hathaway,  R.  N.  G.; 
Sarah  T.  Green,  W.  R.;  Harriet  Snyder, 
W.  T.;  and  Mary  Calhoun,  W.  P.  These 
officers  are  still  officiating.  The  lodge  is 
prosperous  and  now  has  thirty-three 
members. 

Knights  of  Pythias. — The  wonderful 
growth  of  this  order  is  almost  without  a 
parallel  in  the  history  of  secret  organizations 
in  this  country.  Its  three  cardinal  principles 
are:  Friendship,  Charity  and  Benevolence. 
Its  aim  is  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  a 
brother,  succor  the  unfortunate,  zealousl}- 
watch  at  the  bedside  of  the  sick,  soothe  the 


dying,  perform  the  last  sad  rites  at  the 
grave,  offer  consolation  to  the  afflicted,  and 
care  with  all  of  a  brother's  love  for  the 
widow  and  orphan.  It  is  no  wonder  that  an 
order  founded  upon  such  virtues  should 
have  had  a  phenomenal  growth,  and  no- 
where is  the  fact  more  fairly  demonstrated 
than  in  the  city  of  Evansville,  where  there 
are  now  three  lodges  with  an  active  mem- 
bership of  about  400  of  the  most  prominent 
and  enterprising  young  men  in  the  city. 
The  remarkable  success  achieved  and  the 
high  social  standing  enjo^-ed,  are  the  results 
of  combined  and  intelligent  effort.  Orion 
Lodge,  A^o.  J5,  is  the  oldest  lodge  and  leads 
in  point  of  membership.  It  was  instituted 
June  II,  1873,  with  thirty-four  charter  mem- 
bers and  the  following  first  officers:  T.  J. 
Groves,  C.  C;  H.  W.  Cloud,  V.  C;  James 
D.  Riggs,  P.;  Charles  Hinks,  M  of  F.; 
James  E.  Lilly,  M.  of  Ex.;  H.  S.  Bennett, 
K.  ofR.  andS.;  E.  P.  Elliott,  M.  at  A.; 
I.  M.  Hall,  I.  G.  It  was  instituted  by  Grand 
Chancellor  C.  P.  Cart}',  assisted  by  Ivy 
lodge.  No.  21,  of  Henderson,  Ky.  Its  mem- 
bership has  increased  rapidly  and  now  num- 
bers 172.  Its  present  officers  are:  A.  M- 
Hayden,  P.  C;  W.  E.  Barnes,  C.  C;  J.  W. 
Gleichman,  V.  C. ;  Henr}'  Kraft,  P. ;  George 
Stanfield,  M.  at  A. ;  B.  M.  Zaff,  K.  of  R.  and 
S.;  C.  C.  Roser,  M  of  E.;  George  Muth, 
M.  of  F.;  J.  S.  Corkle,  jr.,  I.  G.;  Adolph 
Rasch,  O.  G.  This  lodge  was  the  parent 
of  the  lodge  at  Poseyville,  Ind. 

^V.  George  Lodge,  N'o.  /yj,  was  instituted 
July  12,  1886,  with  forty-three  members. 
The  growth  of  the  order  had  been  so  rapid 
in  the  citv  that  the  necessity  for  a  new  lodge 
had  been  felt  for  some  time,  but  it  was  not 
until  the  spring  of  1889  that  any  organized 
effort  was  made  to  accomplish  that  result. 
hX  that  time  Sir  Knight  J.  G.  Owen  under- 
took the  work  and  achieved  a  signal  success. 
The  first  officers  of  the  new  lodge  were:  R. 


KNIGHTS  OF  PYTHIAS. 


389 


M.  Millican,  P.  C:  J.  G.  Owen,  C.  C;  A. 
D.  Tenny,  V.  C:  W.  S.  Feller,  .P.;  J.  H. 
Rohlender,  M.  at  A.;  C.  J.  Morris,  K.  of  R. 
and  S. ;  F.  J ,  Ehrman,  M.  of  E. ;  C.  C.  Tenny, 
M.  of  F. ;  Elwood  Moore,  O.  G.;  George 
Skinner,  I.  G.  This  lodge  prospered,  and 
now  has  119  members.  Its  present  officers 
are:  L.  Worsham,P.  C;  Willis  Howe,C.  C; 
A.  R.  Tanner,  M.  of  E.;  A.  W.  Munson,  K. 
of  R.  and  S.;  James  Foster,  P.;  C.  C. 
Tenny,  M.  of  F.;  W.  P.  Willis,  V.  C;  J.  C. 
Selzer,  M.  at  A.,  and  C.  A.  Weaver,  O.  G. 
This  lodge  was  the  parent  of  lodges  estab- 
lished at  Princeton  and  New  Harmony. 

Ben  I  fur  Lodgx,  No.  rgj. — This  is  the 
youngest  lodge  in  the  cit}',  and  was  also 
brought  into  e.xistence  chiefly  through  the 
efforts  of  Sir  Knight  J.  G.  Owen,  the  well- 
known  lawyer,  popular  in  P3-thian  circles 
because  of  his  earnest  and  successful  efforts 
to  enlarge  the  usefulness  of  the  order.  It 
was  instituted  June  28, 1888,  with  the  largest 
charter  membership  of  any  K.  of  P.  lodge 
in  the  state.  It  now  has  about  105  mem- 
bers. Its  first  officers  were :  Charles  Laval, 
P.  C:  James  G.  Owen,  C.  C:  Mort  J. 
Compton,  V.C.:  William  A.  Page,  K.  R. 
and  S.;  J.  C.  McClurkin,  P.;  F.  M.  Gilbert, 
M.  of  F. ;  Louis  H.  Legler,  M.  of  E. ;  Ed  Stin- 
son,  I.  G. ;  Harry  Stinson,  O.  G.  Those 
now  serving  are:  Charles  Laval,  P.  C;  J. 
G.  Owen,  C.  C;  Philip  Moore,  V.  C;  Will- 
iam A.  Page,  K.  of  R.  and  S.;  F.  M.  Saun- 
ders, P.;  F.  M.  Gilbert,  M.  of  F.;  Louis  H. 
Legler,  M.  of  E. ;  Thomas  Jenner,  I.  G.,  and 
Harry  Stinson,  O.  G. 

The  Uniform  Rank^  Evansi'iUe  Division, 
No.  ^. —  In  1877  thirt3--five  members  of 
Orion  lodge  organized  what  was  termed 
"  The  Drill  corps."  The  members  were  all 
enthusiastic  on  the  subject,  and  took  hold 
of  the  work  with  a  determination  to  become 
leaders  in  lodge  drilling.  A  few  months 
after  the  organization   of    this  corps,  a  state 


encampment  of  the  order  was  held  at 
Indianapolis.  The  Evansville  corps  attend- 
ed, and  bv  its  splendid  drilling,  captured  a 
second  prize. 

On  September  2,  1879,  the  Evans- 
ville drill  corps  merged  into  what  has  since 
been  Evansville  division.  No.  4,  of  the  uni- 
form rank.  The  same  members  that  con- 
stituted the  drill  corps  composed  the  new 
uniform  rank,  although  a  number  of  addi- 
tions were  afterward  made. 

In  1882,  the  supreme  lodge,  Knights  of 
Pythias  of  the  world,  convened  at  St.  Louis, 
and  during  its  session  the  national  encamp- 
ment met  there.  Evansville  division,  under 
command  of  Sir  Knight  Capt.  Charles 
Mverhoff,  attended  and  entered  the  drill, 
carrying  off  second  prize.  Later  the  mem- 
bers of  this  rank  lost  their  interests,  and  it 
came  near  being  abandoned.  This,  how- 
ever, was  prevented  by  Sir  Knight  Ehrman 
and  a  few  other  m-j-n'jers.  The  rank  is 
now  well  drilled,  and  great  interest  is  mani- 
fested in  its  work.  The  rank  now  has 
about  seventy  members  and  the  following 
officers:  A.  D.  Tenne ,%  captain;  Frederick 
J.  Ehrman,  lieutenant;  Charles  C.  Roser, 
herald;  Frederick  II.  Burton,  secretary; 
R.  E.  Graves,  recorder;  W.  L.  Swormstedt, 
treasurer. 

Crescent  City  Rank,  No.  ^g,  was  instituted 
July  12,  1S88.  It  is  composed  of  splendid 
material  —  knights  who  take  a  deep  interest 
in  its  affairs  and  whose  standing  in  the  com- 
munity is  such  as  to  insure  for  the  rank  a 
high  position.  It  contains  thirt\-five  mem- 
bers, and  its  officers  are:  captain,  Charles 
Wunderlich;  lieutenant,  Joseph  Burk;  her- 
ald, W.  W.  Ross;  recorder,  A.  N.  Groves; 
treasurer,  D.  M.  Gilbert.  The  various 
lodges  of  the  P\'thia:i  order  in  Evansville 
are  made  up  of  such  meritorious  men  that 
individual  mention  is  not  possible  in  the  lim- 
ited space  allotted   to   this   subject.     How- 


390 


SECRET  ANB  BENEVOLENT  ORDERS. 


ever,  a  few  facts  may  be  properh' 
stated.  Sir  Knight  A.  C.  Hawkins,  is 
the  only  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
from  this  end  of  the  state,  being  now  grand 
prelate  of  that  body.  For  some  time  he 
had  been  district  grand  deputy,  before  his 
advancement  to  the  position  now  held. 
Sir  Knight  Charles  E.  Pittman  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  grand  lodge  for  two  years  and  is 
now  district  grand  deputy.  Sir  Knight 
R.  E.  Graves  for  several  3'ears  has  been 
major  in  the  uniform  rank,  serving  in  the 
lirst  and  sixth  regiments.  Perhaps  the  old- 
est man  in  the  order  in  Indiana,  if  not  in  the 
world,  is  Sir  Knight  Joseph  Turnock,  now 
in  his  sevent3'-seventh  year.  He  was 
among  the  first  to  enter  the  order  when  es- 
tablished in  Evansville,  and  loving  its  princi- 
ples, has  done  mucii  for  its  progress.  He 
is  esteemed  bv  all  members  of  the  order,  for 
his  worth  as  a  man  and  a  knight. 

Ancient  Order  United  Workmen. — This 
order  was  founded  at  Meadville,  Pa.,  Octo- 
ber 27,  186S,  by  John  J.  Upchurch.  The 
original' object  was  to  unite  all  classes  of 
mechanics,  their  helpers,  and  indeed,  all  em- 
ployed in  any  branch  of  mechanical  arts,  to 
create  and  foster  a  friendly  and  co-opera- 
tive feeling  among  those  who  had  a  com- 
mon interest;  to  examine  and  discuss  laws 
and  usages  effecting  labor;  to  adjust  differ- 
ences between  emloyers  and  employes; 
to  material!}'  aid  members  afflicted  or  dis- 
tressed and  to  labor  for  the  mental,  moral, 
and  social  elevation  of  the  mechanic  and  la- 
borer. The  society  was  established  in  this 
state  in  the  city  of  Terre  Haute,  in  1873. 
Its  manifold  advantages  soon  gained  for  it 
a  substantial  foothold,  and  on  Ma\'  23,  1877, 
it  was  introduced  into  this  city  by  the  organ- 
ization of  Vanderburgh  Lodge,  No.  34, 
with  fifteen  charter  members.  This  was 
followed  by  the  organization  of  other  lodges 
and     the    order     has     grown    so     rapidly 


that  it  now  has  in  this  city  six  lodges, 
with  a  total  membership  of  678.  From 
the  records  of  the  different  recorders 
it  is  ascertained  that  the  number  of  deaths 
of  persons  holding  memberships  in  these 
lodges  from  the  date  of  institution  to  Janu- 
ary I,  1888,  was  sevent\'-three,  making  the 
total  amount  of  benefits  paid  to  the  desig- 
nated beneficiaries  of  members  dying  in  this 
county,  $146,000,  at  a  cost  to  the  individ- 
ual members  of  $11  per  annum  on  each 
$1,000  for  which  insured.  The  office  of  the 
grand  recorder  of  the  order  in  the  state  of 
Indiana,  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Fred.  Baker,  is 
located  in  this  city,  where  all  business  per- 
taining to  the  order  throughout  the  state  is 
transacted.  The  Indiana  A.  O.  U.  W. 
Recorder.,  a  monthly  newspaper,  is  published 
here  in  the  interests  of  the  order.  It  is 
edited  by  Mr.  George  E.  Clarke,  who  is 
one  of  the  most  enthusiastic  workers  in  the 
order,  and  has  done  much  to  advance  its  in- 
terests and  promote  its  usefulness. 
The  following  is  a  statement  of  the  lodges 
established  here,  with  data  as  to  member- 
ship and  present  M.  W.  of  each.  Vander- 
burgh Lodge,  No.  34,  instituted  May  23, 
1877;  charter  membership,  15;  present 
membership,  115;  S.  S.  Harvey,  M.  W. 
Leni  Leoti  Lodge,  No.  43,  instituted  March 
12,  1878;  charter  membership,  26;  present 
membership,  157;  Josiah  Kightley,  M.  W. 
Humboldt  Lodge,  No.  49,  instituted  June 
21,  1879;  charter  membership,  24;  present 
membership,  118;  Fred  Miller,  M.  W. 
Germania  Lodge,  No.  52,  instituted  July 
II,  1878;  charter  membership,  18;  consoli- 
dated January  i,  18S7,  with  Humboldt 
Lodge,  No.  49.  Lone  Star  Lodge,  No.  56, 
instituted  September  8,  1879;  charter  mem- 
bership,42;  present  membership,  136;  Aaron 
Weil,  M.  W.  Evening  Star  Lodge,  No.  14, 
instituted  October  15,  1880;  charter  mem- 
bership, 29;  present  membership,  92;  F.  W, 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES. 


391 


Lenfers,  M.  W.  Excelsior  Lod<fe,  No.  38, 
instituted  November  10,  1883;  charter  mem- 
bership, 14;  present  membership,  60;  C.  C. 
Culp,  M.  W.  All  of  these  lod<jes  are  in  a 
flourishing  condition   tinancially  and  socially. 

Ro\al  Area  nil  lu,  Eviiiisvi/lc  Council,  A'o. 
4gi,  was  instituted  May  17,  1880,  with 
twenty  charter  members.  This  benevolent 
and  social  order  was  founded  at  Boston, 
Mass.,  June  23,  1877.  The  introduction  of 
the  order  here  was  due  to  the  efforts  of  a 
number  of  prominent,  gentlemen,  whose 
names  appear  among  its  first  officers, 
who  were:  Will  Warren,  regent;  S.  B. 
Lewis,  vice-regent;  J.  B.  Rucker,  ora- 
tor; D.  A.  Nisbet,  past  regent;  S.  B. 
Nisbet,  secretary;  C.  H.  McCarer,  collector; 
S.  W.  Douglas,  guide;  C.  E.  Pittman, 
warden,  Howard  Wells,  secretary;  W.  F. 
Ogden,  W.  H.  Keller  and  Cicero  Buchanan, 
trustees.  Evansville  council  is  represented 
bv  the  following  officers  in  the  grand  coun- 
cil: J.  B.  Rucker,  past  grand  regent,  and 
Dr.  b.  B.  Lewis,  grand  orator.  The  council 
is  in  a  flourishing  condition  and  has  for  its 
present  officers  the  following  gentlemen: 
W.  H.  Keller,  regent;  H.  H.  Babcock,  vice- 
regent;  James  M.  Davidson,  orator;  R.  M. 
Millican,  past  regent:  J.  W.  Gleichman, 
secret;\ry;  II.  J.  Pfafflin,  collector;  P.  F. 
Grill,  treasurer;  W.  H.  Mushlitz,  chaplain; 
W.  A.  Collett,  guide,  William  P.  Clarke, 
warden:  John  P.  Baird,  sentry. 

Windcrhnrgh  Council,  \o.  i  i2i),  instituted 
September  3,  1888,  has  the  following  offi- 
cers, who  have  served  from  the  date  of  its 
organization:  Henry  Davis,  regent:  William 
Ilalwes,  vice-regent;  George  Gottman,  ora- 
tor; Jacob  Spir\',  past  regent;  Ilarrv  Hitch, 
secretary;  G.  W.  Rose,  collector;  John 
Stover,  treasurer;  H.  S.  L3-nn,  chaplain; 
Jacob  Elmeier,  guide;  Otto  Weiss,  warden; 
Henry  Meeink,  sentry:  L.  W.  Lucas,  Jacob 
Elmeier,  E/nst  Ludwig,  trustees. 


Knights  of  Honor.  —  This  order,  origin- 
ated at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  30,  1873,  was 
established  in  this  city  but  a  little  more  than 
ten  3-ears  ago.  There  are  now  three  lodges, 
all  in  a  prosperous  condition  fmancially  and 
numericallv. 

Red  Cloud  Lodge,  \o.  640,  was  instituted 
May  7,  1877,  with  seventeen  charter  mem- 
bers. It  was  organized  by  E.  J.  McBride, 
acting  under  an  appointment  from  the 
supreme  lodge.  Its  first  officers  were : 
George  W.  Lightner,  past  dictator;  John  S. 
Snyder,  dictator;  F.  F.  DuSouchet,  re- 
porter; William  H.  Minch,  treas.;  Robert 
Langsdale,  chaplain.  Its  president  mem- 
bership is  250.  It  has  had  a  sound,  healthy 
growth  from  the  start,  always  paying  bene- 
fits promptly.  Its  membership  comprises 
some  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  cit}-,  and  are 
from  all  classes.  George  L.  Daum  was 
financial  secretary  of  the  lodge  for  eight 
years,  and  helped  mat  j:\ally  to  build  up  the 
order  in  the  city.  The  present  officers  of 
this  lodge  are:  James  H.  Foster,  P.  D.; 
Thomas  E.  Dunn,  D.;  M.  J.  Clark,  R.;  H. 
Fink,  T.;  N.  H.  Wheeler,  C;  trustees, 
Thomas  Kerth,  H.  A.  Mattison  and  David 
Nisbet. 

Silver  Cloud  Lodg\  A^o.  1548,  was  insti- 
tuted March  31,  1879,  with  twenty  charter 
members.  W.  F.  Ogden,  a  printer,  was  in- 
strumental in  founding  this  lodge.  Its 
present  membership  numbers  190,  and  com- 
prises many  prominent  citizens.  The  present 
officers  are:  Nathan  Myers,  P.  D.;  Edward 
Heddericli,  D.;  Charles  Weyand,  R.;  Fred 
Tinnemeyer,  T. ;  F.  A.  Sturtevant,  C. 

Silver  Star  Lodge,  At'o.  3041,  was  insti- 
tuted in  February,  1S84,  with  twenty-one 
charter  members.  Its  first  officers  were: 
Jacob  Kastner,  P.  D.;  Adam  Lutz,  D.; 
Henrv  Stolz.  R.;  Henrv  Lutz,  T. ;  Geor<fe 
Nestor,  C.  The  present  membership  num- 
bers sixtv-nine,  and  the  officers  now  officiat- 


392 


SECRET  AND  BENEVOLENT  ORDERS. 


ing  are  Joseph  Riedy,  P.  D.;  Gustave 
Weber,  D.;  H.  Stolz,  R.;  G.  Ritt,  T.;  L. 
Bachle,  C. 

Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor. —  The  prin- 
ciples and  purposes  governing  this  order, 
which  originated  at  Louisville,  K}-.,  in  187S, 
are  similar  to  those  of  the  Knights  of  Honor. 
The  chief  difference  between  the  two  or- 
ders lies  in  the  fact  that  to  the  one  ladies 
are  admitted  and  from  the  other  they  are 
excluded.  Capt.  J.  W.  Wartmann  as  grand 
protectorate  for  the  state  of  Indiana  has 
been  the  chief  instrument  in  establishing  the 
order  here.  The  following  lodges  have 
been  instituted:  Otto  Lodge,  No.  814,  or- 
ganized 1882;  present  protector,  Elizabeth 
Babbitt;  Olive  Lodge,  No.  842,  organized 
1884;  present  protector,  John  M.  Geddes; 
Lily  Lodge,  No.  1015,  organized  1885; 
present  protector,  Adam  Schweitzer;  Martha 
Lodge,  No.  1 107,  organized  1885;  present 
protector,  L.  D.  Yagla;  Crescent  Lodge, 
organized  1888;  present  protector,  Mrs.  J.  A. 
Stembridge;  Germania  Lodge,  organized 
1 888;  present  protector,  Thomas  Ranes. 
The  order  is  in  a  very  flourishing  condition, 
having  upward  of  600  members  in  the  city. 

United  Order  of  Honor.--  In  1886  and 
1887  three  lodges  of  this  order  were  insti- 
tuted in  this  city,  and  for  a  time  prospered, 
but  they  have  ceased  to  work.  Their  names 
were  Beulah,  Union  and  Mercantile. 

FratcrnjI Leo-ion. —  This  beneficiary  or- 
der, intended  to  promote  the  cause  of  benevo- 
lence, charit}'  and  fraternity,  was  organized 
in  Baltimore,  Md.,  July,  1881.  Three 
camps  have  been  established  in  this  cit}'. 
Smith  Gavitt  camp.  No.  24,  organized  April 
I,  1884,  is  officered  as  follows:  Charles 
Weyand,  commander,  and  E.  W.  Hunt,  ad- 
jutant. Evansville  camp.  No.  37,  organized 
October  10,  1884,  is  officered  bv  G.  Eigen- 
brod,  commander,  and  Jacob  Salat,  adjutant. 
Lamasco  camp,  organized    September    28, 


1888,  is  officered  by  W.  G.  Hyde,  com- 
mander, and  W.  W.  Culbertson,  adjutant. 
The  Fraternal  Legion  yoiirnal,  published 
in  this  city  by  E.  W.  Hunt,  is  the  organ  of 
this  order. 

Catholic  Knights  of  America. —  This  is 
a  mutual  benefit  association,  whose  member- 
ship is  composed  exclusively  of  Roman  Cath- 
olics. It  was  founded  in  Nashville,  Tenn., 
in  1877,  by  Bishop  P.  A.  Feehan,  now  arch- 
bishop of  Chicago.  Three  branches  have 
been  established  in  Evansville  since  1879. 
Evansville  Branch,  No.  46,  organized  March 
I,  1S79,  an  English  speaking  branch,  is 
composed  of  members  of  the  different  con- 
gregations of  the  citv.  It  has  120  members 
and  the  following  officers:  Michael  Gor- 
man, Pres.;  Sebastian  Heinrich,  Rec.  Sec; 
August  Schmitt,  Fin.  Sec;  A.  J.  Schue, 
Treas.  St.  Maria  Branch,  No.  77,  organ- 
ized September  8,  1879,  is  composed  of 
members  of  St.  Mary's  church.  It  has 
eighty-two  members,  and  its  present  officers 
are:  Henry  Thorbeck,  Pres.;  J.  Seiler,  Cor. 
Sec;  John  B.  Cole,  Treas.  St.  George 
Branch,  No.  511,  organized  October,  1879, 
is  composed  of  members  of  St.  Boniface 
church.  It  has  thirtj'-six  members,  and  the 
following  officers:  Frank  H.  Bloomer,  Pres., 
and  John  M.  Schramm,  Rec.  Sec. 

Druids.  —  An  account  of  the  Druids  as 
they  existed  among  the  ancient  Britons, 
Gauls,  and  Helvetians,  cannot  be  undertaken 
in  this  local  work.  The  Ancient  Order  of 
Druids  was  organized  in  the  city  of  London 
in  1 78 1.  The  first  Grove  in  America  was 
established  in  New  York  city  in  1823.  It 
is  now  estimated  that  there  are  100,000 
members  of  the  order  in  this  countr}'  alone, 
two-thirds  of  them  being  Germans.  The 
cardinal  principles  of  the  order  are  honesty, 
benevolence  and  patriotism.  Lincoln  Grove, 
No.  14,  the  pioneer  in  this  city,  was  insti- 
tuted in  September,   1872.     Among  those 


OrA^^iD  /Oc^a^^ 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES. 


39.5 


instrumental  in  establishing  the  order  here 
were:  Louis  Koehler,  George  Lorenz,  An- 
drew Christ,  Daniel  Werstaell,  John  Camp- 
haussen,  John  V.  Stroebel,  Jacob  Fach- 
ney,  and  Jacob  Winder.  The  grove  now 
has  eighty-live  members,  and  its  pres- 
ent officers  are:  William  Francke,  E.  E.; 
Jacob  Victor,  U.  E. ;  Jacob  Russman,  Sec; 
Henry  W^olff,  Treas.;  Paul  Shatz,  Dist. 
Deputy ;  and  Paul  Aker,  Ex.  Erts.  Wash- 
ington Grove,  No.  i8,  was  instituted  in 
October,  1885,  but  is  now  defunct. 

Deiitichc  Order  of  Hartigciri. — Benevo- 
lent and  beneticiary  in  its  purposes,  this 
order  originated  in  New  York  city  in  1847. 
Deutsche  Eiche  (German  Oak)  Lodge,  No. 
247,  was  instituted  in  this  city  November 
28,  1871.  The  tirst  officers  were:  August 
Pfafflin,  O.  B.;  Fred  Kruck,  U.  B.; 
Louis  Koehler,  secretary;  Fred  Bohn, 
financial  secretary;  Christ.  Sihler,  treas- 
urer. The  present  officers  are:  Andy 
Maurer,  O.  B.;  Frank  Thalmueller,  U.  B.; 
Henry  Bunge,  secretary;  John  Wiegand, 
treasurer.  There  are  now  sixt}^  members, 
and  the  order  is  in  a  very  flourishing  condi- 
tion. 

Independent  Order  of  B'nai  B'rith  i^He- 
drczv) . — This  organization  was  first  designed 
to  effect  a  grand  union  of  all  Israelites  in  this 
country,  and  later  adding  benevolent  andben- 
eficiar}'  features,  was  founded  in  New  York 
city  in  1S40.  Thisbe  Lodge,  No.  24,  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  B'nai  B'rith  was  instituted 
May  9,  i860.  Many  of  the  most  prominent 
Jewish  citizens  of  Evansville  are  included  in 
the  membership,  and  the  order  is  not  only 
weallhv,  but  has  effected  man\'  commenda- 
ble works  of  benevolence.  Number  of  mem- 
bers,io5.  The  present  officers  are :  A.  Roth- 
schild, president; P.  W.  Frey,  vice-president ; 
Joseph  Brentano,  financial  and  recording  sec- 
retary; A.  Loewenthal,  sr.,  treasurer;  L. 
Ichenhauser,  monitor;  J.  Bonn,  guardian. 
23 


Kcsher  S/iel  Barscl  (^Iroii  Bound)  Hcbrezu 
— This  order  was  first  organized  in  San 
Francisco,  Cal.,  in  1S62.  Spinoza  Lodge, 
No.  132,  instituted  July  27th,  1874.  'This 
lodge  occupies  one  of  the  highest  ranks  in 
the  order  for  the  intelli<jence  and  influence 
of  its  members,  who  are  mainly  the  foremost 
Jewish  citizens  in  the  city.  It  has  furnished 
two  presiding  officers  to  the  grand  lodge. 
There  are  forty-six  members  and  the  follow- 
ing gentlemen  are  the  present  officers:  Leo- 
pold Scholem,  president ;  Leopold  Roser,  vice- 
president;  S.I.  Lowenstein,  secretary  [and 
treasurer;  A.  Strouse,  past  president.  Cen- 
tennial Lodge,  No.  157,  instituted  July  1876. 
This  lodge  has  about  thirty  members  and  is 
in  a  prosperous  condition.  The  present 
officers  are:  Robert  Paul,  president;  B. 
Levin,  V.  P.;  L.  Ichenhausen,  R.  and  F. 
secretary;  A.  Morris,  treasurer;  M.  Weir, 
conductor;  N.  Wolf,  assistant  conductor;  E. 
Horn,  I.  G.;M.  Levi,0.  G. 

Iron  Hall. —  This  is  a  fraternal,  benevolent 
and  mutual  benefit  association,  working 
under  the  supreme  sitting  at  Indianapolis,  in 
which  city  the  order  was  founded,  in  1881. 
Although  the  Iron  Hall  is  a  young  institu- 
tion, its  aims  and  objects  are  so  popular  that 
it  is  in  universal  demand  and  is  growing 
rapidly.  It  is  already  established  in  thirty- 
four  states,  and  is  rapidly  extending  its  bor- 
ders. It  now  has  150  members  here,  and 
its  branches  have  been  instituted  since  1885, 
as  follows:  Branch  No.  28.^,  organized 
November  10,  18S5,  with  thirty-one  charter 
members,  by  H.  F.  W.  Fisher,  past  chief 
justice.  It  now  has  fiftj-  members.  Present 
otEcers:  Jacob  Schneider,  chief  justice; 
J.  W.  Beck,  accountant.  Branch  No  729, 
organized  April  20,  1888,  with  sixteen  char- 
ter members,  b\'  W.  J.  Jones,  chief  justice, 
of  Centralia,  111.  Tiie  present  officers  are: 
C.  H.  Baets,  chief  justice;  J.  W.  Lither- 
land,  vice-justice;  Q.  W-  Meyers,  accountant; 


sm 


SECRET  AND  BENEVOLENT  ORDERS. 


John  Rittinger,  cashier.  Membership  about 
thirty.  Branch  JVo.  75g,  was  organized  May 
15,  1888,  with  twenty-two  charter  members, 
by  H.  F.  W.  Fisher,  past  chief  justice. 
It  has  twent} -eight  members  with  the  fol- 
lowing officers:  H.  F.  W.  Fisher,  P.  C.  J.; 
G.  H.  Weekamp,  C.  J.;  J.  H.  Bergess, 
accountant;  R.  F.  Schor,  cashier.  Branch 
No.  764  (ladies),  organized  in  1888.  Mrs. 
W.  Beck  is  chief  justice. 

K)iights  and  Ladies  of  the  Golden  Rule.  — 
Instituted  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1879.  This 
order  has  the  usual  social  and  beneficiary 
qualities  of  secret  organizations.  Castle 
Rising  Sun,  No.  189,  was  erected  in  this 
city  November  22,  1888,  with  twenty  char- 
ter members.  The  first  and  present  officers 
are:  A.  P.  Aucker,  district  commander; 
Dr.  D.  A.  Moore,  C;  John  Payn,  V.  C; 
L.  F.  Williams,  M.  at  A. ;  A.  P.  Ancker,  sec- 
retary and  treasurer;  Hannah  W.  Pace 
prelate;  Dr.  George  W.  Vamer,  medical 
examiner;  F.  W.  Rentz,  herald;  George 
Muntzer,  warden;  Isaac  Friedman,  sentinel; 
and  C.  Rhoades,  trustee. 

Brotherhood  of  St.  Andrew. —  This  broth- 
erhood is  confined  to  members  of  the  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  church,  and  was  founded 
in  Chicago,  Ills.,  in  1880.  It  was  first  estab- 
lished in  the  state  of  Indiana  in  March, 
1887,  the  first  chapter  being  organized  in 
this  city  at  that  time.  Rev.  Charles  Mor- 
ris, pastor  of  St.  Paul's  church,  was  made 
president  of  the  brotherhood  of  the  state, 
and  E.  N.  Viele,  general  secretary.  The 
Evansville  chapter  is  presided  over  by  M. 
J.  Bray  as  dictator,  and  is  in  a  very  flourish- 
ing condition. 

United  Brothers  of  Friendship  {colored'). 
—  This  order,  benevolent  and  charitable  in 
its  purposes,  originated  in  Louisville,  Ky., 
in  1861.  Messrs.  Frank  Washington,  Ferd 
Ferguson,  John  Johnson,  Israel  Glenn,  James 
Finley  and  Alfred  Carter,  were  the  leaders 


in  founding  the  order  in  this  city.  Asbury 
Lodge,  No.  I,  was  established  in  1S65  with 
about  twenty-five  charter  members,  and 
Frank  Washington  as  worth}'  master.  It 
now  has  forty-eight  members;  A.  Wooden, 
W.  M.  Enterprise  Lodge,  No.  5,  established 
in  1878,  worked  several  3'ears  and  surren- 
dered its  charter.  Luther  Asbury  was  its 
first  and  last  W.  M.  Young  Men's  Hope 
Lodge,  No.  9,  was  organized  in  1880  with 
about  thirty-five  members;  Henry  McCrary 
first  W.  M.  Its  membership  now  numbers 
sixty ;  Luther  Asbury,  W.  M.  Mt.  Carmel 
Temple,  No.  i  (ladies),  organized  1868; 
first  worthj'  princess,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Townsend; 
present  membership,  over  100.  Golden 
Rule  Temple,  No.  4  (ladies),  organized, 
1S78;  first  W.  P.,  Luella  Grandison;  present 
membership,  fift}'.  Mt.  Olive  Temple,  No. 
8  (ladies),  organized,  1878;  first  and  only 
W.  P.,  Mrs.  Patsy  Woods;  present  mem- 
bership, seventy-five.  Mt.  Bethel  Temple, 
No.  10  (ladies),  organized,  1879;  ^''^'^  ^• 
P.,  Mrs.  Julia  Webster;  present  membership, 
thirt}'.  Some  members  of  the  E\-ansville 
lodges  have  attained  more  than  local  dis- 
tinction. For  four  years  F.  D.  Morton  was 
national  grand  master.  Charles  L.  Asbury 
is  now  grand  master;  Frank  Washington, 
grand  lecturer;  and  Albert  Priest,  past  grand 
treasurer,  for  the  state  of  Indiana. 

Besides  the  societies  mentioned  in  detail, 
recent  years  have  witnessed  the  establish- 
ment here  of  almost  every  form  of  associa- 
tion that  can  well  be  conceived.  Connected 
with  all  the  churches  are  organized  bodies 
for  charitable  and  religious  work.  Trade 
and  labor  unions  have  been  numerous.  The 
Knights  of  Labor  have  done  much  effective 
work  in  alleviating  distress  among  wage 
workers  of  all  classes  and  m  securing  erj^ual- 
ity  and  personal  rights  to  individual  work- 
men. The  order  was  first  organized  in  this 
cit}-  during  the  unusual  and  serious  agitatio 


PUBLIC  CHARITIES. 


397 


among  die  working  classes  wl^ich  took 
place  !i  iS86.  For  a  time,  numei  icallv,  it 
had  remarkable  success,  attaining  a  mem- 
bership, which  exceeded  2,500.  Ten  as- 
semblies were  organized  and  exhibited 
great  activity  for  a  time,  but  for  various 
causes  the  interest  waned  and  the  assemblies 
disbanded  until,  at  the  present  time,  but  one 
of  them  remains  witii,  perhaps,  less  than  200 
members.  The  Woman's  Exchange,  the 
Humane  societ}',  the  Game  and  Fish  Pro- 
•tective  association,  the  Gun  club,  the  Cycle 
club,  the  Turn  Verein  V^orwaerts,  other 
vereins,  the  Commercial  Tra\elers'  associa- 
tion, scientific  and  literar)-  circles,  musical 
and  operatic  clubs  and  social  organizations 
of  various  kinds,  are  among  the  vast  num- 
ber of  societies  which,  representing  organ- 
ized effort  in  every  branch  of  human  en- 
deavor, suggests  the  thought  that  org-aniza- 
tioii  is  believed  to  be  the  sine  (jiia  iioii  of 
success  in  all  important  undertakings. 

Benevolent  Inst i/ 11/ ions. —  The  Evansx'ille 
Orphan  Asylum.  This  humane  institution 
stands  as  a  monument  commemorating  the 
benevolence  of  the  women  of  Evansville 
toward  the  whole  human  family.  Here  they 
have  builded  a  refuge  for  the  homeless  and 
parentless  little  ones,  whose  untrained  hearts 
drifting  without  anchorage  and  unguarded 
by  the  sacred  ties  that  should  gather  around 
them,  so  often  yield  to  besetting  sins,  till  in 
the  silence  of  some  drear}'  night,  crime 
numbers  another  wretch  and  virtue  weeps 
bitter  tears  over  another  wasted  life. 

It  was  in  a  spirit  of  the  broadest  benevo- 
lence that  the  Evansville  Orphan  Asylum 
was  founded:  and  to  no  one  is  more  credit 
due  for  it  than  to  Mrs.  Jacob  Sinzich,  a  well- 
known  philanthropic  lady,  whose  life  was 
full  of  good  works.  One  cold  blustering 
morning  in  the  winter  of  1866,  she  found 
two  wretched  little  orphans,  thinly  clad  and 
without  friends,  home  or  food,  seated  on  the 


wharf  shivering  and  neglected.  She  took 
them  in  charge  and  procured  comfortable 
homes  ior  them,  and  immediatelv  concluded 
to  interest  herself  in  the  establishment  of  an 
asylum  for  orphans.  The  matter  was  sug- 
gested to  Colfax  Lodge,  No.  34,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
Daughters  of  Rebeka,  who  in  going  around 
among  the  poor  that  winter  found  ten  or- 
phan children  without  homes  or  proper  pro- 
tection, and  on  April  i,  1866,  the  asylum 
was  started  with  eleven  children,  placed  in 
care  of  Misses  Seelej-  and  Hahn,  at  their 
residence  on  Mulberry  street,  near  the  old 
cemetery.  The  first  officers  were :  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  N.  W.  Plumer;  vice-president, 
Mrs.  W.  F.  Reynolds;  recording  secretary, 
Mrs.  C.  Geissler;  corresponding  secretary, 
Mrs.  F.  Fisher;  treasurer,  Mrs.  E.  Turnock. 
Managers:  Mrs.  E.  Sinzcih,  Mrs.  M. 
Archer,  Miss  T.  Feast,  Mrs.  Ann  Davidson, 
Mrs.  Kate  Sanders,  Mrs.  A.  Chute,  Mrs.  C. 
Dannettell.  In  the  summer  of  1866  the 
ladies  of  Evansville,  representing  all  of  the 
churches,  held  a  festival  for  the  benefit  of 
the  asylum,  and  realized  $1,400  profit.  Sep- 
tember, 1866,  the  county  commissioners 
bought  a  suitable  house,  corner  of  Mary  and 
Sixth  streets,  and  established  the  institution 
there.  Mrs.  Stewart  was  the  first  matron. 
She  was  followed  by  Mrs.  Johnson,  Mrs.  Cole- 
man, Mrs.  Kearney,  Mrs.  Brasher,  Mrs.Roy- 
ster  and  others.  The  present  matron  is  Mrs. 
Pauline  Knauth.  The  institution  was  incor- 
porated September  12,  1866,  but  ownigtoits 
incompleteness,  b}'  advice  of  ex-Gov.  Conrad 
Baker,  it  was  reorganized  and  chartered  by 
the  legislature,  March  23,  1S71.  The  fol- 
lowing ladies  were  the  original  incorpora- 
tors: Sarah  Lowry,  Jane  Morgan,  Eliza- 
beth Sinzich,  Mary  A.  Archer,  Sarah  K. 
Foster,  Sinai  Harrington,  Margaret  Urie, 
M.  A.  Semonin,  Fannie  Nisbet,  M.  L.  Nex- 
sen,  J.  Johnson  and  W.  C  Knox.  October 
27,  1872,  the    county  i^ommisioriers  having 


398 


SECRET  AND  BENEVOLENT  ORDERS. 


purchased  an  admirable  building  and  prem- 
ises, the  asylum  was  formally  dedicated  and 
instituted.  The  surburban  home  of  Dr. 
John  Laval,  on  West  hidiana  street,  was  se- 
cured for  $16,000.  The  purchase  included 
a  very  comfortable  and  commodious  brick 
building  situated  in  the  center  of  twenty 
acres  of  land.  In  addition  the  managers 
have  also  founded  a  colored  orphan  asylum, 
on  premises  adjoining,  Mrs.  Daffney  Carr 
being  the  present  matron.  Both  depart- 
ments are  under  the  same  government  but 
are  separate  institutions.  Since  the  asylum 
was  founded  many  children  have  been  cared 
for  and  many  placed  in  good  homes.  There 
are  now  forty  white  and  thirty  colored  chil- 
dren in  the  institution.  The  asylum  receives 
a  weekly  stipend  from  the  city  council  and 
board  of  county  commissioners.  The  trus- 
tees are:  WilHam  E.  HoUingsworth,  J.  M. 
Shackelford,  D.  A.  Nisbet,  William  H. 
Caldwell  and  John  Gilbert.  The  officers  of 
the  board  of  managers  are:  Mrs.  J.  W. 
Nexsen,  secretary;  Mrs.  S.  M.  Barton,  su- 
perintendent. Managers:  Mrs.  S.  M.  Bar- 
ton, Mrs.  H.  E.  Blemker,  Mrs.  W.  F.  Nisbet, 
Mrs.  WiUiam  H.  Caldwell,  Mrs.  Samuel 
Bayard,  Mrs.  H.  M.  Lindley,  Mrs.  A.John- 
son, Mrs.  Nancy  Casselberry,  and  Mrs.  W. 
A.  Heilman. 

St.  Maryh  Hosfital. —  This  noble  and  ad- 
mirably conducted  charitable  institution 
justly  challenges  admiration,  and  the  phil- 
anthropist can  but  be  pleased  to  learn  of 
the  great  good  it  has  done  for  this  commu- 
nity. It  is  located  on  Vermont  street  between 
Wabash  and  Tenth  avenues.  The  premises 
embrace  two  and  one-half  acres  of  valuable 
city  property  and  originally  cost  $25,000. 
The  building  was  erected  in  1855-6,  b}-  the 
United  States  government,  through  the  in- 
fluence of  Judge  James  Lockhart,  then  the 
member  in  congress  from  this  district.  It 
was  designed  especially  as  a  national  marine 


hospital,  and  is  therefore  admirably  suited  to 
its  present  use.  The  building  is  110x90 
feet  large,  including  wings  and  recesses, 
and  three  stories  high,  built  of  brick  and 
trimmed  with  buff  stone.  After  the  late  war 
the  government  sold  the  institution  to  private 
parties,  who  in  turn  sold  it  in  1870  to  the 
Sisters  of  Charity  of  the  order  of  St.  Vin- 
cent De  Paul.  Sister  Maria,  the  first  su- 
perioress, left  the  mother  home  at  Emmetts- 
burg,  Md.,  to  become  its  supervisor,  and 
nobly  performed  her  duty.  She  is  now  in 
Baltimore,  from  which  city  came  the  pres- 
ent superioress.  Sister  Mary  Agnes,  who 
has  been  in  charge  of  the  hospital  for  the 
past  four  years.  She  has  eight  assistants. 
Since  the  discontinuance  of  the  United 
States  Marine  hospital,  the  patients 
formerly  attended  there  are  received 
at  St.  Mary's.  The  hospital  has  a 
capacity  for  100  patients,  and  has  never 
been  in  better  condition  for  the  care  of  ward 
and  private  patients,  being  equipped  with  all 
the  modern  appliances  for  the  successful 
ti^eatment  of  all  forms  of  disease.  The  fol- 
lowing physicians  of  Evansville  compose  the 
medical  staff:  Drs.  J.  B.  Weaver  and  T.  E. 
Powell,  visiting  physicians;  Dr.  A.  M.  Hay- 
den,  surgeon;  Dr.  G.  M.  Young,  diseases  of 
women;  Dr.  C.  H  Gumaer,  diseases  of  the 
eye  and  ear;  Drs.  R.  M.  Corlew,  C.  V. 
Wedding,  W.  J.  Reavis,  C.  P.  Cosby  and 
W.  B.  Rose,  consulting  physicians.  Because 
of  the  encroachments  of  the  railroads  and 
the  changing  of  the  surroundings  of  the  hos- 
pital to  a  manufacturing  district,  the  sisters, 
contemplating  a  removal  of  the  hospital, 
have  purchased  a  site  for  a  new  building  on 
the  corner  of  First  avenue  and  Columbia 
street.  It  comprises  several  acres,  and  cost 
$10,500.  They  propose  selling  Ihe  present 
hospital  and  grounds  for  manufacturing  pur- 
poses. Rev.  Father  Pepersack  is  chaplain 
of  the  hospital.     Mrs.   Robert    Fergus    has 


PUBLIC  CHARITIES. 


Sd9 


given  over  $15,000  toward  the  hospital. 
She  also  gave  the  tirst  home  to  the  Little 
Sisters  of  the  Poor,  and  has  been  most 
charitable  toward  the  churches,  the  needy 
and  the  fatherless.  She  is  a  life  patient  in 
the  hospital  at  present,  and  is  about  seventy- 
two  years  old. 

Home  for  the  J*riciid!ess.^T)neve  is  many 
a  good  work  that  Gotl  has  entrusted  to  the 
hands  of  woman,  especially  those  of  love, 
charity  and  mercy-  But  in  no  station,  in  no 
labor,  does  her  gentleness  and  Christian 
forgiveness  shine  forth  more  beautifully  or 
conspicuously  than  in  that  pitying  kindness 
expressed  for  the  repentant  Magdalenes  of 
her  se.x  —  Pariahs,  in  the  sight  of  God 
and  man,  fallen  from  an  estate  once  pure, 
stainless  and  lovely. 

The  Evansville  Home  for  the  Friendless 
was  founded  in  1869,  chiefly  through  the 
work  of  Miss  Eleanor  E.  Johnson,  its  lead- 
ing object,  as  stated  in  its  constitution,  being 
"  to  assist  women  who  have  wandered  from 
the  path  of  virtue  and  who  are  desirous  of 
leading  better  lives;  also,  to.  aid  those  who 
are  in  circumstances  of  peculiar  temptation; 
to  surround  them  with  the  blessed  influence 
of  the  religion  of  Jesus,  and  to  teach  them 
the  glad  tidings  of  salvation."  When 
the  association  was  regularly  organized  Mr. 
Willard  Carpenter  conveyed  to  its  trustees 
a  house  and  lot  on  Ann  street,  capable  of 
accomodating  tifty  inmates.  The  home  was 
flrst  occupied  in  May,  1870.  Miss  Johnson 
was  appointed  matron,  and  under  her 
eflicient  and  capable  management  the  great 
value  of  the  charit\-  was  speedily  made 
manifest.  Applications  for  admission  were 
made  as  soon  as  it  became  known  that  a 
house  had  been  secured,  and  from  that  time 
on  its  noble  work  was  pushed  forward.  It 
was  maintained  whollv  by  private  subscrip- 
tions at  tirst,  but  to  these  were  soon  added 
regular  stipends  from  the  county    and    citv- 


In  addition  to  his  former  generous  gift,  in 
1872,  Mr.  Carpenter  donated  to  the  associa- 
tion, two  and  a  half  acres  of  land  in  the 
lower  part  of  tlie  city  where  a  suitable  house 
was  soon  afterward  erected.  The  board  of 
managers  from  time  to  time  has  been  com- 
posed of  many  of  the  best  known  ladies  of  the 
city,  who  have  been  prominently  connected 
with  the  Christian  work  of  the  city  in  other 
fields.  Wisely  conducted  and  endeavoring 
with  true  Christian  spirit  to  save  souls, 
the  association  has  accomplished  a  good 
which  is  beyond  human  ability  to 
reckon.  For  some  time  past  the 
matron  has  been  Mrs.  John  C.  Wade. 
Miss  Eleanor  E.  Johnson,  to  whose  efforts, 
more  than  to  those  of  any  other  person, 
Evansville  is  indebted  for  this  institution, 
was  born  in  Southborough,  Mass.,  in  1830. 
In  early  life  she  engaged  in  teaching,  and 
did  much  good  work  as  a  city  missionary  in 
Worcester,  Mass.  In  1859,  ^'''*^  came  to 
Evansville,  and  soon  became  known  as  a 
faithful  Christian  worker  in  neglected  fields. 
For  nearly  seven  years  she  taught  a  school 
composed  of  colored  children;  for  a  time 
was  engaged  in  city  missionary  work;  was 
at  the  head  of  the  orphan  asj-lum,  and  after- 
ward did  heroic  work  in  providing  the 
means  of  rescuing  hundreds  of  fair  lives 
from  that  pit  of  degradation  which  yearly 
engulfs  so  many  daughters  of  the  land. 

U.  S.  Marine  Hos^pital. — -The  need  of  an 
institution  sustained  by  the  general  govern- 
ment, for  the  care  of  those  unfortunates  who 
became  disabled  by  disease  or  accident 
while  engaged  on  the  waters  of  the  Ohio 
and  its  tributaries,  has  long  been  pressinglj- 
felt.  Through  the  active  efforts  of  the  Busi- 
ness Men's  Association,  ably  assisted  by 
Gen.  A.  P.  Hovey,  member  of  congress 
from  this  district,  a  bill  appropriating  $100,- 
000.00  for  the  construction  of  such  an  insti- 
tution has  become  a  law. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Personal    Mention — A    List  of    Many  Worthy   Citizen?  of  Evansville  Not 

Elsewhere  Noticed. 


HE  recording  of  the  history  of 
nations  and  communities  can  not  be 
divorced  from  the  narration  of  per- 
sonal achievement.  The  later  school  of  his- 
torians has  wisely  discarded  the  ancient 
formulas  and  neglected  the  records  of  poten- 
tates who  may  have  been  but  the  figure- 
heads of  their  reigns,  or  gilded  drift-wood 
in  the  currents  of  events;  but  in  the  com- 
monwealth of  the  new  world,  and  in 
great  municipalities  like  that  of  Evansville, 
those  who  have  become  conspicuous  are  so 
by  virtue  of  their  own  deeds,  and  having 
influenced  and  directed  the  evolution  of  the 
present  civilization,  deserve  mention  in  any 
account  of  it.  Indeed,  an}-  attempt  at  pre- 
senting the  history  of  such  a  count}'  as  Van- 
derburgh, and  such  a  city  as  Evansville, 
would  be  incomplete  without  a  narration  of 
the  lives  of  some  of  the  prominent  inhabit- 
ants. Already  in  the  course  of  this  work 
the  careers  of  men  who  have  been  factors 
in  the  progress  of  the  county  and  cit}^  have 
been  described  in  connection  with  the 
accounts  of  those  lines  of  effort  to  which 
they  were  most  closely  allied.  There 
remain,  however,  many  more  not  yet  men- 
tioned, or  only  incidentally  referred  to,  and 
to  brief  accounts  of  some  of  these,  this  chap- 
ter is  devoted. 

David  J.  Mackey. —  It  is  a  well-worn 
observation  that  "labor  conquers  all  things," 
but  occasionally  there  is  a  man  whose  splen- 
did activities  give  the  old.  proverb  a  new 
luster  and  fresh  significance.  Notable  among 
Evansville's  workers  there  is  one  such  man, 


of  whom  this  work  would  be  incomplete 
without  some  mention.  To  give  it  is,  how- 
ever, a  task  of  some  difficultv  and  delicacy, 
as  in  the  character  of  David  J.  Mackey,  to 
his  capacity  for  making  history  is  added  a 
notable  distaste  for  public  notice  and  a 
modest  slirinking  from  any  form  of  contem- 
poraneous fame.  For  what  is  said  of  him 
here  this  work  is  indebted  to  a  brief  sketch 
published  recently  in  the  Evening  Tribune, 
without  his  knowledge,  and  the  excellent 
engraving  reproduced  here  is  from  a  family 
picture  in  the  possession  of  his  nephew,  F. 
M.  Gilbert,  of  that  paper.  Mr.  Mackey  is 
tersely  and  accurately  described  as  "  Evans- 
ville's most  public-spirited  citizen."  He  is 
the  most  prominent  railway  owner  and  man- 
ager in  the  state.  He  is  president  of,  and 
owns  a  large  interest  in,  the  Evansville  & 
Terre  Haute,  Evansville  &  Indianapolis, 
and  Peoria,  Decatur  &  Evansville  railroads, 
the  branch  road  to  Mt.  Vernon,  the  Belt 
road,  and  is  a  prime  mover  in  the  Evansville 
&  Richmond  road,  and  has  recently  acquired 
still  more  extensive  railroad  properties.  It 
is  well  nigh  impossible  to  enumerate  his  in- 
terests in  and  about  the  cit}-,  whicii  he  has 
grown  up  with  from  bovhood,  with  continual 
opportunities  offered  for  the  exercise  of  his 
rare  business  talent.  There  are  few  exten- 
sive manufacturing  plants  which  have  not 
his  aid.  He  owns  a  principal  interest  in  the 
great  cotton  mills  at  Independence.  He 
built  the  St.  George  hotel,  possesses  large 
coal  mining  interests,  extensive  shares  in  the 
mills  at  Mt.  Vernon,  is  a  partner  in  the  great 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


]fil 


wholesale  boot  and  shoe  house  of  Dixon, 
Mackey  &  Co.,  is  the  principal  owner  of  the 
magnificent  new  dry  goods  building  of 
Mackey,  Nisbet  &  Co.,  and  is  building  a 
large  house  for  the  Armstroncj  Furniture 
Co.  He  has  aided  magnificently  the  new 
building  of  the  Business  Men's  Association. 


David  James  Mackey  was  born  in  this  city, 
December,  1S33,  the  only  son  of  James  E. 
and  Eliza  Mackey.  His  father,  a  man  of 
little  means,  and  liberal  with  what  store 
he  had,  helping  others,  without  thought  of 
himself,  died  in  1834,  David  J.  being  then 
but  eleven  months  old.  His  mother  was 
left  practically  without  resources,  and  as 
soon  as  he  was  old  enough,  instead  of  going 
to  school,  he  began  to  earn  a  small  salary 
for  her  assistance,  in  the  general  store  of 
Robert  Barnes.  His  salary  gradually  in- 
creased until  he  finally  received  a  share  of 
the  profits  in  addition  to  his  salar\',  and  most 
of  the  business  was  left  in  his  hands.  In 
1857  he  became  the  junior  partner  in  the 
firm  of  Archer  &  Mackey,  wholesale  dealers 
in  dry  goods.  A  few  years  later,  August 
28,  1861,  he  married  Caroline,  the  youngest 
daughter  of  the  late  John  Law.  Two  of 
heir  children  are  living,  James  Law  Mackey 


and  Anne  Newell  Mackey.  In  1864  Mr. 
Archer  retired  from  the  firm  in  which  Mr. 
Mackey  was  interested,  and  Mr.  Hennmg 
came  in,  making  the  firm  name  Mackey, 
Henning  &  Co.  Afterward  Mr.  Mackey 
was  alone  for  a  time,  until  he  was  associated 
with  the  late  W.  F.  Nisbet,  with  the  firm 
style  of  Mackey,  Nisbet  &  Co.,  which  is  still 
used  by  this  house,  which  does  a  business 
in  dry  goods  unexcelled  in  the  state.  Mr. 
Mackey's  wonderful  energy  and  endurance 
were  first  fully  manifested  when  he  engaged 
in  the  wholesale  trade.  First  at  the  store 
in  the  morning  and  last  to  go  at  night,  he 
was  most  happy  when  filling  orders,  and 
would  enthusiastically  add  to  his  mental 
duties  an  amount  of  muscular  effort  that 
would  discourage  a  porter.  Genius  has 
been  defined  as  industry,  and  Mr.  Mac- 
key's  career  certainly  proves  that  it  is 
at  least  true  that  genius  is  inseparably 
connected  with  rare  powers  of  application. 
Even  in  his  later  years  he  takes  breakfast 
at  six,  and  earlier  in  the  summer,  and  works 
hard  the  entire  day.  He  may  be  seen  going 
to  his  otBce  at  the  time  when  most  people  are 
thinking  of  rising.  Himself  a  great  leader  in 
business  affairs,  he  evidently  joins  with  those 
great  generals  who  believed  that  the  man  who 
succeeds  is  he  who  gets  into  action  first.  Of 
simple  habits,  never  tasting  liquor  or  using 
tobacco,  he  does  not  know  ill  health,  and 
possesses  a  rugged  constitution.  In  politics 
he  is  disposed  to  be  generous  of  the  opin- 
ions of  others,  and  though  he  is  an  earnest 
republican,  and  believes  in  the  principles  of 
his  party,  he  has  faith  in  the  patriotism  of 
all  his  fellow-citizens.  To  the  industrious 
and  deserving  he  is  generous  and  open- 
handed,  but  as  might  be  expected  from  those 
traits  of  character  which  have  been  spoken 
of,  he  has  no  time  to  waste  upon  idlers. 
There  is  about  him  no  affectation  or  mag- 
nificence,  or    desire    to  impress  his  fellows 


Jf02 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


with  his  ability  to  Hve  without  continual  and 
patient  exertion.  In  all  the  avenues  of  hon- 
est effort  in  which  he  is  interested,  he  leads 
in  the  toil,  knowing  that  example  is  more 
effective  than  command.  The  life-work  of 
every  man  must  be  in  a  large  degree  of 
personal  aggrandizement,  for  hope  of  per- 
sonal success  is  the  most  powerful  motor  in 
the  activities  of  business  life;  but  where  the 
exertions  of  a  man  are  in  such  broad  fields 
as  have  been  those  of  Mr.  Mackey,  where 
he  has  shown  himself  so  ready  to  aid  in 
every  effort  which  increases  the  avenues  of 
general  industry,  where  every  new  venture 
gives  work  and  happiness  to  hundreds  of 
men,  then  however  much  the  efforts  of  such 
a  man  may  accrue  to  his  own  well-being,  he 
must  also  be  considered  as  a  great  benefactor. 
Erastus  p.  Huston,  the  popular  man- 
ager of  the  St.  George  hotel,  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  born  in  Miami  count}-,  February  i8, 
1852.  His  father,  David  Huston,  is  still 
living,  and  is  a  resident  of  Illinois.  The 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Susan 
Darst,  died  February  17,  18S4.  In  his 
youth  Mr.  Huston  attended  school  at  Paris, 
111.,  and  at  the  commercial  college  at  Terre 
Haute.  To  the  latter  city  he  moved  at  the 
age  of  seventeen,  and  engaged  in  the  hotel 
business,  which  has  been  his  life  occupation; 
wisely  chosen,  let  it  be  said,  as  thousands 
who  have  enjoyed  his  hospitality  will  un- 
hesitatingly pronounce.  Two  years  after 
engaging  in  this  business  he  was  manager 
of  the  Terre  Haute  house,  and  remained 
there  until  1873,  when  he  came  to  Evans- 
ville,  and  became  connected  with  D.  J. 
Macke}-  in  the  conducting  of  the  St.  George 
hotel.  The  firm  name  of  the  proprietorship 
is  Mackey  &  Huston,  but  the  entire  man- 
agement is  in  his  hands.  The  demands  of 
such  a  position  are  exacting,  and  none  but  a 
man  of  the  highest  talent  adapted  to  this  vo- 
cation could  fill  the  place   with  such  entire 


satisfaction  to  the  public;  but  Mr.  Huston, 
as  a  host  or  business  man,  is  never  found 
wanting.  He  is  a  distinguished  member  of 
the  F.  &  A.  M.,  La  Valette  commandery.  No. 
15,  Knights  Templar,  and  is  past  emi- 
nent commander.  He  is  also  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Grace  Presbyterian  church, 
having  been  an  elder  in  this  denomination  at 
the  age  of  nineteen  years. 

Hon.  Thomas  B.  Byrnes,  a  native  of 
New  Jersey,  was  born  in  the  city  of  New- 
ark, August  24,  1844.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  Ireland  and  his  mother,  although  a 
native  of  the  Empire  state,  was  of  Irish  an- 
cestry. The  father  died  when  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  but  five  j^ears  old,  and 
with  his  mother  he  returned  to  her  old 
home  in  New  York,  where  the  latter  re- 
mained till  her  death  which  occurred  in 
1873.  Mr.  Byrnes  received  his  early  educa- 
tion and  elementary  training  in  the  public 
schools  of  New  York  city,  which  was  sup- 
plemented bv  the  completion  of  a  part  of 
the  college  course  of  what  is  now  the  col- 
lege of  the  city  of  New  York,  he  having 
left  that  institution  at  the  close  of  his  sopho- 
more year  to  enter  the  extensive  business 
concern  of  Fatman  &  Company,  tobacco 
dealers.  He  remained  with  this  firm  in 
New  York  until  1862,  when  he  had  acquired 
sufficient  knowledge  of  the  business  to 
accept  the  responsible  position  of  represent- 
ative of  said  firm,  in  the  tobacco  growing 
states  bordering  on  the  Ohio  river,  with 
headquarters  at  Evansville.  He  continued 
in  this  capacity  until  1869,  when  he  em- 
barked in  the  business  for  himself.  He  has 
since  continued  in  the  business  and  is  now 
one  of  the  extensive  buyers  of  the  state. 
Although  prominent  in  business  circles,  it  is, 
perhaps,  in  the  field  of  politics  that  Mr. 
Byrnes  is  most  widely  known.  He  was  b}- 
birth  and  education  a  believer  in  the  princi- 
ples of  the  democratic  party,  and  from   the 


CITIZENS  OF  EVAN8VILLE. 


ios 


first  evinced  a  lively  interest  in  public  affairs, 
and  early  became  an  active  worker  in  the 
politics  of  his  adopted  cit}'  and  county.  He 
was,  however,  not  long  confined  to  such 
narrow  limits,  and  soon  became  an  impor- 
tant factor  in  district  and  state  politics,  and 
so  valuable  were  his  services  that  he  was 
made  a  member  of  county,  district  and  state 
committees,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for 
manj'  years.  So  well-known  and  popular 
had  Mr.  Byrnes  become  that,  in  1886,  he 
was  the  unanimous  choice  of  his  party  for 
the  office  of  treasurer  of  state.  To  receive 
a  nomination  for  a  state  office  of  such  re- 
sponsibility, without  a  dissenting  voice,  is  a 
compliment  seldom  paid  by  a  party  to  one 
of  its  members.  .  Although  he  went  down  in 
the  general  defeat  of  his  party,  to  him 
belongs  the  honor  of  leading  his  ticket.  He 
was  unanimously  re-nominnted  for  the  same 
office  in  iSSS,  but  witl\his  party  again  suf- 
fered defeat.  Mr.  Byrnes  is  possessed  of 
many  excellent  social  qualities,  is  pleasing  in 
his  manners,  uniformly  kind  and  courteous, 
and  with  his  associates  genial  and  compan- 
ionable. 

H.  M.  SwEETSER,  the  leading  wholesale 
notion  dealer  of  Evansville,  has  had  a  career 
wonderful  in  the  contrast  between  its  begin- 
ning and  culmination,  and  instructive  and  in- 
spiring to  every  ambititious  youth  who  be- 
lieves, as  Mr.  Sweetser's  life  indicates,  that 
"  there  is  no  such  word  as  fail  "  in  the  histor}' 
of  one  who  courageously  devotes  himself  to 
steadfast  and  intelligent  endeavor.  Born  at 
Hartford,  Conn.,  in  1839,  ^'^  parents  both 
died  while  he  was  a  child,  leaving  him  with- 
out resources  and  dependent  upon  his  own 
exertions.  At  the  age  of  nine  }"ears  he 
worked  upon  the  farm  of  his  uncle,  and  at- 
tended school  in  the  winters.  So  he  lived 
until  reaching  the  age  of  sixteen,  when,  in 
1855,  he  came  to  the  city  of  Evansville,  ac- 
companying E.  S.   Alvord.     He   became    a 


porter  in  the  general  store  of  Willard  Car- 
penter &  Co.,  and  remained  with  them  in 
that    capacity-,     and    with   their    successors, 

Jewell  &  Benjamin,  until  he  became  em- 
ployed b}'  Archer  &  Macke}'.  About  this 
time  the  development  of  the  jobbing  trade 
led  to  the  establishment  of  more  specialized 
establishments,  and  in  1862,  he  started  the 
first  wholesale  notion  house  in  the  city,  in 
connection  with  W.  H.  McGar}^  and  S.  C. 
Woodson,  in  the  second  stor\'  of  the  house 
later  occupied  by  Nolle,  Brinkmeyer  &  Co., 
on  Main  street.  Six  months  later  they 
changed  their   quarters,  and  at    the    end  of 

I  the  year  Mr.  Sweetser  retired  from  the  firm 
and  formed   a  new  partnership  with    A.  H. 

'  Edwards,  bu\-ing  out  the  hrm  of  Miller  & 
Witt.  A  year  later,  Mr.  Sweetser  became 
sole  proprietor,  and  did  business  at  the 
stand    they    then    occupied    until     Febru- 

j  ary  9,  1872,  when  he  removed  to  his 
elegant  and  commodious  building  on 
first  and  Sycamore  streets,  the  four  floors 
of  which  are  devoted  to  the  threat  business 
he  has  built  up.  In  this  model  estab- 
lishment the  sales  immediately  increased  to 
a  remarkable  degree,  and  the  prosperity 
then  began  has  in  no  wav  diminished  to  the 
present  time.  In  spite  of  the  inauspicious  be- 
ginning of  his  career,  Mr.  Sweetser's  talents 
and  persistent  attention  to  business  have  won 
him  fortune  and  fame,  and  his  achievements 
have  not  onlv  benetitcd  himself,  but  aided 
greatly  in  advancing  the  prosperitv  of  the 
city,  for  he  has  carried  his  trade  to  remote 
points,  and  by  selling  goods  in  competition 
with  the  greatest  cities  of  the  west,  has 
spread  the  fame  of  Evansville  as  a  commer- 
cial center.  In  the  most  enterprising  man- 
ner he  has  aided  all  movements  for  the  good 
of  the  city,  and  has  joined  to  business 
shrewdness  a  wide  and  well-placed  generos- 
ity. He  was  one  of  the  original  movers 
toward    the   building    of    the  St.    Louis  & 


m 


PERSOISfAL  MENTION. 


Southeastern  railway,  and  was  one  of  the 
committee  that  went  over  the  route  to  esti- 
mate its  importance  and  locate  it.  He  has  long 
been  an  active  stockholder  in  the  Evansville 
&  Cairo  Packet  company,  having  been  for 
a  number  of  years  its  secretary  and  busi- 
ness manager.  He  is  also  a  director  in  the 
German  National  bank  and  the  Evansville 
Street  Railwa}'  company. 

Epiirai.m  W.  Patrick,  agent  of  the  Star 
Union  Freight  Line,  was  born  in  Saratoga 
county.  New  York,  June  22,  182S,  son  of 
Isaac  and  Anna  (Wt)od worth)  Patrick,  of 
Scotch-Irish  and  English  descent  respect- 
ively, his  father  being  a  native  of  New 
York.  His  earl}-  mental  training  was  ob- 
tained in  the  schools  of  his  native  county. 
When  twent\--two  years  of  age  he-  left 
home,  and  going  to  Oneida  countv.  New 
York,  embarked  in  the  business  of  a  general 
merchant.  Three  years  later  he  moved  to 
Springlield,  Ohio,  where  he  was  engaged 
for  some  time  as  a  civil  engineer.  From 
1S58  to  1867  he  was  in  the  service  of  the 
Ohio  &  Mississippi  railroad  company,  princi- 
pally as  general  agent  at  Vincennes,  Ind., 
and  East  St.  Louis,  Ills.  Coming  to  Evans- 
ville in  1868,  he  accepted  the  position  which 
he  now  holds.  For  a  time  he  was  connected 
with  the  wharf  boats  and  was  enjiao'ed  in 
the  insurance  business,  but  his  chief  employ- 
ment has  been  in  the  capacity  which  he 
now  fills.  The  social  phase  of  his  career 
has  been  pre-eminently  bright.  For  many 
years  a  Mason,  he  has  obtained  an 
exalted  rank  in  the  order.  In  1S68 
he  attained  the  degrees  of  templar- 
ism.  As  generalissimo  and  eminent  com- 
mander of  La  Valette  commanderv  he 
rendered  dignified  and  honorable  service. 
In  the  grand  commandery  of  the  state  of  In- 
diana he  was  first  appointed  grand  sword 
bearer,  and  passing  through  all  the  chairs 
between  1S70  and  1886,  in  April  of  the  last 


named  j-ear  was  elected  grand  commander, 
which  position  he  occupied  with  credit  to 
himself  and  profit  to  the  order.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1S50,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Frances 
Amelia  Ostrander,  a  native  of  Saratoga 
Springs,  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.  Of  this 
union  rive  children  have  been  born:  Charles 
H.,  Walter  J.,  Wilham  H.,  Mary  A.  (Mrs. 
E.  O.  Hopkins,  deceased)  and  Carrie  E. 
(now  Mrs.  H.  B.  Gates,  of  Indianapolis, 
Ind.)  Mr.  Patrick  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  church. 

Capt.  G.  J.  Grammer,  traffic  manager  of 
the  Evansville  &  Terre  Haute,  Evansville 
&  Indianapolis,  and  Peoria,  Decatur  &  Evans- 
ville railroad  companies,  was  born  in  Zanes- 
ville,  Ohio,  November  11,  1843.  His  early 
education  was  necessarily  meager,  being 
limited  to  a  few  years'  study  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  place.  Earlv  thrown 
upon  his  own  resources  the  strength  of  his 
character  was  developed  in  the  rough  expe- 
riences common  to  all  men  who  make  their 
own  wa3'  in  life.  He  began  to  maintain 
himself  when  but  twelve  3'ears  of  age.  His 
first  trip  from  home  was  in  the  summer  of 
1856,  when  he  went,  in  a  subordinate  posi- 
tion, on  the  steamer  "  Emma  Graham,"  to 
Pittsburgh.  He  then  worked  on  different 
steamers  in  the  Muskingum  river,  between 
Zanesville  and  Marietta,  and  Zanesville  and 
Parkersburg,  until  November,  1S58,  at  which 
time  he  came  to  Evansville.  From  1858  to 
1882  he  was  directlv  connected  with  the 
river,  most  of  the  time  between  Evansville 
and  Cairo,  making  various  trips  as  captain 
in  charge  of  different  steamboats  to 
the  Cumberland,  Tennessee,  Mississippi, 
and  Arkansas  rivers.  During  the  civil 
war  he  rendered  valuable  service  to 
the  government,  though  not  as  an 
enlisted  soldier.  He  commanded  the 
sanitary  and  relief  steamer  sent  to  Fort 
Donelson  from  this  place,  and  reached  there 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


Jfio 


the  day  after  the  surrender  of  the  fort  to 
Gen.  Grant.  When,  after  the  tight  at  Shiloh, 
Gov.  Morton,  his  staff,  and  others,  went  to 
the  scene  of  action  to  relieve  distress  and 
care  for  the  disabled,  Capt.  Grammer  was  in 
charge  of  their  steamer.  He  was  also  in 
command  of  the  steamer  "Superior"  in 
February,  March,  and  April,  1863,  when 
engaged  as  a  transport,  the  steamer  being 
the  headquarters  of  Gen.  John  A.  Logan, 
and  the  flag-ship  of  the  transportation  fleet 
of  the  Seventeenth  corps  during  the  concen- 
tration of  Grant's  army  at  Young's  Point, 
La.,  that  invested  Vicksburg,  and  at  the 
time  the  batteries  were  run  at  Vicksburg 
by  Gen.  Grant's  command,  after  which  the 
"  Superior  "  was  the  bearer  of  the  dispatches 
to  the  north  announcing  the  successful  run- 
ning of  the  batteries.  In  various  other 
ways  as  a  skilled  steamboat  master  he  ren- 
dered efficient  service.  In  July,  1S72,  he 
was  elected  a  director  and  superintendent  of 
the  Evansville,  Cairo  &  Memphis  Packet 
Co.,  which  position  he  retained  for  ten 
years.  In  the  conduct  of  the  company's 
affairs  his  capacity  for  management  and  his 
business  qualifications  were  amply  demon- 
strated. As  a  result,  the  position  of  general 
freight  agent  of  the  Evansville  &  Terre 
Haute  railroad  was  offered  to  him  and 
and  accepted.  This  position  he  held  until 
1 886,  when  appointed  traffic  manager  of  the 
E.  &  T.  H.,  P.  D.  &  E.,  E.  &  I.  and  Belt 
Line  railroads.  In  1S86  he  was  elected  a 
director  in  the  Evansville  &  Richmond  rail- 
road, and  in  1887,  president  and  superin- 
tendent of  the  Evansville,  Cairo  &  Memphis 
Packet  company,  which  position  he  still  re- 
tains. From  1862  until  1882  he  was  most 
prominently  connected  with  the  river  busi- 
ness, always  in  commanding  and  prominent 
positions  as  captain,  director,  superinten- 
dent or  president.  He  prepared  the  statistics 
and  data  and  contributed  more  than  any  one  i 


person  toward  securing  the  legislation 
which  inaugurated  the  snag-boat  s3-stem 
and  extension  of  the  hghthouse'system  to 
the  western  rivers,  thereby  promoting  their 
navigation,  and  reducing  the  risks  to  its 
present  improved  condition.  As  manager 
of  the  Mail  Packet  company  between 
Evansville  and  Cairo,  he  orisnated  and 
maintained  a  svstem  of  litrhts  in  the  several 
shoal  and  dangerous  places,  which  svstem 
was  fully  recomized  bv  the  ireneral  irovern- 
ment  by  their  assuming  possession  of  the 
same  in  1874,  which  has  been  fully  main- 
tained by  it  ever  since.  Throughout  his  en- 
tire career  the  name  of  Capt.  Grammer  has 
been  prominently  connected  with  the  com- 
mercial interests  of  this  city.  His  vigor, 
straightforwardness,  and  public-spiritedness 
have  made  him  a  valuable  citizen.  April  22, 
1 866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Irerte  Drieter, 
whose  death  occurred  May  16,  1873.  He 
was  married  a  second  time  October  17,  1878, 
when  Miss  S.  A.  Nisbet  became  his  wife. 
Capt.  Grammer  became  a  Master  Mason  in 
1868,  and  throughout  his  manhood  has  allili- 
ated  with  the  democratic  partv. 

Capt.  Lee  Howell,  general  freight 
agent  of  the  St.  Louis  and  Henderson  divis- 
ion of  the  L.  &  N.  R.  R.,  is  a  native  of 
Lauderdale  county,  Ala.,  his  parents  having 
settled  in  that  locality  in  earl}-  daN-s,  as  emi- 
grants from  the  Carolinas.  He  was  born 
near  Florence,  earl\-  in  the  forties.  His 
bo\'hood  was  passed  on  his  fatlier's  farm,  in 
the  manner  usual  to  countrv  lads  in  the  pio- 
neer era.  He  went  through  the  routine  of 
farm  work,  and  in  the  winter  seasons,  and 
when  the  crops  were  all  laid  b}-,  attended 
the  neighboring  country  school.  When 
fifteen  years  of  age  he  entered  a  large  coun- 
try store  as  clerk  and  book-keeper,  acting 
as  salesman  during  the  day  and  keeping  the 
books  of  the  concern  at  night.  He  contin- 
ued at  this  occupation  until  the  breaking  out 


m 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


of  the  civil  war.  Enlisting  in  1862  in  the 
cavalry  service  of  the  confederate  army,  he 
served  faithfully  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
His  record  as  a  soldier  was  honorable  in  all 
its  details.  Great  fidelity  to  convictions,  and 
never  faltering  valor  in  their  support,  char- 
acterized this  epoch  in  his  career.  For  some 
time  after  the  war  he  engaged  in  steamboat- 
ing  on  the  Ohio  and  Tennessee  rivers,  acting 
first  as  chief  clerk  and,  later,  as  master  of  vari- 
ous steaniers  on  those  rivers,  running  between 
Upper  Tennessee  river  points  and  Evans- 
\-ille.  While  so  occupied  his  acquaintance 
with  those  interested  in  the  commerce  of 
this  city  gradually  extended  itself,  and  his 
popularity,  as  well  as  the  recognition  of 
his  worth  as  a  manager  of  business  inter- 
ests, grew  in  proportion.  April  i,  1872, 
he  entered  the  service  of  the  Louisville 
&  Nashville  railroad  compan}-.  as  contract- 
ing agent,  and  continued  in  that  capacity 
until  1880,  when  he  was  appointed  general 
agent  for  the  company  at  Evansville.  June 
I,  1882,  he  was  appointed  division  freight 
agent  of  the  Henderson  division,  and  on 
November  i,  of  the  same  year,  was  ap- 
pointed to  his  present  position,  with  head- 
quarters in  this  city.  His  capacity,  integ- 
rit}'  and  fidelit}'  to  trust  make  him  an  efficient 
and  valuable  officer.  As  an  aggressive, 
public-spirited  citizen,  Capt.  Howell  has 
done  much  to  advance  the  general  welfare  of 
tEvansville,  and  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in 
he  recent  awakening  among  the  busi- 
ness men  which  seeks  to  develop  the  great 
natural  resources  of  the  city.  He  was  one 
of  the  originators  of  the  Evansville,  New- 
burgh  &  Suburban  railroad,  and  is  promi- 
nentl}-  connecti;d  with  ^•arious  other  enter- 
prises. His  candor  and  congenial  manners 
have  made  him  popular,  while  sagacity  and 
qualifications  have  gained  him  prominence 
as  a  useful  citizen.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Emma    Ottavvay  at    Tuscumbia,    Ala.,    in 


1867.  Of  this  union  four  children  have  been 
born,  only  two  of  whom  survive,  as  follows: 
Lee,  jr.,  aged  sixteen,  and  Emma,  aged  nine 
years. 

William  D.  Ewixg,  general  manager  of 
the  Evansville  &  Terre  Haute  railroad,  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent,  is  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, born  January  16,  1846.  He  was  ed- 
ucated in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  place,  and  commenced  to  learn  the 
trade  of  a  printer.  While  so  engaged,  civil 
war  was  begun  between  the  north  and  the 
south.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  regi- 
mental band  of  the  Eleventh  Pennsylvania 
reserves,  then  being  but  fifteen  years  of  age. 
One  year  later  he  enlisted  in  the  lOO-days' 
service,  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  term 
was  enrolled  for  an  additional  six  months. 
His  last  enlistment  was  in  the  Independent 
Cavalry  company,  known  as  J.  K.  Weever's 
companv,  Penns3-lvania  troops,  m  which  he 
was  commissioned  first  lieutenant  at  the  age 
of  eighteen,  and  served  in  that  rank  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  rendered  effective 
service  in  the  seven  days'  fight  and  else- 
where. After  the  war,  he  was  engaged 
for  a  time  in  the  drug  business,  and  as  a 
school  teacher  in  Pennsylvania  and  Illinois. 
He  commenced  his  career  as  a  railroad 
man  in  1868  at  the  bottom  round  of  the  lad- 
der. He  was  first  a  freight  brakeman  on 
the  Illinois  Central,  and  then  station  baggage 
master  at  Odin,  111.  Later  he  was  station 
agent  for  the  O.  &  M.  R.  R.,  at  Trenton, 
111.,  and  in  turn,  telegraph  operator,  private 
secretary  to  the  general  superintendent,  and 
fuel  ajjent  for  the  same  road  at  Vincennes. 
Ind.  From  1874  'o  1878  he  was  agent  at 
Vincennes  for  the  E.  &  T.  H.  R.  R.,  and 
through  the  two  succeeding  vears  was  agent 
at  Terre  Haute.  His  promotion  as  secretarv 
and  treasurer  then  followed.  This  office  he 
held  four  years.  From  it  he  was  advanced 
to  the  general  superintendency  of  the  road. 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


m 


In  May,  1886,  as  general  manager,  he  was 
placed  in  charge  of  all  lines  operated  by  the 
Evansville  &  Terre  Haute  Co.  His  capacity, 
integrity,  and  thorough  familiarit\-  with  all 
the  details  of  railroad  management,  gained 
by  actual  experience  in  nearly-  every  possi- 
ble branch  of  emplo3'ment,  give  him  especial 
fitness  for  the  responsible  position  which  he 
holds.  Col.  Ewing  became  a  resident  of 
Evansville  in  1881,  since  which  time  his 
genuine  qualities  of  manliness  have  attracted 
to  liim  manv  friends.  He  is  a  popular  and 
prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  belongs  to  LaValette  commandery  of 
Knights  Templar.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R.  In  the  state  militia 
organizations  he  holds  a  high  rank.  He  is 
colonel  of  the  First  Regiment  Indiana 
Legion,  and  president  of  the  Evansville 
Light  infantrv.  He  was  married  in  1865  to 
Miss  Emma  Wott,  daughter  of  Judge  I.  M. 
Wott.  His  onl\^  son,  John  W.,  is  a  clerk  in 
the  Evansville  &  Terre  Haute  railroad 
oflices.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
Grace  Presbyterian  church. 

E.  B.  Cooke,  auditor  of  the  E.  &  T.  H. 
and  P.,  D.  &  E.  R.  R's,  is  a  recent  acquisi- 
tion to  the  business  circles  of  this  city.  He 
was  born  at  Norwalk,  Ohio,  May  7,  1862. 
His  boyhood  was  spent  in  his  native  state 
and  in  Rhode  Island,  where  he  pursued  an 
academic  course  of  study.  His  father,  Allen 
Cooke,  now  a  resident  of  Danville,  Ills., 
being  a  railroad  man,  the  boy  drifted  into 
the  railroad  business  at  an  early  atje.  Beintr 
honest  and  efficient,  he  rose  rapidlv-  He 
began  as  a  station  agent  when  a  mere  lad, 
but  gave  up  this  employment  to  enter 
school.  After  two  years  with  his  books,  he 
entered  liie  office  of  his  father,  then  master 
mechanic  of  the  C.  &  E.  I.  R.  R.  In  1880 
he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  soon 
recognized  as  an  expert  accountant.  At  Chi- 
cago, Ills.,   Alexandria,   Va.,  and  Washing- 


ton, D.  C,  he  was  prominently  connected 
with  the  Chicago  &  Eastern  Illinois,  Chica- 
go &  Western  Indiana,  the  Virginia,  Mid- 
land &  Richmond  and  Danville  railroads.  In 
Januarv,  1887,  he  became  auditor  of  the  E. 
&  T.  H.  R.  R.,  and  three  months  later  of  the 
P.,  D.  &.E.  R.  R.  His  discharge  of  the  im- 
portant duties  entrusted  to  him  has  been  en- 
tirely satisfactory.  In  1S83  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Jessie  M.  Anderson,  daughter  of 
William  B.  Anderson,  of  Danville,  Ills. 
They  have  one  child,  Allen  B. 

Dr.  Allen  C.  Hallock  was  born  on  the 
i6th  day  of  September,  181 1,  in  Westches- 
ter countv,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the  son  of  John 
and  Lydia  (ColHns)  Hallock,  of  EngHsh  de- 
scent. His  early  j-ears  were  spent  in  his 
native  county,  but  after  reaching  maturity 
he  removed  to  New  York  city,  where  in  the 
year  1838,  he  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Stoddard.  The  year  before  the 
doctor  graduated  wilh  high  honors  in  the 
college  of  pharmacy  in  that  city.  Nine 
years  later,  in  1846,  he  left  his  native  state 
and  started  westward,  settling  in  Evansville 
in  September  of  the  same  year,  and  entering 
into  business  with  his  brother-in-law,  Dr. 
W.  H.  P.  Stoddard,  by  establishing  the  first 
wholesale  drug  house  i:i  this  city.  No  in- 
surance companies  had  been  established  here 
at  that  time.  Dr.  Hallock  added  this  im- 
portant branch  to  his  other  business,  and 
havin<r  the  first  agencv  here  his  business 
increased  to  such  an  extent  that  he  disposed 
of  his  interest  in  the  drug  business  to  Dr. 
Stoddard,  and  then  devoted  his  energies  to 
his  insurance  business,  with  his  son  Walter, 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  held  a 
number  of  offices  of  trust  in  Evansville, 
among  them  being  township  trustee,  coroner 
and  councilman.  Daring  a  small-pox  epi- 
demic he  had  charge  of  the  government 
hospital  and  served  with  great  ability  and 
fidelity,  not  losing  a  single  patient.      He  was 


m 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


a  Quaker  and  his  life  was  as  pure  and  spot- 
less as  that  of  the  people  of  that  belief.  He 
was  also  a  prominent  spiritualist.  He  was 
ever  liberal  in  his  views  and  generous  to  a 
fault,  often  doing  acts  of  benevolence  to  the 
poor,  in  many  instances  to  his  own  great 
pecuniary  disadvantage.  By  such  acts  he 
endeared  himself  to   those  of  all  stations  in 


pany.  He  was  honorably  discharged  April 
19,  X 866,  at  Ft.  Morgan,  Ala.  On  account  of  a 
severe  wound  received  in  the  rear  of  Vicks- 
burg,  he  was  in  hospital  for  a  short  time, 
but  otherwise  he  was  always  ready  for  duty 
with  his  command.  After  the  war  he  re- 
turned to  Missouri,  but  soon  came  to  Evans- 
ville  and  entered  the  furniture  business.     He 


life.     Dr.    Hallock  died  at  his   residence  in    was  at  first  connected  with  the  Union  Furni 


this  city,  September  22,  18S6.  His  was  a 
noble  character,  and  words  cannot  add  to  the 
public  estimation  in  which  he  was  held,  or 
increase  the  respect  with  which  his  memory 
will  ever  be  cherished  by  those  who  knew 
him. 

The  firm  of  L.  Puster  &  Co.  occupy  a 
prominent  place  among  the  manufacturers 
of  furniture.  Organized  in  December,  1881, 
it  is  composed  of  Louis  Puster,  John  H. 
Ortmeyer,  Herman  G.  Menke  and  Leo 
Kevekordes.  Its  present  buildings  were 
erected  in  the  fall  of  1887,  those  previously 
occupied  having  been  destro^'ed  by  fire  in 
September  of  that  vear.  The  buildings  now 
in  use  are  commodious  and  well  adapted  to 
the  purposes   which  the}'  serve.     The  com- 


ture  company,  and  later  was  with  the 
well-known  Armstrong  Furniture  com- 
pan}',  where  he  remained  until  the 
formation  of  the  firm  of  L.  Puster  &  Co. 
He  is  a  progressive,  public-spirited  citizen,  a 
member  of  the  Business  Men's  association 
and  identified  with  the  growth  of  the  cit}'. 
He  is  a  member  of  Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R. 
At  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in  1856,  he  was  married 
to  Hermina  Menke,  a  native  of  Germany, 
who  died  in  January,  1862,  at  the  age  of 
twent^'-one  years,  leaving  three  children. 
March  27,  1864,  he  married  Louisa  Menke, 
and  to  this  union  four  children  have  been 
born.  John  H.  Ortmej^er,  superintendent 
of  the  finishing  department  and  shipping 
clerk,  was  born  in  Evansville,  December  20, 


pan}'  employs   about    100  men,   and  manu-  j  1852,  and  is  the  son  of  John   B.  and    Helen 
factures    furniture    exclusively.     An    exten- 1  (Meyer)  Ortmever.      His    parents,    natives 


sive  business,  principally  in  the  south,  has 
been  built  up  by  this  industrious,  pushing 
concern.  Its  senior  member,  Louis  Puster, 
was  born  in  Germanv,  Julv  25,  1832,  and 
came  to  America  when  eighteen  years  of 
age.  The  five  years  following  his  arriyal 
were  spent  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he 
learned  the  trade  of  a  wood-turner.  He  then 
spent  some  time  in  Keokuk.  Iowa,  Quincy, 
Ills.,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  When  the  civil 
war  broke  out  he  returned  to  Missouri,  and 
on  July  15, 1861,  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  Twenty- 
first  Missouri  infantry,  as  a  private.  His 
bravery  and  efiiciency  as  a  soldier  gained 
him  rapid  promotion.  He  soon  became 
first  sergeant,  and  later  captain  of  his  com- 


of  Germany,  came  to  Evansville  in 
1848.  Seven  years  later  his  mother 
died.  His  father  is  still  living  at  an 
advanced  age.  John  Ortmeyer  was  reared 
and  educated  in  this  city,  and  when  fifteen 
years  of  age  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  a 
cabinet-maker  in  the  employ  of  the  xArm- 
strong  Furniture  company.  With  this  com- 
pany he  remained  twelve  years,  and  after- 
ward for  some  time  was  variously  employed 
in  the  planing-mills  and  furniture  factories 
of  the  city.  Since  1881  he  has  been  a  part- 
ner in  the  firm  ofL  .  Puster  &  Company,  first 
as  traveling  salesman,  and  during  the  past 
five  years  in  the  position  he  now  occupies. 
He    was    married    in    1875    to   Wilhelmina 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSriLLE. 


100 


Becker,  daughter  of  John  Becker,  an  early 
citizen  of  this  city.  Of  this  union  five 
chiklren  have  been  born,  four  of  whom  sur- 
vive. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ortmever  are  members 
of  Zion's  Evangelical  church. 

Herman  G.  Menke,  foreman  of  the  cab- 
inet department,  was  born  in  Ciermany,  De- 
cember 17,  1847,  and  is  the  son  of  Edward 
A.  and  Caroline  (Blume)  Menke.  The 
family  came  to  America  in  185 1  and  located 
in  Evansville.  Later  they  went  to  Quinc}', 
Ills.,  thence  to  Keokuk,  Iowa,  and  after- 
ward to  La  Grange,  Mo.  The  father, 
though  an  old  man,  when  the  war  began, 
enlisted  in  Company  K,  Twenty-tirst  Mis- 
souri, infantry,  in  1861;  was  wounded 
and  captured  at  Shiloh,  Tenn.;  was  pa- 
rolled  and  returned  to  La  Grange  where 
he  died  in  1862.  The  mother  survived  her 
husband  sixteen  years.  In  1865,  at  Quinc}", 
Ills.,  Herman  Menke  joined  the  Union  army, 
enlisting  in  Company  A,  Sixty-fifth  Illinois 
infantry,  and  served  for  about  four  months. 
After  the  war  he  came  to  Evansville  with 
his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Puster,  and  learned 
the  cabinet-maker's  trade  at  the  old  Union 
Furniture  company's  works.  Later  he  was 
with  S.  Meyer  &  Co.,  and  the  Armstrong 
Furniture  Co.  He  took  part  in  the  organ- 
ization of  the  firm  of  L.  Puster  &  Co.,  and 
has  since  been  identified  with  that  company- 
He  was  married  in  1872  to  Lizzie  Reimer, 
daughter  of  John  Reimer,  a  well-known  citi- 
zen of  Evansville.  To  this  union  six  child- 
ren have  been  born,  four  of  whom  survive. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Menke  are  members  of  the 
German  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Leo  Kevekordes,  foreman  of  the  machin- 
ery department,  was  born  in  German}-, 
August  7,  1S49,  and  came  to  America  when 
eighteen  years  of  age.  He  had  learned  the 
trade  of  a  cabinet-maker,  and  locating  in 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  spent  two  years  working 
in  that  voc  ition.    In  1869  he  came  to  Evans- 


ville and  for  ten  years  was  employed  first  at 
his  trade  and  then  as  foreman  in  the  furni- 
ture factory  of  Joseph  F.  Reitz.  For  two 
years  he  was  empio\ed  at  various  places  in 
Missouri,  Tennessee,  and  this  state.  Return- 
ing to  this  city  in  1881,  he  became  a  member 
of  the  tirm  of  L.  Puster  &  Co.,  and  was  at 
once  made  foreman  of  the  department  now 
under  his  charge.  He  was  married  in  1875 
to  Catherine  Schrader,  daughter  of  Charles 
Schrader,  a  prominent  citizen.  Mrs.  Keve- 
kordes died  in  December,  1885,  leaving  four 
children.  He  was  again  married  in  June, 
1886,  Louisa  Tapper,  daughter  of  E.  Weber, 
saddler,  of  this  city,  becoming  his  wife.  To 
this  union  one  child  has  been  born.  Mr. 
Kevekordes  is  a  member  of  Orion  Lodge, 
K.  of  P.,  and  Lessing  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. 
Joseph  R.  Sample,  local  freight  agent  of 
the  Louisville  &  Nashville  railroad,  was 
born  in  Jacksonville,  Iils.,Februar3-  27,  1848. 
His  father,  Charles  G.imple,  is  one  of  the 
oldest  natives  of  Jacksonville,  111.,  having 
been  born  there  over  seventy  years  ago,  and 
is  yet  a  prominent  citizen  of  Jacksonville. 
He  rendered  effective  s.irvice  to  his  country 
in  the  One  Hundred  and  First  regiment,  Illi- 
nois Infantr}^  volunteers.  Joseph  Sample 
w'as  reared  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  place.  Since  twenty 
years  of  age  he  has  been  employed  as  a  tel- 
egraph operator,  express  agent,  and  in  vari- 
ous forms  of  railroad  service  at  Pekin,  lU.s, 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Guthrie  and  Norton ville,Ky., 
Carmi,  Ills.,  and  other  places.  For  two  years, 
from  1S82,  he  was  employed  in  this  city. 
After  a  two  years'  service  as  station  agent  at 
East  St.  Louis,  Ills.,  he  returned  to  this  city, 
and  is  now  in  charge  of  the  yards  and  freight 
depot  of  the  Louisville  &  Nashville  railroad. 
By  industry,  economy  and  attention  to  busi- 
ness he  has  accumulated  some  property  and 
earned  the  favor  of  all  with  whom  he  has 
been   associated.     He  is  a   member  of  the 


^0 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


K.  of  P.  and  K.  &  L.  of  H.  He  was  mar- 
ried at  Carmi,  Ills.,  in  1877,  to  Miss  Mollie 
Patrick,  to  whom  two  children  have  been 
born:  Lena  Howell  and  Joseph  Earl. 

R.  E.  Graves,  manager  of  Dunn's  Com- 
mercial    agency    at    Evansville,    Ind.,    was 
born    in    Boone   county,  Ky.,  February    27, 
1855,  and   is  the  son    of    Rev.    R.    K.    and 
Sarah    E.    (Mothershead)     Graves.      The 
father    was    born    in     Boone    county,     Ky., 
March    15,   1826,   and  died  September    11, 
1877.     The     mother,     a    native     of    Owen 
county,    K)'.,    born  January    3,    1S30,    died 
June  25,  1881.     The  marriage  of  Rev.    R. 
K.  and  Sarah  Graves  was  solemnized   May 
15,  1849.     '^^^  paternal  grandfather,   Ab- 
salom   Graves,    was    a  native  of  Virginia, 
born  September  13,  1791,  and  the  maternal 
grandfather,  Alvin   Mothershead,  was   born 
January    8,     1789.      The    paternal    great- 
grandfather.   Rev.    Absalom    Graves,    was 
born    in    Culpeper  county,   Va.,   November 
28,  176S,  removed    to    Kentucky    in    1797, 
settled    in    Boone    county,    and     was    the 
founder    and    pastor    of    the     first    Baptist 
church  organized  at  Bullettsburg,    in   that 
county.      His    death    occurred    August    17, 
1826.     The    ancestors    of    Mr.    Graves    for 
man}-     generations    were   distinguished  and 
prominent   people    in    the    localities     where 
they  resided.     Until  about  seventeen    j'ears 
of    age   the   immediate    subject    of  mention 
resided  on  his  father's  farm  and  received  his 
early  mental  training  in  the  public  schools  of 
the  county.     Later  his  studies  were  pursued 
at  Burlington  academy    at  Burlington,  Ky., 
and  at  Warsaw  College,  Warsaw,  Kv.     He 
taught   school   in    1872-3   in  Kentucky,  and 
then  went  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged for  three  years  as   a  traveling  sales- 
man.    On  October  18,  1877,  he  entered  the 
Cincinnati  office  of  R.  G.  Dunn  &  Co.  as  re- 
porter, and    was    transferred  to    Evansville, 
on  January  i,  1883,  as  manager,  which  po- 


sition he  has  since  occupied.  The  skill  and 
uniform  fairness  with  which  he  has  con- 
ducted the  affairs  of  the  agenc}',  have  won 
him  a  high  place  in  the  esteem  of  the  busi- 
ness public.  His  social  position  is  equally 
gratifying.  In  1877  he  joined  M3'rtle  Lodge, 
No.  5,  Knights  of  Pythias,  at  Covington, 
Ky.,  and  in  1883  identified  himself  with 
Orion  Lodge,  of  this  city.  In  the  same 
year  he  entered  the  uniform  rank,  and  in 
June,  1887,  was  made  major  of  the  First 
Regiment,  Indiana  Brigade,  Uniform  Rank, 
Knights  of  Pythias.  He  has  been  trans- 
ferred to  the  same  position  in  the  Fifth  reg- 
iment. He  is  also  a  Master  Mason,  being  a 
member  of  Reed  Lodge,  No.  316,  of  this 
city,  and  belongs  to  La  Valette  Com  • 
mandery.  No.  15,  Knights  Templar.  He 
has  passed  all  the    chairs   in   Orion   Lodge. 

R.  W.  Hardon,  traveling  freight  agent 
for  the  L.,  E.  &  St.  L.  and  C.  &  O.  railroads, 
is  a  native  of  Boston,  Mass.,  born  June  i*], 
1862.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
his  native  city,  and  at  the  Technological  In- 
stitute of  Massachusetts,  where  he  gradu- 
ated in  1883.  He  first  engaged  in  mming 
for  a  year,  and  later  entered  the  service  of  a 
railroad  companj',  and  has  since  occupied 
various  positions  in  that  branch  of  business. 
He  first  came  to  Evansville  in  1883,  and  re- 
mained but  a  short  time.  He  again  located 
here  in  18S7,  and  has  since  occupied  the  po- 
sition which  he  now  holds.  He  is  thorough 
in  his  business  methods  and  has  won,  through 
the  character  of  his  conduct,  the  esteem  of 
railroad  men  and  shippers.  Having  trav- 
eled extensively  in  this  country  and  abroad, 
and  possessing  the  polite  accomplishments 
which  adorn  the  polished  gentleman,  he  has 
been  received  with  favor  into  the  highest 
social  circles  of  the  cit}-. 

Ed\\'Ard  Grill,  of  the  firm  of  Grill 
Bros.,  manufacturers  and  wholesale  dealers 
in  cigars,  was  born  in  Rheinhess,  Germany 


&x- 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


m 


December  6,  1848.  His  father,  Col.  John 
F.  Grill,  was  a  well-known  citizen  of  this 
place  for  many  3ears.  He  was  a  native  of 
Germany,  and  in  the  revolution  of  1848 
took  up  arms  a<^ainst  the  king.  He  rose  to 
the  rank  of  captain  and  fought  valiantly. 
Upon  the  success  of  the  crown  he  was 
forced  to  leave  his  native  country,  and 
coming  to  America,  settled  in  Evansville  in 
the  spring  of  1849.  He  was  a  tanner  by 
trade,  and  establishing  a  tannerv  in  the  sub- 
urbs of  the  city,  conducted  the  business 
successfull}'  until  the  war  of  1861.  He 
went  out  with  the  Twenty-fourth  Indiana 
infantry  as  a  captain,  was  promoted  to  the 
lieutenant  colonelcv  of  the  regiment, 
because  of  heroism  displa3-ed  on  the  fields 
of  battle,  and  returned  home  after  achieving 
an  honorable  record.  He  then  organized 
the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-third  Regi- 
ment Indiana  infantry,  and  went  to  the  front 
as  its  colonel.  He  served  with  distinction 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  mustered 
out  October  15,  1S65.  His  military  career 
brought  him  into  a  close  intimacy  with 
with  Gens.  U.  S.  Grant,  Lew  Wallace,  and 
A.  P.  Hove_v,  and  everywhere  he  com- 
manded the  respect  and  confidence  of  his 
superiors,  as  well  as  the  devoted  lovaltv  and 
esteem  of  the  officers  whom  he  ranked. 
Returning  to  Evansville,  he  was  engaged  in 
merchandising  for  many  years,  and  accumu- 
lated a  fair  competence.  He  was  an  ardent  re- 
publican, attained  an  influential  position  in  the 
party's  councils,  was  several  times  trustee  of 
Pigeon  township,  and  was  recognized  as  a 
good  officer  and  valuable  citizen.  His  death, 
which  occurred  April  6,  iSSo,  when  he  was 
fifty-six  years  old,  was  generally  lamented. 
He  was  a  member  of  St.  John's  Presbyterian 
church,  and  of  the  Harugari  lodge.  Be- 
fore leaving  his  native  country,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Margaret  Kloninger,  whose  death 
occurred  in  this  city,  April  11,  1886.  His 
24 


famih'  comprised  six  children,  all  of  whom 
reside  in  this  city,  as  follows:  Edward, 
Philip  F.,  John  F.,  Minnie,  Amelia  (now 
the  wife  of  Councilman  F.J.  Scholz),  and 
Lizzie. 

Edward  Grill  was  reared  in  this  city 
and  educated  in  its  public  schools.  He 
graduated  in  Behm's  Commercial  College. 
In  1864,  when  but  fifteen  3-ears  of  age,  he 
joined  the  federal  army  as  quartermaster 
sergeant  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty- 
third  Indiana  infantrj',  and  served  faith- 
fully until  honorabl}-  discharged,  in  October, 
1865.  For  three  years,  during  the  adminis- 
tration of  Col.  Jolin  W.  Foster  as  postmaster, 
he  served  as  a  clerk  in  the  city  postoffice  and 
then  accepted  a  position  as  traveling  sales- 
man for  I.  &  D.  Heiman,  wholesale  grocers. 
He  was  next  employed  by  Col.  John  Rhein- 
lander,  and  later  by  Bement  &  Seitz,  as  a 
salesman  of  cigars  and  tobacco,  and  was  so 
engaged  for  several  years.  His  experience 
on  the  road,  his  extensive  acquaintance,  and 
possession  of  a  good  trade,  induced  him  to 
go  into  business  for  himself.  In  1S84,  in 
partnership  with  his  brothers,  Philip  F.  and 
John  F.,  he  became  a  manufacturer  and 
wholesale  dealer  in  cigars  and  tobacco,  the 
firm  being  styled  Grill  Bros.  This  business 
has  since  been  successfully  conducted.  Mr. 
Grill  is  public-spirited,  and  has  taken  an  ac- 
tive part  in  advancing  the  welfare  of  the 
city.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  G. 
A.  R.,  and  was  instrumental  in  bringing 
about  the  re-union  of  the  Blue  and  the  Gray 
in  this  city,  in  the  summer  of  18S7,  an  oc- 
currence which  attracted  national  attention. 
The  part  he  took  in  the  matter  elicited  the 
hearty  commendation  and  praise  of  many 
distinguished  ofiiccrs.  He  was  married  in 
July,  1877,  to  Mattie,  daughter  of  Alfred 
Kirkpatrick,  a  pioneer  citizen  of  this  city, 
who  received  a  mortal  wound  while  engaged 
in  battle  for  his  country. 


^2 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


Harrison  &  Harrison. — The  manufac- 
ture of  jeans  pants  and  bags  was  begun  in 
Evansville  ten  years  ago.  At  that  time  the 
firm  of  Harrison,  Peckenpaugh  &  Harrison 
was  formed  and  the  work  of  manufacturing 
was  commenced  on  a  very  small  scale.  The 
business  has  increased  constantly  until  now 
it  amounts  annually  to  at  least  $250,000. 
The  works  give  employment  to  about 
300  hands,  and  the  capacity  is  for 
2,900  pairs  of  pants  daily.  Six  j-ears  ago 
ago  the  original  firm  was  dissolved,  and 
the  present  firm  name  is  that  which  heads 
this  paragraph. 

Maj.  J.\mes  B.  H.\rrison,  senior  member 
of  the  firm,  was  born  in  LaFaj^ette, 
Christian  county,  Ky.,  in  1840.  His  father, 
J.J.  Harrison,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and 
located  in  Kentucky,  at  an  early  date,  where 
his  death  occurred  about  1S68.  His 
mother  was  Sarah  A.  White,  also  a  native  of 
Virginia,  who  died  in  1855.  To  his  parents 
seven  children  were  born,  three  of  whom 
survive.  James  B.  was  reared  in  Christian, 
Trigg  and  Ohio  counties,  Ky.  He  was 
educated  in  the  subscription  schools,  secur- 
ing a  good  education.  In  1861,  five  days 
after  the  firing  on  Fort  Sumter,  he  enhsted 
in  Compan}^  A,  Seventeenth  Kentuckj^  in- 
fantry, U.  S.  A.,  and  was  made  second  lieu- 
tenant in  the  same  year  of  his  enlistment. 
On  account  of  ill  health  he  resigned  in  1862, 
after  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  and 
returned  to  Ohio  county.  The  same  year 
he  organized  a  company  for  the  Twelfth 
Regiment  of  Kentucky-  cavahy,  and  was 
made  captain;  was  elected  major  of  the 
regiment  in  1863,  and  was  in  command  two 
and  a  half  years  of  the  regiment's  service. 
The  regiment  veteranized,  and  he  continued 
with  it,  serving  altogether  four  and  a  half 
years,  and  was  honorablv  discharged  at 
Louisville,  Ky.  After  the  war  he  went  to 
New  Albany,  Ind.,  and  engaged  in  the  gro- 


cery business,  and  next  removed  his  business 
to  Paducah,  Ky.,  where  he  remained  until 
1S66.  He  then  engaged  in  the 
river  mail  service,  with  his  headquarters 
fixed  at  Evansville  for  six  years.  His 
attention  was  next  devoted  to  the  manufac- 
ture of  hominy,  meal,  grits  and  bags  in 
Evansville.  In  1S7S  the  firm  of  Harrison, 
Peckinpaugh  &  Harrison  was  formed  for  the 
manufacture  of  pants  and  bags.  Peckinpaugh 
was  bought  out  in  1882,  and  the  firm  became 
Harrison  &  Harrison  in  that  branch,  Mr. 
Ed  Harrison  being  the  other  member. 
Mr.  Harrison  was  married  in  1881  to  Miss 
Fannie  Rudd,  daughter  of  Capt.  Rudd,  one 
of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Evansville.  To 
this  union  one  son  and  one  daughter  have 
been  born,  as  follows:  J.  B.,  born  April  16, 
18S2,  and  Lucy  Rudd,  born  November  10, 
1884.  Major  Harrison  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and 
Mrs.  Harrison  is  a  member  of  the  C.  P. 
church.  Major  Harrison  has  been  a  pro- 
gressive, prosperous  and  public-spirited 
man.  He  has  not  followed  in  beaten  paths, 
but  has  established  new  industries  and  given 
employment  to  manv  people.  He  estab- 
lished the  first  hominy  mill  in  the  city,  the 
first  bag  factory,  and  the  first  star  overall 
factor}'.  His  executive  abiHty,  and  his  un- 
tiring energ\-  have  made  his  business  ven- 
tures successful,  while  the  integritv  and  sjen- 
eral  fairness  which  have  characterized  his 
conduct  have  made  him  popular  with  his 
employes  and  the  business  public  generally. 
Ed  Harrison,  junior  member  of  the 
firm,  was  born  in  San  Antonio,  Texas,  May 
31,  1S60,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  S.  and 
Mary  Ann  (Peckinpaugh)  Harrison.  His 
father  was  a  native  of  La  Favette,  Christian 
county,  Ky.,  where  he  was  born  in  1833, 
and  is  now  a  resident  of  Evansville.  His 
mother  was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Ind., 
in  1833  and   died  in   1864.       Mr.    Harrison 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


US 


was  reared  in  San  Antonio,  and  was  educat- 
ed in  that  city  and  Evansville.  He  came 
to  Evansville  in  1877,  joined  his  uncle,  Maj. 
J.  B.  Harrison,  and  in  187S  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Harrison,  Peckinpaugh 
&  Harrison.  He  is  now  a  full  partner,  own- 
ing a  half  interest  in  the  business.  He  was 
married  in  December,  1S80,  to  Miss  Pauline 
Wilson,  daughter  of  Joseph  Wilson,  of  Mi- 
ami, Mo.,  formerly  of  Texas.  To  this  union 
two  children  have  been  born  as  follows: 
Thomas  S.,  born  August  27,  iSSi,  and  Ed 
McMahan  born  December  26,  18S6.  Mr. 
Harrison  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Ar- 
canum, and  is  president  of  Red  Ribbon  club, 
a  temperance  organization. 

F.  J.  CoNLE.N',  foreman  and  cutter  for  the 
firm  of  Harrison  &  Harrison,  was  born  in 
Philadelphia.  Penn.,  November  30,  1855,  and 
is  the  son  of  Alex  F.  and  Annie  (Toner) 
Conlen.  His  father  was  born  and  raised 
in  Philadelphia,  and  his  mother  was  born  in 
Ireland.  His  father  died  in  i88r,  and  his 
mother  is  now  a  resident  of  Philadelphia. 
Mr.  Conlen  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  and  the  commercial  college  of  his 
native  place,  and  there,  about  1870,  began 
to  work  at  the  trade  which  now  engages  his 
attention.  He  came  west  in  1879,  and  lo- 
cated in  Cincinnati.  In  1882  he  removed  to 
Evansville,  and  engaged  with  the  firm  of 
Harrison  &  Harrison,  with  which  he  has 
since  been  connected.  He  is  a  night  cutter 
and  is  considered  one  of  the  best  in  the  west. 
He  was  married  August  4,  1872,  to  Martha 
W.  Pearson,  who  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
October  12,  1854.  To  this  union  four  child- 
ren have  been  born. 

Alfred  Berxardix,  president  of  the  In- 
diana Canning  company,  and  also  of  the 
Bernardin  Bottle  Cap  company,  two  of  the 
leading  industries  of  Evansville,  Ind.,  and  a 
prominent  citizen,  is  a  native  of  France, 
born  in  1845.     Coming  to  America  in  1856, 


he  located  at  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  where  he 
remained  until  1873,  and  then  came  to 
Evansville,  since  when  he  has  been  a  citizen 
of  the  place.  He  was  married  in  1870,  to 
Emma  Keough,  of  Ohio,  and  to  their  union 
two  sons  and  one  daughter  have  been  born. 
Upon  locating  in  Evansville,  Mr.  Bernardin 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  mineral 
waters.  Having  invented  an  ingenious  bot- 
tie  cap,  and  having  secured  a  patent  for  the 
same  in  1885,  he  established  the  Bernandin 
Bottle  Cap  companv,  for  the  manufacture  of 
the  same.  This  invention  is  in  the  nature  of 
a  metallic  cap  and  fastener  combined,  to  re- 
tain corks  that  are  under  pressure,  avoiding 
the  old  method  of  wire  fastenings,  and  at 
the  same  time  putting  on  an  attractive  finish 
to  the  bottle.  The  machinery  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  the  bottle  cap  is  of  Mr.  Ber- 
nardin's  own  devising  and  is  also  patented. 
The  plant  and  products  are  the  only  ones  in 
the  United  States.  The  machinery  is  most 
remarkable,  and  its  operation  partakes 
of  the  marvelous.  It  is  constructed  on 
scientific  principles,  and  while  it  was 
in  course  of  construction,  Mr.  Bernardin 
made  twenty-two  trips  to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
to  secure  its  perfection.  The  capacity  of 
the  plant  is  75,000  complete  caps  per  day, 
and  thirty-five  hands,  principalh'  girls,  are 
employed.  The  Bottle  Cap  company  is  a 
stock  concern  with  A.  Bernardin  as  presi- 
dent and  treasurer,  and  F.  W.  Cook  as  sec- 
retar}'.  About  $25,000  capital  is  invested 
in  the  plant  and  business.  The  bottle  cap 
is  in  general  use  in  Evansville,  Cincinnati, 
New  York,  Boston,  New  Orleans,  St.  Louis, 
San  Antonio,  Dallas  and  all  the  cities 
throughout  the  United  States.  The  canning 
company  was  organized  and  opened  in  March, 
1887.  This  industry  is  the  only  one  of  the 
kind  in  the  city,  and  has  a  daily  capacity 
of  20,000  cans.  All  kinds  of  vegetables 
and    fruits     are     canned,     and    from     250 


4U 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


to  300  hands  are  employed  during 
the  season.  About  $60,000  capital  is 
invested  in  the  establishment,  and  the 
stock  company  is  as  follows:  A.  Bernardin, 
president:  L.  Seitz,  vice-president;  F.  W. 
Cook,  jr.,  secretary  and  treasurer;  Ezra 
Lyon,  manager.  Other  stockholders  are: 
Dr.  A.  M.  Owen,  D.  J.  Mackey,  F.  W. 
Cook,  sr.,  C.  R.  Bement,  Theo.  R. 
McFerson  and  M.  W.  Foster. 

Philip  Spiegel,  trustee  of  Pigeon  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Bavaria,  near  the  river 
Rhine,  on  the  17th  of  January,  1832.  His 
parents,  Paul  and  Cleopha  (Bogenshuetz) 
Spiegel,  lived  and  died  in  Germany,  their 
native  country.  At  eleven  years  of  age  he 
was  "bound  out"  for  two  years,  according 
to  the  custom  of  the  country.  At  the  early 
age  of  fifteen  years  he  left  his  native  land, 
and  making  his  way  to  America,  settled  in 
Evansville,  where  he  has  since  remained,  a 
period  of  fort\--one  years.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  not  wholly  neglected,  but  it  was 
necessarily  meagre.  When  he  reached  here 
he  began  learning  the  cooper's  trade,  and 
having  served  his  apprenticeship  continued 
at  that  work  until  1854,  when  he  entered 
the  employ  of  Babcock  Bros.,  the  well- 
known  hardware  dealers,  where  hs  remained 
until  18S2.  For  a  time  he  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business.  In  1886  he  was  nomi- 
nated bv  the  democratic  part}-,  with  which 
he  had  long  affiliated,  for  the  office  of  town- 
ship trustee  of  Pigeon  township,  and  was 
elected  by  a  majority  of  185.  In  1888  he 
was  re-elected  to  the  same  office  by  a  ma- 
jority of  766  votes.  He  is  a  popular  and 
efficient  officer,  and  a  good  citizen.  He  has 
been  four  times  married  and  is  the  father  of 
four  children. 

John  J.  Farrar,  general  manager  at 
Evansville  for  the  Singer  Manufacturing 
company,  was  born  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1853,  and  is  the   son  of  John  M. 


and  Caroline  J.  (Jarvis)  Farrar.  His  fa- 
ther, born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1825,  at 
the  age  of  eight  years,  moved  with  his  par- 
ents to  Louisville,  where  lie  has  since  re- 
sided, for  many  3'ears  past  being  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  bar  at  that  place.  His 
mother  was  born  at  Brighton,  England,  in 
1S32,  came  to  the  United  States  when  a 
child,  and  died  in  Louisville,  K}\,  in  1865. 
John  Farrar  is  the  oldest  of  '  five  children, 
four  of  whom  are  living.  He  was  educated 
in  the  private  school  of  Prof.  B.  B.  Hun- 
toon,  now  superintendent  of  the  Kentucky 
State  Asylum  for  the  Blind.  Finishing  his 
studies  in  187 1,  in  December  of  that  year 
he  entered  the  emplov  of  the  Louis\-ille  In- 
surance and  Banking  company.  About  a 
year  later  he  entered  the  sewing  ma- 
chine business,  and  for  twelve  }-ears 
past  has  been  with  the  Singer  Manufactur- 
ing company.  He  has  held  several  import- 
ant positions,  and  assumed  charge  of  the 
compan3''s  offices  at  this  place  in  1888. 
His  capacity  and  executive  ability  have  al- 
ready exhibited  themselves.  .  The  fine  art 
displa}-  made  in  the  company's  offices  soon 
after  his  arri\-al  liere  attracted  general  no- 
tice  and  favorable  comment.  Mr.  Farrar  is 
a  membei'  of  Preston  Lodge,  No.  281, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Louisville,  Ky.  Fie  was 
married  in  1S76  to  Miss  Clarissa  J.  Hertsch, 
a  native  of  Leipsic,  Saxony,  born  October 
9,  1857.  Of  this  union  one  child,  Walter 
T.,  has  been  born. 

The  Indiana  Stove  Works,  located  on 
Seventh  avenue  between  Indiana  and  Illinois 
streets,  is  one  of  tlie  leading  institutions  of 
its  kind  in  tiie  city  of  Evansville.  It  was  in- 
corporated in  1887,  being  the  successor  of 
the  firm  of  Schrader,  Fischer  &  Boehne, 
which  firm  was  established  in  1881,  made 
up  in  the  first  place  of  substantial  citizens 
and  practical  workmen. 

Jacob    Fischer,   president  of    the   com- 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


U15 


pany,  was  born  in  Germany  in  184S,  and 
coming  to  x\merica,  settled  in  Evansville  in 
December,  1869.  He  was  a  moulder  by 
trade,  and,  upon  coming  to  Evansville,  went 
to  work  in  a  foundry  and  continued  so  en- 
gaged until  1S81,  when  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Shrader,  Fischer  & 
Boehne.  Upon  the  incorporation  of  the  firm 
in  1 88 7,  he  was  made  president,  and  now 
holds  that  position.  In  1S71  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Lena  Martin,  who  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, and  is  the  daujihter  of  William  Mar- 
tin,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fischer  are 
members  of  St.  Boniface  Catholic  church, 
of  Independence.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
Boniface  Benevolent  society  and  the  Catho- 
lic Kniyhts  of  America. 

J.  WiLLi.\M  BoEii.NE,  secretary,  treasurer, 
and  general  manager  of  the  works,  was  born 
on  a  farm  in  the  northern  part  of  Vander- 
burgh county,  October  28,  1836,  and  is  the 
son  of  Gerhard  II.  and  EHzabeth  Boehne. 
His  father  emigrated  from  Germany  to 
America,  in  1842,  and  came  direct  to  the 
west,  settling  on  a  farm  in  what  is  now  Scott 
township,  \'anderburgh  count\'.  1  le  followed 
farming  all  his  life,  and  died  in  1886,  at  the 
age  of  si.\t}--£vvo  years.  His  mother  was 
also  a  native  of  Germany  and  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  1S45.  His  parents  were  married  in 
1847.  Mrs.  Boehne  is  still  living,  residing  on 
the  old  home  place  in  Scott  township.  To 
these  parents  eight  children  were  born,  of 
whom  six  sur\i\e.  J.  William  Boehne  was 
reared  on  the  farm  until  his  sixteenth  year,  and 
during  his  boyhood  attended  the  public  and 
church  schools.  In  i873hecameto  Evansville 
and  for  two  years  clerked  for  his  uncle  in  a 
grocery  store,  during  which  time  he  attended 
commercial  college  at  night.  Completing 
his  course  of  studies,  in  the  fall  of  1S75  he 
took  a  position  with  Tliomas  Scantlin  &  Son 
as  book-keeper,  and  remained  with  that  firm 
until    December,    1881,  when,  in    company 


with  Charles  Schrader,  Jacob  Fischer,  and 
Mrs.  A.  Vermilion,  organized  the  firm  of 
Schrader,  Fischer,  Boehne  &  Co.,  and  began 
the  manufacture  of  stoves  and  ranges. 
When  the  firm  was  incorporated  in  1887  he 
became  secretary,  treasurer,  and  general 
manager.  Much  of  the  success  of  the  com- 
pany is  due  to  his  ability  as  a  manager  and 
his  close  attention  to  business.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1880  to  Louise  Karges,  a  native  of 
Evansville,  and  the  daughter  of  Ferdinand 
Karges.  Mrs.  Boehne  died  June  23,  1883, 
at  the  age  of  twent3'-four  j'ears.  In  1885  he 
was  again  married  to  Emilie  Ide,  who  was 
born  in  Evansville,  and  is  the  dau<rhter  of 
Henry  Ide.  To  this  union  one  son  has  been 
born.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boehne  are  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church  (Trinit}-). 

Charles  Schrader  was  born  August  6, 
182 1,  in  Prussia,  Germany.  He  farmed  in 
his  native  country-  until  1846,  when  he  came 
to  America,  landing  at  Galveston,  Texas, 
thence  he  went  to  New  Orleans,  and  then 
participated  in  the  Mexican  war  as  teamster, 
being  so  engaged  two  years.  Returning  to 
New  Orleans,  he  went  into  the  dairy  busi- 
ness for  two  years  —  then  he  moved  to 
Perr}'  county,  Ind.,  and  settled  upon  a  farm, 
where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1864. 
He  then  moved  to  Evansville,  and  was 
employed  by  Brinkmever,  Helbling  &  Co., 
in  their  store,  and  remained  in  their  service 
one  year;  then  for  three  j'ears  he  was  book- 
keeper for  J.  B.  Mesker.  After  leaving  the 
employ  of  Mr.  Mesker  he  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  vinegar,  which  he  left  to 
become  traveling  salesman  for  Thomas 
Scantlin  &  Son.  At  this  lie  was  occupied 
until  the  organization  of  the  firm  of  Schrader, 
Fischer  &  Boehne,  which  has  now  adopted 
the  name  of  the  Indiana  Stove  Works,  with 
the  same  membership.  He  was  married  in 
1848  to  Elizabeth  Ubricii,  who  was  born  in 
Germany  in  1819.     The}'  are  the  parents  of 


416 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


four  cliildren,  only  one  of  whom,  Minnie, 
survives.  She  married  John  H.  Rosen- 
berger.  The  family  are  members  of  St. 
John's  Presbyterian  church.  Politically  Mr. 
Schrader  is  a  republican. 

Charles  A.  Slayback,  chief  engineer  of 
the  "Mackey  system,  "was  born  November  2, 
1829,  in  Hamilton  count}^  Ohio.  His  father 
Dr.  Abel  Slayback,  was  a  prominent  phy- 
sician in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He  recei\'ed  a 
good  common  school  education  and  com- 
pleted his  studies  at  Woodward  college.  For 
five  years  he  was  employed  as  a  civil  en- 
gineer on  the  Wabash  &  Erie  canal,  and  for 
some  time  as  a  railroad  contractor.  His 
work  causing  him  to  make  Princeton,  Ind., 
his  place  of  residence,  he  was  postmaster  of 
that  town  from  i860  to  1865.  He  has  been 
entracred  as  an  engineer  on  the  Cincinnati 
Southern  and  other  railroads,  and  for  several 
years  has  satisfactorily  filled  his  present 
position.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
and  in  politics  a  republican.  In  1857  he 
was  married  to  his  first  wife,  Eva,  a  native 
of  New  York,  whose  death  occurred  in 
1883.  Of  this  union  two  children  were 
born  Clinton  S.  and  Susan  L.,  both  mar- 
ried. January  25,  1887,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Lida  O.  Steel,  a  native  of  Philadelphia, 
Penn.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Slayback  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Prince- 
ton, Ind.,  their  place  of  residence. 

The  firm  of  Kiechle,  Brentano  &  Ober- 
dorfer,  whose  foundry  is  located  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Ohio  street  and  Seventh  avenue, 
employ's  about  seventy-five  men,  and  trans- 
acts a  large  business,  principalU'  with  the 
south.  The  senior  member  of  the  firm, 
Frederick  Kiechle,  was  born  in  Baden, 
Germany,  March  2,  1831.  His  parents  were 
George  and  Mary  (Wieninger)  Kiechle, 
both  natives  of  Germany.  At  six  years  of 
age  he  lost  his  father  by  death,  and  was 
early  thrown  upon  his  own  resources.     His 


meagre  schooling  was  obtained  in  Germany, 
and  while  there  he  was  variously  employed 
until  1846,  w'hen,  hearing  of  the  splendid 
opportunities  in  the  new  world  awaiting  en- 
ergetic and  ambitious  men,  he  decided  to 
leave  the  land  of  his  nativit}-.  Upon  reach- 
ing America  he  proceeded  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
where  he  remained  three  years  industri- 
ously appl3'ing  himself  and  learning  the 
founder's  trade.  From  Buffalo  he  jour- 
neyed to  Akron,  Ohio,  thence  to  Cincinnati, 
and  from  there,  in  1858,  came  to  Evansville. 
From  that  time  to  the  present  he  has  been 
engaged  in  foundry  work,  except  during 
three  3ears  of  the  civil  war  period,  when  he 
conducted  with  profit  the  business  of  a  retail 
grocer.  Endowed  with  an  active  and  pro- 
gressi\e  spirit,  and  possessing  much  busi- 
ness tact  and  ability,  he  has  achieved 
success.  In  1852  his  marriage  occurred. 
Miss  Catherine  Loch,  a  native  of  Germany, 
born  in  1828,  who  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1849,  becoming  his  wife.  Of  this  union 
eight  children  have  been  born:  Frederick 
W.,  Mary  C,  Charles,  Louisa,  Henry,  Ed- 
ward, Emma  and  Carrie. 

Evansville  is  situated  in  the  center  of  a 
great  tobacco-growing  countr)-.  That  the 
manufacture  of  this  natural  product  should 
be  early  engaged  in,  was  to  be  expected. 
From  a  small  beginning  it  has  grown  to 
large  proportions.  One  of  the  leading 
cigar  manufacturers  and  wholesale  dealers 
in  tobacco  at  this  time  is  George  Lennert, 
w^io  was  born  m  Germany,  March  4, 
1840,  being  the  fifth  in  a  family  of  ten 
children  born  to  Peter  and  Catherina 
(Schmittinger)  Lennert,  natives  of  Ger- 
many. His  father  was  born  in  1801,  and 
died  in  this  city  in  the  present  year;  his 
mother  was  born  in  1802,  and  died  in 
Evansville  in  1885.  The  Lennerts  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1852,  and  after  a 
sojourn  in  Pennsylvania  of  one  year's    du- 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


m 


ration,  they  settled  in  Newburgh,  Warrick 
county,  Ind.,  then  a  very  promising  town. 
After  a  two  years'  residence  at  that  place 
they  removed  to  Evansville,  where  through- 
out a  long  residence  they  were  highly  re- 
spected people.  George  Lennert  received 
a  common  school  education,  and  when 
eighteen  years  of  age,  began  learning  the 
trade  of  a  cigar-maker  in  the  factory  of 
William  Koenig.  Si.v  years  later  he  began 
business  for  himself,  and  has  since  con- 
tinued, meeting  with  much  success.  At 
the  present  time  his  business  is  quite  ex- 
tensive. Ten  or  fifteen  men  are  regularly 
employed,  .and  from  1,000,000  to 
1,500,000  cigars  are  annually  made.  In 
1874  h*^  was  married  to  Henrietta 
Schmoll,  who  was  born  in  this  cit}-  in 
1850,  the  daughter  of  Martin  and  Elizabeth 
(Colp)  Schmoll.  Four  children,  Hettie, 
William,  Edward  and  Oscar,  compose  his 
family.  He  and  his  wife  are  prominent 
members  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  are 
worthy  and  highly  respected  people. 

For  more  than  forty  years  the  name  of 
Edward  Bowles  has  been  recotrnized  as  that 
of  a  leader  in  the  livery  business  in  this  city. 
He  descends  from  good  pioneer  stock.  The 
Bowles  family  came  to  Exansville  from 
Maine,  in  1839.  Joshua  and  Lucy  (Water) 
Bowles,  the  parents  of  Edward,  were  born 
in  Maine  in  1785  and  1789,  respectively. 
They  were  well-known  as  early  residents  of 
this  city,  and  died  here,  the  father  in  1849, 
the  mother  in  1875.  Edward  Bowles  was 
born  at  Wayne,  in  his  father's  native  state, 
January  14, 1822.  He  received  a  good  com- 
mon school  education  in  the  town  of  his  nativ- 
ity. He  was  variously  employed  until 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  by  which  time  he 
had  accumulated  enough  capital  to  embark 
in  business  on  his  own  account.  His  first 
stable,  as  remembered  by  the  older  residents 
of  Evansville,  was    located  on  the    alley  be- 


tween First  and  Second  streets,  and  Main 
and  Locust  streets.  In  1852  he  moved  over 
on  Division  street;  in  1863  he  built  the  house 
now  occupied  by  Vickery  Bros.,  and  three 
years  later  moved  into  his  present  spacious 
and  convenient  quarters.  Mr.  Bowles  is 
one  of  the  oldest  livery  men  in  this  part  of 
the  state,  and  his  stable  has  always  been 
recognized  as  one  of  the  best  to  be  found 
anywhere.  In  1873  his  stables  were 
rebuilt.  The  building  is  of  brick,  two 
stories  high,  51x150  feet.  Mr.  Bowles 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  polit- 
ically a  republican.  He  was  married  in 
1852,  to  Tabitha  S.  Holland,  who  was 
born  in  Kentucky  in  1825,  and  died  in  this 
city  in  1883,  leaving  two  children,  Joseph, 
born  1855,  and  William,  born  1865.  Mrs. 
Bowles  was  a  resident  of  the  city  for  forty- 
nine  years.  As  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  as  a  lov- 
able type  of  womanhood,  she  is  kindly 
remembered  by  many  friends. 

In  1849  William  Rahm  and  his  wife, 
Johanna  M.,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Schmachtenberg,  nati\es  of  German}',  came 
to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  this  county. 
Their  family  consisted  of  nine  children, 
all  of  whom  are  now  living.  Tv^'o  of  these, 
Emil  and  Ernst,  are  now  proprietors  of  one 
of  the  principal  shoe  stores  of  the  city. 
Emil  was  born  in  the  town  of  Huekeswagen, 
near  Ebberfeld,  Prussia,  May  16,  1842. 
Ernst  was  born  in  this  city  October  12, 
1852.  Emil  attended  the  public  schools 
here  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  for 
^ight  years  thereafter  worked  on  the  farm 
where  his  father  now  resides.  Then  for 
two  years  he  taCight  a  German  Protestant 
congregational  school.  From  1S64  to  1877 
he  was  employed  as  book-keeper  for  Mat- 
thew Dalzell,  at  that  time  in  the  wholesale 
grocery  trade.  Being  popular  and  compe- 
tent, in  1876  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  the 


^18 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


county,  as  the  candidate  of  the  democratic 
party,  bj-  a  majorit}-  of  485  votes.  His  term 
of  office  expired  October  i,  1879,  from 
which  time  until  1881  he  was  employed  as 
a  book-keeper.  Then  in  partnership  with 
F.  W.  Herrenbruck,he  engaged  in  the  retail 
boot  and  shoe  business.  His  partner  dying 
in  1884,  he  carried  on  the  business  alone 
until  18S7,  when  his  brother  Ernst  was  ad- 
mitted to  partnership.  He  was  married  in  1864 
to  Miss  Selma  Duchmann,  born  in  Alsatia, 
Germany,  in  1843,  and  is  the  father  of  one 
£hild,  Selma  E.,  born  1878.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  K.  of  H.  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  frater- 
nities, and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  German  Evangehcal  church.  The 
younger  brother,  Ernst,  was  educated  in 
the  private  and  public  schools  of  the  cit}',  in 
the  high  school,  and  at  the  commercial  col- 
lege of  Wells  and  Kleiner.  From  1871  to 
1887  he  was  employed  as  clerk  and  book- 
keeper in  the  business  houses  of  his  brothers, 
William,  jr.,  and  Emil.  Since  1SS7  his 
course  has  been  indicated  above.  He  was 
married  May  4,  1876,  to  Miss  Mary  Els- 
felder,  born  in  Vanderburgh  count}-,  Ind., 
May  12,  1855,  daughter  of  Leonhard  Els- 
felder,  a  native  of  Germany.  His  family 
contains  five  children:  Wilham  E.,  Albert, 
Victor,  Mary,  and  Oliver  W.  Mr.  Rahm 
is  a  Knight  of  Honor.  He  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  German  Evangelical  church. 
Both  Emil  and  Ernst  Rahm  are  enterpris- 
ing and  careful  tradesmen  and  enjoj-  a  high 
standing  in  business  and  social  ciixles. 

In  the  front  rank  of  the  enterprising  retail 
merchants  of  Evansville  stands  Peter 
Marker,  who  for  many  years  has  been 
closety  identified  with  the  business  growth 
of  the  city,  and  particularly  that  of  the  boot 
and  shoe  trade.  Mr.  Marker  was  born  in 
Ellweiler,  Birkenfeld,  Germany,  November 
9,  1843,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Charles  and 
Sophia   (Brenner)   Marker,  both  natives  of 


Germany,  who  lived  and  died  in  the  father- 
land. His  youth  was  spent  in  the  land  of 
his  birth,  and  there  were  laid  the  founda- 
tions for  his  mental  development.  In  1859, 
then  indeed  but  a  mere  boy,  he  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  with  a  view  of  better- 
ing his  condition,  the  new  world  at  that  time 
offering  many  allurements  to  the  energetic 
and  ambitious.  Upon  reaching  America  he 
proceeded  with  little  delay  to  Rockport, 
Spencer  county,  Ind.,  and  later  moved  from 
there  to  Boonville,  in  Warrick  county.  In 
1862,  when  the  nation  needed  men  to  put 
down  armed  rebellion  in  the  south,  young 
Marker  responded  to  his  country's  call, 
and  enlisted  for  three  years'  service  or 
during  the  war,  in  Company  E,  Sixt)'- 
fifth  Indiana  Infantry  volunteers.  Going 
to  the  front  he  served  faithfully  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  being  honorably 
discharged  in  1865.  Returning  from  the 
war  to  engage  in  the  pursuits  of  civil  life, 
he  located  in  Evansville,  and  for  a  time  was 
engaged  as  a  clerk.  In  1867  he  formed  a 
copartnership  with  Mr.  George  Miller  for 
the  purpose  of  dealing  in  boots  and  shoes. 
The  new  house  soon  became  popular,  and 
because  of  the  probity  and  energy  of  its  pro- 
prietors, for  tw  ent}-  years  maintained  a  high 
place  in  public  esteem.  Mr.  Miller's  death 
occurred  in  1887.  In  January,  1S88,  a  new 
partnership  was  formed  by  Mr.  Marker 
and  Gustave  Wevand,  which  was  terminated 
July  10,  1 888,  and  the  business  is  continued 
by  Mr.  Marker  alone.  Peter  Marker  was 
united  in  marriage  in  1S67,  with  Miss  Lina 
Miller,  of  German  descent,  the  daughter  of 
George  and  Christina  Miller,  and  of  this 
union  seven  children  have  been  born:  Anna 
S.,  Charles  G.,  Emil  L.,  Arnold  P.,  Oliver 
P.,  Walter  S.  and  Zelda  L.  Mr.  Marker 
affiliates  with  the  republican  party,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  frater- 
nities. 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSriLLE. 


419 


John  N.  McCoy,  paymaster  Louisville  & 
Nashville  railroad,  is  a  native  of  Mississippi, 
born  December  17,  1S49.  His  parents,  F. 
B.  and  Lovey  (Capell)  McCoy,  natives 
of  South  Carolina,  of  Scotch-Irish  des- 
cent, lived  on  a  cotton  plantation  in 
Mississippi  and  died  there  during  the 
civil  war  period.  John  spent  his  boyhood 
on  the  plantation  and  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  state  and 
in  an  academy  at  Clinton,  La.  For  a  short 
time  he  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  gro- 
cery store  at  Clinton,  but  soon  went  into  the 
service  of  a  railroad  company,  first  as  a 
brakeman  and  later  as  conductor.  This  he 
continued  until  1872,  when  he  came  north 
and  entered  the  service  of  the  Pullman 
Palace  Car  company,  as  a  conductor,  run- 
ning between  Chicago  and  New  York 
cit}'.  After  two  years  he  was  employed  in 
the  office  of  the  superintendent  at  the  cen- 
tral depot  in  Chicago,  111.,  remaining  there 
until  1S75,  when  he  was  appointed  assist- 
ant superintendent  of  the  company's  office 
at  Detroit,  Mich.  From  there  he  was 
transfered  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  later  to 
Louisville,  Ky.  In  August,  18S0,  he  left 
the  Pullman  company,  and  became  associ- 
ated with  the  Louisville  &  Nashville  rail- 
road company,  lirst  as  chief  clerk  in  the 
office  of  the  superintendent,  then  as  paymas- 
ter of  the  line  between  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and 
Decatur,  Ala.  The  duties  of  his  position 
have  been  discharged  with  great  faithfulness 
and  efficiency.  In  1872  he  was  married  in 
Chicago,  111.,  to  Miss  Jennie  A.  Covert,  a 
native  of  Seneca  county,  N.  V.,  and 
daughter  of  David  H.  and  Ann  (Van  Dorn) 
Covert.  Of  this  union  two  children  have 
been  born;  Emma  and  Frank. 

One  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of 
Evansville,  in  the  boot  and  shoe  trade,  and  a 
representative  of  a  leading  family-  of  earlier 
times,   is    Frederick  J    Ehrman,  bom  in 


York,  Penn.,  June  12,  1846.  Dr.  Frederick 
Ehrman,  his  paternal  grandfather,  who 
emigrated  from  Germany,  his  native  coun- 
try, to  the  United  States,  in  1833,  and  died 
at  Liverpool,  Penn.,  some  sixteen  years  later, 
was  well  advanced  in  the  science  of  medi- 
cine, and  was  one  of  the  first  advocates  of 
homeopathy  in  this  country.  Five  sons  of 
this  man  were  all  successful  homeopathic 
physicians.  The  youngest  of  these.  Dr.  E.  J. 
Ehrman,  well  known  here  for  many  3-ears, 
was  born  at  Jaxthausen,  Wurtemberg,  Ger- 
many, October  29,  1819.  He  was  educated 
in  the  schools  of  his  native  country,  and  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  at  twenty  years  of  age, 
commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  his 
father's  direction,  and  continued  it  for  five 
years.  In  1844,  he  entered  upon  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  in  Liverpool,  Penn., 
where  he  continued  for  some  time.  After 
attending  lectures  at  the  Homeopathic  Med- 
ical College  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadel- 
phia, he  graduated  in  1852,  and  in  the 
same  3-ear  came  to  Evansville.  He  was 
the  first  physician  in  this  cit}'  practic- 
ing in  the  new  school.  Because  of 
strong  prejudices  then  existing,  several 
years  elapsed  before  the  foundation 
for  homeopathy  could  be  laid,  but  his 
practice  grew,  and  in  time  he  became  one 
of  the  most  successful  practitioners  in  the 
city.  .  His  death  occurred  in  this  city  No- 
vember 24,  1879.  His  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Elizabeth  Churchill,  born  in 
Switzerland  in  1821,  is  still  living.  The  im- 
mediate subject  of  this  mention  is  the  eld- 
est of  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  now 
living.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the 
schools  of  this  cit}-,  and  at  Asbury  Univer- 
sity (now  DePauw  University),  at  Green- 
castle,  Ind.,  where  he  spent  three  years. 
For  twenty  years,  from  1863,  he  was  em- 
ployed in  one  of  the  leading  boot  and  shoe 
business    houses  of  the    city,  and  here   ob- 


}fiO 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


tained  valuable  practical  training.  In  18S3, 
he  embarked  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business, 
where  he  is  now  located,  in  partnership 
with  Mr.  D.  T.  MacClement.  This  firm,  by 
steady  industry  and  honorable  methods, 
have  won  prosperitv-  Mr.  Ehrman  was 
married  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  October  22, 
1872,  to  Miss  Hattie  Scott,  who  is  a  native 
of  Montreal,  Canada.  Three  children, 
Charlotte  E.,  Hattie  E.,  and  Ernst  J.,  have 
been  born  of  this  union.  Though  pursuing 
his  business  interests  steadfastly,  Mr.  Ehr- 
man has  never  neglected  his  social  responsi- 
bilities. He  is  a  charter  member  of  St. 
George  Lodge,  No.  143,  K.  of  P.,  and  for 
many  years  has  been  one  of  the  most  ac- 
tive members  of  the  order  in  this  part  of  In- 
diana. He  is  a  charter  member  of  the 
Uniform  Rank,  and  also  a  member  of  the 
Royal  Arcanum.  In  all  social  relations  he 
is  deservedl}-  popular. 

The  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Ehr- 
man &  MacClement,  boot  and  shoe  dealers, 
David  MacClement,  was  born  in  Philadel- 
phia, Penn.,  December  29,  1845.  His  pa- 
ternal grandfather,  Thomas  MacClement, 
was  a  native  of  Gallowa}'  shire,  Scotland, 
moved  to  County  Down,  Ireland,  settled  in 
Bangor,  in  that  county,  there  married  Sarah 
E.  Jamieson,  a  native  of  the  place,  and 
raised  a  respectable  family.  His  father's 
name  was  also  Thomas,  born  at  Bangor,  in 
181 1.  When  t\vent3'-two  years  of  age,  he 
came  to  America,  and  was  for  a  time  engaged 
as  a  merchant  tailor  in  New  York  and  Phila- 
delphia. In  the  latter  citj',  early  in  1845,  he 
married  Catharine  J.  R.  VanDerslice,  and 
eight  years  later,  moved  to  Dayton,  Ohio, 
having  meanwhile  lived  one  year  at  Read- 
ing, Penn.  D.  T.  MacClement  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Dayton,  Ohio, 
and  at  Philadelphia,  Penn.  At  twelve  years 
of  age  he  started  out  in  life  to  maintain  him- 
self,  and  for  some  time  was  employed   in  a 


wholesale  book  and  stationery  house  in 
Dayton.  When  the  war  broke  out  he 
offered  his  services,  and  was  accepted. 
His  name  was  entered  on  the  muster  rolls 
of  the  First  Ohio  Volunteer  infantry, 
but  being  under  lawful  age,  his  father 
had  him  released.  He  enlisted  again 
in  the  Ninety-third  Ohio  infantry  with  the 
same  result.  Being  determined  to  enter  the 
service  he  finall}'  enlisted  in  the  OneHundred 
and  Thirty-first  Ohio  infantry,  under  the 
name  of  T.  V.  Clement,  and  served  faith- 
fully until  August,  1864,  when  honorabl}' 
discharged.  Returning  to  Dayton,  he  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  Grover  &  Baker 
Sewing  Machine  company,  where  he  con- 
tinued as  book-keeper  until  1868,  when 
forming  a  partnership  with  his  brother-in- 
law,  B.  N.  Rowe,  he  took  the  agency  of  the 
Howe  Sewing  Machine  compan}-  at  this 
place.  He  continued  in  this  business  until 
1875.  April  15th  of  this  j-ear  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Annie  E.  Bennett,  daughter  of 
Bylers  Bennett,  and  then  occupied  various 
positions  as  an  accountant  and  book-keeper 
until  1886,  when  he  purchased  the  interest 
of  H.  W.  Lauer,  in  the  firm  of  Lauer  & 
Ehrman,  and   formed   the    partnership   with 

F.  J.  Ehrman  already  mentioned.  Fie  is  a 
member    of  the    I.    O.    O.    F.,    K.    of    P., 

G.  A.  R.  and  Royal  Arcanum. 

Harry  Stinsox,  deputy  auditor  of  Van- 
derburgh county,  v^'as  born  in  Evansville, 
January  5,  1858.  His  parents,  William  H. 
and  Elizabeth  (McCorkle)  Stinson,  came  to 
Vanderburgh  countv  in  the  pioneer  era. 
Indeed,  the  Stinson  name  is  inseparably  con- 
nected with  the  early  annals  of  the  city  and 
county.  William  H.  Stinson  was  a  Ken- 
tuckian,  and  for  many  3'ears  was  a  well- 
known  steamboat  captain  on  the  Ohio  and 
Green  rivers.  His  death  occurred  in  this 
city  in  1876.  His  wife,  Elizabeth,  an 
estimable  lady,  with  the  heroic    qualities    of 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


Ifil 


the  old-time  folk,  was  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina in  182 1,  and  after  a  long  and  useful 
life,  died  in  this  cit)'  in  1885.  Harry  Stin- 
son  is  the  eighth  child  in  a  famil}-  of  eleven 
children.  His  home  has  always  been  in  the 
city  of  his  nativity.  Though  thrown  upon 
his  own  resources  early  in  life,  he  received 
a  good  common  school  education,  and  this, 
with  good  health  and  active  intellect,  fairly 
equipped  him  for  the  battle  of  life.  His 
career  has  had  only  its  commencement,  and 
what  the  future  ma\'  hold  in  store  for  him, 
none  can  sa}'  with  certaintj-,  but  favorable 
predictions  are  justified  by  the  achieve- 
ments of  the  past.  At  the  earh'  age  of 
twelve  years  he  began  to  make  his  own 
way,  and  seeking  employment,  found  a  po- 
sition as  a  clerk,  which  he  held  for  some 
time.  As  he  grew  older  the  thought  of 
becoming  a  skilled  artisan  occurred  to  him, 
and  with  commendable  industry  he  served 
an  apprenticeship  as  a  carpenter.  Having 
learned  the  trade,  he  worked  as  a  journey- 
man for  about  three  years.  About  this 
time  he  attained  his  majorit}-,  and  being 
deeply  interested  in  politics,  took  an  active 
part  in  the  campaign  of  1880,  working  for 
the  success  of  the  republican  party.  Leav- 
ing the  workman's  bench,  he  was  connected 
with  the  public  offices  of  the  city  for  a  few 
years,  and  in  1S84  was  appointed  to  a  posi- 
tion in  the  railway  mail  service  of  the  gov- 
ernment, which  he  held  until  October,  1SS6. 
Upon  the  ascent  to  power  of  the  democ- 
racy he  was  removed  for  political  reasons 
solelv,  no  complaint  having  been  made 
against  his  conduct  as  an  official  or  his  worth 
as  a  man.  In  June,  1887,  he  was  appointed 
to  his  present  position  by  County 
Auditor  J.  D.  Parvin.  His  ability  and  po- 
liteness make  of  him  an  efficient  and  popular 
officer.  In  the  local  military  companies  he 
has  held  manv  commissions,  attestinjf  the 
esteem    in  which  his  associates  amongf    the 


young  men  of  the  city  hold  him.  At  pres- 
ent he  is  first  lieutenant  of  the  Evansville 
Light  Infantr\',  and  is  recognized  a  good 
officer.  His  marriage  to  Miss  Julia  Langley 
of  Evansville,  occurred  August  20,  1885. 
She  possessed  many  admirable  traits  of 
character,  and  her  death  in  1887  was  greatly 
lamented. 

Geor(;e  Lafayette  Masters,  a  well- 
known  business  man  of  this  city,  was  born 
on  a  farm  near  Boonville,  August  1^,  1845. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  schools  at 
Boonville,  and  was  yet  within  school  age 
when  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion  occurred. 
In  September,  1861,  in  the  sixteenth  year 
of  his  age,  he  enlisted  in  the  Forty-second 
Indiana  Volunteer  infantry,  and  served  gal- 
lantly until  near  the  close  of  the  war,  receiv- 
ing his  discharge  in  February,  1865,  on  ac- 
count of  a  wound  through  the  right  lung. 
Returning  home  he  went  into  business  at 
Boonville  in  1866.  In  1877  he  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster  at  Boonville,  and  after 
eight  years  of  service,  highly  satisfactory  to 
the  people,  resigned  March  5,  1S85.  He 
immediately  assumed  the  management  of 
the  Cumberland  Telephone  and  Telegraph 
company,  making  his  home  at  Evansville. 
After  a  year's  service  in  this  position,  he 
retired,  and  in  August,  1886,  engaged  as  a 
travehng  salesman  in  Indiana,  Illinois,  Ken- 
tucky and  Missouri,  with  headquarters  at 
Evansville. 

John  W.  Asiibv,  proprietor  of  the  Evans- 
ville wharf-boats,  was  born  in  Madison 
county,  111.,  May  7th,  1846.  His  paternal 
grandfather,  Robert  Ashby,  was  a  Virgin- 
ian, who,  coming  west,  was  for  a  tmie  en- ' 
gaged  as  a  contractor  on  the  Waba.sh  & 
Erie  canal,  and  in  1846  moved  to  Illinois, 
where  he  died,  after  a  long  and  useful 
career,  in  1852.  His  parents  were  Joseph 
R.  and  Mary  (Crabb)  Ashby,  sturdy  peo- 
ple, who  first  came  to  Vanderburgh  county 


J^2 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


in  1844.  The  father  was  born  near  Har- 
per's Ferr\',  Va.,  about  1820,  and  died  in 
Evansville  in  1866.  The  mother  was  a  na- 
tive of  Mansfield,  Ohio,  where  she  was  born 
in  1827,  and  her  death  occurred  in  this  city 
in  1865.  John  W.  Ashb}^  is  the  second  in  a 
family  of  nine  children,  five  of  whom  are 
now  living.  His  youth  was  spent  in  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  Henderson  county,  K}^,  Madi- 
son count}-.  111.,  and  in  this  cit)-,  his  fathers 
business  interests  having  caused  his  resi- 
dence in  all  of  these  places.  The  father's 
prosperity  was  not  such  as  to  prevent  the 
necessity  of  efforts  at  self-maintenance  on 
the  young  man's  part  at  a  verj-  earl}'  age. 
He  received  a  good  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  3'ears  com- 
menced the  battle  of  life  for  himself.  His  first 
employment  was  on  the  steamer  Greenville 
as  clerk,  at  which  he  was  engaged  for  some 
time.  While  thus  occupied  he  learned  the 
trade  of  a  steamboat  engineer,  and  was 
licensed  as  an  engineer  in  1863.  Four  3'ears 
later  he  left  the  river  and  for  six  years  was 
employed  as  book-keeper  ia  the  well-known 
houses  of  Baird  &  Start  and  White,  Dun- 
kerson  &  Co.  Later  with  the  firm  of  George 
H.  Start  &  Co.,  and  continued  in  that  relation 
about  three  years.  After  a  two  years'  ser- 
vice as  book-keeper  for  the  Evansville  Courier 
Co.,  he  returned  to  the  river,  accepting  a 
position  on  the  wharf-boats  of  Bingham  & 
Page.  A  few  years  later  Mr.  Page  retired, 
and  some  time  afterward  when  Mr.  Bingham 
withdrew  from  the  wharf-boat  business  on 
account  of  failing  health,  Mr.  Ashby  made 
the  necessary  purchases  and  assumed  con- 
trol. He  had  now  two  wharf-boats,  and  no 
effort  was  spared  not  onl\'  to  maintain  the 
popularity  gained  by  the  old  firm,  but  to  in- 
crease it.  In  such  a  thorough,  business-like 
way  were  the  wharf-boat  interests  promoted 
during  the  following  eight  years  that,  at  the 
end  of  that  period,  he  was  in  a   position   to 


purchase  a  half  interest  in  the  large 
modern  wharf-boat  which  had  but  recently 
been  brought  to  the  cit}'  bv  that 
enterprising  citizen,  Capt.  Frank  Hop- 
kins. The  firm  was  then  known  as 
Ashby  &  Hopkins,  and  it  did  business  under 
that  name  until  April  5,  1888,  when  Mr. 
Ashby  bought  the  entire  interests,  and  now 
owns  the  three  wharf-boats.  The  progress 
maintained  in  his  successful  business  career 
has  been  gratifving  to  the  manv  friends  who 
have  watched  him  with  devoted  interest. 
His  prosperity  is  the  result  of  honorable 
methods  and  untiring  effort.  Always  cour- 
teous, his  pleasing  manners  have  made  him 
exceedingl}-  popular  in  business  and  social 
circles.  He  was  married  in  1865,  to  Miss 
Lucy  A.  Noll,  of  Kentucky,  who  was  born 
in  1844,  and  is  the  father  of  one  child, 
Edgar  K. 

Henry  W.  Lauer,  dealer  in  real  estate 
and  an  aggressive  citizen,  was  born  in  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  on  the  27th  of  September,  1836. 
His  father.  Rev.  Henry  W.  Lauer,  spent 
fifteen  years  of  his  life  in  the  ministr}-  of  the 
German  Lutheran  church.  He  was  born  at 
Lustnau,  German}-,  in  1807,  was  educated 
at  the  University  of  Tuebingen,  came  to 
Evansville  in  1836,  and  after  a  well-spent 
life  died  here  in  1850.  His  mother  Caro- 
line (Grissinger)  Lauer  was  a  native  of 
Little  York,  Penn.,  born  in  iSoS,  and  after 
rearing  a  family  in  respectability  died 
in  this  cit\'  in  1874.  Henrv  W.  Lauer 
was  the  second  in  a  familv  of  nine  children, 
five  of  whom  are  yet  living.  His  }-outh  was 
spent  in  this  cit}-,  in  the  schools  of  which  he 
obtained  a  good  practical  education.  The 
spirit  of  enterprise  and  adventure  early  de- 
veloped itself  and' finding  no  adequate  field 
for  its  display  in  the  well  advanced  city  of 
Evansville,  in  1858  he  removed  to  New 
Mexico.  There  for  a  time  he  engaged  in 
the  arduous  business  of  transporting  freight 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


JfiS 


across  the  plains  from  Kansas  City  to  New 
Mexico.  IJeing  i[uick  in  his  perceptions  and 
of  retentive  memorv,  he  soon  mastered  the 
various  languages  used  in  the  section  fre- 
(juented  by  the  peoples  of  the  two  countries, 
Mexica  and  the  United  States.  This  posses- 
sion secured  liis  cmplo\ment  in  i860 
and  1S61,  as  interpreter  and  otlicial  trans- 
lator for  the  territorial  legislature  of 
New  Mexico,  under  Governor  Connelly, 
in  which  capacit\-  he  rendered  elRcient  and 
\aluable  service.  His  experience  on  the 
plains  also  litted  him  for  useful  military  ser- 
vice. In  September,  1863,  he  was  commis- 
sioned first  lieutenant  in  the  First  Infantry  of 
New  Mexico  volunteers,  and  was  detailed 
as  recruiting  olHcer  for  the  territory.  His 
promotion  soon  followed.  In  1S64  he  re- 
ceived a  captain's  commission,  and  was 
detailed  as  recruiting  otBcer  and  acting  pro- 
vost marshal  for  the  territory,  under  Gen. 
James  H.  Carlton.  He  continued  in  the 
service  until  September,  1866,  when  he  was 
honorably  mustered  out.  Returning  to 
Evansvillc  'n  the  following  year,  he  began 
the  business  of  a  merchant,  which  he 
abandoned  in  1869  to  accept  an  appoint- 
ment as  deputy  sheriff  of  Vanderburgh 
count}'.  One  }"ear  later  he  commenced  the 
operation  of  a  mill,  which  was  continued 
successfully  for  three  years.  From  1S75  to 
1886  he  was  engaged  as  a  boot  and  shoe 
dealer,  giving  up  which  he  entered  his 
present  occupation.  Through  a  long  career 
he  has  been  an  active  and  progressive  busi- 
ness man.  In  the  Masonic  order  he  has  at- 
tained a  worthy  prominence,  early  receiving 
the  rank  of  Knight  Templar.  He  has  served 
the  public  acceptably  in  \arious  relations,  as 
a  school  trustee  for  three  years.  His  mar- 
riage occurred  May  2,  1867,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Willc}-,  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  who  was 
born  in  1842. 
Albert    W.    Harwood,    local    freight 


agent  of  the  E.  &  T.  H.  railroad,  was  born 
in  Evansville,  October  18,  1858.  He  is  the 
son  of  John  W.  and  Sarah  Harwood.  He 
was  reared  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  this  city.  At  the  age  of  fifteen 
years  he  was  employed  as  a  messenger  by 
the  E.  &  T.  II.  company.  Being  attentive 
to  his  duties  and  capable  of  doing  clerical 
work,  he  was  soon  made  entry  clerk,  then 
bill  clerk,  and  at  length  cashier  in  the  gen- 
eral freight  office  of  the  road.  From  the 
responsible  position  of  cashier  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  chief  clerkship,  and  eventually 
was  assigned  the  duties  of  local  freight 
agent.  He  has  been  efficient  and  trust- 
worthy in  every  position,  and  has  earned,  b\' 
good  work,  the  advancement  made.  April 
27,  1880,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mollie  E. 
Rowland,  daughter  of  Robert  Rowland,  a 
well-known  resident  of  this  city.  They 
have  two  children  living,  Bessie  M.  and 
Grace,  their  first  child.  Ruby  Belle,  having 
died  at  the  age  of  eleven  months.  Mr. 
Harwood  is  a  K.  of  P.  and  a  member  of  the 
State  Association  of  Railroad  Agents;  also 
a  charter  member  and  secretary  of  Vander- 
burgh Council,  Royal  Arcanum.  An  esti- 
mate of  his  career  cannot  be  made  at  this 
time,  with  justice.  It  is  but  well  begun, 
but  the  past  augurs  well  for  the  future. 

William  E.  Barnes,  a  trustworthy 
young  business  man  of  Evansville,  was 
born  October  24,  1859,  at  Lockport,  N.  Y., 
being  the  son  of  Alphonso  and  Eliza 
(Stevens)  Barnes,  natives  of  Vermont.  His 
parents  came  to  Indianapolis  about  1862, 
and  subsequently  removed  to  Terre  Haute, 
where  the  father  was  eiuploved  as  agent  for 
the  American  Express  company.  His  death 
occurred  in  that  city  in  1867.  William  E. 
Barnes  received  the  rudiments  of  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Terre  Haute, 
but  because  of  his  father's  death,  was  early 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources.     At  seven- 


Jfi], 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


teen  3'ears  of  age  he  entered  the  service  of 
the  Vandalia  raih-oad,  and  remained  with 
that  corporation  six  years.  From  1883  he 
was  employed  by  the  Adams  Express  com- 
pany, first  at  Terre  Haute  and  since  18S5 
in  this  city,  until  November,  1888,  when  he 
resigned  his  place,  and  accepted  the  position 
of  entry  clerk  with  Macicey,  Nisbet  &  Co. 
His  fidelity  to  every  trust  has  raised  him 
from  time  to  time  in  the  confidence  of  his 
employers  and  the  business  community. 
Possessing  an  unsullied  reputation  and  the 
elements  of  popularity,  a  career  of  useful- 
ness may  safely  be  predicted  for  his  achieve- 
ment. He  belongs  to  Orion  Lodge,  No. 
34,  K.  of  P.,  and  stands  high  among  the 
members  of  the  fraternity. 

Walter  Ruston,  a  wortJiy  representa- 
tive of  a  well-known  pioneer  family,  and  a 
popular  young  business  man,  was  born  in 
this  city  October  4,  i860.  His  father,  Rob- 
bert  S.  Ruston,  was  a  native  of  Cambridge- 
shire, England,  where  he  was  born  in  1815, 
and  came  to  Vanderburgh  county  in  1838, 
settlincr  on  a  farm  near  the  citv  limits.  He 
subsequently  removed  to  the  city,  and  for 
many  years  was  engaged  in  the  commission 
business.  Later  he  was  connected  with  the 
lire  department  during  a  long  period.  He 
died  in  this  city  in  1882.  The  wife  of  this 
pioneer,  Miriam  (White)  Ruston,  was  born 
in  London,  England,  in  1844,  and  still  re- 
sides in  Evansville,  much  respected  by  all 
with  whom  slie  has  been  associated,  as 
friend  or  nei^libor.  Walter  Ruston  is  the 
eldest  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  yet 
livintx.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  city.  In  1882,  he  en- 
tered the  service  of  the  Adams  Express 
company,  and  by  fidelity  to  trust  and  busi- 
ness ability  rose  rapidly  in  his  employer's 
favor.  Commencing  as  a  messenger,  he 
soon  became  money  deliverer;  then  in  1884 
money  clerk,  and  since   1885   has  rendered 


satisfactory  service  in  the  responsible  posi- 
tion of  cashier.  Jul}-  9,  1885,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Mary  L.  Bateman,  born  in 
Hawesville,  Ky.,  in  1861,  the  daughter  of 
Charles  B.  and  Maria  Bateman,  prominent 
people  of  that  place.  Mr.  Ruston,  his  wife 
and  mother,  are  members  of  St.  Paul's  Epis- 
copal church. 

In  1854  Christopher  and  Amelia  (Knip- 
ping)  Hulvershorn  came  to  Evansville  from 
Prussia,  their  native  countr}-.  For  a  time 
they  remained  here,  then  removed  to  the 
neighboring  town  of  Newburgh,  where 
they  were  well  known,  and  at  length 
returned  to  this  cit}^  The\'  died  in  this 
city,  each  at  an  advanced  age.  Christopher 
was  a  cabinet-maker  and  undertaker.  His 
family  consisted  of  six  children,  four  of 
whom,  all  natives  of  Prussia,  still  survive. 
Emil  Hulvershorn,  the  oldest  son,  was  born 
September  5,  1840.  He  was  educated  in 
Prussia,  and  learned  the  trade  of  his  father. 
When  his  father  left  Newburgh  he  con- 
tinued in  business  there  until  his  property 
was  destro3'ed  by  fire  in  1884,  at  a  loss  of 
$1,500.  Since  that  time  he  has  worked  at 
his  trade  in  this  city.  He  was  married  in 
1867  to  Sophia  Mountell,  a  native  of  Ohio. 
They  have  six  children:  Eleanor,  Edmond, 
Emma,  Edith,  Edgar  and  Eva.  Mr.  Hul- 
vershorn is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.F.,  and 
in  politics  a  democrat.  The  second  son, 
Louis  Hulvershorn,  who  now  resides 
in  Newburgh,  contitming  the  business  earl\' 
established  by  his  father,  is  a  man  of  family 
and  of  high  standing  in  business  circles. 
Fred  W.  Hulvershorn  was  born  June  13, 
1845.  Educated  in  the  public  schools  and 
at  Wells  &  Kleiner's  Commercial  College, 
he  was  well  equipped  for  a  business  career. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  and 
worked  at  it  for  some  time :  then  clerked  in 
a  grocer}-  store;  and  later  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  A.  Reis,  who,  in  addition  to  his  bus- 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSYILLE. 


425 


iness  as  a  general  merchant,  conducted  a 
tannery.  After  several  years'  service  as  a 
book-keeper  and  general  manager,  Mr.  Hul- 
vershorn,  forming  a  partnership  with  J.  M. 
Kuebler,  a  tanner  and  prominent  citizen  of 
Newburgh,  established  a  leather  store  in 
this  city.  After  four  years  the  partnership 
was  dissolved.  The  Evansville  Leather 
and  Belting  company,  with  Mr.  Hulvershorn 
as  its  leading  spirit,  was  then  formed,  since 
which  time  the  business  has  been  greatly 
extended  thrt)U<rh  his  able  manasjement.  He 
was  married  in  March,  1S70,  to  Lena  Muth, 
a  native  of  Germany,  daughter  of  Conrad 
Muth.  Thev  have  live  children:  Matilda, 
Marv,  Louisa,  Amelia  and  William.  Mr. 
Hulvershorn  is  a  member,  in  high  standing, 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  fraternity,  is  a  democrat  in 
politics,  and  with  his  family  belongs  to  the 
German  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Hugo 
E.  Hulvershorn,  the  3-oungest  son,  was  born 
August  2,  1850,  received  his  early  training 
in  the  schools  of  this  city  and  Newburgh, 
learned  the  cabinet-maker's  trade  under  his 
father,  and  for  many  j'ears  worked  at  it  in 
partnership  with  liis  brother  Louis  at  New- 
burgh. Sellincr  his  interests  to  his  brother 
he  came  to  Exansville  about  ten  years  ago, 
was  engaged  as  a  traveling  salesman  for  his 
brother,  F.  W.,  and  then  learned  the  trade 
of  a  belt-maker.  By  dint  of  industry  and 
close  attention  to  business  he  has  attained 
the  position  of  superintendent  of  the  belt 
factory.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
fraternity,  and  in  politics  is  a  democrat.  He 
was  married  in  May,  1875,  to  Louis  Prinz, 
a  native  of  Ohio.  They  have  two  children: 
Arthur  and  Edwin  C. 

The  fashionable  shoemaker  of  the  citj'  is 
Stephen  Exz.  He  makes  a  specialty  of 
men's,  ladies  and  misses  shoes,  and  does  an 
annual  custom  trade  of  more  than  $15,- 
000.00.  He  was  born  m  Germany,  De- 
cember   25,    1 85 1,  and    when  fifteen  years 


of  age  came  to  the  United  States.  After 
visiting  several  cities  he  settled  in  Evans- 
ville and  began  business  here  on  a  small 
scale,  in  1876.  By  industr}'  and  close  at- 
tention to  business,  he  prospered,  and  was 
soon  compelled  to  leave  the  small  house  in 
which  he  had  commenced,  for  larger  quar- 
ters. The  extent  of  his  trade  has  constantly 
increased,  and  by  economically-  husbanding 
his  earnings,  he  has  accumulated  a  comfort- 
able competence.  His  parents,  Clement  and 
Genevieve  (Kern)  Enz,  were  natives  of  Ba- 
den, German}-,  and  respectable  people, 
who  came  to  this  country  in  1S66.  April 
15,  1873,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
Schweizer,  a  native  of  Louisville,  Ky.  They 
have  eight  children :  Lizzie,  Anna,  Joseph, 
George,  Kate,  Frank,  Lena  and  Celia.  Mr. 
Enz  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Ro- 
man Catholic  church. 

Prominent  among  the   dealers  in    stoves, 


tinware    and    like    goods,    is     the    tin 


of 


Blemker  &  Weaver.  Henry  Ernest  Blkm- 
KER  was  born  in  Westphalia,  Prussia,  May 
31,  1S33.  Ten  years  later  his  father,  Ernest 
J.  Blemker,  came  to  Indiana  and  set- 
tled in  Dubois  county.  He  was  a  suc- 
cessful farmer  and  highly  respected  as  a  cit- 
izen. At  the  age  of  eighty-two  years  he 
died  upon  his  farm.  His  wife  attained 
the  advanced  age  of  seventy-six  \-ears. 
Henry  is  the  second  son  in  a  family  of  si.v 
children.  The  rudiments  of  his  intellectual 
training  were  obtained  in  the  common 
schools  of  Dubois  county.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  years  he  entered  the  State  Univer- 
sity at  Bloomington,  Ind.,  and  there  pursued 
his  studies  for  two  years.  He  then  took  a 
course  of  commercial  training  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  at  the  school  of  John  Gundry,  gradu- 
ating therefrom  in  1857.  It  was  in  the 
next  year  that  he  came  to  Evansville,  where 
he  was  employed  as  as  a  book-keeper.  He 
then  went  into   the  live-stock  business,  and 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


through  the  ravages  of  disease  met  serious 
losses.  For  two  years  thereafter  he  was 
engaged  as  a  salesman  in  the  Louisville 
(Ky.)  rolling  mills,  and  in  i860  established 
a  stove  foundry  in  this  c\iy.  Since 
that  time  as  a  merchant  and  manufacturer, 
he  has  been  closely  identified  with  the 
progress  of  the  cit}'.  His  career  has  been 
characterized  by  enterprising  activity,  able 
management  and  an  unyielding  devotion  to 
honorable  methods.  In  the  city  council  he 
has  rendered  valuable  services  to  the  public, 
and  in  the  work  for  the  advancement  of  re- 
ligion and  temperance,  he  has  ever  been  in 
the  forefront.  His  efforts  for  the  better- 
ment of  humanity  have  been  well  directed 
and  productive  of  good  results.  In  185S  his 
marriage  was  solemnized  with  Miss  Mary 
Wetstein,  a  native  of  Jefferson  county,  Ky. 
Of  this  union  six  children  have  been  born, 
two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  sur- 
vivors are:  Laura  M.  (wife  of  Louis 
Brooks,  of  Jackson,  Tenn.,  editor),  Henri- 
etta L.  (wife  of  Rev.  Clayton  Clippinger,  of 
Salem,  Ind.,  minister  Methodist  'Episcopal 
church),  Ida  A.,  Ella  M.,  and  Henry  E.,  jr., 
all  of  whom  possess  the  beauties  of  charac- 
ter, and  polite  accomplishments,  which  adorn 
the  highest  social  circles. 

Charles  A.  Weaver  was  born  at  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  July  4,  1858,  being  the  youngest 
son  of  Joseph  and  Gertrude  (Kinsly)  Wea- 
ver, natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  this 
country  in  1832,  settHng  at  Richmond,  Va. 
At  this  place  his  father  was  a  merchant 
for  manv  3'ears,  and  moving  to  the  west, 
continued  in  business  for  a  time  at  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  and  Louisville,  Ky.  He  came 
to  Evans ville  in  1840,  and  for  man}-  years 
was  clerk  in  a  shoe  store.  When  the 
war  of  the  rebellion  was  begun  he  en- 
listed in  the  Union  armv  and  rendered  effect- 
ive service.  His  death  was  the  result  of  a 
railroad  accident,  and  occurred  near  Dayton, 


Ohio.  Charles  Weaver  received  a 
limited  education  and  earl}'  began  the  work 
of  self-maintenance.  He  began  service  as 
a  collector  for  Blemker,  Tillman  &  Company, 
then  learned  the  trade  of  a  tinner  in  the 
shops  of  that  firm,  and  was  variously  em- 
ploj'ed  about  the  store  and  foundr)-.  In 
September,  1884,  he  was  admitted  to  part- 
nership with  H.  E.  Blemker.  He  is  a  K.  of 
P.,  having  attained  the  uniform  rank  in  that 
order,  a  member  of  the  K.  and  L.  of  H., 
and  belongs  to  Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  In  every  social  and  business  relation 
he  commands  the  respect  of  all. 

Joseph  B.  Walker,  superintendent  of  the 
Bradstreet  Mercantile  Agency  in  this  cit\-, 
was  born  at  LaFayette,  Ind.,  June  i,  1844. 
His  paternal  grandfather,  Jacob  Walker,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  was  a  mill-wright,  and 
died  of  lockjaw,  the  result  of  an  accident, 
when  Jacob,  his  son,  the  father  of  Joseph  B. 
Walker,  was  a  child.  This  boy  was  en- 
trusted to  the  care  of  a  friend  of  his  father,  a 
distinguished  lawyer,  who  was  no  less  a  person 
than  the  father  of  the  illustrious  Shermans, 
Gen. William  T.  and  the  present  senator  from 
Ohio.  He  grew  up  in  the  Sherman  house- 
hold, and  when  of  age  married  Sarah  J. 
I  Olden,  an  estimable  lad}',  belonging  to  one 
of  the  best  families  of  New  Jersey,  her 
native  state.  Jacob  and  Sarah  Walker  early 
moved  to  Indiana  and  were  among  the 
pioneers  of  Tippecanoe  county.  In  the  war 
against  the  Black  Hawk  Indians  Jacob  ren- 
dered distinguished  service  and  won  the 
rank  of  general.  He  was  a  merchant  at 
LaFayette,  was  a  very  prominent  citizen,  and 
for  thirteen  years  held  the  office  of  postmaster. 
He  died  there  in  1S575  his  wife  having  died 
eight  years  earlier.  Joseph  B.  Walker,  the 
youngest  of  seven  children  born  to  these 
pioneers,  received  a  good  education,  and  at 
the  age  of  sixteen  years  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army.  He  joined  Company  H,  Tenth  Indiana 


^0^.  z^^^::;^.^^..^^ 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


429 


infantry,  under  Col.  M.  D.  Manson,  and  served 
three  years  and  seven  months,  at  no  time 
being  absent  from  his  regiment,  e.xcept  when 
on  detached  dut\-.  He  became  orderly  ser- 
geant under  Col.  Taylor.  When  mustered 
out  he  embarked  in  business  at  Richmond, 
Ind.,  and  from  there  moved  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  he  unfortunately  met  with  ser- 
ious reverses.  Entering  the  employ  of  the 
Consolidated  Street  Railway  company,  of 
that  city,  he  became  cashier  and  then  super- 
intendent. Leaving  here  he  accepted  a 
position  with  the  Union  Stock  Yards  and 
Belt  railroad  compan}',  of  Indianapolis, 
where,  as  weigh-master  and  assistant  super- 
intendent, he  remained  four  j-ears.  He  was 
then  employed  in  the  public  offices  of  Mar- 
ion county,  when  invited  by  the  Bradstreet 
Mercantile  Agency  to  take  charge  of  their 
business  here.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
K.  of  P.  and  G.  A.  R.  orders.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1865  to  Miss  Carrie  Jones,  a  native  of 
Wayne  county,  Ind.,  daughter  of  Stephen 
Jones,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Riciimond,  Ind. 
They  have  one  son,  William  A.,  now  twentv- 
two  years  of  age. 

William  Dean,  assessor  of  Pigeon  town- 
ship,  was  born  in  England,  June  11,  1828. 
His  father,  William  Dean,  sr.,  came  to  the 
United  btates  in  1S36,  and  labored  in  the 
ministry  of  the  Baptist  church  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  July  2,  1848.  Mr.  Dean's 
education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  country,  but,  bv  force  of  cir- 
cumstances, was  necessarily  meagre.  When 
old  enough  to  enter  upon  a  business  career, 
he  established  himself  at  Millersburirh,  Ind., 
but  remained  there  only  three  years,  when, 
in  company  with  Reuben  Hart,  he  purchased 
a  grocery  store  and  pottery  in  this  city. 
When  the  canal  was  completed,  he  ran  a 
freight  boat  for  two  seasons.  During  the 
war  he  rendered  effective  service  in  the 
quartermaster's  department,  being  charged 
?5 


with  the  duty  of  buying  horses  and  mules  at 
this  place.  For  a  time  he  was  superintend- 
ent of  the  street  railway,  and  has  been  en- 
gaged in  many  private  and  public  enterprises. 
At  present  he  is  a  stockholder  and  director 
in  the  Evansville  National  Bank.  In  public 
life  he  has  occupied  many  important  posi- 
tions of  trust  and  honor,  and  in  every  such 
relation  has  acted  with  zeal,  ability  jind  in- 
tegrity. He  has  ser\-ed  the  people  as  a 
member  of  the  city  council,  superintendent 
of  the  water-works,  county  commissioner, 
city  assessor  and  township  assessor.  He 
was  married  March  16,  1848,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth R.  Leavenworth,  a  native  of  Bethel, 
Sullivan  county,  N.  Y.,  to  whom  nine  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  five  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing: Laura  A.,  Emma  C.  (now  Mrs.  Will- 
iam 11.  Greiss),  Jennie  M.  (now  Mrs.  Ira 
Scandin),  Alice  P.  (now  Mrs.  Frank  J. 
Slaughter)  and  Allen  E. 

Among  the  architects  who  have  done 
much  to  adorn  Evansville  by  the  introduc- 
tion of  artistic  stvles  and  the  exercise  of  cul- 
tivated tastes  in  the  architectural  art,  the 
Rkid  Brothers  are  conspicuous.  They  are 
descendants  of  William  J.  and  Lucinda  J. 
(Robinson)  Reid,  natives  of  Canada,  where 
the  latter  still  resides,  the  death  of  the 
former  having  occurred  in  1S85.  The  two 
brothers,  J.  W.  and  M.J.  Reid,  who  consti- 
tute the  firm,  were  born  at  Harvey,  New 
Brunswick,  November  29,  1S51,  and  Janu- 
ary 20,  1854,  respectiveh'.  Both  were 
reared  in  Harvey  and  were  given  common 
school  educations.  Later  they  went  to 
Boston,  Mass.,  and  studied  architecture,  first 
in  the  office  of  a  prominent  architectural  firm 
of  the  cit}-,  and  afterward  in  the  Massachu- 
setts Institute  of  Technology.  Coming 
west  the  elder  brother  located  in  Terre 
Haute,  and  in  1877  came  to  Evansville. 
Purchasing  Mr.  Boyd's  interest  in  the  firm 
of  Boyd  &  Brickley,    architects,   he   estab- 


JtSO 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


lished  himself  permanently.  In  the  following 
year  the  younger  brother  came  to  this 
city,  and  buying  Mr.  Brickley's  interest  in 
the  then  existing  partnership,  became  a 
member  of  the  firm,  which  was  then  given 
its  present  style.  Some  of  the  best  and 
hiandsomest  structures  in  the  city,  public  and 
private,  were  designed  in  the  office  of  these 
gentlemen.  Among  them  are  the  E.  & 
T.  H.  depot,  Willard  Librar}',  Canal  street 
school  building,  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  church, 
the  Gilbert-Miller  dry  goods  company's 
house,  the  Orr  building,  or  Masonic  block, 
the  Mackey,  Nisbet  &  Co.  and  D.  J.  Mac- 
key  buildings.  Their  work  also  comprises 
many  buildings  in  other  cities,  the  magnifi- 
cent hotel  Del  Coronado,  at  San  Diego,  Cal., 
being  among  the  number.  Their  intelli- 
gence and  enterprise  have  made  them  valu- 
able acquisitions  to  Evansville.  The  elder 
Mr.  Reid  is  a  member  of  F.  &  A.  M.,  La 
Vallette  commandery.  No.  15,  and  the 
younger  of  the  Royal  Arcanum,  K.  of  P. 
and  F.  &  A.  M.  orders,  having  attained  in 
the  latter  the  degrees  of  Templarism. 

Frank  B.  Emery,  agent  of  the  Empire 
Fast  Freight  line,  is  a  native  of  Tioga  county, 
Penn.,  born  September  15,  1855.  He  is  the' 
j'oungest  son  in  a  family  of  eleven  children, 
most  of  whom  reside  in  Williamsport,  Penn. 
His  father,  Josiah  Emery,  a  distinguished 
citizen  and  eminent  lawyer,  of  Williamsport, 
is  the  oldest  school  director  in  the  state  of 
Penns)-lvania.  He  is  a  native  of  New 
Hampshire  and  is  now  eighty-seven  3'ears 
of  age.  Frank  Emer}'  was  reared  in  his 
native  town  and  received  a  liberal  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  the  state.  When 
nineteen  years  of  age  he  connected  himself 
with  the  company  which  he  is  now  serving. 
For  ten  j-ears  he  was  stationed  at  various 
places  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1SS3  came  to 
Evansville  in  the  interests  of  the  company. 
His  ability,  energy,  and  good  business  quali- 


fications have  enabled  him  to  build  up  a 
splendid  patronage  for  his  line.  Fair  in  his 
dealings,  always  courteous  to  shippers,  and 
possessing  the  attributes  of  a  true  gentle- 
man, his  personal  popularity  has  increased 
with  each  year  of  his  residence  here.  He 
is  a  prominent  K.  of  P.,  being  a  past  chan- 
cellor and  representative  to  the  grand  lodge. 
He  is  also  identified  with  the  Royal  Arca- 
num. In  November,  1S79,  '^^  ^^''^^  married 
at  Corr}',  Penn.,  to  Miss  Rosa  Holden,  a 
a  native  of  Ohio,  daughter  of  (J.  C.  Holden. 
Prof.  Samuel  N.  Curnick,  principal  of 
the  Evansville  Commercial  College,  was 
born  at  Bristol,  England,  October  27,  1837, 
and  is  the  son  of  Theophilus  and  Mary  A. 
(Leaker)  Curnick,  both  natives  of  Bristol. 
The  father  came  to  Evansville  in  1855,  was 
a  book-keeper  and  accountant,  and  died 
May  I,  1887,  in  his  seventy-third  year. 
Throughout  his  long  residence  here  he  was 
known  as  a  good  man  and  valuable  citizen. 
The  boyhood  of  Samuel  Curnick  was  spent 
in  his  native  place,  and  there  in  the  public 
schools  he  received  his  earl}-  mental  training. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  left  England, 
and  coming  to  America  reached  Evansville 
in  May,  1858.  For  twenty-five  3-ears  he 
was  engaged  in  the  wholesale  dry  goods 
and  notion  trade,  during  the  time  having 
charge  of  every  department  of  the  business: 
office,  finance,  buying,  selling,  etc.  In  the 
spring  of  1SS4  he  connected  himself  with  the 
Evansville  Commercial  College.  His  ex- 
perience of  a  (juarter  of  a  century  had  fitted 
him  especially  for  the  instruction  of  young 
men  and  women  in  practical  business  meth- 
ods. In  the  conduct  of  his  wholesale 
business  affairs  Mr.  Curnick  was  recognized 
as  verv  competent  and  thoroughly  informed 
in  all  matters  connected  with  the  business. 
The  affairs  of  the  commercial  college  are 
now  under  his  sole  management,  as  princi- 
pal.    This  institution  has  attained    a    high 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


431 


rank  among  the  colleges  of  its  kind  in  the 
country.  It  was  established  in  1850  by 
Jeremiah  Behm,  and  under  different  admin- 
istrations has  continued  to  the  present  time, 
being  one  of  the  oldest  commercial  col- 
leges in  the  United  States.  It  has,  during 
its  existence,  sent  out  over  10,000  students 
who  have  by  the  proficienc}'  of  their  work 
maintained  the  high  reputation  of  the  insti- 
tution in  this  and  neighboring  states.  The 
average  attendance  during  the  fall  and  win- 
ter months  is  from  100  to  150,  of  both 
sexes,  and  of  ages  ranging  from  fifteen  to 
forty.  The  college  building  is  located  on 
the  corner  of  Third  and  Main  streets. 
The  third  floor,  devoted  to  the  uses  of  the 
college,  was  arranged,  in  the  construction 
of  the  building,  especially  for  the  purposes 
which  it  now  serves.  The  main  school 
room  is  70x37x20  feet,  well  lighted  by 
twelve  large  windows;  the  adjoining  room 
is  commodious  and  so  arranged  as  to  be 
easily  thrown  into  communication  with  the 
main  school  room;  and  a  conveniently  ar- 
ranged oflice  and  reception  room  completes 
the  suite.  The  walls  are  decorated  with 
pictures  and  elegant  specimens  of  pen- 
work  of  unusual  merit,  executed  by 
teachers  and  students.  Prof.  Curnick's 
specialty  is  book-keeping  in  all  of  its 
phases,  rapid  business  calculation  and  actual 
business  practice.  Penmanship  and  rapid 
business  calculations  are  given  daily  as  class 
exercises.  In  all  other  branches  the  students 
are  instructed  individually,  this  practice  be- 
ing one  of  the  noted  features  in  the  plan  of 
instruction.  The  shorthand  and  type-writ- 
ing departments  are  under  the  management 
of  the  Misses  Hoffman  and  Burch,  compe- 
tent instructors.  The  social  and  religious 
relations  of  Prof.  Curnick  form  a  part  of  his 
career,  no  less  important  than  that  con- 
nected with  his  business  pursuits.  For 
many  years   he  has   occupied   a  prominent 


part  in  the  religious  work  of  the  city,  and 
has  done  much  to  elevate  and  improve  the 
general  social  condition.  For  thirteen  years 
he  was  superintendent  of  one  of  the  largest 
Sunday  schools  in  the  city,  and  during  the 
fourteen  years  last  past  has  served  as  super- 
intendent of  the  primary  department  of 
Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal  Sunday-school. 
Frequently,  in  the  absence  of  ministers  in 
charge.  Prof.  Curnick  is  called  on  occupy  to 
the  pulpits  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and 
other  churches.  His  sermons  on  these  oc- 
casions are  presented  with  ability  and 
true  unction.  As  a  prominent  member 
of  Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  pres- 
ident of  the  state  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  president  of 
the  county  Sunda3--school  union,  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  district,  vice-president  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  of  this  city,  and  secretary  for 
twenty  years  of  the  County  Bible  society, 
he  has  accomplished  much  good.  He  was 
married  September  29,  1856,  to  Miss  Caro- 
line E.  Hazel.  Of  this  union  five  children 
—  two  boys  and  three  girls  —  have  been 
born,  as  follows:  James  A.,  deceased;  Paul 
C,  pastor  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at 
Topsfield;  Samuel  N.,  jr.,  a  book-keeper; 
Ada,  now  Mrs.  J.  W.  Rank,  of  St.  Paul, 
Minn.,  and  Carrie  E. 

Joseph  Ehret,  the  chief  train  dispatcher 
for  the  E.  &  T.  H.  and  E.  &  I.  railr  oads 
was  born  in  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Baden,, 
German}',  March  19,  1S52.  His  father, 
Joseph  B.  Ehret,  a  native  of  Germany,  came 
to  the  United  States  and  is  now  employed 
as  inspector  of  the  E.  &  T.  H.  railroad.  His 
education  was  obtained  at  the  common 
schools  and  in  the  commercial  college  of 
this  city.  Having  made  himself  proficient 
as  a  telegraph  operator,  he  was  engaged  in 
this  work  at  Terre  Haute  for  about  ten 
years.  In  18S3  he  was  employed  as  train 
dispatcher  by  the  E.  «&  T.  H.  railroad,  and 
two  years  later  was  promoted  to  the  respon- 


^32 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


sible    and    profitable    position    of  chief  dis- 
patcher. 

T.  C.  Bridwell,  ex-mayor,  and  a  prom- 
inent citizen  of  Evansville,  is  a  native  of 
Lawrence  county,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born 
Februar}'  i8,  1841,  and  is  the  son  of  Sam- 
uel and  Elizabeth  (Combs)  Bridwell.  The 
father  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the 
mother,  of  Penns3lvania.  From  Virginia 
the  father  removed  to  Ohio,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death  occurred.  The 
mother  now  resides  in  fronton,  Ohio.  Mr. 
Bridwell  was  reared  in  Lawrence  county, 
Ohio,  and  attended  the  public  schools, 
graduating  from  the  fronton  high  school. 
In  1859,  he  located  in  Cincinnati,  where  he 
remained  for  about  one  year,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Owensboro,  Ky.,  where  he 
remained  for  six  years,  the  two  first  of 
which  were  spent  in  the  drug  business.  In 
1863  he  entered  the  United  States  Reve- 
nue service  as  chief  clerk,  under  Col. 
Todd,  assessor  of  internal  revenue  for  the 
Owensboro  district.  Four  years  were 
spent  in  the  service,  and  in  1866  he  located 
in  Evansville  and  re-entered  the  drug 
business  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Main 
streets.  He  continued  so  engaged  until  1882, 
when  he  retired  from  active  business. 
In  1875  ^^  ^^''^^  elected  trustee  of  Pigeon 
township,  and  was  re-elected  in  1878,  hold- 
ing the  office  altogether  five  years,  when  he 
resigned.  In  1880,  while  serving  in  the 
capacity  of  trustee,  he  was  elected  b}^  the 
democrats  as  mayor  of  Evansville,  at  a  time 
when  the  city  politics  were  decidedly  repub- 
lican. He  was  re-elected  in  1883,  and  held 
the  office  for  a  term  of  six  years,  giving  uni- 
versal satisfaction  and  doing  much  to  ad- 
vance the  general  w^elfare.  Since  leaving 
the  ma3or"s  office  he  has  been  engaged  in 
street  gravel  contracting  in  Evansville  and 
other  cities,  and  now  has  a  large  contract  on 
hand  at    Decatur,    Ala.      He    is    a    charter 


member  of  Orion  Lodge,  No.  35,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  in  which  he  has  occupied  all 
the  chairs,  and  was  elected  representative 
to  the  grand  lodge.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  La  Valette  Commander}-,  No.  15, 
K.  T.,  and  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  Lodge,  No. 
43.  Mr.  Bridwell  was  married  September 
22,  1864,  to  Bettie  McFarland,  daughter  of 
Hon.  John  S.  McFarland,  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  Daviess  count}-,  Ky.  To  this  union 
three  children  have  been  born. 

Charles  F.  Artes,  for  many  years  a 
prominent  business  man  and  enterprising 
citizen  of  Evansville,  is  the  proprietor  of  one 
of  the  largest  jewelry  establishments  in  the 
city.  He  is  a  native  of  Leimbach,  Saxe  Mein- 
ingen,  Germany,  born  March  31,  1847,  and  is 
the  son  of  Prof.  Casper  Frederick  and  Cath- 
erine (Bierschenk)  Artes.  His  father  was 
also  a  native  of  Saxe  Meiningen,  where  he 
was  born  March  29,  1S16.  He  possessed 
great  natural  talent  as  a  musician,  and  was 
the  recipient  of  a  fine  education,  both  in  lit- 
erature and  art.  Beinsf  involved  in  the 
German  revolution  of  1S48-9,  he  emigrated 
to  America  in  1851,  and  soon  afterward 
located  at  Henderson,  K}.,  there  accepting 
a  position  as  teacher  in  the  female  academy 
of  Prof.  C.  F.  Lehman,  who  had  been  a 
colonel  in  the  German  army.  A  few  years 
later  he  was  employed  as  organist  of  St. 
Paul's  church,  at  Henderson,  which  position 
he  held  for  over  thirty  years,  missing  not  a 
single  Sunday.  He  was  a  master  of  music, 
and  a  profound  scholar.  His  death,  which 
occurred  in  Evansville,  in  November,  1886, 
where  he  had  been  brought  for  med- 
ical treatment,  was  regretted  by  all. 
The  father  of  Prof.  Artes  w^as  burgomaster 
of  his  native  place.  During  a  \isit  of  the 
Duke  of  Saxony  to  the  town,  he  dined  with 
the  burgomaster,  and  the  same  day  requested 
Prof.  Artes  to  go  to  the  church  and  play  for 
him.      The  request  was  complied  with,  and 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVlLLE. 


JtS^ 


in  return  the  young  musician  was  granted 
royal  recognition,  and  at  subsequent  royal 
festivals  and  fetes  he  was  called  on  to  pre- 
side at  the  organ.  Catherine,  the  mother 
of  Charles  F.  Artes,  was  also  a  native  of 
Saxe  Meiningen,  and  was  born  about  1821, 
and  is  now  a  resident  of  this  city,  having 
removed  here  after  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band. The  immediate  subject  of  this  men- 
tion it  will  be  observed,  was  but  four  3'ears 
old  when  his  parents  came  to  America.  His 
boj'hood  was  spent  in  Henderson,  Ky.,  and 
he  attended  the  public  schools  of  that  place. 
In  1864  he  located  in  Evansville,  and  entered 
the  jewelry  business,  and  has  continued 
so  engaged  up  to  the  present  time.  He  is 
a  member  of  Reed  Lodge,  No.  316, 
F.  &  A.  M.;  of  Evansville  Chapter,  No.  12, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  Simpson  Council, 
No.  2^,  Ro3al  Select  Masters  and  LaVallette 
Command ery,  No.  15,  Knight  Templars. 
Mr.  Artes  was  married,  September  22, 
1874,  to  Miss  Medora  Davidson,  who  was 
born  in  Evansvile,  February  7,  1861,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  James  Davidson.  To  this 
union  three  sons  have  been  born.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Artes  are  members  of  St.  Paul's  Epis- 
copal church,  and  were  among  the  founders 
of  Holy  Innocents  Episcopal  church.  The 
honorable  conduct  which  has  always  char- 
acterized Mr.  Artes'  career  in  every  social 
and  business  relation  has  gained  for  him  an 
enviable  regard  on  the  part  of  his  fellow 
citizens.  By  a  careful  study  of  the  wants  of 
his  patrons,  the  exercise  of  rare  taste  in  the 
selection  of  his  ijoods,  and  an  undeviatincj 
adherence  to  honest  methods,  he  has 
achieved  much  success  in  his  business  life. 
But  his  entire  energies  have  not  been  devoted 
to  the  accumulation  of  wealth  nor  the  at- 
tainment of  social  distinction.  Much  time 
and  attention  have  been  given  to  archcco- 
logical  research,  and  at  this  time  Mr.  Artes 
possesses    a    valuable  collection   of    antique 


curiosities  which  is  considered  one  of  the 
finest  private  collections  in  the  United 
States.  As  a  student  he  has  given  his  in- 
tellect a  valuable  training  in  many  branches 
of  literature  and  art. 

Theodore  W.  Venem.vxn,  an  enterpris- 
ing citizen  of  Evansville,  who  is  thoroughly 
identified  with  the  interests  and  growth  of 
the  cit\',  is  a  native  of  Ohio.  His  birth  oc- 
curred at  Cincinnati,  June  9,  1826.  He  is 
the  son  of  Theodore  and  Elizabeth  (Rathers) 
Venemann,  natives  of  Oldenburg,  Ger- 
many, born  in  1808  and  1805,  respectively. 
His  parents  emigrated  to  America  in  1836, 
and  located  in  Cincinnati,  where  the}-  were 
married.  They  came  to  Evansville  in  the 
fall  of  1847.  While  in  Cincinnati  his  father 
was  engaged  in  merchandising,  which  he 
continued  after  arrivinfr  at  Evansville.  He 
was  twice  elected  by  the  democrats  as  treas- 
urer of  Vanderburgh  count}'.  In  about  1852 
he  established  a  foreign  exchange  and  steam- 
ship agency  at  Evansville,  which  was  one  of 
the  leading  enterprises  of  the  city.  His 
family  consisted  of  six  children,  four  of 
whom  survive.  Theodore  W.  V^enemann 
received  his  elementary  mental  training  in 
the  schools  of  Evansville,  and  Cincinnati, 
and  afterward  pursued  his  studies  at  St. 
Joseph's  College,  in  Nelson  county,  Ky., 
where  he  graduated  in  1858,  taking  the  de- 
gree of  A.  B.  In  1859  he  attended  law 
school  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  graduated  in 
the  same  year,  taking  the  degree  of  LL.  B. 
He  then  returned  to  Evansville,  and  for 
three  years  practiced  law.  At  the  end  of 
this  time  he  became  associated  with  his 
father  in  business,  and  at  the  death  of  his 
father,  assumed  charge  of  the  business, 
which  he  continues  to  conduct  under  the  old 
firm  name  of  Venemann  &  Sons.  In  1873 
Mr.  Venemann  became  city  ticket  agent 
for  all  the  railroads  entering  Evansville, 
and    so    continues    at    present.     In    April, 


m 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


1874,  he  established  the  City  Transfer 
Omnibus  line,  which  has  become  one  of  the 
well-known  institutions  of  the  place.  He 
was  married  in  1859,  *°  Mary,  daughter  of 
Capt.  Patrick  Rogers,  of  Cincinnati,  and  to 
that  union-three  children  were  born,  two  of 
whom  sur\ive.  Mrs.  Venemann  died  in 
1865,  and  in  the  following  year  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Mrs.  Britania  Able  [nee  Melbourne), 
of  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  to  this  union  one 
child  has  been  born.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Venemann  are  prominent  members  of  the 
Catholic  church,  and  he  was  one  of  the  pro- 
moters of  the  St.  Joseph's  Cemeterj^  asso- 
ciation. 

George  W.  Haynie,  a  prominent  young 
citizen  of  Evansville,  and  proprietor  of  a  re- 
tail drug  house  on  Upper  Second  street,  was 
born  in  Newburgh,  Ind.,  February'  22,  1857, 
and  is  the  son  of  Jefferson  and  Emma 
(Hastings)  Haynie,  both  natives  of  the  state 
of  Indiana.  His  parents  died  in  18S0,  the 
two  deaths  occurring  within  one  month  of 
each  other.  George  W.  Haynie  was  reared 
1(1  Evansville,  his  parents  removing  to  the 
city  in  1868.  His  education  was  obtained  in 
the  public  schools.  He  began  life  for  him- 
self when  about  eleven  years  of  age,  and  in 
1872,  engaged  in  the  drug  and  prescription 
business  in  the  store  of  T.  C.  Bridwell,  ex- 
mayor  of  Evansville.  In  1884  he  withdrew 
from  the  employ  of  Mr.  Bridwell,  and 
opened  a  drug  establishment  on  Main  street, 
where  he  remained  until  October,  1887, 
when  he  sold  out  to  M.  J.  Compton. 
He  then  established  himself  at  his 
present  quarters  on  the  corner  of  Sec- 
ond street  and  Adams  avenue,  where  he  has 
one  of  the  neatest  and  best  supplied  drug 
stores  in  the  city.  Mr.  Haynie,  though  a 
young  man,  has  figured  prominently  in  pol- 
itics, and  in  1883  was  appointed  metropoli- 
tan police  commissioner  of  Evansville,  which 
was  quite  a  compliment  to   one   of  his  age. 


He  held  the  position  only  a  short  time,  and 
then  resigned.  He  is  a  member  of  Orion 
Lodge,  No.  37,  K.  of  P.,  and  of  Leni  Leoti 
Lodge,  No.  43,  A.  O.  U.  W.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1880  to  Emma  Mauntel,  who  was 
born  in  H^untingburg,  Ind.  To  this  union 
one  son,  Gilmore  M.,  has  been  born. 

C.  S.  LocKwooD,  proprietor  of  one  of  the 
leading  steam  laundries  of  Evansville,  is  a 
native  of  Warrick  county,  Ind.,  born  Janu- 
ary 26,  1849,  ^"^  ^s  the  son  of  A.  W.  and 
Mary  (Corwin)  Lockwood,  the  former  of 
whom  is  a  native  of  New  York  state,  and 
the  latter  of  Warrick  county,  Ind.  His 
parents  are  now  residents  of  Evansville, 
having  removed  here  in  i860.  He  was 
reared  in  Warrick  county  and  in  this  city, 
and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools. 
August  31,  1880,  he  was  married  to  Alice 
Ross,  of  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  and  to  them  four 
children  have  been  born,  two  of  whom  — 
a  son  and  daughter  —  survive.  For  a  num- 
ber of  years  after  leaving  school,  Mr.  Lock- 
wood  was  connected  with  the  daily  newspa- 
pers of  the  city.  In  1879  he  engaged  in 
the  laundry  business  and  established  the 
second  steam  laundry  in  Evansville.  In 
December,  1887,  he  removed  to  his  present 
handsome  quarters  in  the  Orr  Masonic 
block,  on  Locust  street,  between  Second 
and  Third  streets,  where  he  has  one  of  the 
most  complete  outfits  to  be  found  an\'where. 
Mr.  Lockwood  has  built  up  from  the  bottom 
a  successful  and  lucrative  business,  having 
earned  an  extensive  patronage  by  careful 
attention  to  the  wants  of  his  customers,  and 
by  taking  advantage  at  once  of  every  im- 
provement provided  for  laundry  work.  He 
was  at  one  time  vice-president  of  the  Na- 
tional Laundry  association,  which  of  itself 
shows  that  he  is  prominent  among  success- 
ful laundrymen  throughout  the  country  and 
is  entitled  to  the  position  he  has  made  for 
himself.      All    the    machinery  used  in    his 


CITIZENS  OF  EVAN8VILLE. 


^S5 


establisliment  is  of  the  latest  improved  pat- 
terns, driven  by  a  thirty-horse  power  engine, 
and  arrangetl  for  the  convenience  and 
safety  of  the  operators.  The  entire  laun- 
dry' is  thoroughly  equipped,  well  managed, 
and  by  reason  of  the  progressive  spirit  of  its 
proprietor,  has  become  one  of  the  leading 
institutions  of  its  kind  in  the  state. 

Frank  Morris,  an  old  and  well-known 
citizen  of  Evansville,  was  born  in  Germany, 
December  28,  1S28,  and  came  with  his  par- 
ents to  America  when  but  five  years  of  age. 
His  parents  were  Joseph  and  Gertrude 
(Beckman)  Morris,  both  natives  of  Ger- 
many, who  came  to  America  in  1S33  and 
located  m  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  The  mother 
died  in  Cincinnati  in  1844  during  the  cholera 
epidemic.  The  father  located,  in  Evansville 
about  1850,  and  died  during  the  late  war. 
To  these  parents  six  children  were  born, 
only  two  of  whom  survive.  Frank  Morris 
located  in  Evansville  in  1856,  and  for  the 
following  two  years  was  foreman  in  William 
Heilman's  foundry.  He  then  spent  a  year 
in  the  employ  of  Henry  Roelker.  In  1859 
he  was  elected  constable  of  Pig-eon  town- 
ship,  and  for  the  next  twent\'  years  was  re- 
elected and  served  in  that  capacity,  having 
held  that  office  for  a  longer  period  than  any 
office  was  held  by  a  single  man  in  the  history 
of  the  couTty.  During  the  war,  when  it 
was  next  to  an  impossibility  for  a  democrat 
to  be  elected  to  an  office,  Mr.  Morris  was 
chosen  by  a  large  majority  when  no 
other  democrat  in  the  township,  count}-, 
or  state  was  elected.  This  occurred  several 
times,  and  shows  the  estimation  and  confi- 
dence in  which  he  was  held  bv  the  people. 
After  leaving  the  constable's  office  he  en- 
gaged in  merchandising,  owning  a  store  in 
Warrick  county,  to  whicli  he  gave  his  at- 
tention, but  not  removing  thereto.  He  was 
again  appointed  constable  by  the  county 
commissioners,  and  gave  bond,   but  did  not 


serve.  He  next  engaged  in  merchandising 
in  Evansville,  continuing  also  his  store  in 
Warrick  county.  He  also  owns  two  good 
farms,  one  in  Perry  township,  Vanderburgh 
count}-,  and  the  other  in  Campbell  township, 
Warrick  county.  Mr.  Morris  was  married 
in  1847  to  Gertrude  Tentee,  who  was  born 
in  Germany,  in  1830,  and  died  December  20, 
1887.  To  this  union  nine  children  were 
born,  three  of  whom  survive,  as  follows: 
Benjamin,  Josephine  and  Joseph. 

Capt.  F.  p.  Carson,  a  leading  citizen, 
long  identified  with  the  city,  was  born  in 
Buder  county,  Ky.,  July  9,  1822.  He  is  the 
son  of  Thomas  E.  and  Jane  B.  (Carson) 
Carson.  Thomas  E.  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  with  his  father,  Thomas,  removed 
to  Kentucky  at  an  early  date.  The  mother 
was  also  a  native  of  Virginia  and  a  daughter 
of  Thomas  Carson.  The  grandfather  on 
the  father's  side  was  a  soldier  of  the  revolu- 
tion, and  with  Gen.  Washington  crossed 
the  Delaware  river  on  that  memorable 
Christmas  night,  and  surprised  the  Hessians. 
A  remarkable  coincidence  in  the  ancestry  of 
Mr.  Carson  is  that,  though  not  related,  the 
grandfathers  bore  the  same  name,  were 
born  in  the  same  county  in  Virginia,  and  re- 
moved to  the  same  county  in  Kentucky.  The 
father  died  in  1828,  at  about  the  age  of 
thirty-five  years.  The  mother  died  in  1840  at 
about  the  age  of  forty-five  years.  Capt.  Car- 
son was  reared  in  Butler  county,  Ky.,  and 
then  attended  the  public  schools.  He  left 
home  when  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  and 
obtained  employment  as  a  clerk  at 
BowHng  Green,  Ky.,  in  the  store 
of  M.  W.  Henry,  who  w-as  then  en- 
gaged in  building  the  lock  in  Green  river,  at 
what  is  now  known  fis  Woodbury.  Later 
he  engaged  in  steamboating  on  the  Green, 
Wabash,  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers,  and 
for  ten  years  was  thus  occupied  as  clerk  and 
captain,    during  which  time    he    located   in 


iS6 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


Evansville,  and  built  the  first  steamboat  built 
at  this  place,  excepting,  of  course,  the 
"  Otsego."  In  1852  he  left  the  river,  and 
three  years  later  engaged  in  merchandising 
in  Evansville,  at  which  he  continued  for 
twenty  years.  During  the  two  years  follow- 
ing 1875,  he  traveled  in  the  interest  of  a 
wholesale  establishment  of  the  city.  In 
1877,  he  entered  the  merchandise  brokerage 
business,  in  which  he  is  now  engaged,  with 
his  office  in  the  Merchants'  National  Bank 
building.  Captain  Carson  has  always  taken 
an  active  interest  in  Evansville  and  her 
affairs,  and  has  always  occupied  a  position  of 
prominence  and  influence.  He  was  married 
July  15,  1845,  to  Miss  Drusilla  Duncan,  of 
Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  the  daughter  of  Ed- 
ward Duncan.  To  this  union  four  children 
have  been  born,  as  follows:  Frank  Bruce, 
Harriet  (now  Mrs.  H.  W.  Hand,  of  Padu- 
cah,  Ky.),  Edward  C,  and  Jane  Bell. 

John  J.  Casey,  sanitary  officer  of  the  city 
of  Evansville,  and  member  of  the  metropoli- 
tan police,  was  born  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  Au- 
gust 14,  1855,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Mary  (Ryan)  Case}',  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Ireland.  The  father  came  to 
America  in  1844,  '^^^  ^^^  mother  in  1847. 
They  were  married  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  where 
the  father  resides  at  present.  The  mother 
died  in  1867.  To  these  parents  three  chil- 
dren were  born,  all  of  whom  survive.  John 
J.  Casey  was  reared  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  and 
attended  the  public  schools  of  that  city. 
When  young  he  served  three  years  as  er- 
rand boy  in  a  dry  goods  store  in  Louisville, 
and  then  learned  the  moulder's  trade.  He 
located  in  Evansville  in  1877,  following  his 
trade  until  1S85,  when  he  was  appointed  on 
the  police  force,  and  was  made  sanitary  of- 
ficer of  the  city  at  once,  which  position  he 
has  held  up  to  the  present.  He  was  married, 
in  November,  1882,  to  Miss  Lizzie  Hess,  of 
Evansville,  daughter  of   Henry  Hess. 


William  Hacker,  a  conspicuous  Ger- 
man citizen  of  Evansville,  and  one  of  the 
substantial  business  men  of  the  city,  was 
born  in  Mecklenburg,  Germany,  Februarj'  21, 
1846,  and  is  the  son  of  Frederick  and  Mary 
Hacker,  both  natives  of  Germany,  who  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1854  and  located  in 
Warrick  county,  Ind.,  where  the  mother 
died.  Later  the  father  located  in  Evans- 
ville, where  his  death  occurred.  William 
was  but  eight  years  of  age  when 
his  parents  came  to  this  country-. 
He  worked  on  the  farm  in  Warrick 
county  until  the  beginning  of  the  war,  when 
he  came  to  Evansville  and  clerked  in  differ- 
ent wholesale  houses  until  1870.  From  that 
time  until  the  present  he  has  been  engaged 
in  the  retail  grocer^'  business,  enjoying  a 
large  trade  and  a  gratifying  measure  of 
success.  He  has  alwaj's  taken  an  active  in- 
terest in  all  city  affairs,  and  few  men  occupy 
a  higher  place  in  the  esteem  of  their  fellow- 
citizens.  He  was  married  in  1870  to  Miss 
Barbara  Kiser,  of  Evansville,  and  to  this 
union  five  children  have  been  born,  three  of 
whom  survive,  as  follows:  Carrie,  Mabel 
and  Beulah.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hacker  are 
members  of  the  C.  P.  church.  Mr.  Hacker 
is  a  popular  member  of  the  republican  partv. 
He  was  the  candidate  of  that  part}-  for  the 
office  of  township  trustee  of  Pigeon  town- 
ship in  188S,  but  failed  of  election. 

The  superintendent  of  the  L.  &  N.  rail- 
road, Jacob  G.  Metcalfe,  was  born  in 
Cambridge,  Ohio,  June  28,  1849.  ^^  ^^  ^^^ 
youngest  of  nine  children,  born  to  Jacob  G. 
Metcalfe  and  wife.  Until  fifteen  years  of 
age  he  remained  at  home  and  attended  the 
schools  of  his  native  place.  His  first  em- 
ployment was  with  the  Central  Ohio  (after- 
ward the  B.  &  O.  railroad),  with  which  he 
remained  for  three  years,  first  as  a  messen- 
ger and  later  as  a  telegraph  operator.  He 
was  then  with  the  P.,  C.   &  St.  L.   railroad, 


CITIZENS  OF  EVAN8VILLE. 


437 


as  a  train  dispatcher,  for  five  years.  In 
187 1  he  entered  the  service  of  the  L.  &  N. 
at  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  was  variously  em- 
ployed as  train  dispatcher,  train  master  and 
superintendent  of  transportation.  For  five 
years,  from  June,  iS8i,he  was  superintendent 
of  the  L.  &  N.  short  line.  May  i,  1SS6,  he 
came  to  Evansville,  and  has  since  that  time 
been  superintendent  of  the  Nashville  &  St. 
Louis  division  of  the  L.  &  N.  He  is  an 
efficient,  trustworthy  and  popular  officer. 
His  marriage  occurred  in  Louisville,  Ky., 
September  25,  1S80,  Miss  Lucy  Garrison,  a 
native  of  that  cit)',  daughter  of  James  Gar- 
rison, becoming  his  wife.  They  have  one 
child,  James  E. 

Otto  Knoll,  contracting  bricklayer, 
residing  at  No.  316  Indiana  street,  was  born 
in  Berlin,  Prussia,  May  11,  1839,  and  is  the 
son  of  Gottlieb  Knoll,  who  died  about  1875, 
in  this  city.  In  1849  the  father  and  live 
children  emigrated  to  America,  where  a  son 
had  come  previously,  leaving  two  daughters 
in  Germany  who  afterward  came  to  the 
United  States  also.  Landing  at  New  York 
the  family  proceeded  to  Cincinnati,  and  came 
thence  to  Evansville.  The  father  was  a 
contractor  and  brickmason  in  Germany  and 
and  America,  and  under  him  the  son  Otto 
learned  his  trade.  He  began  contracting  in 
Edwards  county.  111.,  in  1861,  and  five 
years  later  returned  to  Evansville,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  was  married  Octo- 
ber 19,  1864,  to  Augusta  Voight,  who  was 
born  in  Saxony,  Germany.  To  this  union 
eleven  children  have  been  born,  five  of 
whom  survive,  as  follows:  Renate,  Rosa, 
Theodore,  Harry  and  Alma.  Mr.  Knoll  be- 
longs to  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  He  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  Zion's  Protestant  church. 
Through  industry  and  economy  he  owns  a 
comfortable  home,  and  by  straightforward 
conduct  has  won  the  esteem  of  his  neigh- 
bors. 


The  Evansville  Furniture  compan}-  is  one 
of  the  leading  establishments  engaged  in 
manufactures  from  wood.  It  was  organized 
in  1S70,  and  is  a  stock  compan}-.  One 
hundred  men  are  employed  to  turn  out  and 
put  upon  the  market  its  great  product  of 
furniture. 

Philip  Nonweiler,  manager  of  the 
Evansville  Furniture  Company,  is  a  native  of 
Prussia,  having  been  boiti  in  the  Rhine 
Province,  on  Februar}-  11,  1840.  His  par- 
ents were  Philip  and  Johanna  (Wegemann) 
Nonweiler,  both  natives  of  the  Rhine  Pro- 
vince. The  father  was  born  in  1809  and 
died  in  1855;  the  mother  was  born  in  1815 
and  died  in  1885.  Philip  was  raised  and 
educated  in  his  native  land,  securing  a  good 
education.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  as 
salesman  and  book-keeper,  and  in  May, 
1857,  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  land- 
ing at  New  York  city.  He  came  direct  to 
Evansville,  where  he  took  a  position  as  clerk 
with  Henry  Stockfleth,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained until  the  breaking  out  of  the  late 
war.  On  August  3,  1S61,  he  enlisted  in  the 
First  Indiana  Battery  of  Light  Artillerj-,  and 
left  Evansville  the  following  month  for 
Missouri,  being  assigned  to  Gen.  Jefferson 
C.  Davis's  brigade.  With  the  battery  he 
was  at  Springfield,  Pea  Ridge,  Helena, 
and  Milligan's  Bend,  at  the  latter  place 
being  assigned  to  Gen.  Grant's  army; 
and  was  in  the  Vicksburg,  Miss., 
campaign.  After  the  fall  of  V'icksburg  the 
battery  participated  in  the  fight  at  Jackson, 
Miss.,  and  next  returned  to  Vicksburg. 
Here  he  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health, 
having  served  over  two  years,  entering  as 
quartermaster  sergeant,  and  leaving  the 
service  as  first  lieutenant.  At  the  battle  at 
Jackson  he  had  command  of  the  batter\-  and 
rendered  effective  service.  Returning  from 
the  war  he  was  engaged  for  a  time  as  book- 
keeper for  Keller  &  White,  wholesale  drug- 


J^SS 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


gists  of  Evansville,  and  afterward  served  in 
a  like  capacity  for  Roelker,  Blount  &  Co., 
and  Henry  F.  Blount  for  five  years.  In 
September,  1870,  he  took  the  management 
of  the  Evansville  Furniture  company,  which 
he  has  since  held.  He  is  the  principal  stock- 
holder in  the  company.  His  energy  and 
ability  have  been  the  chief  agents  in  build- 
ing up  the  business  which  the  company  now 
enjoys.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Business 
Men's  association,  and  has  always  taken  an 
active  interest  in  the  advancement  of  Evans- 
ville. He  is  a  member  of  Lessing  Lodge,  No. 
464,  F.  &.  A.  M.:  he  was  a  charter  member, 
and  has  passed  through  all  the  chairs  of  this 
lodge.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Farragut 
Post,  No.  27,  G.  A.  R.  Mr.  Nonweiler 
was  married  in  July,  1867,  to  Bertha  Mueller, 
who  was  born  in  the  Rhine  province, 
in  1847.  After  leaving  the  army  Mr.  Non- 
weiler visited  his  native  land  in  search  of 
health,  and  while  there  met  his  wife,  but 
the  wedding  did  not  occur  until  three  3'ears 
later,  when  he  again  visited  German)'.  To 
this  union  three  sons  have  been  born: 
Philip,  born  in  1868;  Gustave,  born  in  1872, 
and  Berthold,  born  in  1874. 

Herman  Grese,  a  stockholder  in  this 
company  and  superintendent  of  its  lumber 
yards,  was  born  in  Evansville,  Ma}'  i,  1852, 
and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Catherine 
(Kramer)  Grese,  both  of  whom  were  born 
in  Hesse  Darmstadt,  Germany.  His  pa- 
rents emigrated  to  America  about  1849,  ^"^ 
came  direct  to  Evansville.  In  1S52  his  father 
erected  a  residence  on  the  corner  of  Seventh 
and  Division  streets,  where  Herman  was 
born,  which  house  stands  at  present.  Will- 
iam Grese  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  which 
which  he  followed  for  several  years,  and, 
later,  was  engaged  in  the  manufactory  of 
Hon.  William  Heilman.  About  1871  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Evansville  Furniture 
company,    and  occupied  himself  with    that 


concern  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1S76,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  The 
mother  died  December  27,  1883,  at  the  age 
of  sixtv-one  years.  Both  parents  were 
members  of  the  German  Reformed  church. 
They  had  seven  children,  five  of  whom  sur- 
vive, as  follows:  Mar}',  now  the  wife  of 
William  Hilgedieck;  Elizabeth,  now  the 
wife  of  Moritz  Schelosky;  Louise,  wife 
of  Adolph  Schelosky;  Catherine,  wife  of 
John  Oslage,  and  Herman.  The  only  son, 
Herman,  was  reared  and  educated  in  Evans- 
ville. He  learned  the  trade  of  a  wood 
turner,  at  which  he  worked  until  about  1882; 
when  he  became  a  stockholder  in  the  Evans- 
ville Furniture  compan}',  and  was  made 
yard  superintendent. 

William  H.  Ruston,  proprietor  of 
Smith's  hotel,  and  an  enterprising  young 
citizen,  was  born  in  Chatteris,  Cambridge- 
shire, England,  September  26,  1856,  and  is 
the  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Conquest) 
Ruston,  both  natives  of  Cambridgeshire, 
England.  The  Ruston  family  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1874,  ''"*^  '^^  once  located 
in  Evansville.  For  a  time  the  father  was 
engaged  in  merchandising,  but  for  twelve 
years  past  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  E. 
&  T.  H.  R.  R.  Co.  The  mother  died  here 
March  14,  1S87.  To  these  parents  three 
sons  and  one  daughter  were  born,  all  of 
whom  survive.  William  H.  Ruston  was 
reared  in  his  native  country  and  obtained  a 
fair  education.  His  boyhood  was  spent  on 
a  farm,  and  upon  coming  to  America  he  be- 
gan farming  near  Sumner,  111.,  but  soon  re- 
moved to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  remained 
but  a  short  time.  Since  1S75  he  has  resided 
in  Evans\-ille.  Several  vears  ago,  he  em- 
barked in  the  hotel  business  in  copartnership 
with  Charles  Roehrig,  he  purchasing  the 
well-known  Smith  hotel  property.  In  1S85 
Mr.  Roehrig  retired,  leaving  Mr.  Ruston 
sole  proprietor.     The   hotel  is  one    of  the 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


439 


oldest  and  best  known  in  the  city,  and  under 
the  efficient  management  of  its  present  pro- 
prietor has  attained  a  large  degree  of  popu- 
larity. Mr.  Ruston  is  a  member  of  the 
Business  Men's  association  and  of  the  A.  O. 
U.  W.  He  was  married  August  4,  1871,  to 
Miss  Emma  Roehrig,  a  native  of  Boonville, 
Ind.,  daughter  of  Jacob  Roehrig.  They 
have  three  children,  Helen,  Emma  and 
Henr}-. 

Henry  Heldt,  dealer  in  agricultural  im- 
plements at  Nos.  917  and  919  Main  street, 
was  born  in  Scott  township,  Vanderburgh 
county,  Ind.,  June  8,  1854,  ^^'^  ^^  ^^'^  ^°"  °^ 
Anton  and  Elizabeth  (Hahne)  Heldt,  both 
natives  of  Northern  Germany,  born  respect- 
ively in  1820  and  1828.  His  parents  emi- 
grated to  America  at  about  the  same  time, 
in  1 85 1,  and  were  married  in  this  country. 
Soon  after  their  marriage  they  went  to 
farming  in  Scott  township,  where  they  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land.  There  they 
have  since  resided,  prospering  and  establish- 
inc  a  good  name  in  the  community.  Their 
farm,  now  embracing  160  acres,  well  im- 
proved, is  among  the  results  of  their  in- 
dustrj^  and  frugalit}-.  Nine  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  of  whom  eight  survive. 
Henry  Heldt  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  fa- 
ther's farm,  and  attended  the  district  schools, 
where  he  obtained  a  fair  education.  When 
twenty-one  3'ears  of  age  he  came  to 
Evansville,  and  began  traveling  for  Hermann 
Bros.,  continuing  in  the  employ  of  that  firm 
until  1884,  when  he  entered  the  agricultural 
implement  business  in  copartnership  with 
his  father.  This  partnership  is  continued 
under  the  firm  name  of  Henry  Heldt  &  Co. 
Mr.  Heldt  was  married  May  5,  1881,  to 
Miss  Annie  Bohne,  who  was  born  in  Scott 
township,  December  24,  1859,  ^"^^  ^^  ^^^ 
daughter  of  Gerhardt  H.  Bohne,  a  well- 
known  citizen.  To  this  union  four  children 
have  been  born,    three    of    whom  survive. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heldt  are  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Peter  Hess,  an  enterprising,  public-spir- 
ited man,  was.  born  in  Germany,  January  4, 
1826,  being  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Catharine 
(Rhumme)  Hess.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  country  and  then  served 
in  the  army  for  nine  months.  In  1848  he 
emigrated  from  his  native  land,  because  of 
the  revolution  of  that  year,  and  coming  to 
America,  spent  two  years  in  the  cities  of  the 
east.  Reaching  Evansville  in  1850,  he  at 
at  once  established  a  meat  market,  having 
learned  the  butcher's  trade  in  Germany,  and 
has  since  continued  in  that  business.  Indus- 
try and  close  attention  to    business  brouirht 

,0 

prosperity.  His  earnings  were  wisely  in- 
vested in  real  estate  in  that  portion  of  the 
city  known  as  Independence.  In  1887,  he 
platted  an  enlargement  to  the  city  of  Evans- 
ville, comprising  ten  acres,  which  is  known 
as  "  Hess'  enlargement."  He  has  always 
been  known  as  a  progressive  citizen,  and  has 
contributed  much  to  the  building  up  of  his 
end  of  the  cit}-.  His  abilities  and  popularity- 
were  recognized  by  his  fellow-citizens  in 
187 1,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  city  coun- 
cil from  the  Fourth  ward,  where  he  served 
for  three  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Schiller 
Lodge,  No.  138,  I.  O.  O.  F.  July  4,  1854, 
he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Heilman,  who 
was  born  in  German}',  November  7,  1833. 
To  this  union  thirteen  children  have  been 
born,  nine  of  whom  survive,  as  follows:  Will- 
iam, Mary,  Catherine,  Elizabeth,  Annie,  Til- 
lie,  George,  Charles  and  Henrj-. 

The  extensive  stables  and  yards  of  the  Cook 
brewing  company  are  under  the  supervision 
of  William  Baiir,  a  native  of  Holstein, 
Germany,  born  January  21, 1841.  He  came 
to  Evansville  when  thirteen  years  of  age, 
and  worked  as  a  farm  laborer.  July  11, 
1 86 1,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  First  Indi- 
ana cavalry,   and  served  until   August   22, 


Uo 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


1864,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged  as 
a  sergeant.  Returning  from  the  war  he 
purchased  a  farm  in  Pose}'  county,  Ind., 
where  he  lived  until  1872.  At  that  time  he 
removed  to  this  city  and  was  soon  emplo_ved 
as  superintendent  of  the  Evansville  Street 
railway,  which  position  he  tilled  satisfac- 
torily until  1877,  when  he  connected  himself 
with  the  brewery,  where  he  has  since  con- 
tinued. He  is  a  member  of  Farragut  Post, 
G.  A.  R.  July  6,  1865,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  Downen,  daughter  of  John 
Downen,  of  Posey  county,  Ind.  To  this 
union  four  sons  and  one  daughter  have  been 
born. 

M.\NUEL  Bawden,  general  superintendent 
of  the  Evansville  &.  Terre  Haute  and  Evans- 
ville &  Indianapolis  railroads,  was  born  in 
England,  January  i,  1838,  being  the  son  of 
William  and  Mar\'  (Greenway)  Bawden. 
At  the  age  of  ten  years  he  left  home  to 
support  himself,  having  had  no  educational 
advantages  excepting  a  few  months'  school- 
ing, when  a  child,  by  which  he  learned  to 
read  and  write.  For  four  years  he  worked 
on  a  farm,  and  then  served  an  apprentice- 
ship with  a  stone  mason.  Having  learned 
that  trade  he  worked  at  it  in  his  native 
country  until  1869,  when  he  went  to  Quebec, 
Canada,  and  there  entered  the  service  of  the 
Dominion  government,  as  foreman  of  the 
construction  of  bridges  for  the  Grand  Trunk 
railroad.  Later,  he  was  employed  in  the 
construction  of  various  railroads  in  the 
United  States  and,  in  1874,  became  con- 
nected with  the  Evansville  &  Terre  Haute 
railroad,  building  bridges,  depots,  etc.  He 
was  appointed  superintendent  of  roadway  in 
1884,  and  when  the  Evansville  &  Indianapolis 
railroad  was  completed  it  was  also  placed 
under  his  charge.  May  i,  1886,  upon  the 
promotion  of  Col.  W.  D.  Ewing,  he  received 
the  appointment  of  general  superintendent  of 
the  two    roads.     Attentive  to    duty,   skillful 


and  efficient,  he  has  become  a  valuable  fac- 
tor in  the  management  of  the  roads.  He 
was  married  in  England,  in  1863,  to  Miss 
Emily  Ball,  a  native  of  Devonshire.  They 
have  four  children:  Edith,  Louis,  Clara  and 
Ada. 

Among  the  manufacturers  of  furniture  in 
this  city  the  hrm  of  Stoltz  &  Karges  takes 
high  rank.  The- senior  member  of  this  firm, 
Henry  Stoltz,  was  born  in  Hesse  Darm- 
stadt, Germany,  November  18,  1839,  and 
came  to  Evansville  in  1858.  He  followed 
the  trade  of  a  cabinet-maker  until  April, 
1S61,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Federal  army, 
joining  Company  G,  Seventeenth  Indiana 
infantry.  After  about  seventeen  months  in 
the  infantry  service  he  was  transferred  to 
Company  E,  Fourth  Kentucky  cavalrj-,  and 
was  mustered  out  at  Macon,  Ga.,  August, 
1864.  At  Franklin,  Tenn.,  just  after  the 
battle  of  Stone  River,  he  was  taken  prisoner 
and  confined  in  Libby  prison  for  about  one 
month,  when  he  was  paroled.  Returning  to 
Evansville  after  the  war,  he  went  to  work 
at  his  old  trade.  In  1870,  in  connection  with 
other  gentlemen,  he  established  the  Evans- 
ville Furniture  company,  remained  with 
that  concern  ten  j'ears,  at  the  end  of  that 
period  entered  the  service  of  J.  F.  Reitz, 
and  for  five  years  was  foreman  for  that 
gentleman.  In  1885  he  purchased  the  Nov- 
elty Chair  Works,  and  started  a  bedstead 
factory.  In  the  following  year  A.  F.  Karges 
was  admitted  to  partnership.  Mr.  Stoltz  is 
a  member  of  Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  was  married  in  April, 
1866,  to  EHzabeth  Mann,  a  native  of  Hesse 
Darmstadt,  Germany.  They  have  six  children. 
The  junior  member  of  the  firm,  Albert  F. 
Karges,  was  born  in  German  township, 
Vanderburgh  county,  Ind.,  November  3, 
1861,  and  is  the  son  of  Ferdinand  and  Rosa 
(Dult}')  Karges.  Ferdinand  Karges  was 
born  in  Germany,  in  1833,  and  emigrated  to 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSriLLE. 


W 


America  when  about  eif:fhteen  years  of  age. 
He  came  direct  to  Evaiisville  and  followed 
the  trade  of  cabinet-makiny.  A  short  time 
pre\ious  to  the  late  war  he  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  furniture  with  Christ.  Miller, 
under  the  lirm  name  of  Miller,  Karges  &  Co. 
Several  years  later  he  withdrew  from  this 
firm  and  assisted  in  forming  the  Evansville 
Furniture  conipanv.  After  ten  years  he 
withdrew  from  the  company  and  commenced  : 
farming  in  White  county.  111.,  where  he  now  | 
resides.  His  wife,  Rosa,  was  born  in  Ger- 
man}' about  1836,  and  died  in  1868.  Sub- 
sequently he  married.  Albert  F.  Karges 
was  reared  in  Evansville,  and  received  his 
education  in  the  pubhc  schools,  and  at  the 
commercial  college.  In  1879  he  entered 
the  employ  of  William  Hughes,  the  well- 
known  merchant.  Six  years  later  he  en- 
tered the  lumber  business,  and  since  1S86, 
has  been  in  the  hrm  of  Stoltz  &  Karges. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Business  Men's  as- 
sociation, is  active,  progressive  and  deeply 
interested  in  this  citx's  advancement.  He 
was  married  in  December,  1885,  to  Lizzie 
Hauk,  of  Evansville,  Ind.,  to  whom  one  son, 
Arthur  W.,  has  been  born. 

Among  the  foundries  established  in  re- 
cent }ears  is  that  of  the  F.  Grole  Manufac- 
turing company  at  the  corner  of  First 
avenue  and  Ingle  street.  It  was  organized 
February  i,  18S7,  and  does  general  foundry 
work,  but  makes  a  speciality  of  pumps  and 
radiators.  The  president  and  treasurer  of 
the  company,  Fred  Grote,  was  born  in 
Prussia,  May  4,  i8.:|7,  and  is  the  son  of 
William  and  Laura  (Koemann)  Grote.  The 
death  of  his  father  occurred  in  1855  in 
Prussia.  In  the  same  vear  the  mother  with 
five  children  emigrated  to  America,  coming 
direct  to  Vanderburgh  county  and  reaching 
here  July  2.  She  died  twenty  years  later 
in  this  cit}'.  Fred  Grote  was  reared  on  the 
farm  of  an  uncle  until  si.xteen  years  of  age, 


except  during  one  3'ear  when  he  resided  with 
his  mother  in  the  city  and  attended  school.  At 
sixteen  he  went  to  work  in  the  Evansville 
Woolen  mills,  where  he  remained  eight 
years,  in  the  meantime,  however,  spending 
one  and  a  half  years  in  the  employ  of 
Christian  Decker.  He  had  learnt  the  trade 
of  an  engineer,  and  after  "  following  a 
thresher "  for  two  vears,  was  emploved  in 
the  city  water-works,  as  engineer.  He  was 
so  engaged  five  3-ears,  when,  in  1878,  he 
established  the  Novelty  Machine  Works 
with  John  H.  Maddox.  After  four  years 
this  was  consolidated  with  the  Hopkins  & 
Roberts  Machine  company.  In  Februar}-, 
18S7,  the  F.  Grote  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany was  organized  and  Mr.  Grote  was 
chosen  president  and  treasurer.  He  is  a 
member  of  Reed  Lodge, No.  316, F.&  A.M., 
of  the  Evansville  Stationery  Engineers' 
Lodge,  No.  7,  and  of  the  Business  Men's 
association.  He  is  actively  interested  in 
the  city's  advancement,  and  contributes 
largely  to  that  end.  He  was  married  in 
1876  to  Miss  Matilda  Rahm,  daughter  of 
William  Rahm,  sr.  To  this  union  seven 
children  have  been  born,  four  of  whom 
survive. 

The  secretary  of  this  company,  W.  H. 
Miller,  was  born  in  Montgomer}'  count}', 
Ohio,  November  20,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of 
Richard  and  Mary  A.  (Weaver)  Miller,  na- 
tives of  Ohio.  He  was  reared  and  educated 
in  his  native  county,  and  receiving  a  com- 
mercial training,  took  charge  of  the  books 
of  Perine  &  Co.,  wliolesale  notion  mer- 
chants in  Dayton,  Ohio.  In  April,  1861, 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  E, 
Twentv-fourth  Ohio  infantr}-,  and  served 
faithfully  until  September,  1864.  He  was 
thrice  wounded  in  battle  :  at  Greenbrier, 
W.  Va.,  Pittsburgh  Landing,  Tenn.,  and  at 
Chickamauga.  His  entire  service  was  hon- 
orable   and   praisevvorthy.      In    September, 


m 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


1864,  he  came  to  Evansville,  and  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Evansville  &  Terre  Haute 
Railroad  company,  where,  in  the  capacity  of 
a  machinist,  he  remained  fifteen  years  He 
then  entered  the  foundry  business,  in  which 
he  has  been  since  engaged  variously  con- 
nected. He  is  an  efficient  business  man  and 
a  popular  citizen.  In  1875,  he  was  elected 
to  the  state  legislature  from  Vanderburgh 
county  on  an  independent  ticket  put  out  by 
a  fusion  of  laboring  men  and  democrats. 
He  was  married  March  10,  1S63,  to  Louise 
Blaulh,  of  Evansville,  Ind.,  to  whom  three 
children  have  been  born. 

Adam  Bromm,  senior  member  of  the  firm 
of  A.  Bromm  &  Co.,  manufacturers  of 
candies  and  wholesale  fancy  grocers,  atNos. 
i8and  20  Vine  street,  Evansville, was  born  at 
Rauschenberg,  count}'  of  Kirchain,  province 
of  Hessen,  Germany,  May  i,  1855,  ^^d  is 
the  son  of  Karl  and  Clara  (Klingelhoefer) 
Bromm,  who  emigrated  to  the  Uni- 
ted States  in  1S81,  located  in  Evans- 
ville, and  still  reside  here.  He  was 
reared  and  educated  in  his  native  country, 
and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  3'ears  took  a  po- 
sition in  the  court-house,  which  he  held  for 
more  than  two  years.  He  next  served  an 
apprenticeship  to  a  grocer,  and  in  1873  came 
to  Evansville,  entering  the  employ  of  Louis 
Kollenberg,  a  dealer  in  candy,  toys,  etc.,  he 
remained  over  two  years,  and  then  engaged  in 
the  confectionery  and  fruit  business  for  him- 
self, at  the  same  time  traveling  for  Jacob 
Heblich.  In  1880  he  formed  a  co-partner- 
ship with  A.  W.  Henn,  and  continued  in 
business  under  the  firm  name  of  Bromm, 
Henn  &  Co.,  until  the  present  firm  of  A. 
Bromm  &  Co.  was  formed,  February  i, 
1887,  to  which  about  a  j'ear  later,  Philip 
Speck  and  Frank  J.  Daub  were  admitted  as 
partners.  His  advancement  in  the  business 
communitv  has  been  continuous,  a  result  of 
his  intelligent  and    energetic    prosecution  of 


wise  plans.  Mr.  Bromm  is  a  member  of  the 
Business  Men's  association,  and  of  the  Indi- 
ana Traveling  Men's  association.  He  was 
married  February  3,  1880,  to  Lottie  C. 
Hoffmann,  of  Evansville,  to  whom  the  follow- 
ing children  have  been  born:  Lizzie,  Emma, 
i\lbert  and  Edward. 

Samuel  W.  Keene,  a  prominent  and 
well-known  merchant  of  Evansville,  is  a 
native  of  New  Hampshire,  born  February 
I,  1852,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Crawford)  Keene,  of  English  and 
Scotch  descent,  respectively.  In  1855  his 
parents  left  their  native  state.  New  Hamp- 
shire, removed  to  New  York  state,  and  now 
reside  there.  Five  children  were  born  to 
them,  four  of  whom  survive.  Samuel  W. 
Keene  was  reared  in  western  New  York, 
and  secured  a  good  common  school  educa- 
tion. Attaining  his  majority,  he  started  to 
the  enterprising  west  to  seek  employment. 
He  proceeded  to  Chicago,  and  there  at 
once  entered  the  employ  of  Field,  Leiter  & 
Co.,  then  the  largest  dry-goods  firm  in  the 
west,  and  now,  as  Marshall  Field  &  Co., 
probably  the  largest  house  of  the  kind  in 
the  world.  With  this  firm  he  remained 
seven  years  as  a  salesman,  and  then  located 
in  Madison,  Jefferson  county,  Ind.,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  for  him- 
self during  two  years.  His  venture  was 
successful,  but  desiring  to  establish  him- 
self in  a  larger  and  more  prosperous  city, 
he  came  to  Evansville.  This  was  in  1879, 
and  upon  reaching  here  he  opened 
a  comparatively  small  establishment,  at 
No.  322  Main  street,  where  he  remained  three 
years.  His  constantly  increasing  business 
demanded  more  commodious  quarters,  and 
in  1883,  the  large  storehouse  now  occupied 
at  No.  327  Main  street,  was  opened.  Business 
was  then  commenced  on  a  scale  second  to 
no  ex'clusively  retail  house  in  the  city.  Fair 
dealing  and  good  management  have    brough 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


US 


success.  The  volume  of  business  done  in 
this  house,  ah-eadv  large,  is  constantly  in- 
creasing. Mr.  Keene  is  recognized  as  a 
pushing,  progressive,  young  man,  being  an 
active  member  of  the  Business  Men's  asso- 
ciation and  deeply  interested  in  the  general 
advancement  of  the  city.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  K.  of  H.,  A. "  O.  U.  W.,  and  K. 
and  L.  of  H.  fraternities.  He  was  married 
in  1S79  to  Sammie  M.  Victor,  of  Maysville, 
Ky.,  to  whom  three  children  have  been  born: 
Victor,  Donald  and  Amy. 

George  W.  Goodge,  contracting  brick- 
layer and  builder,  was  born  in  Evansville, 
Ind.,  December  18,  1841,  and  is  the  son  of 
John  S.  and  Matilda  (Beidelman)  Goodge. 
His  bovhood  was  passed  in  this  city,  in  the 
public  schools,  of  which  he  obtained  his  ed- 
ucation. He  first  learned  the  trade  of  a 
marble-cutter,  which  htj  followed  for  two 
years.  Ill  health  caused  him  to  abandon 
this  work.  He  then  began  as  a  brick-layer, 
and  remained  so  occupied  until  i86r,  when 
he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Forty-second  In- 
diana infantry,  and  served  until  June,  1865, 
when  he  was  honorably  discharged.  His 
service  was  praiseworth}-  throughout.  He 
participated  in  the  engagements  at  Perry- 
ville,  Lookout  Mountain,  Mission  Ridge, 
Chickamauga,  and  the  Atlanta  campaign. 
Returning  home  after  the  war,  he  began 
work  at  his  trade,  and  soon  became  a  con- 
tracting brick-la}-er  and  builder,  at  which  he 
has  continued  to  the  present  time.  He  is 
now  one  of  the  leading  contractors  in  the 
city,  having  supervised  the  building  of 
Blount's  plow  factory,  Evans  hall,  Canal 
street  school  building,  Masonic  block,  the 
Mackey  building,  the  Mackey,  Nisbet  & 
Co.  building,  and  is  now  engaged  on  the 
new  opera-house  of  the  Business  Men's  as- 
sociation. He  was  married  November  21, 
1865,  to  Miss  Sarah  G.  Ruston,  to  whom 
five  children  have  been  born  —  three   boys 


and  two  girls  —  as  follows:  Marietta,  James 
W.,  Susannah  P.,  Edward  B.,  Samuel  B. 
Mr.  Goodge  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M. 
order,  and  of  Farragut  Post,  G.  A.  R.  He 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Walnut 
Street  Presb3'terian  church. 

Charles  H.  W.  Otte,  a  prominent  j'oung 
citizen  of  Evansville,  and  junior  member  of 
the  firm  of  Nessler,  Nackenhorst  &  Otte, 
one  of  the  largest  wholesale  and  importing 
firms  of  fancy  goods  and  toys  in  Indiana,  and 
the  only  one  of  the  kind  in  Evansville,  was 
born  in  Indianapolis,  this  state,  April  2, 1859. 
His  parents,  William  and  Mary  (Heckman) 
Otte,  natives  of  Germany,  were  born  in 
1825  and  1835,  respectively.  They  emi- 
grated to  America  early  in  the  '50's,  were 
married  at  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  and  now  reside 
at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  where  the  father,  as  a 
carpenter,  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Pan  Han- 
dle railroad  conipan\',  with  which  company 
he  has  been  employed  for  twenty-four  j-ears. 
Charles  Otte  was  reared  and  educated  in 
the  city  of  Indianapolis.  From  1872  to 
1883  he  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  his  na- 
tive city.  In  January  of  the  last  named  year 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  Louis  Nessler 
and  John  F.  Nackenhorst,  and  coming  to 
Evansville,  the  three  established  their  pres- 
ent business.  With  good  management  and 
fair  dealing,  an  extensive  trade  and  a  high 
standing  among  the  business  concerns  of  the 
city  have  been  secured.  Mr.  Otte  is  a 
member  of  Ben  Hur  Lodge,  K.  of  P.,  and 
of  the  Traveling  Men's  association.  He  is 
energetic,  capable,  public-spirited  and  pop- 
ular. 

E.  F.  OsLAGE,  an  old  citizen  and  mer- 
chant of  this  city,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Janu- 
ary 26,  1819.  His  parents,  John  H.  and 
Catherine  (Voss)  Oslage,  never  left  their 
native  country.  They  were  blessed  with 
nine  children,  only  four  of  whom  grew  to 
manhood,  and  three  of  these  have  since  died 


iU 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


Mr.  Oslage  came  to  America  in  1841,  land- 
ing at  Baltimore,  and  going  thence  to  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio,  where  he  remained  thirteen 
years.  From  Cincinnati  he  removed  to  Du- 
bois county,  Ind.,  and  after  a  short  time 
came  to  this  county,  locating  on  a  farm.  In 
1866,  he  removed  to  the  cit}',  and  with  the 
firm  of  Blemker,  Tillman  &  Co.,  started  the 
third  stove  foundry  established  in  Evansville. 
He  remained  with  this  company  eleven 
years,  withdrawing  at  the  end  of  that 
period,  erecting  his  present  store  building 
and  beginning  the  business  of  a  grocer. 
Since  that  time  he  has  continued  in  the  same 
business,  meeting  with  much  success.  At 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  May  10,  1S49,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Dorothea  Siekemej^er,  who  was  born 
in  Germany,  March  11,  1827,  and  came  to 
America  when  twent}'  years  of  age.  Of 
this  union  eleven  children  have  been  born, 
five  of  whom  survive,  as  follows:  Julia  A., 
John  H.,  Louisa  M.,  Edward  B.,  and  LydiaD. 
John  W.  Dinsmoor,  agent  for  Adams 
Express  company,  in  this  city,  was  born  at 
Lowell,  Mass.,  October  19,  1842.  His  par- 
ents, John  B.  and  Caroline  (Daw)  Dins- 
moor,  were  natives  of  Massachusetts,  and 
were  prominent  people  in  the  community 
where  they  resided.  His  mother  died  at 
Haverhill,  in  that  state,  in  1843,  and  the 
father,  coming  west,  died  at  Sterling,  111.,  in 
1873.  His  paternal  grandfather,  William 
Dinsmoor,  was  also  a  native  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  died  there,  after  an  honorable 
career,  about  the  year  1823.  The  immedi- 
ate subject  of  this  mention  was  educated  in 
the  town  of  his  nativity,  and  at  Galesburg, 
111.  When  twenty  years  of  age,  his  patriot- 
ism was  appealed  to  b}-  his  countr\''s  need. 
Responding  to  that  appeal,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  D,  Eighty-eighth  Illinois  infantr}-, 
and  served  faithfull}'  for  three  years,  being 
honorably  discharged  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in 
1865.     At  the  close  of  his  military  service 


he  returned  to  Galesburg,  and  for  a  brief 
period  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business. 
For  six  years,  from  1867,  he  was  employed 
in  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis,  principally  with 
Sheehan  &  Lole,  railroad  contractors  and 
builders.  In  1873  ^^  entered  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Southern  Express  company 
as  a  messenger,  and  at  the  end  of  three 
years,  was  made  the  company's  agent  at 
Birmingham,  Ala.,  which  position  he  held 
until  1S81,  when  he  accepted  the  agency  of 
the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  railroad  company  at 
Chicago,  111.  Here  he  remained  until  1882, 
when  he  went  to  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  as  agent 
of  the  Adams  Express  company,  and  two 
years  later  was  transferred  to  take  charge 
of  the  company's  office  in  this  city.  In  the 
four  3'ears  of  his  residence  here  his  uniform 
politeness  and  strict  attention  to  business 
have  commended  Ijim  to  the  favor  of  all 
coming  in  business  contact  with  him.  While 
at  Birmingham,  Ala.,  he  was  made  a  mem- 
ber of  Jefferson  Valley  Lodge,  No.  11,  K. 
of  P.  In  1878  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mary  E.  Reinsmith,  who  died  December 
22,  1885,  in  the  twenty-ninth  year  of  her  age. 
George  Brose,  representing  a  pioneer 
famil}^,  and  one  of  the  leading  millers  of  the 
cit}',  was  born  in  Evansville,  Januar}-  9,  1847. 
His  father,  Daniel  Brose,  a  native  of  Wur- 
temberg,  Germany,  was  born  Februar}-  15, 
181 5,  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in 
1837.  His  death  occurred  in  1S64.  His 
mother,  Christina  F.  (Jenner)  Brose  was 
also  a  native  of  Wurtemberg,  born  Septem- 
ber 22,  1S20,  who  came,  in  1S39,  with  her 
parents  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  V'ander- 
burgh  county.  The  marriage  of  these 
pioneers  was  solemnized  in  1842.  George 
Brose  grew  to  manhood  in  this  city  and, 
soon  after  his  father's  death,  at  the  age  of 
nineteen,  he  began  business  for  himself. 
Forming  a  partnership  with  his  brother, 
John  Brose,   he   embarked   in  the   grocery 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


U5 


trade,  and  five  years  later  the  brothers  estab- 
lished and  began  to  operate  a  flour  mill. 
This  business  relation  continued  until  1878, 
when  John  Brose  died,  being  then  thirty- 
four  years  of  age.  For  the  two  years  fol- 
lowing this  death,  Thomas  Brose,  a  younger 
brother,  was  a  partner  in  the  concern,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  the  entire  propert}',  now 
known  as  the  Sunnyside  Mills,  passed  into 
the  possession  of  George  Brose,  with  whom 
it  has  since  remained.  By  upright  and  hon- 
orable conduct  in  his  dealings  with  men,  and 
by  close  attention  to  business,  he  has 
achieved  success.  He  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  Orion  Lodge,  No.  35,  K.  of  P.,  and 
an  active  member  of  the  Business  Men's 
association.  His  marriage  occurred  in  this 
city  in  1874,  when  Lizzie  Laval,  daughter 
of  Dr.  John  and  Mary  Laval,  born  in  1852, 
became  his  wife. 

In  1850  James  Nugent  and  his  wife 
Kate,  who  had  been  a  Tohill,  natives  of  Ire- 
land, the  former  born  about  1806  and  the 
latter  some  ten  years  later,  left  the  "  Emerald 
Isle  "  and  came  to  free  America.  They  set- 
tled in  Vanderburgh  county  and  were  highly 
respected  members  of  the  communit3^  Ten 
children  blessed  their  union,  the  olde.st  of 
whom  was  Jonx  Nugent,  born  December 
20th,  1838,  and  known  here  as  an  enterpris- 
ing contractor  and  steamboatman  ever  since 
1865,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  in  the 
cit}-.  His  parents  died  here,  the  father  in 
1876,  the  mother  in  1881.  The  early  por- 
tion of  his  Hfe  was  spent  on  the  farm.  It  was 
there  in  the  trying  experiences  common  to 
all  farm  lads  of  that  day,  and  in  the  district 
school  of  the  country,  that  the  foundations 
of  his  character  and^education  were  shaped. 
When  twenty-seven  years  of  age  he  moved 
from  the  farm  to  the  city,  and  at  once  en- 
gaged in  the  business  of  a  contractor, 
especially  employing  himself  on  the  public 
works  of  the  city  and  county.    In  connection 


with  his  work  in  this  line  he  has  been  en- 
gaged to  some  extent  in  the  capacity  of  a 
steamboatman,  particularly  with  the  local 
tow-boats  of  the  port.  At  present  he  is  one 
of  the  contractors  on  the  costly  and  elegant 
new  court-house  now  in  process  of  erec- 
tion. As  a  citizen  he  has  always  been  pro- 
gressive, and  in  politics  has  affiliated  with 
the  republican  party,  in  the  achievement  of 
whose  successes  he  has  wielded  a  lar<re  in- 
fluence.  He  was  married  in  1880  to  Mary 
L.  Jenner,  a  native  of  this  city,  daughter  of 
Adam  and  Louise  Jenner.  Honesty  of  pur- 
pose and  great  business  activity  have 
characterized  the  life  of  John  Nugent,  and 
brought  success  as  the  fruit  of  his  labors, 
and  made  him  popular  with  his  business 
and  social  acquaintances.  In  November, 
1 888,  Mr.  Nugent  was  elected  on  the 
republican  ticket  one  of  the  representatives 
of  Vanderburgh  county  in  the  general 
assembly  of  1889,  in  which  he  served  with 
marked  abilit}'. 

Walter  J.  Lewis,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  E.  &  T.  H.,  P.,  D.  &  E.,  E.  &.  I., 
and  Belt  Line  railroads,  is  a  native  of  Illi- 
nois, born  June  20,  1857.  He  was  reared 
and  educated  in  his  native  county,  Clinton. 
Learning  telegraph)-,  he  was  employed 
for  a  time  by  the  Western  Union  com- 
pany. His  experience  as  a  railroad 
man  commenced  at  Trenton,  111.,  where 
he  served  for  two  years  as  station 
agent  for  the  O.  &  M.  railroad.  In 
1876  he  was  employed  by  the  E.  &  T.  H. 
railroad  as  clerk  and  telegraph  operator,  at 
Vincennes,  Ind.  His  efficiency  and  close 
attention  to  business  soon  won  a  promotion 
to  the  chief  clerkship  of  the  company's 
offices  at  Terre  Haute.  From  1880  for  two 
years  he  was  freight  agent  at  that  place,  and 
at  the  end  of  this  time  was  transferred  to 
this  city  to  serve  in  the  same  capacity',  the 
duties    of  passenger    agent    also    being  en- 


U6 


PFRSOXAL  MENTION. 


trusted  to  him  soon  thereafter.  In  Novem- 
ber, 18S5,  he  was  made  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  railroads  above  mentioned,  ex- 
cept the  P.,  D.  &  E.,  which  road  was  added 
May  I,  1887.  Mr.  Lewis  is  an  expert  ac- 
countant, a  skillful  manager,  and  faithful  to 
every  trust.  He  was  married  June  15, 
1881,  to  Miss  Emma  Stewart,  a  native  of 
Vincennes,  Ind.,  daughter  of  L.  D.  Stewart, 
a  well-known  citizen  of  that  place.  They 
have  two  children:  Ewing  B.  and  Walter  J. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  are  members  of  Grace 
Presb^'terian  church. 

Charles  E.  Woods,  a  leading  citizen  of 
Evansville,  Ind.,  and  one  of  the  best  known 
house,  sign  and  steamboat  painters  of  the 
city,  residing  at  405  Canal  street,  was  born 
in  Lambertsville,  N.  J.,  March  12,  1840. 
When  a  child  he  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Daviess  county,  Ind.,  and  then  to  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  where  he  was  reared,  and  was 
given  a  common  school  education.  Men- 
tion of  his  parents  is  made  more  fully  in 
sketch  of  William  H.  Woods.  He  located 
in  Evansville  in  1853,  and  when  about  four- 
teen years  of  age  learned  the  painter's  trade 
with  his  brother-in-law,  William  Summers. 
In  1S59,  ^'^  removed  to  Henderson,  Ky., 
and  in  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  con- 
federate army,  joining  Company  B  of  the 
Fourth  Regiment  of  Kentucky  infantry,  and 
served  three  years  and  nine  months,  and  left 
the  service  as  sergeant.  In  Web- 
ster county,  Kentucky,  at  Shiloh  meet- 
ing house,  Mr.  Woods  was  captured 
in  1862,  and  was  turned  over  to  the  civil 
authorities  for  making  a  raid  on  West  Frank- 
lin, and  was  imprisoned  at  Evansville,  Ind., 
for  about  eight  months,  and  then  turned  over 
to  the  military  authorities  and  sent  on 
special  exchange.  He  was  at  Fort 
Donelson,  Tenn.,  and  was  captured  in  the 
fall  of  the  fort  in  1862,  and  imprisoned  at 
Camp    Morton,    near     Indianapolis,    from 


where  he"  escaped  and  reported  to  Adam 
Johnson,  in  Kentuck}',  with  Morgan's  com- 
mand. At  Cynthiana,  K}'.,  in  1864,  on  Mor- 
gan's last  raid,  he  was  wounded  by  being 
shot  through  the  left  arm  and  left  lung,  and 
again  taken  prisoner,  and  was  confined  at 
Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  for  about  four  months 
and  a  half.  Then  being  sent  to  Richmond, 
Va.,  and  exchanged,  he  reported  to  his  com- 
mand in  North  Carolina,  and  soon  after- 
ward peace  was  declared.  After  the  war 
he  returned  to  Henderson  and  engaged  at 
his  trade,  and  resided  there  and  carried  on 
business  until  March,  1875,  when  he  came 
to  Evansville  and  formed  a  partnership  with 
his  brother,  William  H.Woods  and  continued 
with  him  until  1881,  and  then  engaged  in 
business  for  himself.  Mr.  Woods  was  mar- 
ried July  24,  1866,  to  Octavia  Epperson, 
who  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1842,  and 
is  the  daughter  of  William  Epperson. 
To  this  union  seven  children  have  been 
born,  five  of  whom  survive,  as  follows: 
WiUiam  R.,  George  E.,  Rosa  A.,  Elizabeth 
B.,  and  Annie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woods  are 
members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church.  Mr.  Woods  is  a  member  of  the 
B.  M.  A.,  and  is  a  member  of  Evansville 
Lodge,  No.  63,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  La 
Vallette  Commandery,  K.  T. 

William  H.  Woods,  a  well-known  citizen 
of  Evansville,  Ind.,  and  a  leading  steamboat 
and  house  painter  of  the  city,  was  born  in 
Philadelphia  on  January  7,  1837,  and  was 
chiefly  reared  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  he 
secured  a  limited  education.  In  the  spring 
of  185 1  he  began  learning  the  trade  of 
painting,  and  in  December,  1854,  came  to 
Evansville  on  a  visit  to  a  sister.  While 
visiting  this  city  he  was  induced  to  locate 
here,  and  subsequently  began  following  his 
trade,  and  is  now  one  of  the  oldest  painters 
in  the  city  in  point  of  local  experience.  He 
painted  the  first  steamboat  brought  here  for 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


U7 


the  Evansville  &  Cairo  packet  line.  Mr. 
Woods  was  married  on  May  25,  1858,  to 
Hannah  S.  Epperson,  who  was  born  Janu- 
ary' 4,  1840,  and  died  December  18,  1864, 
leaving  three  children,  one  of  whom,  Charles, 
survives,  and  is  at  present  a  partner  of  his 
father  in  the  business.  On  July  17,  1866,  Mr. 
Woods  was  married  to  Hannah  J.  Davidson, 
who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  on  Febru- 
ary 8,  1843,  and  to  this  union  nine  children 
have  been  born,  six  of  whom  survive, 
as  follows :  William  D.,  Harry,  Mary,  Ro- 
nald F.,  Walter  and  Arthur.  Mr.  Woods  is 
a  member  of  the  B.  M.  A.,  and  of  the  Royal 
Arcanum  fraternity,  and  has  been  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  K.  of  P.  lodges. 
Mrs.  Woods  is  the  daughter  of  Joshua  and 
Matilda  Davidson.  Her  father  was  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  Vanderburgh  county,  and 
was  an  early  justice  of  the  peace  of  Evans- 
ville. The  parents  of  Mr.  Woods  were 
Richard  and  Mary  A.  (Taylor)  Woods. 
Richard  was  born  in  Manchester,  Engknd, 
on  November  19,  1779,  and  Mary  Taylor 
was  born  in  Liverpool,  England,  on  Decem- 
ber I,  1805.  They  were  married  in  Man- 
chester, England,  on  January  27,  1829,  and 
in  1836,  they  emigrated  to  America,  and 
located  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.  Richard 
Woods  was  a  millwright  and  pattern-maker 
by  trade  and  followed  that  vocation 
in  England,  and  then  in  Philadelphia. 
In  about  1840  he  was  induced  to  come 
west  to  Daviess  county,  Ind.,  under  contract 
to  erect  a  mill.  Two  years  were  spent  on 
this  contract,  he  receiving  in  part  payment 
for  the  same  forty  acres  of  land.  Complet- 
ing his  contract,  he  removed  his  family  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,  making  the  trip  across  the 
country  in  wagons.  His  death  occurred  in 
Louisville,  on  July  23,  1846.  Mary  A. 
Taylor  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Ann 
Taylor,  and  she  also  died  in  Louisville,  on 
March  7,  1852.     To  their  union  sixteen  chil- 


dren were  born,  only  three  of  whom  sur- 
vive. Both  parents  were  married  previous 
to  their  union,  and  a  son  of  the  father's  first 
marriage  and  a  daughter  of  the  mother's 
first  marriage  survive,  the  son  residing  in 
Illinois  and  the  daughter  in  St.  Louis. 

Georck  Lorenz,  a  native  of  Germany, 
was  born  May  20,  1842.  His  parents, 
Jacob  and  Madeline  (Meinart)  Lorenz,  were 
born  in  Germany  in  1804  and  1813,  respect- 
ively, and  died  in  their  native  country,  the 
father  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years,  the 
mother  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  Before 
coming  to  the  United  States,  George  Lorenz 
learned  the  baker's  trade,  but  he  never  fol- 
lowed it  in  this  country.  He  resided  in  New 
York  city  one  year,  came  to  Evansville  in 
1865  and  soon  thereafter  began  the  wine  and 
liquor  business,  in  which  he  has  since  con- 
tinued. He  accumulated  money  rapidly, 
and  in  1872  purchased  the  property-  which 
he  now  occupies  at  the  corner  of  Second  and 
Division  streets,  at  a  cost  of  $21,000.  By 
careful  and  economical  management  he  has 
continued  to  add  to  his  propertj^  possessions. 
In  1866  he  was  married  to  Madeline 
Schauss,  a  native  of  Posey  county,  Ind.,  born 
in  1848.  They  have  one  daughter,  Lena. 
Mr.  Lorenz  occupies  a  prominent  place 
among  the  social  orders  of  the  city,  being  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  A.  O.  U.  W., 
K.  of  H.,  Druids  and  Harugari  fraternities. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  St.  John's 
Evangelical  church. 

Among  the  enterprising  business  men 
who  b}'  their  own  efforts  have  attained 
prominence  as  public  men,  may  be  men- 
tioned Thomas  Bullen,  who  served  in  the 
city  council  from  1877  to  1881,  at  which 
time  he  was  appointed  chief  of  the  fire 
department,  holding  this  responsible  position 
for  five  years.  The  son  of  Daniel  and 
EHzabeth  Ann  (Kimpton)  Bullen,  and  the 
youngest  of   eight   children,    only    two    of 


w 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


whom  are  now  living,  this  gentleman  was 
born  in  England,  February  3,  1837.  In  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  country  he  re- 
ceived some  rudimentary  instruction,  but  at 
the  early  age  of  twelve  years  he  under- 
took to  learn  the  baker's  trade.  Emigrating 
to  the  United  States  in  1852,  he  settled  in 
Evansville,  and  at  once  entered  the  ser- 
vice of  Edward  Bowles,  the  well-known 
liveryman,  continuing  therein  until  1854, 
when  he  besjan  business  for  himself  as  a 
teamster.'  At  that  time  he  obtained  the  con- 
tract for  sprinkling  the  streets  of  the  city, 
and  so  acceptable  has  been  his  service  that 
he  has  continued  in  the  performance  of  this 
public  duty  to  the  present.  His  business 
ventures  proving  successful,  Mr.  Bullen  en- 
tered the  livery  business  in  1867,  and  soon 
gained  a  large  patronage.  His  stables,  now 
located  on  Upper  Fifth  street,  at  Nos.  13, 
15  and  17,  are  commodious,  well  stocked, 
well  equipped,  and  so  managed  as  to  deserve 
and  receive  substantial  public  support. 
In  political  life  Mr.  Bullen  has  been 
a  consistent  democrat,  his  faithful  services 
to  his  party  having  been  rewarded  by  the 
recognition,  with  mention  of  which  he  was 
introduced  in  this  connection.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  His  marriage 
occurred  in  1854,  to  Miss  Martha  Hitch,  a 
native  of  England,  born  in  183S,  who  came 
to  America  with  her  parents  when  eleven 
years  of  age.  Eight  children  were  born  of 
this  union,  four  of  whom  are  now  living: 
Elizabeth  Ann,  John  T.,  Lauretta  and  Will- 
iam H. 

John  J.  Goodwin,  jr.,  of  the  firm  of  Har- 
rison, Goodwin  &  Co.,  though  not  identified 
with  the  business  interests  of  this  city  until 
recent  years,  has  become  well-known  by 
reason  of  his  business  ability  and  integrity. 
A  son  of  William  M.  and  Marietta  (Wilbur) 
Goodwin,  the  eldest  of  six  children,  he  was 
I?orn    August    4,    1842.     His  father  was  a 


native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1S22,  and 
his  mother  a  native  of  Indiana,  born  in  1826; 
the  former  died  at  Anna,  111.,  in  1886,  the 
latter  in  Hardin  county,  111.,  1873.  These 
parents  gave  their  son  the  benefits  of  a  com- 
mon school  education,  and  when  the  civil 
war  was  actively  commenced  they  gave  him 
to  their  country's  service.  Enlisting  in  No- 
vember, 1861,  in  Company  F,  Forty-ninth 
Indiana  infantry,  he  served  honorably  for 
three  years,  receiving  a  wound  at  Vicksburg, 
December  29, 1863,  and  being  honorably  dis- 
charged in  November,  1864.  Returning  to 
civil  life,  he  established  himself  at  Cave-in- 
Rock,  111.,  as  a  general  merchant  and  pro- 
duce dealer,  and  engaged  successfully  as 
such  for  a  period  of  twenty  years.  Coming 
to  Evansville  in  1885,  for  a  time  he  busied 
himself  as  a  trader  and  speculator,  and  in 
April,  1888,  became  a  member  of  the  firm 
with  which  he  is  now  associated.  He  is  also 
connected  with  the  firm  of  Pleasants,  Good- 
win &  Co.,  jeans  pants  manufacturers. 
Politically  he  entertains  the  views  of  the 
democratic  party,  and  religiously  those  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  A  firm 
believer  in  the  good  accomplished  by  frater- 
nal orders,  he  is  connected  with  lodges  of 
the  F.  &  A.  M.,  K.  of  P.,  and  K.  of  H. 
In  1870  his  marriage  occurred  to  Miss  Nora 
C.  Mitchell,  who  was  born  in  Hardin  county, 
111.,  in  1848.  Three  children,  Leila,  Daisj', 
and  Mabel,  have  been  born  to  these  parents. 
For  twenty-four  years  the  stove  and  tin 
business  has  been  represented  in  this  city  by 
the  Thiele  family.  Anthony  Thiele  was 
born  in  Germany,  January  25,  1827,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  settling 
in  Boston,  Mass.  His  wife,  JuHa  (Corco- 
ran) Thiele,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1835, 
and  died  in  this  city  when  thirty-seven  years 
of  age.  The  family  came  to  Evansville  in 
the  spring  of  1864.  The  eldest  of  their 
eight  children  was  Ignatius  A.,  born  in  Bos. 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


W 


ton,  Mass.,  January  23,  1855.  Upon  his 
arrival  here  the  elder  Thiele  began  the  stove 
and  tin  business,  which  has  been  continued 
by  father  and  son  ever  since,  Ignatius  hav- 
ing been  admitted  to  partnership  in  1872. 
Since  1870  their  place  of  business  has  been 
at  Nos.  108  and  no  Upper  Third  street, 
where  a  full  line  of  stoves,  tinware,  and  house- 
furnishing  goods  are  offered  for  sale.  The 
reputation  for  honest}'  and  fair  dealing  es- 
tablished by  the  senior  member  of  the  house 
is  being  maintained  by  the  younger  man, 
who  is  recognized  as  an  enterprising  trader. 
They  are  the  only  agents  in  this  part  of  the 
state  of  the  celebrated  Round  Oak  heating 
stoves. 

The  dye  house  of  Henry  Butts  is  an  old 
establishment.  Its  proprietor  came  to  Evans- 
ville  in  1850,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
a  well-known  citizen.  He  was  born  in 
Northampton  (now  Monroe)  count}^  Penn., 
December  4,  1809.  His  parents,  Jacob  and 
Christina  (Arnold)  Butts,  were  natives  of 
that  state,  and  died  in  the  county  named. 
At  the  age  of  ten  years  Henry  Butts  was 
forced  to  make  his  own  way  in  life,  and  as 
soon  as  he  had  reached  his  majorit}-  he 
moved  to  Genesee  county,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
remained  until  1834.  When  he  came  to 
Evansville  he  was  penniless,  and  for  a  time 
lived  in  poverty,  being  unable  to  find  profit- 
able employment.  In  1839  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Cornelia  E.  Hinman,  of  Geneva, 
N.  Y.,  then  in  her  nineteenth  year.  Through 
enterprising  effort  and  rigid  economy  Mr. 
Butts  soon  gained  a  foothold  in  the  pros- 
perous city,  and  now  after  years  of  toil,  hav- 
ing gained  a  competence,  he  enjojs  the 
fruits  of  his  enterpri.se.  In  1863  his  wife 
departed  this  life,  three  children  being  left 
to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  mother.  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Murdock,  born  in  Italy,  became  his 
wife  in  1867. 

John  Henry  Kreipke,  for  many  years 


a  well-known  cooper  in  this  city  and  a  worthy 
citizen,  was  born  in  Germany,  February 
4,  1822.  His  parents,  John  Carl  and  Jo- 
hanna Kreipke,  were  natives  of  Germany 
and  died  in  this  city  in  1876  and  1878,  re- 
spectively, each  having  lived  more  than  four 
score  years  of  usefulness.  He  was  the  sec- 
ond of  three  children,  only  one  of  whom 
survives.  His  bo3'hood  was  spent  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  place,  and  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  years  he  began  to  learn  the 
cooper's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  in  Ger- 
many until  1845,  when  he  sailed  for  the 
United  States.  Landing  at  New  Orleans, 
La.,  he  remained  in  that  city  a  few  months 
and  then  came  to  Evansville  in  the  early 
days  of  1846.  Here  he  continued  to  work 
at  his  trade,  and  later  formed  a  partnership 
with  James  W.  Wiltshire,  with  whom  he 
was  in  business  for  thirty-five  years,  or  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  Januar}-  5,  1SS7. 
Beginning  life  with  no  other  capital  than  the 
endowments  of  nature  he  acted  manfully 
throughout  a  long  career  and  obtained  a 
pleasing  measure  of  success.  He  was  mar- 
ried October  31,  1866,  to  Mrs.  Caroline 
Theiman  (whose  maiden  name  wasPeulen), 
born  in  Germany,  March  2,  1826.  Her 
mother  dying  in  German}-  in  1837,  she  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1845  with  her  father, 
who  four  years  later  died  in  this  city  in  his 
fifty-second  year.  Mrs.  Kreipke  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  and  a 
highly  respected  lady. 

Among  the  enterprising  citizens  who 
came  from  beyond  the  sea  to  Evansville, 
soon  after  it  became  a  city,  was  John  George 
Miller,  for  many  years  identified,  as 
a  leader,  with  the  retail  boot  and  shoe 
trade  of  the  city.  He  was  born  January  25, 
1819,  in  Delkenheim,  Nassau,  Germany; 
was  married  in  1848,  to  Miss  Catharine 
Christina  Bastert,  born  in  181 7,  a  native  of 
Bielefeld,  Westphalia,  Germany,  and  landed 


ItdO 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


in  this  city  as  an  immigrant,  near  tlae  last  of 
June,  of  the  same  year.  His  death  occurred 
in  this  city,  June  i,  1887,  and  that  of  his 
wife,  July  21,  1873.  These  pioneers  were 
the  parents  of  six  children,  one  of  whom, 
Emil  George  Miller,  born  October  3, 1853, 
is  now  a  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes,  in  part- 
nership with  John  George  Diehl,  doing 
business  at  No.  501  Main  street.  Emil 
George  Miller  received  the  rudiments  of  his 
intellectual  training  in  the  public  schools  of 
the  city;  at  the  age  of  thirteen  began  to 
work  in  his  father's  store,  and  ever  since 
that  time,  excepting  a  period  of  seven  years, 
has  been  actively  engaged  as  a  retail  boot 
and  shoe  merchant,  with  varying  degrees  of 
success.  January  21,  1875,  he  was  married 
to  Catherine  Roehrig,  who  was  born  in 
Warrick  county,  Ind.,  May  27,  1854.  Mr. 
Miller  became  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
in  1878.  His  family,  now  containing  five 
children,  are  members  of  St.  John's  church. 
John  George  Diehl,  of  the  firm  of  Miller 
&  Diehl,  shoe  dealers  at  No.  501  Main  street, 
was  born  in  Iggelheim,  Rheinpfalz,  Bavaria, 
January  16,  1850.  His  parents,  Leonard 
and  Apollonia  (Hirsch)  Diehl,  were  Ba- 
varians, born  respectively  in  1823  and  1822. 
Both  died  in  the  countrj'  of  their  nativity,  the 
former  in  1863,  the  latter  in  1858.  The  eld- 
est daughter  of  these  people  came  to  this 
city  from  Germany  in  1865,  and  died  here 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years.  Her 
brother,  John  George  Diehl,  learned  the 
trade  of  a  shoemaker  in  his  native  town,  but 
in  the  summer  of  1866  he  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  and  came  at  once  to  Evans- 
ville.  For  about  four  years  after  reaching 
this  place  he  worked  at  his  trade,  but  at 
length  accepted  a  clerkship  in  the  shoe  store 
of  George  Miller  &  Co.,  where  he  remained 
until  1872.  In  March  of  that  year  he  went 
to  Europe,  to  obtain  a  legacy  which  had 
been  left  him.     When  Mr.    Diehl  first  de- 


termined to  leave  his  native  land,  he  was  un- 
able, because  of  the  war  of  that  period,  to 
obtain  a  passport,  but  this  was  not  allowed 
to  prevent  his  departure.  However,  upon 
his  return  to  that  country,  in  1872,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  serve  in  the  German  army  two  and  a 
half  years  before  he  could  obtain  the  legacy 
for  which  he  had  crossed  the  ocean.  Re- 
turning to  Evansville  in  1874,  he  resumed 
his  place  in  the  employ  of  Miller  &  Co., 
where  he  remained,  save  a  brief  period,  un- 
til 1888.  In  March  of  this  year,  the  firm,  of 
which  he  is  now  a  member,  was  established. 
He  was  married,  November  19,  1874,  to 
Elizabeth  Pale,  who  was  born  in  Iggelheim, 
German}',  February  14,  1855,  and  who  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1874.  He  and  his 
wife  belong  to  the  Roman  Catholic  church. 

Henry  Klee  came  from  Germany  in 
1848,  settled  at  Evansville,  and  three  years 
later  commenced  the  business  of  an  under- 
taker in  which  he  continued  until  1886.  He 
was  born  in  Germany  March  5,  1818,  and 
died  in  Evansville,  April  2  2d,  188S.  His 
wife  was  Clara  Kratz,  herself  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  December  18,  1827,  and 
now  residing  in  this  city.  These  people 
always  commanded  the  respect  of  their 
neighbors.  John  Klee,  a  son  of  these  early 
settlers,  now  an  undertaker  at  Nos.  217  and 
219  Ingle  street,  was  born  October  21, 
1852,  in  this  cit3\  He  received  a  common 
school  education  and  in  1878  began  business 
in  partnership  with  his  father.  In  18S5  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Katie  Blaier, 
daughter  of  Michael  and  Barbara  (Stain- 
hilber)  Blaier,  very  worthy  people.  Mr. 
Klee  and  wife  are  members  of  St.  John's 
church;  the  former  is  a  Mason,  Odd  Fellow 
and  Knight  of  Honor. 

Thrift  and  persistent  effort  which  yield  not 
to  adversity  are  essential  to  a  realization  of 
hopes.  Men  are  called  self-made  when 
they  attain   prominence  after  being  thrown 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


Jt51 


upon  their  own  resources  in  the   strurfgles 
for  wealth,    power    and   social     supremacy 
which  characterize    the   present  era.     The 
effective  help  of  friendly  hands  is  lost  sight 
of  and  all  credit   is   given  to  the  individual 
effort.     But   valuable    friendship  is    itself  a 
possession  which  only  manly  qualities  com- 
mand.    So  he  who  starts  empty-handed  in 
the  race   of  life  and  at  his  prime  has  gath- 
ered about  him  those  things  which  bespeak 
successful  endeavor,   may    be  said  to  have 
made  his  own  way.     A  man  of  this  type  is 
John  H.  Fink,  who  was  born  in  Germany, 
October  28,  1S40,  being  the  son  of  Magnus 
and   Susannah    (V'aubel)    Fink.       He    was 
educated    in    his    native    country,    and  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1856,  coming 
at  once  to  Vanderburgh  county,  and  settling 
on  a   farm.     After  a   year's    work    on   the 
farm  he  came  to  EvansviUe  and  learned  the 
saddler's   trade,  at  which  he  labored  until 
1870.     At  the  close    of    the    civil    war  he 
moved   to    Morganfield,  Ky.,  where  he   re- 
mained    until     1881,    at     which    time    he 
returned     to    E\-ansville,    and      for    three 
years  carried  on  the  carriage  business.     At 
the  present  time  he  is  engaged  as  a   whole- 
sale and  retail  dealer  in  ice,  at  No.  i24Upper 
Water  street.     In  politics  Mr.  Fink  has  been 
an  earnest  democrat,  having  cast    his    first 
presidential    vote    for      Gen.     George     B. 
McClellan.     While    at    Morganfield,    Ky., 
notwithstanding  his  political   complexion,  he 
was  postmaster  for  seven  years  under  Pres- 
ident Grant.     In    1886    he    was    nominated 
for    county     treasurer    by    the  democratic 
party,  and,    though    running    ahead    of  his 
ticket,  failed  to  be  elected.     BeHeving  in  the 
good  accomplished  by   fraternal  orders,  he 
has  been  a    member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.    for 
twenty  years,  and  is  also  connected  with  the 
K.  of  H.  and  A.O.  U.  W.  He  married  in  1864 
Elizabeth  Georget,  who  came   to    America 
from  Germany,  when  but  two  years  of  age. 


Frederick  W.  Ruff,  doing  a  general 
dry  goods  business  at  No.  221  Main  street, 
EvansviUe,  Ind.,  is  a  native  of  New  York 
city,  having  been  born  there  October  23, 
1850.  His  parents.  Rev.  Frederick  and 
Elizabeth  Ruff,  were  natives  of  Germany, 
1827  and  1832  were  the  dates  of  their  births, 
respectively.  The  former  still  lives  at  Mt. 
Vernon,  Ind.,  the  latter  died  in  1864.  The 
Rev.  Frederick  Ruff  came  to  the  United 
States  when  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and 
settled  in  New  York  city.  After  a  resi- 
dence of  twenty-six  years  in  the  east,  he 
emigrated  to  the  west,  and  educated  his  son 
at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  and  Louisville,  Ky. 
The  subject  of  this  mention  came  to  Evans- 
viUe in  1873,  and  in  the  following  year  was 
employed  in  the  dry  goods  house  of  Huds- 
peth, Miller  &  Co.,  where  he  continued  as  a 
clerk  until  1886.  In  this  }'ear  the  business 
house  now  known  as  F.  W.  Ruff  &  Co.,  at 
at  221  Main  street,  was  established.  De- 
cember 22,  1887,  the  propert}'  of  the  firm 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  at  a  considerable  loss. 
A  new  building  was  at  once  erected  and 
business  again  activel}'  engaged  in.  The 
house  now  enjoys  a  profitable  trade.  In 
1875  Mr.  Ruff  was  married  to  Carrie  Ber- 
ges,  who  was  born  at  Charleston,  Ind.,  in 
1856.  The  family  consists  of  three  child- 
ren, Edwin,  Frederick  and  John.  In  politics 
Mr.  Ruff  is  an  earnest  republican;  he  is  a 
member  of  the  K.  of  H.,  and  he  and  his 
wife  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.. 

FiDELio  T.  Hodge,  born  January  30, 
181 7,  is  a  native  of  Livingstone  county,  Ky. 
His  parents,  Thomas  and  Harriet  (Barnes) 
Hodge,  were  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and 
with  the  pioneers  who  drifted  from  that  sec- 
tion over  into  western  Kentucky  in  the  early 
part  of  the  nineteenth  century,  migrated 
from  their  native  home.  It  was  in  1805  that 
they  settled  in  the  then  wild  west.     There 


i62 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


the)'  lived  and  died,  the  father  in  1837,  the 
mother  in  1850,  each  at  the  age  of  sixtv 
years.  The  family  consisted  of  nine  child- 
ren. Their  lives  were  simple  and  their 
manners  plain.  All  labored  together  for  the 
common  support.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  made  his  home  at  his  father's  cabin 
until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age.  At 
that  age  he  went  to  Golconda,  111.,  and  for 
some  time  was  engaged  there  as  a  clerk. 
From  1840  to  1846  he  added  materiall}-  to 
his  fortune  by  trading  along  the  coasts  of 
the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers,  with  the 
flat-boats  and  store  boats  that  were  so  com- 
mon at  that  period.  Returning  to  Golconda, 
be  began  the  business  of  a  Avy  goods  mer- 
chant, and  continued  so  occupied  until  1S63, 
when  he  removed  to  Evansville.  In 
the  following  year  his  business  house 
at  No.  200  Water  street  was  erected 
at  a  cost  of  $27,000,  where,  ever  since,  he 
has  been  engaged  in  the  wholesale  liquor 
trade.  During  the  twenty-four  years  of  his 
residence  here,  he  has  been  signally  success- 
ful in  business.  Mr.  Hodge  has  been  twice 
married.  In  1847  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Julia  A.  Giffith,  whose  death  occurred  in 
1861.  Two  years  later.  Miss  Rose  White, 
a  native  of  New  Orleans,  La.,  born  in  1S38, 
became  his  wife.  Of  the  first  union  seven 
children  were  born,  Henry,  Richard,  Sally, 
Edwin,  Chnton,  all  now  deceased,  and  In- 
diana and  Mary  Agnes,  now  living;  of  the 
second  marriage  there  are  three  children: 
Rose,  Flora  and  Maydell. 

Industr)-,  intelligence,  and  integrity,  when 
combined  in  practice,  guarantee  success. 
The  business  house  of  Evans  &  Verwayne 
has  been  fortunate  in  having  these  qualities 
predominate  in  the  components  of  those  who 
control  its  career.  Samuel  G.  Evans,  the 
senior  member  of  the  firm,  was  born  in  Jack- 
son count)',  W.  Va.,  March  19,  1839.  His 
father,  E.  S.  Evans,  was  born  in  Morgan- 


town,  Va.,  in  1800,  and  died  in  his  native 
state  in  1876.  His  mother,  Ruami  (Wright) 
Evans,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1806, 
and  died  in  Jackson  county,  Va.,  in  1882. 
The  father  was  an  old  time  gentleman 
farmer.  It  was  on  his  farm  that  the  boy- 
hood of  young  Evans  was  passed.  After 
exhausting  all  educational  facilities  near  his 
home  he  was  sent  to  Washington  College  in 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  graduated  in 
1861.  For  a  short  time  thereafter  he  pur- 
sued the  study  of  law.  Leaving  the  east  he 
came  to  Evansville,  and  entered  the  service 
of  the  Adams  Express  compao}'.  In  1864 
he  began  his  career  as  a  dry  goods  mer- 
chant, entering  the  house  of  Jaquess,  French 
&  Co.,  and  two  years  later  became  associ- 
ated, as  junior  partner,  with  the  firm  of 
Jaquess,  Hudspeth  &  Co.,  where  he  re- 
mained for  about  eight  j'ears.  In  part- 
nership with  D.  J.  Mackey,  under  the  firm 
name  of  S.  G.  Evans  &  Co.,  he  opened  an 
establishment  in  1S76,  at  211  Main  street, 
where  for  some  time  a  successful  business 
was  conducted.  In  1880  the  firm  of  Evans 
&  Verwayne  was  organized.  The  volume 
of  business  transacted  by  the  house  has  in- 
creased annually,  the  past  year  showing  a 
decided  improvement  over  any  preceding 
year.  This  success  has  been  due  in  a  large 
measure  to  the  untiring  zeal,  constant  watch- 
fulness and  unswerving  probity  of  the  senior 
proprietor,  who,  by  his  deserts,  ranks  among 
the  leading  merchants  of  the  city  of  Evans- 
ville. A  democrat  in  politics,  faithfully  ex- 
ercising the  rights  of  citizenship,  Mr.  Evans 
is  never  offensive  to  political  opponents  in 
the  enunciation  of  his  principles.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.  order.  In  1867 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Louisa  Horn- 
brook,  born  in  1842,  near  Evansville,  a  de- 
scendant of  very  worthy  pioneers  who  acted 
an  honorable  and  conspicuous  part  in  the 
early  history  of  Vanderburgh  count}-.     To 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


453 


these  parents  three  daughters  have  been 
born,  Carrie  H.,  born  1870;  Kate  F.,  born 
ig74,  and  Delia  J.,  born  1876.  Mr.  Evans 
is  a  trustee  of  Willard  Library  and  of  the 
public  schools. 

An  honorable  career  as  a  retail  merchant 
has  been  achieved  by  Anthony  Verwayne, 
who  is  vet  in  the  prime  of  life.  He  has 
ascended  the  ladder  of  prosperity,  through 
no  daring  leap,  but  by  steadily  advancing 
from  round  to  round.  July  29,  1841,  was 
the  date,  and  the  town  of  Wehl,  Holland, 
kingdom  of  Netherlands,  the  place  of  his 
birth.  His  parents,  John  and  Anna  (Teun- 
nessen)  Verwaj'ne,  natives  of  Holland,  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1845,  and 
settled  in  Vanderburgh  county,  where,  after 
j-ears  of  useful  and  respectable  citizenship, 
they  died,  the  former  in  1865,  when  sixty- 
two  }-ears  old,  the  latter  in  1859,  at  the  age 
of  fifty-eight  years.  He  made  use  of  such 
educational  advantages  as  were  afforded  by 
the  common  schools  of  the  pioneer  era  in  In- 
diana, and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  3ears  com- 
menced the  practical  education  of  a  business 
man  in  the  trj'ing  school  of  experience. 
For  ten  years  he  was  employed  in  the  dry 
goods  houses  of  J.  P.  Byrne  and  John  S. 
Hopkins,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  began 
traveling  as  a  representative  of  the  house  of 
H.  Feldman  &  Co.,  of  this  city,  and  later 
represented  on  the  road  A.  and  J.  Trouen- 
stine  &  Co.,  of  Cincinnati.  His  career  as  a 
commercial  tourist  continued  for  twenty 
years,  and  was  marked  with  signal 
success.  Ever^-where  popular,  stead- 
fast always  in  his  adherence  to  honorable 
methods  and  never  unmindful  of  his  em- 
ployer's interests,  he  built  up  an  enviable  rep- 
utation. In  1880  the  well-known  dry-goods 
house  of  Evans  &  Verwayne  was  estab- 
hshed.  Its  affairs  have  been  safely  and 
judiciously  conducted,  and  the  house  is  now 
among  the  leaders  of  its  kind  in  this  part  of 


the  state.  Its  prosperity  and  high  standing 
in  business  circles  are  largely  due  to  the 
personal  effort  of  Mr.  Verwayne.  Politi- 
cally, Mr.  Verwayne  is  a  democrat,  though 
not  acting  a  prominent  part  in  his  party's 
affairs.  August  7,  i860,  he  \vas  married  to 
Miss  Dina  A.  Gerwe,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
who  was  born  in  Germany  May  5,  1836; 
and  to  these  parents  five  children  have  been 
born:  John  H.,  Henry,  George,  Edward  and 
Joseph.  The  family  belongs  to  the  Catholic 
church. 

In  1835  Weden  and  Mary  Wiltshire  left 
the  state  of  Virginia  and  moved  to  Chilli- 
cothe,  Ohio.  They  came  thence  to  Evans- 
ville  in  185S.  Their  family  consisted  of 
fifteen  children,  eight  of  whom  are  still  liv- 
ing. The  mother  was  born  in  1797,  and 
died  in  1874.  The  father,  born  in  1798, 
died  in  1886.  As  industrious,  honest  and 
respectable  citizens  they  were  well-known. 
The  seventh  of  their  children,  James  W. 
Wiltshire,  was  born  in  Rockingham 
county,  Va.,  November  28,  1829.  He  re- 
ceived some  instruction  in  the  rudimentary 
branches  of  learning  in  the  schools  of  Chilli- 
cothe,  but  at  the  age  of  thirteen  he  was 
regularly  empldved  to  learn  the  trade  of  a 
cooper.  Succeeding  in  this  he  continued  to 
work  at  his  trade  until  1847,  when,  hearing 
of  the  rapid  strides  then  being  made  by  the 
promising  young  city  in  southern  Indiana,  he 
set  out  for  Evansville.  Arriving  here,  he  con- 
tinued his  work  as  a  journeyman  for  four 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  J.  H.  Kreipke,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  carr3ing  on  the  coopering  business. 
Success  attended  the  efforts  of  these  in- 
dustrious and  practical  workmen.  They 
continued  the  business  for  thirty-five  years, 
until  the  death  of  Mr.  Kreipke,  in  1887. 
Upon  the  death  of  his  associate,  Mr. 
Wiltshire  permanently  retired  from  the 
business  which  he  had  pursued  with  success 


m 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


for  so  long  a  time.  During  the  entire  period 
of  this  concern's  existence  the  proprietors 
were  classed  among  the  most  active  and  en- 
terprising men  in  the  city.  In  politics  Mr. 
Wiltshire  is  recognized  as  a  staunch  repub- 
lican. His  career  as  a  man  of  business  in- 
duced the  voters  of  his  ward  to  give  him  a 
seat  in  the  city  council.  In  this  capacity  he 
served  the  pubHc  for  three  j-ears,  during 
1866  1867  and  1868.  Mr.  Wiltshire  has 
been  twice  married.  In  1847  Miss  Sarah 
A.  Knouse  became  his  wife.  She  was  an 
estimable  lady,  and  her  death  which  occurred 
in  1880,  was  lamented  by  many  relatives 
and  friends.  In  1881  Mr.  Wiltshire  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  De- 
troy,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1861. 
Through  a  period  of  forty  years  Mr.  Wilt- 
shire has  been  a  resident  of  the  city.  By 
dealing  fairly  with  his  fellow  men  and  by 
steady  industry  he  has  won  success. 

Lant  &  Morris. —  The  manufacture  of 
brick  is  one  of  the  great  and  growing  indus- 
tries of  Evansville,  and  prominent  among 
the  manufactories,  indeed,  the  largest 
pressed  brick  manufactory  in  the  United 
States,  is  that  of  Lant  &  Morris,  who  do 
business  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Evans- 
ville Pressed  Brick  company,  with  their 
works  on  the  Belt  railroad  at  junction  of 
State  road.  This  establishment  was  founded 
in  May,  1887,  by  Jesse  W.  Walker  and 
George  Lant,  sr.,  with  Cave  J.  Morris  as 
manager.  The  latter,  upon  the  death  of 
Mr.  Walker,  in  1888,  became  an  equal 
partner  in  the  firm,  with  Mr.  Lant.  To 
give  an  idea  of  the  magnitude  of  the  opera- 
tions of  the  firm,  it  should  be  stated  that  the 
factory  has  a  daily  capacity  of  75,000  brick 
per  day,  all  machine  made.  During  the 
winter  of  1887-8,  contracts  were  made  for 
10,000,000  brick.  From  forty  to  fifty  hands 
are  employed,  and  a  ready  market  is  found 
for  all  products. 


C.  H.  Ellert  is  a  prominent  manufac- 
turer and  repairer  of  leather  and  rubber 
belting,  boot,  shoe  and  gaiter  uppers,  deal- 
er in  machine  bolts,  brass  goods  and  general 
mill  supplies,  doing  business  at  No.  13  Up- 
per First  street,  between  Vine  and  Division 
streets.  He  was  born  in  Louisville,  Ky., 
July  4,  1851,  and  is  the  son  of  B.  J.  and 
E.  M.  (Rogge)  Ellert,  both  of  whom 
are  deceased.  He  was  reared  in 
Louisville,  and  secured  his  early 
education  in  that-  city.  At  the  age  of 
about  twelve  3^ears  he  entered  a  drug  store 
and  served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years, 
duringr  which  time  he  attended  a  medical 
school  in  order  to  fit  himself  for  a  pharma- 
cist. He  next  went  to  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
and  attended  college  for  two  years,  pursuing 
a  course  of  study  embracing  general  litera- 
ture and  pharmacy.  After  securing  his 
diploma  he  returned  to  Louisville  and  for  a 
time  was  employed  as  a  traveling  salesman 
for  a  house  engaged  in  the  same  business. 
In  1880  he  located  in  Evansville  and  opened 
his  present  establishment.  He  was  married 
in  this  city  in  1877,  to  Miss  Minnie  Spee- 
man,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  New 
York  city,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Frank 
Speeman,  of  New  York.  To  this  union 
six  children  have  been  born,  five  of  whom 
survive.  Mr.  Ellert  has  taken  an  active  in- 
terest in  the  advancement  of  Evansville,  and 
was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the 
Business  Men's  association,  and  is  now 
chairman  of  the  committee  of  commerce. 
He  is  doing  a  large  business,  which  is 
daily  increasing. 

Frank  Tardy,  ship-chandler  and  dealer 
in  flat-boats  and  barges,  was  born  at  Vevay, 
Switzerland  count}-,  Ind.,  June  24,  1846,  and 
is  the  son  of  George  F.  and  Matilda  (Mar- 
tin) Tardy.  The  father  was  born  in  France 
and  the  mother  at  Colfax  Court  House,  Va. 
Both  parents  are  still  living,  and  reside  in 


CITIZENS  OF  EVAN8VILLE. 


455 


Louisville,  Ky.  Frank  Tardy  was  reared 
in  Vevay  until  his  twelfth  year,  and  was  ed- 
ucated at  Hanover  College,  in  this  state. 
While  quite  young  he  ran  awaj^  from 
school  and  home  and  took  a  place  as  cabin 
boy  on  a  steamboat  in  the  Ohio  river  trade. 
He  continued  steamboating  from  that  time 
until  1880,  occupying  during  that  time  all  the 
different  positions  from  cabin  bo}' to  captain, 
including  pilot.  In  18S0  he  located  in  Evans- 
ville  and  opened  a  ship  chandler's  store,  and 
has  continued  up  to  the  present.  Begin- 
ning on  small  capital,  succeeding,  and  grad- 
ually increasing  his  business,  he  now  has  a 
large  store.  Mr.  Tardy  is  a  member  of  the 
Business  Men's  association,  and  of  the 
Knights  of  Honor  fraternity.  He  was  mar- 
ried October  5,  1872,  to  Annie  Yates,  who 
was  born  in  New  Orleans  in  1847.  To 
this  union  three  daughters  have  been  born, 
all  living. 

Saunders  B.  Sansom,  member  of  the  firm 
of  Schapker  &  Sansom,  balers  of  hackled 
husks,  and  manufacturers  of  the  electric 
steam  renovator,  of  Evansville,  Ind.,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Huntingdonshire,  England,  born, 
April  7,  1843,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Sarah  (Bedford)  Sansom,  both  natives  of 
Huntingdonshire,  England.  The  father  died 
in  1882,  and  the  mother  died  in  1847.  Our 
subject  was  reared  in  his  native  country,  and 
attended  the  neighborhood  schools.  In  1858 
he  emigrated  to  America  with  a  party  of 
about  twenty,  and  came  direct  to  Evansville. 
He  set  in  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade  with 
his  uncle,  Saunders  Sansom.  On  June  6, 
1 861,  he  answered  his  country's  call  for 
troops  to  put  down  the  rebellion,  and  enHsted 
in  Company  I,  of  the  Fourteenth  Indi- 
ana Volunteer  infantry.  Capt.  Thomp- 
son's Compan}"  E,  raised  in  Evansville 
for  the  Fourteenth  Regiment,  being 
full,  he  with  others,  went  to  Terre 
Haute,   and  was  there  mustered  into  Com- 


pany I,  with  five  others,  and  was  accredite 
to  Vermillion  county,  though  being  an 
Evansville  volunteer.  At  the  battle  of 
Chancellorsville,  May  3,  1863,  he  was 
wounded  by  a  rifle  ball  in  the  knee,  and  re- 
mained on  the  field  until  the  13th  of  the 
same  month,  having  been  taken  prisoner. 
He  was  then  paroled  and  sent  within  the 
Union  lines,  and  on  the  15th  his  right  leg 
was  amputated  in  the  field  hospital.  The 
amputation  of  the  limb  was  the  first  surgical 
attention  he  received  after  being  wounded,  a 
period  of  twelve  days.  He  remained  in  the 
field  hospital  until  the  15th  of  June  foUosv- 
ing,  and  was  then  sent  to  the  hospital  at 
Washington  city.  On  July  i,  following,  a 
second  operation  was  performed,  the  limb 
being  amputated  near  the  middle  of  the  thigh. 
He  remained  in  the  hospital  at  Washing- 
ton until  his  discharge  in  the  spring  of  1864. 
Returning  to  Evansville,  he  entered  com- 
mercial college  in  order  to  prepare  himself 
for  indoor  work,  and  for  two  years  he  en- 
gaged in  the  retail  cigar  business  on  Locust 
street,  his  health  being  too  poor  to  admit  of 
other  employment.  In  1868  he  was  elected 
by  the  republicans  as  city  treasurer  of  Evans- 
ville, and  in  the  following  year  was  appointed 
deputy  by  Philip  Helder,  the  republican  city 
clerk,  and  remained  there  until  January, 
1S71.  He  was  then  appointed  United  States 
store  keeper,  assigned  to  duty  at  Paloka, 
Gibson  county,  Ind.,  and  was  in  the  revenue 
service  until  August,  1872,  when  he  was 
nominated  by  the  republicans  for  the  office 
of  recorder  of  Vanderburgh  county,  but  re- 
tained his  commission  as  store  keeper  until 
his  election  as  recorder  in  October  of  the 
same  year.  He  was  re-elected  to  the  re- 
corder's office  in  1876,  and  served  ahogether 
eight  vears,  his  term  expiring  in  1880.  In 
April,  1 88 1,  he  was  again  elected  city  treas- 
urer of  Evansville  and  served  until  1883.  He 
entered  upon  his  present  business  in  June, 


is$ 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


1883,  in  copartnership  with  Bernhard  Schap- 
ker.  Mr.  Sansomisacharter  member  of  Far- 
ragut  Post,  No.  27,  and  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Evansville  Business  Men's  association. 
Hewas  married  on  February  2, 1872,10  Susan 
R.  Dunk,  who  was  born  in  Evansville.  To 
this  union  three  children  have  been  born, 
two  of  whomsurvive.  As  a  soldier,  citizen, 
and  public  officer,  Mr.  Sansom  has  displaA'ed 
the  highest  qualities  of  manliness,  and  de- 
serves the  high  place  in  the  esteem  of  the 
people  which  it  is  his  privilege  to  enjoy. 

Robert  Day,  street  commissioner  of  the 
city  of  Evansville,  is  a  native  of  Lincoln- 
shire, England,  and  was  born  December  30, 
1843.  He  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Ann 
(Ringham)  Day.  When  he  was  a  mere 
boy  his  father  died  in  England,  and  in  1853 
with  his  mother  and  a  brother,  Samuel,  he 
came  to  America,  landing  in  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.  The  family  remained  there  one  year, 
and  thfen  removed  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where 
they  resided  until  1857.  They  then  located 
in  Pnnceton,  Ind.,  and  in  the  fall  of  1859, 
came  to  Evansville,  where  they  have  all 
since  resided.  In  December,  1859,  Robert 
went  to  work  for  William  Caldwell,  with 
whom  he  remained  until  July,  1861,  and  then 
enlisted  in  the  United  States  army,  joining 
Company  F,  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Regiment 
Indiana  infantry.  He  served  faithfully  until 
September,  1864,  with  the  armies  of  Mis- 
souri, Cumberland  and  Mississippi.  In 
the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  he  was 
wounded  on  May  16,  1863,  by 
being  shot  through  both  thighs.  He  was 
then  confined  in  the  hospital  until  December 
23,  of  the  same  year,  when  he  joined  his 
command  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.  He  was 
there  mustered  out,  September  23,  1864. 
Returning  home  he  again  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  William  Caldwell,  and  continued 
with  that  gentleman  for  twenty  years,  and 
then  engaged  for  himself  for  one  year  in  the 


grocery  business  on  the  corner  of  Sixth  and 
Green  streets.  On  April  16,  1887,  he  was 
appointed  by  the  council  as  city  street  com- 
missioner of  Evansville,  and  in  April,  1888, 
was  reappointed.  Mr.  Day  was  married 
October  22,  1S63,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Davis, 
a  native  of  England.  To  this  union  five 
children  have  been  born,  two  of  whom 
survive.  Mr.  Dav  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.,  and  a  popular  citizen. 

Henry  Haynie,  proprietor  of  Haynie's 
hotel,  was  born  in  Newburgh,  Warrick 
county,  Ind.,  March  25,  1851,  and  is  the  son 
of  J.  C.  and  Emily  (Hastings)  Haynie,  both 
natives  of  Indiana,  who  died  in  1883,  the 
father  at  the  age  of  fifty-one  years,  and  the 
mother  at  the  age  of  fifty  years.  Mr.  Hay- 
nie was  reared  in  Newburgh  until  1862,  when 
he  came  to  Evansville  and  went  to  work  for 
S.  H.  S.  Cook.  One  year  later  he  moved 
to  Ingle's  Station  and  worked  on  a  farm 
during  that  season.  Coming  back  to  Evans- 
ville, he  was  engaged  at  the  Washington 
house  and  the  American  house  for  some 
time,  and  then  clerked  for  Coolidge  Bros., 
in  the  "  original  New  York  store."  For 
seven  years  thereafter  he  was  engaged  in 
railroading.  Returning  to  the  hotel  business, 
he  was  emploj-ed  for  a  time  as  steward  of  the 
Sherwood  house,  but  subsequentlj-  returned 
to  the  employ  of  the  railroad  company. 
While  serving  as  a  train-boy,  he  controlled 
and  operated  a  hotel  in  Rockville,  Ind.  He 
was  engaged  as  a  grocer  in  this  city  in  1885 
and  1886,  and  on  November  15  of  the  last 
named  year  opened  the  Haynie  hotel  on 
Locust  street,  where  he  has  since  continued. 
By  wise  management,  a  careful  regard  for 
the  wants  of  the  public,  and  close  attention 
to  business,  he  has  won  a  good  patronage 
for  his  house,  and  firmh'  established  himself 
in  popular  favor.  He  was  married,  March 
25,  1S74,  to  Miss  Rachel  Hunnell,  who  was 
born  in   Evansville,  and  is  the  daughter   of 


CITIZENS  OF  EVAN8VILLE. 


4^7 


William  Hunndl.  One  child  has  been 
born:  Emma,  October  25,  1875.  Mr. 
Haynie  was  elected  to  the  city  council  from 
the  Sixth  ward,  and  was  re-elected  the  next 
year,  defeatinjr,  b}-  a  majority  of  71  votes,  a 
man  whose  boots  he  blacked  when  a  boy. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  K.  of  H., 
A.  O.  U.  W.,  Fraternal  Legion,  Select 
Knights,  K.  and  L.  of  H.,  and  United  Order 
of  Honor. 

LoRENZ  Fritsch,  a  very  successful  busi- 
ness man  of  Evansville,  is  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, where  he  began  to  learn  the  business 
of  a  tailor.  He  removed  to  Paris,  and  there 
perfected  himself  in  the  art  of  cutting  gar- 
ments, and  was  in  that  city  during  the  Fran- 
co-Prussian war.  hi  1 87 1  he  came  to 
America,  and  at  first  found  emplo3-ment  in 
some  of  the  leading  establishments  of  Bos- 
ton. His  first  year  in  Evansville,  was  1873, 
and  for  five  years  thereafter  he  was  en- 
gaged as  a  cutter  in  the  best  shops  in  the 
city.  In  1878  he  began  business  for  him- 
self, opening  his  establishment  in  a  modest 
way  in  October  of  that  year.  He  met  with 
success  from  the  first,  and  now  has  an  es- 
tablishment that  is  a  credit  to  his  own  busi- 
ness abilities  as  well  as  to  the  taste  and  ap- 
preciation of  elegant  apparel  by  the  people 
of  the  city.  He  carries  a  large  stock  of 
fine  cloths  suitable  to  his  trade,  employs  a 
considerable  number  of  hands  in  his  manu- 
facturing department,  and  his  product  has 
that  indescribable  and  generally  imattainable 
"  style  "  that  marks  the  work  of  a  master  in 
this  important  branch  of  industry. 

James  F.  and  Hiram  M.  Lindley. — 
Among  the  leading  business  men  of  Evans- 
ville, none,  probabl}-,  are  more  conspic- 
uous in  the  retail  trade  than  the  Lindley 
Bros.  Their  father  was  Francis  S.  Lindley, 
who  was  a  native  of  Hamilton  county,  Ohio, 
where  he  lived  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  and  then  removed  to  Switzer- 


land county,  Ind.,  and  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Vevay,  the  county  seat  of  that 
county.  He  opened  a  tan-yard  in  that  place, 
and  remained  there  for  over  fifty  years. 
He  then  removed  to  Greensburgh,  Ind.,  where 
he  resided  until  his  death,  in  1875,  '"^^  the 
age  of  84  years.  His  wife  was  Rebecca 
McKittrick,  who  was  born  near  Lexington, 
Ky.,  in  1800,  and  died  in  1839.  Both 
parents  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
church,  and  the  father  was  one  of  six  who 
organized  the  first  Methodist  church  in 
Vevay,  Ind.  To  the  parents  nine  children 
were  born,  of  whom  five  were  sons  and  four 
daughters.  Of  the  children  four  survive: 
J.  F.  Lindley,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Lindley  Bros,  was  born  in  Vevay,  Ind.,  July 
27,  1837.  H.  M.  Lindley,  junior  member, 
was  also  born  in  Vevay,  February  23,  1839. 
Upon  the  death  of  the  mother  both  boys 
were  taken  by  an  uncle,  James  McKit- 
trick, who  lived  near  Versailles,  Riplej* 
county,  Ind.  The  brothers  were  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools,  attend- 
ing the  schools  of  Aurora,  Ind.,  in 
winter  and  working  on  the  farm  in  summer, 
their  uncle  having  his  winter  residence  in 
Aurora,  and  summer  residence  near  Ver- 
sailles. The  senior  brother  attended  Wil- 
mington Seminarv,  in  Dearborn  county,  two 
years,  and  the  junior  brother  attended 
Moore's  Hill  college,  the  same  county,  for  one 
year.  James  F.  clerked  for  seven  months 
with  Chambers,  Stevens  &  Co.,  of  Aurora, 
and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  went  to 
New  Albanv,  Ind.,  and  began  clerking  for 
Kent  &  Co.,  where  he  continued  until 
March  1859,  when  he  opened  a  dry  goods 
store  for  himself  in  New  Albany.  Hiram  M. 
joined  his  brother  at  New  Albany,  after 
leaving  school,  and  five  years  later,  was  ad- 
mitted as  a  partner  in  the  business,  the  firm 
being  J.  F.  Lindley  &  Bro.  In  September, 
1870,  the  brothers  located  in  this  city,  and 


^68 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


opened  a  dry  goods  house  equal  to  any  in  size 
in  the  city  at  that  time.  In  1880,  they  added 
carpets  to  their  line  of  goods,  and  now  carry 
an  average  stock  of  $120,000,  and  do  an  av- 
erage annual  business  of  about  $250,000,  em- 
ploying an-average  of  twenty-five  salesmen. 

Their  business  building  is  at  Nos.  305  and 
307  Main  street,  is  of  brick,  three  stories 
high,  3.5^x150  feet.  The  basement  and 
third  story  are  devoted  to  the  wholesale  dry 
goods  trade,  the  first  floor  to  the  retail  trade 
in  the  same  line,  and  the  second  floor  to  the 
wholesale  and  retail  trade  in  carpets,  shawls 
and  cloaks.  Both  brothers  are  active  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
the  senior  having  joined  the  church  at  New 
Albany,  in  1863,  and  the  junior  at  Washing- 
ton, Ind.,  in  1861,  he  being  at  that  time  en- 
gaged in  merchandising  at  that  place. 
H.  M.  Lindley  is  steward  of  Trinity  church, 
Evansville,  and  both  have  been  active  mem- 
bers of  the  Trinity  congregation  since  their 
residence  in  this  city.  In  January,  1887, 
James  F.  Lindley,  jr.,  was  admitted  to  the 
firm,  the  name  remaining  as  before.  James 
F.  jr.,  was  born  in  New  Albany,  Ind., 
October  7,  1862,  and  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  and   at  De  Pauw  University. 

Edward  Boetticher,  senior  member  of 
the  firm  of  Boetticher,  Kellogg  &  Co.,  lead- 
ing wholesale  dealers  in  hardware,  cutlery, 
guns,  etc.,  at  No.  122  Upper  First  street 
Evansville,  Ind.,  was  born  in  Monroe  county, 
Ohio,  January  7,  1837,  and  is  the  son  of 
Frederick  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Weppler) 
Boetticher,  both  natives  of  Germany.  The 
father  was  born  in  1798,  and  the  mother  in 
1814.  The  father  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1832,  and  the  mother  in  1834,  and 
they  were  married  near  Wheeling,  W.  Va. 
The  father  was  a  minister  of  the  German 
Protestant  church  and  died  in  1849.  The 
mother  is  still  living  making  her  home  in 
this  city  with  her  son  Edward.      Mr.  Boet- 


ticher spent  most  of  his  early  life  near 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  secured  his  edu- 
cation in  private  schools  of  that  city. 
When  thirteen  years  of  age  he  took  a  posi- 
tion as  clerk  in  a  retail  cigar  store  in  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  where  he  remained  two  years. 
He  then  entered  the  hardware  store  of  Tyler, 
Davidson  &  Co.,  remaining  five  years.  In 
1857  he  located  in  Evansville,  and  took  a 
position  with  Charles  S.  Wells,  hardware 
merchant,  remaining  with  him  until  his  death 
in  1863,  and  then  continued  with  the  new 
firm  of  Wells,  Kellogg  &  Co.,  until  1864,  at 
which  time  he  became  a  partner  in  the  firm. 
Three  years  later  he  and  Mr.  Kellogg  took 
the  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Boet- 
ticher, Kellogg  &  Co.,  which  has  continued 
to  the  present.  Mr.  Boetticher  was  married 
November  29,  1859,  to  Amelia  S.  Beste, 
who  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  February 
27,  1839,  ^^^  '^  ^he  daughter  of  Henry  A. 
Beste.  To  this  union  eight  children  have 
been  born,  three  of  whom  survive,  William 
H.,  Oscar  and  Frederick  C.  Mr.  Boetticher 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  F.  & 
A.  M.  fraternities.  He  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
beTs  of  St.  John's  German  Protestant  church. 
Charles  H.  Kellogg,  a  prominent  citi- 
zen and  member  of  the  firm  of  Boetticher, 
Kellogg  &:  Co.,  wholesale  dealers  in  hard- 
ware, cutlery,  guns,  etc.,  was  born  in  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio,  June  25,  1835.  His  father 
was  Henry  S.  Kellogg,  who  was  born  in 
the  state  of  New  York,  near  Troy,  in  1800, 
and  was  of  English  descent.  His  mother 
was  Margaret  E.  Cochran,  who  was  born 
in  Ireland  about  1807,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  when  quite  young.  From 
New  York  state  the  father  removed  to 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1832,  and  engaged  in 
the  hardware  business  in  that  city.  Later 
he  located  in  Cambridge  Cit}%  where  he  en- 
gaged in  the  same  business  for  two 
years,  and  in   1847  removed  to    Indianap- 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


J/i9 


olis.  Establishing  a  store  there,  he 
was  one  of  the  leading  pioneer  hardware 
men  of  that  city.  At  'that  early  time 
there  were  no  railroads  in  Indianapolis,  and 
Mr.  Kellogg  introduced  the  first  dray  in  the 
city,  taking  the  vehicle  from  Cambridge 
City.  He  died  in  1S62  and  his  wife  in  1876. 
To  these  parents  eight  children  were  born, 
five  of  whom  survive.  Charles  was  reared 
in  the  various  cities  where  his  parents  re- 
sided, and  attended  their  public  schools.  He 
was  a  student  of  the  old  Marion  county 
seminary  at  a  time  when  a  large  number  of 
the  men  who  later  attained  prominence  in 
the  state  attended  there.  In  1855  he  was 
taken  into  his  father's  business  as  a  partner, 
the  firm  being  Henry  S.  Kellogg  &  Son.  Three 
3^ears  later  he  came  to  Evansville,  having  sold 
out  the  business  in  Indianapolis,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  capacity  of  book-keeper  with 
Charles  S.  Wells,  and  continued  until  1863, 
when  Mr.  Wells  died.  A  brother  of  the 
old  proprietor,  H.  K.  Wells,  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  Edward  Boetticher  and  Mr.  Kellogg, 
then  bought  out  the  business,  and  formed 
the  firm  of  Wells,  Kellogg  &  Co.  That 
firm  continued  until  1866,  when  it  was  dis- 
solved by  the  withdrawal  of  H.  K.  Wells. 
The  two  remaining  partners  from  that  time 
to  the  present  have  continued  business  under 
the  firm  name  of  Boetticher,  Kellogg  &  Co. 
The  firm  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most 
progressive,  substantial  and  successful  in  the 
city  of  Evansville.  In  working  out  its  success 
the  business  qualifications,  untiring  zeal  and 
integrity  of  Mr.  Kellogg  have  played  an 
important  part.  Mr.  Kellogg  was  married, 
in  1862,  to  Susan  H.  Oakley,  who  was  born 
in  Paris,  Tenn ,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
James  Oakle}',  a  Tennesseean  by  birth,  who 
early  removed  to  Evansville,  and  was  one  of 
the  old  merchants  of  the  city.  To  this  union 
one  son  has  been  born  — •  Oakley  H.,  now 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  a  salesman  in  the 


hardware  house.  Mr.  Kellogg  is  a  member 
of  the  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  church. 
His  wife  and  son  are  members  of  Trinity 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

R.  H.  Kellogg,  one  of  the  leading  hard- 
ware merchants  of  Evansville,  Ind.,  doing 
business  at  No.  215  Main  street,  was  born 
in  Madison,  Ind.,  September  21,  1837,  and 
is  the  son  of  Henr}'  S.  and  Margaret  (Coch- 
ran) Kellogg.  The  father  was  a  native  of 
Washington  county,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in 
1S60.  The  mother  was  born  in  Ireland, 
and  died  in  1873;  she  came  with  her  parents 
to  the  United  States  when  a  child.  The 
father  came  west  to  Indiana  at  a  very  early 
date,  and  about  1840  removed  to  Indianapo- 
lis, where  he  engaged  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness until  his  death.  On  July  4,  1864,  the 
subject  of  this  mention  came  to  Evans- 
ville and  entered  the  store  of  his 
brother  (now  of  the  firm  of  Boetticher, 
Kellogg  &  Co.,  where  he  remained 
about  sixteen  years,  during  which  time  he 
was  emploj'ed  as  a  traveling  salesman  and 
in  various  other  capacities.  In  1S70  he 
began  the  hardware  business  for  himself, 
and  has  continued  it  to  the  present.  He 
carries  a  general  line  of  hardware  and 
novelties,  his  stock  amounting  to  about 
$10,000,  and  does  an  average  annual  busi- 
ness of  about  $25,000.  He  was  married 
in  November,  1870,  to  Mar}-,  daughter  of 
Stephen  Knight,  of  Mt.  Carmel,  III,  who 
was  born  in  1855.  To  this  union  three 
sons  have  been  born:  Hugh,  born  in  1879; 
Henry,  born  1883,  and  Robert,  born  1885. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kellogg  are  members  of  the 
Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Jacob  Arnold,  a  leading  German  citizen 
of  Evansville,  Ind.,  and  one  of  the  principal 
contractors  of  city  street  paving,  was  born 
in  Evansville,  Ind.,  January  16,  1853,  and  is 
the  son  of  Bernhard  and  Sarah  (Baumgart- 
ner)     Arnold.      His     parents     were    both 


m 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


natives  of  Germany,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1853.  Landing  at  New  Orleans, 
they  came  direct  to  Evansville,  where  the_v 
located.  The  father  was  a  stone  contractor 
and  for  many  years  was  engaged  in  bridge 
building  and  street  contracting,  having 
paved  most  of  the  streets  of  this  city.  His 
death  occurred  on  December  25,  1885,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  The  mother  is 
still  living  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years. 
To  these  parents  ten  children  were  born, 
all  of  whom  survive  and  now  reside  in  this 
city.  Jacob  Arnold  was  reared  in  Evans- 
ville and  attended  the  city  schools,  receiving 
a  good  education.  After  leaving  school  he 
learned  the  stone-cutter's  trade,  and 
then  joined  his  father  in  his  con- 
tracting. In  18S0  he  began  contract- 
ing  for  himself,  since  when  he  has 
been  actively  at  work,  and  has  had  some 
large  contracts,  among  which  were  the 
Stringtown  and  Fulton  avenue  bridges,  the 
paving  of  many  of  the  principal  streets  in 
this  citv,  the  macadamizing  of  the  public 
square  at  Boonville,  Ind.,  and  numerous 
other  large  contracts.  In  politics  Mr.  Arnold 
has  alwavs  been  a  republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  K.  of  P.  and  Iron  Hall 
fraternities. 

George  A.  Bittrolff,  for  many  j^ears 
conspicuously  identified  with  the  business  in- 
terests of  Evansville,  is  best  known  as  one  of 
the  most  prominent  jewelers  in  the  city.  He 
is  a  native  of  Mosbach,  Grand  Duchy  of 
Baden,  Germany,  born  July  27,  1S31,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  L.  and  Johanna  (Bestel) 
Bittrolff,  both  natives  of  the  Grand  Duchj' 
of  Baden.  The  parents  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica in  1S32,  and  located  at  Youngstown, 
Penn.,  where  they  resided  for  two  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  they  removed  to  this 
city.  A  few  weeks  later  the}'  removed  to 
Princeton,  Ind.,  where  the\'  remained  three 
years.     Returning  to  Evansville   the  father 


engaged  in  the  watchmaking  and  jewelry 
business,  being  one  of  the  first  in  that  line  of 
business  in  the  city.  In  1839  the  family  re- 
moved to  Hermann,  Mo.,  where  they  re- 
mained until  the  spring  of  1846,  when  they 
again  returned  to  Evansville  and  remained 
permanentl}-.  The  mother  died  in  1870, 
and  the  father  a  few  years  later.  The 
family  consisted  of  eight  children,  two 
of  whom  survive.  George  A.  Bittrolff 
was  reared  in  Princeton,  and  Evansville, 
and  secured  a  fair  education  in  the  public 
schools.  He  learned  the  trade  of  jeweler 
and  watchmaker  with  his  father,  and  in  1S53 
was  given  an  interest  in  the  business  with 
his  father  and  brother,  J.  L.,  jr.  In  1859, 
he  withdrew  from  the  partnership  thus 
formed,  and  for  a  time  he  engaged  in  busi- 
ness by  himself.  Later  he  was  again  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  and  brother,  but  in  a 
short  time  went  into  business  alone.  The 
business  increasing  he  took  as  a  partner 
C.  De  Long,  and  two  and  a  half  years  later 
sold  out  to  De  Long  &  Geisler.  In  i860  he 
again  entered  business,  and  later  took  in 
with  him  C.  F.  Artes.  This  partnership 
lasted  for  about  seven  years.  From  that 
time  until  18S0,  he  was  in  business  by  him- 
self, and  then  turned  over  the  business  to 
his  brother,  John  L.  and  his  son  John  F. 
He  then  joined  the  Old  Brewing  company, 
and  engaged  in  that  business  for  about  four 
years.  In  June,  1886,  he  again  returned  to 
the  jewelry  business,  at  which  he  has  since 
continued.  He  was  married  in  1853,  to 
Frederika  Kroener,  a  native  of  Port  De- 
posit, Md.  To  this  union  five  children  have 
been  born,  four  of  whom  survive.  Mr.  Bit- 
trolff is  a  member  of  Crescent  lodge, 
No.  122,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Daughters  of 
Rebekah,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  St.  John's  Evangelical  church.  His  long 
and  honorable  career  has  lifted  him  to  an 
enviable  prominence  among  the  best  citizens, 


S~cy^a^y^  z;^'^ ^ 


CITIZENS  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


463 


JuDsoN  T.  BuRTis,  president  of  tlie  Evans- 
ville    Coffin   company,   was  born   in   Center 
township,  Vanderburgh  county,  Ind.,  Octo- 
ber iS,  1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Edward  and 
Delia    (Hopkins)    Burtis.     Edward    Burtis 
was  born  on  Long   Island,    N.  Y.,  in    1807, 
and  with  his  father,  Jesse  Burtis,  came  west 
to   Cincinnati,  thence  down  the  Ohio  river 
to   Evansville,  and  settled  in  Vanderburgh 
county,   in   1820.     He  was  a  farmer,   well- 
known  throughout  th<i  county,    and  died  in 
1873.     DeHa    Burtis    was    a    native  of    the 
state  of  New  York,  where  she  was  born  in 
1808.     She   was  the   daughter  of    Stephen 
Hopkins,  who  was  a   brother  to  Edward,  a 
distinguished  pioneer  and  father  of, the  late 
John  S.  Hopkins,  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  Evansville  in  his  daj-.     She  died  in  1876. 
Edward  and  Delia  Burtis  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  live  of  whomsurvixe.  Judson 
was  reared  on  the  farm  until  his  seventeenth 
.  year,  and  attended  the  imperfect  schools  of 
the  pioneer   era,  securing,  however,   a  fair 
education.      He  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  gro- 
cery   store    at    Mt.  Vernon,  in    1858,    re- 
mained   there  until   1861,  and    then  took  a 
position    as    book-keeper    for    Ulhorn     & 
Brinkman,  in  Evansville.     While  James  H. 
McNeeley    was    postmaster    of    E\-ans\-ille, 
Mr.  Burtis  entered  the  postoffice  as  an  assist- 
ant, but  was  later  made  deputy  postmaster. 
Leaving    the    postoffice   he    became    book- 
keeper for  Iglehart  Bros.'  mill,  where  he  re- 
mained eight  vears.     While  so  engaged  he 
purchased  his  father's  interest  in  the  cooper- 
age   business  of    Burtis   &  Cod}-;  the  firm 
name  W'as  changed  to  Cod}-,  Burtis  &  Co., 
and  he  has   since    been   connected   with  the 
same.    He  became  stockholder  in  the  Evans- 
ville Coffin  Co.,  in  i88i,and  four  years  later 
was  chosen  president  of  the  company,  which 
position  he  still  holds.     In  the  management 
of  the   company's  affairs  he  has  exercised 
commendable    ability.     During  the  war  of 
37 


the  rebellion  Mr.  Burtis  was  a  member  of 
Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty -sixth 
Regiment  of  Indiana  volunteers,  under  Capt. 
Hollingsworth,  and  rendered  effective  serv- 
ice. Mr.  Burtis  was  married  in  Januarv, 
1 868,  to  Frances  McGrew,  who  was  born  in 
Gibson  county,  Ind.,  in  iS36,and  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Wilson  and  Martha  McGrew.  To  this 
union  five  children  ha\-e  been  born,  four  of 
whom  survive.  They  are:  Minnie, deceased, 
Edward,  Effie,  May  and  Delia.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Burtis  are  members  of  Trinity  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church. 

William  Capelle,  a  prominent  and 
wealthy  citizen  of  Evansville,  is  a  native  of 
j  the  kingdom  of  Hanover,  Germany,  and 
was  born  near  the  city  of  Gottingen,  Decem- 
ber, 1825.  He  came  to  America  in  1845, 
leaving  his  native  land  in  September,  and 
arriving  in  New  Orleans  in  November  fol- 
lowing. He  remained  in  New  Orleans  un- 
til July  6,  1846,  and  then  located  in  Cincin- 
nati, where  he  remained  until  185 1.  In 
this  year  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Evans- 
ville and  established  himself  as  a  merchant 
tailor  and  dealer  in  clothing  and  furnishing 
goods,  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  Main 
streets  where  Schlaepfer's  drug  store  now 
stands.  He  succeeded  in  business,  and  in 
1859  ^'^  erected  the  building  on  Main 
street  now  occupied  by  Goldsmith's  clothing 
store,  where  he  remained  until  1863,  when 
he  retired  from  active  trade  on  account  of  ill 
health.  In  1S65,  he  returned  to  Europe, 
and  \-isited  his  old  home  in  H;ino\-er,  re- 
maining there  three  months,  traveling  during 
the  time  through  Germany,  France  and 
Switzerland.  From  1863,  for  fifteen  years, 
he  was  interested  in  the  Evansville  gas 
works,  and  during  the  time  was  one  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  company.  He 
sold  his  gas  stock  in  1877.  He  i.s  now 
largely  interested  as  a  stockholder  in  the 
old  National  bank.     He  is  no  longer  in  active 


^64 


PERSONAL  MENTION. 


business.  In  retirement  he  enjoys  the  fruits 
of  his  past  efforts,  having  accumulated  a 
competence  in  his  younger  daj's.  He  was 
married  in  1S52,  to  Eliza  Krom,  who  was 
born  in  Germany,  and  came  to  America  with 
her  parents  in  1837. 

J.  S.  MiN'Ms,  the  leading  shirt  manufact- 
urer and  dealer  in  mens'  furnishing  goods, 
whose  place  of  business  is  at  No.  225  Main 
street,  was  born  in  Gibson  count}',  Ind., 
February  14,  1834,  '^"^  '^  ^^^  ^°"  o^  James 
and  Elizabeth  (Sterns)  Minnis,  both  parents 
being  natives  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  of  Irish 
descent.  At  a  very  early  date  the  parents 
came  to  Indiana  and  located  in  Gibson 
county.  The  mother  died  in  1837,  and  the 
father,  in  1865.  To  these  parents  nine 
children  were  born,  of  whom  only  two  sur- 
vive, they  being  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Pritchard, 
the  oldest,  and  Mr.  Minnis,  the  youngest, 
of  the  children.  After  the  death  of  his 
mother,  Mr.  Minnis  and  his  father  made 
their  home  with  the  youngest  daughter  — 
Mrs.  Samuel  W.  Woods  —  for  fifteen  years. 
Mrs.  Woods  died  January  i,  1885.  J.  S. 
Minnis  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  secured 
a  ver)'  good  education  in  the  public  schools. 
His  father  was  a  brick  mason,  and  with  him 
he  learned  that  trade,  which  he  followed  for 
some  time.  He  came  to  Evansville  in  1867, 
and  four  years  later  entered  the  business  in 
which  he  is  now  engaged.  With  fair  deal- 
ing and  by  keeping  abreast  of  the  times  he 
has  succeeded  in  building  up  a  large  and 
profitable  trade.  He  is  also  interested  in 
farming,  owning  and  conducting  a  fine  farm 
of  eighty  acres  in  Gibson  county.  During 
the  war  of  the  rebellion,  Mr.  Minnis  served 
in  Company  A,  of  the  Forty-second  Regi- 
ment of  Indiana  volunteers.  His  record  as 
a  soldier  was  honorable  throughout.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  U.  P.  church,  which  he 
joined  when  about  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
and  was  baptised  by  Rev.  John  McMasters, 


who  for  thirty  years  was  pastor  of  the 
Princeton  U.  P.  church.  Mrs.  McMasters, 
nee  Margaret  Sterns,  was  a  full  cousin  of 
Mr.  Minnis. 

August  Schmitt,  a  leading  wholesale  and 
retail  dealer  in  stoves,  tinware,  pumps, 
house-furnishing  goods,  etc.,  etc.,  at  Nos. 
605  and  607  Main  street,  Evansville,  Ind.,  is  a 
native  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  where  he  was 
born  February  2, 1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Simon 
and  Catharina  (Bastian)  Schmitt,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Bavaria,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1852.  Coming  west 
to  Indiana  they  located  in  Scott  township, 
Vanderburgh  county,  where  a  farm  was 
purchased,  and  the  father  followed  farming 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1876,  at 
the  age  of  71  years.  The  mother  is  now  a 
resident  of  Santa  Claus,  Spencer  count}', 
Ind.,  and  is  eighty-two  years  old.  To  the 
parents  eleven  children  were  born,  four  of 
whom  survive.  August  attended  school  for 
four  years  in  his  native  land,  and  came  with 
his  parents  to  America.  He  remained  on 
the  farm  until  1S59,  and  then  went  to  Rus- 
selhille,  Logan  county,  Ky.,  where  he 
learned  the  tinner's  trade,  at  which  he 
served  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  \\ar.  In 
the  fall  of  1 86 1  he  enlisted  in  Company  D 
of  the  Nineteenth  U.  S.  infantry,  and  served 
three  3'ears.  At  the  battle  of  Stone 
River,  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  he 
was  wounded  in  the  left  hip  b}'  a  two-ounce 
ball  from  an  Enfield  rifle,  the  ball  passing 
entirely  through  the  hip,  fracturing  the  bone. 
He  now  possesses  the  ball,  which  was  cut 
out.  He  lay  on  the  field  of  battle  from 
12  o'clock  until  night,  with  the  fire  of  both 
armies  passing  over  him.  He  was  placed  in 
a  tent  with  ten  other  wounded  soldiers  the 
night  he  was  wounded,  onh"  four  of  whom 
were  alive  the  next  morning.  He  then 
passed  ten  months  in  hospitals  at  Nash- 
ville,    Tenn.,      and      at      New      Albany 


CITIZENS  OF  EVAXSVILLE. 


A65 


Iiid.  Joining  his  regiment  at  Chat- 
tanooga just  after  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  he  did  duty  for  a  wiiile,  and  soon 
after  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  was  again 
sent  to  the  hospital  at  New  Albany,  whence 
he  was  sent  to  his  regimental  headquarters 
at  Fort  Wayne,  Detroit,  Mich.  He  was 
mustered  out  at  Detroit  in  October,  1864. 
He  then  located  and  worked  at  his  trade  for 
six  months,  at  Vincennes,  Ind.  Coming  to 
Evansville  at  the  end  of  this  time  he  worked 
at  his  trade  until  1S65,  and  then  engaged 
in  business  for  himself.  The  following 
year  he  remo\ed  to  Leavenworth,  Kansas, 
and  remained  there  until  the  fall  of  the  same 
year,  going  thence  to  Ma3-field,  Kv.,  where 
he  remained  until  1872.  Again  returning 
to  Evansville,  he  entered  business,  and  has 
been  here  ever  since.  Mr.  Schmitt  is  a 
member  of  Farragut  Post,  No.  27,  G.  A.  R., 
at  present  quartermaster,  and  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Catholic  Knights  of  America. 
November  21,  1865,  he  was  married  to 
Magdalena  Mesel,  who  was  born  in  Posey 
county,  Ind.,  in  1845.  To  this  union  four 
children  have  been  born,  as  follows:  Katie, 
Rosa,  August  P.,  and  Simon  A.  Mr. 
Schmitt  and  his  family  are  members  of  St. 
Mary's  Catholic  church.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican. 

William  McLe.vn,  one  of  the  leading 
retail  dry  goods  men  of  Evansville,  doing 
business  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Fourth 
streets,  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Skye,  Scot- 
land, March  14,  1848.  His  boyhood  was 
spent  in  his  native  country,  where  he 
received  a  common  school  education.  He 
came  to  America  in  1870,  and  located  in 
New  York  city,  where  he  remained  for  one 
year.  In  1871  he  located  in  this  citv,  and 
for  eight  years  was  connected  with  the  dry 
goods  house  of  Miller  Bros.  He  next  be- 
came a  full  partner  in  the  dry  goods  firm 
of  Keck,  Miller  &  Co.,  where  he  remained 


until  January,  18S5,  and  then  began  business 
at  his  present  stand  for  himself.  He  carries 
an  average  stock  of  about  $35,000,  and 
does  an  annual  business  of  over  $100,000. 
He  employs  an  average  force  of  twenty 
clerks,  and  by  industry,  fair  dealing,  and 
close  attention  to  business,  has  established 
himself  in  the  favor  of  the  people.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum,  K.  of  P., 
and  K.  and  L.  of  H.  Mr.  McLean  was 
married  in  1869  to  Maggie  E.  Allen,  daugh- 
ter of  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Allen,  of  Rockville, 
Ind.  To  this  union  one  son.  Hector  Allen, 
was  born  June  9,  1883.  Mrs.  McLean  is  a 
member  of  the  Walnut  Street  Presb\  terian 
church. 

John  Lawton,  a  leading  citizen,  and  one 
of  the  pioneer  hardware  merchants  of  this 
city,  doing  business  at  the  corner  of  Main 
and  Fifth  streets,  is  a  native  of  England, 
born  at  Sheffield,  February  3,  1820,  and  is 
the  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Gales) 
Lawton,  both  natives  of  England,  who  lived 
and  died  in  Sheffield.  Mr.  Lawton  was 
reared  in  his  native  place,  and  secured  a  fair 
common  school  education.  In^  1841,  he 
came  to  America,  and  located  in  New  Or- 
leans, where  for  several  3'ears  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  hardware  business  for  other 
parties.  He  next  locited  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  opened  a  hardware  store  for  him- 
self. In  1869  he  located  in  Evansville,  and 
continued  the  same  business,  remaining  so 
engaged  to  the  present.  His  long  experi- 
ence and  perfect  familiarity  with  the  details 
of  the  hardware  business  has  enabled  him 
to  succeed  abundandy.  Throughout  his  long 
career  he  has  done  a  large  business,  and 
to-day  has  one  of  the  most  complete  stocks 
in  the  citN'.  In  i8^6  he  was  married  in  Cin- 
cinnati to  Eunice  C.  Piatt,  an  English  lady, 
who  died  March  5,  1887,  at  the  age  of  tifty- 
eight  years.  Her  father  was  Thomas  Piatt, 
an    Enirlishrnan,    who    came  to  the  United 


Jf66 


PFRSONAL  MENTION. 


States  in  1840.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  church.  To  this  union  five  chil- 
dren were  born,  only  two  of  whom  survive : 
Frank  P.,  born  in  Cincinnati  in  1854,  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
place,  who  in  1869.  entered  the  hardware 
business  with  his  father,  and  has  so  con- 
tinued to  the  present;  Ahce  S.,  born  in  Cin- 
cinnati in  1856,  was  married  in  187S  to  Silas 
S.  Scantlin,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Marsh 
&  Scantlin,  proprietors  of  the  Evansville 
cracker  works.  Mr.  Lawton  and  his  son 
are  members  of  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  church, 
and  the  son  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M. 
Lodge. 

Louis  Guerich,  a  leading  German  citi- 
zen of  Evansville,  Ind.,  and  engaged  in  the 
general  fire  and  life  insurance  business,  was 
bern  in  Madison,  Jefferson  count}',  Ind.,  on 
February  22,  1847,  and  is  the  son  of  L.  and 
Elizabeth  (Aur)  Guerich,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Germany,  and  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  in  1844,  locating  at  Madi- 
son, Ind.,  the  same  year.  The  father  was 
born  in  1807,  and  is  still  a  resident  of  Madi- 
son. The  mother  was  born  in  1S18  and 
died  in  1S54.  Mr.  Guerich  was  reared  in 
Madison,  Ind.,  and  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  the  latter  city.- 
He  enlisted  in  1864  in  the  federal  army  in 
Company  K,  of  the  One  Hundred  Sixth 
Ohio  infantry,  being  the  youngest  man  in 
the  regiment.  He  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war  and  was  honorably  discharged  at 
Cincinnati  in  1S65.  He  came  to  Evansville 
in  March,  1868,  and  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  saddle  trees.  Since  1873  he  has 
been  following  his  present  business.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Orion  Lodge,  No.  35,  K. 
of  P.,  being  a  charter  member.  He  was 
married  in  1S75  to  the  daughter  of  Charles 
Hinks,  of  Evansville,  and  to  this  union  two 
children  have  been  born.  In  politics  he  is  a 
gt^unch  republican. 


Hermann  Fendricii,  a  prominent  Ger- 
man citizen  of  Evansville,  and  propri- 
etor of  the  leading  cigar  manufactory 
of  the  city,  was  born  in  Baden, 
Germany,  April  14,  1830,  and  is  the 
son  of  Joseph  and  Walburga  (Schieble) 
Fendrich,  both  natives  of  Baden.  The 
father  was  born  in  1804,  and  died  in  1850. 
The  mother  was  born  in  1799,  and  died  in 
1849.  They  were  married  in  Baden,  Ger- 
many, on  May  30,  1824,  and  emigrated  to 
America  in  February,  1833,  bringing  with 
them  four  sons.  Landing  in  New  York 
city,  the  parents  next  removed  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  then  to  Baltimore,  where  the 
mother  died.  The  father  was  a  cooper  and 
brewer  by  trade,  and  also  a  mason,  carpen- 
ter and  contractor;  indeed,  he  was  a 
mechanical  genius.  His  death  occurred  in 
Quincy,  111.,  while  on  a  visit  to  his  sister,  a 
resident  of  that  city.  The  family  comprised 
six  children,  five  born  in  Germany  and  one 
in  Baltimore.  The  children  were  as  fol- 
lows: Joseph,  born  March  27,  1825,  and 
died  in  1876;  Charles,  born  April  4,  1826, 
and  died  in  1878;  Francis,  born  March  22, 
1829,  now  of  Dallas,  Texas;  Herman, 
born  April  14,  1830;  Amelia,  born  February 
15,  1828,  and  died  the  same  year;  and  John, 
born  in  Baltimore  on  July  24,  1824,  now  of 
Columbia,  Penn.  The  subject  of  this  men- 
tion began  working  in  tobacco  when  quite 
young.  In  185°  he  engaged  with  his 
four  brothers  in  the  manufacture  of  cigars 
in  Baltimore,  Md.  The  brothers  opened  a 
branch  house  in  Evansville,  Ind.,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1855,  with  Charles  Fendrich  in  charge. 
Later  Francis  Fendrich  took  charge  of  the 
branch  house,  Charles  returning  to  Balti- 
more. In  1857,  May  30th,  Hermann  Fend- 
rich came  to  Evansville,  and  with  his  brother 
Francis  conducted  the  business  until  1865, 
when  Francis  withdrew  from  the  firm  and 
was  succeeded  b}'  Joseph  Fendrich.    Joseph 


CITIZENS  OF  EVANSVILLE. 


Jt67 


remained  until  his  death  in  1876,  when 
Hermann  purchased  the  interest  of  the  heirs 
and  has  since  conducted  the  business  as  sole 
proprietor  and  owner,  manufacturing  about 
100,000  cigars  monthly.  Mr.  Fendrich  was 
married  January  19,  1864,  to  Mary  R., 
daughter  of  John  A.  Reitz,  one  of  the  lead- 
ing citizens  of  Evansville.  To  this  union 
two  children  have  been  born — John  II.  and 
Laura  G. 

Prominent  among  tlie  maiuifacturers  of 
pottery  and  stoneware,  which  is  one  of  the 
flourishing  industries  of  Evansville,  stands 
the  firm  of  Bennighof,  Uhl  &  Co.  This 
partnership  was  formed  in  18S3,  succeeding 
the  Evansville  Potter\'  company,  which  was 
established  in  1S79,  ''^^'ly  the  date  of  the  be- 
cinnino-  of  this  manufacturing  establishment. 
The  firm  manufactures  stoneware  exclu- 
sively, shipping  the  product  west,  and  in 
1887  the  product  reached  the  grand  total  of 
$100,000,  and  eighty-six  men  were  em- 
ployed. August  Uhi.,  a  member  of  this  firm, 
and  a  valuable  citizen  of  Evansville,  was 
born  in  Hesse  Darmstadt,  November  15, 
1824.  In  his  native  land  he  received  a  good 
education,  and  learned  the  pottery  business. 
After  woiking  there  three  years  he  came  to 
the  United  States,  July  18,  1846,  and  after 
brief  periods  spent  at  New  York,  Pittsburgh, 
and  Louisville,  came  to  Evansville  in  the 
spring  of  1848,  and  here  he  has  since  re- 
sided.    In  1849,   he  started    in  business   for 


himself,  with  Henry  Henn.  This  partner- 
ship lasted  two  years,  and  then  Henn  sold 
to  Louis  Daum.  Three  years  later  Mr. 
Uhl  also  sold  out  to  Daum,  and  then  he  and 
his  brother  Louis  were  associated  from  1854 
to  1 887,  in  the  manufacture  of  stoneware. 
Mr.  Uhl  has  been  city  councilman  for  four 
years,  and  in  politics  is  a  republican.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He  was 
married  in  Evansville,  to  Miss  Caroline  Bunte, 
a  native  of  this  city,  and  they  had  eighteen 
children  in  all,  of  whom  but  six  are  now  liv- 
ing: Louisa,  wife  of  Fred  Hoffman,  Emma, 
Bertha,  Adolph  B.,  Minnie  and  Matilda. 
Louis  Uiii,  was  born  July  4,  1831,  and  is 
a  brother  of  August,  being  the  youngest  of 
the  six  children  of  George  Uhl,  who  was  a 
tile  manufacturer  in  Germany.  But  three 
of  these  children  survive,  August,  Louis  and 
Mrs.  Eliza  Jeckil.  Louis  arrived  here  in 
1849,  and  began  work  at  his  trade,  ulti- 
mately forming  a  partnership  with  his  brother 
which  lasted  thirtj'-three  years.  He  is  now 
of  the  firm  of  Benninghof,  Uhl  &  Co.  Mr. 
Uhl  was  married  April,  185S,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Mann,  born  in  Darmstadt,  daughter  of 
Martin  Mann,  and  they  have  had  six  child- 
ren, of  whom  three  sons  are  living,  Charles, 
general  claim  agent  of  the  E.  tSr  T.  II.  rail- 
road; George  M.,  a  jjartner  in  the  pottery 
business,  and  Edgar  M.  Mr.  Uhl  and  fam- 
ily are  members  of  St.  John's  German  Evan- 
gelical church. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Military   History  —  War   of  '1812  —  The   Mexican   War  —  The  Civil  War  — 
Home  Scenes  —  First  Troops  for  the  Front — Reglmental  History — jNIis- 

CELLANEOUS    LiST    OF    OFFICERS    AND    MeN  INDIANA     LeGION  — ■  ThE     DrAFTS 

Bounty  and  Relief  —  Militia  Companies  —  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


rg|ATRIOTISM  best  displays  itself  in 
\(3>6  times  of  war.  Human  nature  is 
such,  that  extraordinary  delights 
flow  from  the  graphic  account  of  a  brilliant 
and  successful  campaign,  or  the  vivid  depiction 
of  a  desperate  encounter  on  the  field  of  bat- 
tle. Manoeuvres,  indicating  generalship  of  a 
high  character,  and  the  heroic  endeavors 
of  the  humblest  soldier,  who  patiently  en- 
dures the  severe  trials  and  hardships  of  the 
march,  the  skirmish  and  the  battle,  attract 
the  interest  of  all.  Again,  the  disputed 
questions  which  lie  back  of,  and  produce,  war 
among  civilized  people,  generally  involve 
the  material  and  psychical  welfare  of  a  large 
portion  of  mankind,  and  their  settlement 
marks  the  epochs  in  the  advancement  or 
retrogression  of  the  race.  Such  questions 
take  a  firm  hold  upon  the  hearts  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  when  they  become  crystalized  into 
facts,  are  not  easily  effaced  from  the  mem- 
ory. The  maintenance  of  man's  inalienable 
rights,  the  determination  to  have  their  en- 
joyment in  no  way  abridged,  the  rescue 
of  a  fair  land  from  indolent  bar- 
barism, the  salvation  of  the  Union  and  the 
freedom  of  a  race  of  bondsmen  have  at 
various  times  led  the  people  of  the  United 
States  into  the  arena  of  war.  None  of 
these  struggles  have  left  a  blot  upon  the  fair 
escutcheon  of  the  countrv.  A  review  of  the 
various  wars,  which  have  from  time  to  time 
engaged  the  Republic,  a  discussion  of  the 
issues  which  led  up  to    them  and  the  influ- 


ence of  their  results  upon  the  progress  of 
mankind  and  the  development  of  civilization, 
and  a  portrayal  of  the  campaigns  made  and 
the  battles  fought  by  the  contending  forces 
will  not  be  attempted  in  this  work.  These 
are  a  part  of  the  glorious  national  historj' 
and  a  knowledge  of  them  on  the  part  of  the 
reader  is  presumed  in  the  account  of  what 
Vanderburgh  county  and  her  citizens  have 
done  in  acting  out  the  war  scenes  in  the 
drama  of  national  history,  which  alone  is  at- 
tempted here.  Such  information,  the  sources 
of  which  are  abundant  and  accessible  to  all, 
is  indispensable  to  a  correct  appreciation  of 
the  valiant  services  of  those  whose  achieve- 
ments in  the  struggles  for  a  higher  civili- 
zation and  a  larger  measure  of  human  lib- 
erty, entitle  them  to  the  grateful  remem- 
brance of  the  beneficiaries  of  their  acts. 

JVcir  of  1812. — Before  the  county  of  Van- 
derburgh had  been  organized,  settlers  within 
its  limits  were  called  upon  to  perform  mili- 
tar\'  duties.  Those  early  hunters  and  trap- 
pers were  at  first  far  from  the  centres  of 
civilization,  and  little  was  demanded  of 
them  for  the  common  defense  of  the  coun- 
try. Some,  however,  were  found  in  the 
meagre  armies  that  were  wresting  a  fair 
land  from  the  grasp  of  the  barbarians,  and 
others  helped  to  achieve  the  early  victories 
over  the  British  which  imparted  a 
lustre  to  the  American  flag.  A  few  heroic 
men  joined  Gen.  Harrison  from  this  part  of 
the  countiy,  and  did  effective  service  at  Tip- 


EARLY  MILITIA. 


469 


pecanoe  and  t-lsewhere.  It  is  not  possible 
to  ascertain  the  names  of  all  those  who  went 
from  within  the  confines  of  what  is  now 
Vanderburgh  county.  The  pioneer,  George 
Linxweiler,  was  drafted  for  this  service 
while  living  on  the  old  Whetstone  farm,  but 
his  son  George  was  accepted  as  a  substi- 
tute, served  throughout  Gen.  Harrison's 
campaign,  and  was  wounded  at  Tippecanoe. 
John  Fickas,  Thomas  Skillett,  Samuel  But- 
ler and  Elisha  Brumfield,  were  drafted  for 
the  defense  of  New  Orleans,  during  the  war 
of  1812.  They  went  with  the  hunters 
of  Kentucky,  to  swell  the  ranks  of  Gen. 
Jackson  in  his  campaign  against  Gen.  Pak- 
enham.  After  Jackson's  great  \ictory  at 
New  Orleans,  they  were  discharged  and  set 
out  for  home  on  foot.  They  walked  all  the 
way,  sleeping  in  the  woods  and  killing  game 
for  their  support  on  the  long  and  wearisome 
journey.  This  was  before  the  era  of  steam- 
boats and  newspapers  in  the  west,  and  they 
brought  with  them  the  first  intelligence 
received  at  the  Red  Banks  or  in  the  Green 
river  settlement  of  the  result  of  the  battle  of 
New  Orleans. 

T'/ie  Earl\'  AfiH/ia. —  The  militia,  which 
had  done  effective  service  in  the  Indian  wars, 
was  fostered  by  the  early  laws  of  the  state. 
All  able-bodied  men  of  proper  age  were 
enrolled,  and  required  to  attend  drills  in  mil- 
itary tactics  at  certain  stated  times.  At  first 
the  people  took  an  active  interest  in  learn- 
ing the  different  military  movements,  and 
studied  in  their  rude  wav  the  strategies  of 
war.  Each  man  furnished  a  gun  in  the 
beginninjr,  and  all  were  skilled  in  the 
manual  of  arms.  Musters  took  place 
several  times  a  year,  and  were  gener- 
ally held  at  the  county  seat  or  some  other 
important  point  in  the  county.  Thev  were 
attended  bv  larg''  and  luolley  crowds,  and 
when  a  long  period  of  peace  had  impaired 
their  efficiency,  thej'   partook  of  the  nature 


of  holiday's.  As  the  men  were  pri\-ileged 
from  arrest  on  "training  days,"  a  general 
jollification  usually  took  place,  liquors  were 
freely  imbibed,  young  men  resorted  to  fist 
fights  to  try  their  mettle  and  settle  old 
grudges,  and  all  sorts  of  fun  of  the  rougher 
and  more  boisterous  kind,  known  in  early 
times,  was  indulged  in.  The  system  was 
maintained,  though  impaired,  until  the  time  of 
the  Mexican  war.  The  following  account 
of  these  old-time  musters  is  furnished  by 
Mr.  Ira  Fairchild: 

"Among  the  scenes  that  impressed  them- 
selves with  great  effect  upon  my  young 
mind  was  the  yearly  musters  or  traininc;s 
which  took  place  in  pursuance  of  the  mili- 
tary law  put  in  operation  almost  simultaneous 
with  the  state  government.  Indiana  was 
upon  the  frontier.  In  many  parts  remnants 
of  the  Indian  tribes  still  lingered;  the  days 
of  actual  warfare  with  the  savages  we"e 
still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  the  older  inhab- 
itants, and  nothing  was  more  natural  than 
that  a  well-regulated  militia  should  be  deemed 
a  great  public  necessity.  In  that  day  Van- 
derburgh county  was  divided  into  four 
townships — Pigeon,  Armstrong,  Union  and 
Scott.  In  each  of  these  there  was  a  military 
company  which  paraded  at  stated  times.  In 
Scott  township  the  drill  took  place  at  Saun- 
dersville;  at  the  residence  of  Squire  Jacobs, 
or  at  the  Hornbrook  farm.  In  Armstrong, 
generally  at  the  house  of  Uncle  Charley 
Martin,  which  was  the  hostelry  of  that 
settlement.  In  Union  the  soldiers  met 
at  the  residence  of  Joseph  M.  McDowell,  or 
at  the  farm  of  John  Edwards.  In  Pigeon, 
the  field  of  display  was  the  commons  adja- 
cent to  Evansville.  Whenever  a  battalion 
drill  took  place  the  point  was  fixed  by 
arrangement  of  the  officers  at  a  point 
deemed  to  be  suitable.  But  the  annual 
reo'imental  muster  was  the  gala  day.  This 
invariably  took  place  at  the  count}-  seat,  and 


470 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


was  apt  to  wind  up  with  a  huge  spree  and 
not  a  few  fights,  in  which,  laowever,  bone 
and  muscle  were  the  only  weapons  used. 
Such  a  thing  as  resortincr  to  the  use  of  a 
knife  or  pistol  was  almost  unheard  of,  and 
the  man  who  would  have  dared  to  handle  a 
weapon  on  such  an  occasion  would  have 
fared  badly  with  the  populace.  On  muster 
day  the  field  officers  were  bedecked  in  their 
regulation  suits,  as  much  attention  being 
paid  to  their  dress  as  if  they  were  soldiers  of 
the  regular  service.  The  chargers  which  they 
bestrode  were  gaily  comparisoned,  and  as 
they  dashed  over  the  field  of  duty  the}' 
looked,  and  no  doubt  felt,  as  if  Solomon  in 
all  his  glor}'  could  not  hold  a  candle  to  one 
of  them.  But  when  you  turned  from  the 
officers  to  the  soldiery  then  you  beheld  a 
spectacle  that  even  at  this  late  da}-  makes 
me  smile  as  I  reflect  upon  the  scene.  Men 
of  all  ages  and  conditions,  clad  in  every  con- 
ceivable st}de  known  to  the  times;  some  in 
buckskin  breeches,  short  sleeves  and  bare- 
footed; some  in  the  best  homespun  suits 
they  could  command;  others  just  as  they 
had  left  the  plow  or  the  cornfield;  it  was  a 
motley  group.  Their  arms  were  (]uite  as 
miscellaneous  as  their  garb.  There  were 
men  with  rifles,  men  with  short  guns,  and 
men  with  the  butt  end  of  cane  fishing  rods. 
The  bottom  land  abounded  with  cane 
brakes,  and  ver^-  often  the  soldier 
would  prepare  himself  with  a  fresh 
cane,  from  which  the  pith  had  been 
carefully  removed  and  the  hollow  securely 
corked  up  at  both  ends.  Thus  armed, 
when  ammunition  was  distributed  these 
doughty  warriors  took  theirs  in  liquid  form, 
which  they  poured  into  their  improvised 
field  pieces.  In  going  through  the  evolu- 
tions of  the  drill,  when  ordered  to  fire,  the}^ 
always  shot  —  themselves  in  the  neck  !  By 
the  time  the  exercises  of  the  da}'  were  over, 
these  cane-gun   soldiers  were  ready  to  ex- 


hibit their  prowess  on  the  field  of  blood, 
and  very  often  the  field  was  decidedly 
bloody.  The  commanding  officers  of  the 
brigade  having  their  headquarters  in  this 
part  of  Indiana  were,  at  different  times: 
Gen.  Robert  M.  Evans,  Gen.  W.  A.  Twigg, 
of  New  Harmony,  and  Gen.  James  P. 
Drake,  then  a  resident  of  Posey  county." 

T/ic  Mexican  War.  — The  war  which  the 
United  States  waged  against  Mexico  had 
many  enthusiastic  advocates  in  Vanderburgh 
county.  Every  movementin  that  brief  struggle 
was  watched  with  intense  interest.  As 
early  as  August,  1845,  rumors  of  war  had 
reached  the  village  of  Evansville,  and  at 
once  preparations  were  begun  for  the  or- 
ganization of  a  military  company.  The 
newspapers,  however,  treated  the  matter 
jocosely,  no  doubt  deeming  a  resort  to  war 
very  remote.  Through  the  winter  and 
spring  following,  the  people  rather  anxiously 
awaited  developments.  The  telegraph  was 
as  yet  unknown  to  the  public,  and  the  rapid 
transit  of  news  was  impossible.  The  officers 
of  steamboats  were  looked  to  for  late  news- 
papers from  other  places,  and  the  younia/, 
then  an  enterprising  and  very  worthy  sheet, 
issued  extras  whenever  the  news  justified  it. 
By  the  last  of  May,  1S46,  public  interest 
was  at  white  heat;  nothing  was  talked  of 
but  war  and  the  rumors  of  war.  As  soon 
as  the  territory  of  our  country  had 
been  invaded  and  blood  of  our  citizens 
shed  on  our  own  soil  by  a  hostile  force 
from  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  after  repeated 
efforts  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  to 
honorably  settle  all  existing  differences, 
congress  provided  for  a  vigorous  prosecu- 
tion of  the  war  and  authorized  the  president 
to  call  for,  and  accept,  the  services,  of  any 
number  of  volunteers  not  exceeding  50,000. 
The  president  called  on  Indiana  for  three 
regiments  of  volunteers,  and  Gov.  James 
Whitcomb,  on  May  22,  1846,  issued  his  pro- 


THE  MEXICAN  WAR. 


Jill 


clamation,  appealing  to  the  citizens  to  vol- 
unteer, and  designating  New  Albany  as  the 
place  of  rendezvous.  On  Saturday  after- 
noon, following  the  publication  of  the  pro- 
clamation, a  public  meeting  was  held  in  the 
court-house  in  Evansville  to  adopt  measures 
for  raising  volunteers,  and  by  June  7,  a 
company  had  been  raised  and  left  for  New 
Albanv  on  the  steamer,  "Thomas  Metcalfe." 
The  company  was  the  first  to  reach  the 
place  of  rendezvous.  It  was  called  the  In- 
diana riflemen;  its  oflicers  were:  Captain, 
William  Walker ;  first  sergeant,  J.  A.  Ep- 
person; second  sergeant,  G.  W.  Peck;  and 
the  ranks  were  full  of  fine  looking  men. 
It  was  composed  of  lOO  men,  and  such 
was  the  an.xiety  to  join  Capt.  Walker, 
that  it  was  believed  he  could  with  ease  have 
formed  a  regiment.  When  the  three  regi- 
ments called  for  were  formed,  seventeen 
additional  companies  offered  their  services, 
but  could  not  be  accepted.  The  "  Spencer 
Greys,"  of  New  Alban}',  was  a  crack  com- 
pany. Its  sharpshooter  challenged  the 
riflemen  to  produce  his  equal  in  a  trial  of 
skill  with  the  rifle.  Martin  Stinson  stepped 
forth  and  beat  the  challenger  twice  out  of 
three  shots.  Joseph  Lane,  then  in  the  state 
senate,  left  his  seat  there,  enlisted  in  the 
ranks,  and  took  his  first  lessons  in  company 
drill  from  Capt.  Walker.  He  was  rapidly 
promoted  by  the  men  and  officers  of  his 
regiment,  and  was  appointed  brigadier  gen- 
eral b}'  the  president.  At  that  time  he  was 
considered  a  "sensible  man, of  good  address, 
but  destitute  of  military  knowledge,"  but 
his  gallantry  and  manU'  character  soon  won 
for  him  a  proud  place  in  the  nation's  history. 
By  the  middle  of  July  the  three  Indiana 
regiments,  with  the  Kentuck}^  and  Ohio 
troops,  had  passed  down  the  river  to  join 
Gen.  Taylor.  They  pitched  their  tents  first 
at  Camp  Jackson,  below'  New  Orleans. 
The    passage    across    the    gulf,    the    heat. 


the  dry  sand,  the  mosquitos  and  other 
pests  peculiar  to  the  locality,  were 
all  trying  on  the  men  The  first  death 
among  the  Evansville  men  was  that  of  Jacob 
Taylor,  and  by  October  ist  the  regiment 
had  lost  twenty-one  of  its  men,  though  suf- 
fering less  than  any  other  regiment  of  vol- 
unteers. The  regiment  went  into  camp  at 
Camp  Belknap,  about  ten  miles  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  remained 
there  till  December  loth,  when  it  moved  to 
the  interior  as  far  as  Saltillo,  and  beyond,  at 
length  camping  near  the  famous  field  of 
Buena  Vista.  On  January  14th,  1847,  the 
last  of  the  rifle  regiment.  Company'  K,  Capt. 
Tucker,  arrived  at  New  Orleans.  This 
company  was  composed  of  seventy-si.v  men, 
recruited  entirely  in  Indiana,  and  more  than 
one-half  in  E\'ansville. 

It  was  not  until  April  ist,  so  slowly  did 
the  news  travel  in  those  days,  that  the  great 
fight  at  Buena  Vista,  of  February  22-23, 
was  heard  of  at  Evansville.  Then  the  tid- 
ings were  uncertain  and  the  excitement 
great.  The  defeat  of  Taylor  was  at  first 
heralded,  resting  on  Mexican  reports,  but 
on  the  same  day  the  steamer  Sitltanahvowjy^. 
New  Orleans  papers  of  March  23d,  contain- 
ing accounts  of  the  bloody  battle  in  which 
American  valor  was  triumphant,  and  Santa 
Anna's  army  was  cut  to  pieces.  On  the 
morning  of  the  23d  of  February,  the  Second 
Indiana  regiment  occupied  a  secure  position 
on  the  banks  of  a  deep  ravine.  Gen.  Lane 
moved  the  regiment  forward  out  of  sup- 
porting distance  of  other  troops,  and  sud- 
denly encountered  about  four  or  five  thous- 
and of  the  enemy,  when  a  most  terrible  con- 
flict ensued,  which  resulted  in  disaster  and 
disorderly  retreat.  This  misfortune  occa- 
sioned considerable  criticism,  but  the  men 
of  the  regiment  were  blameless.  They  fell 
in  with  the  Mississijipians,  the  Kentuckians 
and  the  Third  Indiana  regiment,  and  fought 


m 


MILITAR  YHISTOR  Y. 


bravely.  Gen.  Lane  was  exonerated  by  a 
court  of  inquiry.  Col.  William  A.  Bowles, 
later,  of  unsavory  reputation,  was  found  to 
have  caused  the  disaster  because  of  his  in- 
competency as  a  commanding  officer.  The 
retriment  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  at 
Buena  Vista  135  men.  There,  sword  in 
hand,  Capt.  Walker  fell  while  nobly  and 
gallantly  battling  for  his  country's  honoi . 
Gen.  Lane,  in  after  years,  said  of  him :  "  A 
truer,  braver  soldier  fell  not  upon  an}'  battle 
field  before  or  since."  After  the  fight  the 
regiment  remained  near  Buena  Vista  until 
May  24,  when  it  marched  to  Monterey, 
thence  descending  the  Rio  Grande  to  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  arrived  at  New  Or- 
leans, on  the  15th  of  June,  where  it  was 
mustered  out  of  service,  and  the  men 
reached  Evansville  about  July  i,  1847. 

Capt.  Walker's  companv  was  the  only  or- 
ganization that  went  out  as  representing 
Vanderburgh  county.  At  the  time  of  its 
formation  a  company  known  as  the  Wash- 
ington Guards,  under  Capt.  Bittrolff,  was 
raised  for  the  war,  but  Indiana's  quota  being 
full  it  was  not  accepted  for  service.  When 
the  second  call  for  troops  was  made  the  Indi- 
ana regiments  were  made  up  from  other 
parts  of  the  state.  Recruiting  officers  sta- 
tioned themselves  at  Evansville  and  obtained 
many  volunteers,  but  the  companies  formed 
here  were  too  late  to  be  accepted  in  the 
state's  regiments.  Some  of  them  joined  the 
Kentucky  and  Ohio  regiments,  and  others 
were  found  afterward  in  the  ranks  of  the 
regular  army.  The  companies  that  went  to 
Mexico  under  the  second  call  did  guard 
and  provost  dutv  until  peace  was  de- 
clared. It  is  not  possible  to  gi\'e  a 
full  list  of  those  who  went  from  here 
to  engage  in  that  war.  Among  those  in 
Capt.  Walker's  company  were:  Floyd 
Williams,  John  Stover,  Benoni  Stinson,  Adam 
Stinson,    Martin    Stinson,  John  Robertson, 


John  T.  Walker,  A.  J.  Hutchison,  Gordon 
Wilheit,  John  McNamara,  John  Stevens,  S.  S. 

Teel,  Thomas  Knight,  James   Sublett, 

Sublett,  John  Stein,  William  Gregory,  Bran- 
son    Matson,     Higginbottam, 

Crooks, McCutchan,  Jacob  Taylor. 

Mexican  Veterans. —  Ver}'  few  of  the 
men  who  served  m  the  Mexican  war  now  re- 
side in  Vanderburgh  countv,  and  nearlv  all 
of  the  survivors  to  be  found  here  served  in 
orijanizations  belonirinij  to  other  states. 
These  veterans  formed  an  association  Sep- 
tember 20,  1887,  with  Joseph  C.  Overell  as 
president  and  Adolph  Miehle  as  secretar}'. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  its  mem- 
bers: Gen.  James  M.  Shackelford,  Col. 
John  Rhinelander,  John  W.  Walton, 
Charles  Lucas,  Erastus  C.  Morris,  John 
P.Zubrod,  James  England,  Floyd  Williams, 
A.  H.  Guin,  Conrad  Neuman,  Jacob  Davis, 
John  Rothengatter,  Robert  Moeder,  James 
O.  Boicourt  and  C.  L.  Roberts. 

The  Civil  War. —  For  several  years  prior 
to  1861  the  countrv  had  been  drifting  toward 
civil  war.  The  two  sections,  the  north  and 
the  south,  had  different  interests  to  serve  in 
the  administration  of  national  affairs.  The 
contest  between  the  two  sections  had  often 
been  vigorous,  and  once  before,  in  1832, 
almost  terminated  in  war.  In  the  era  of 
peace  that  preceded  the  outbreak  of  that 
storm  which  at  length  shook  the  country 
through  all  its  parts,  the  people  had  learned 
to  love  the  quiet  joys  of  domestic  life.  Most 
of  them  were  strangers  tcj  the  noise  of  con- 
tending arms  and  knew  little  of  the  dangers 
and  privations  of  war.  They  were  happily 
expecting  a  continued  peaceful  life.  But  a 
weak  stone  had  been  placed  in  the  founda- 
tion of  the  republic  under  whose  flag  they 
claimed  citizenship  and  protection,  and 
through  its  weakness,  the  structure,  just  de- 
veloping into  magnificent  grandeur,  was 
threatened    with    destruction.     That    weak 


THE  SECTIONAL  CRISIS. 


UlS 


stone  was  the  institution  of  Imman  slavery, 
which  was  subsequently  limited  to  a  certain 
portion  of  the  country.  The  republican 
party,  when  in  its  infancy,  had  amon^  its 
leaders  the  avowed  opponents  of  that 
institution,  many  of  whom  had  been 
identified  with  the  movement  for  its 
destruction.  The  great  campaign  of 
i860  had  been  carried  on  as  vigor- 
ously in  Vanderburgh  county  as  anywhere 
in  the  north.  Many  eminent  statesmen  ad- 
dressed the  people,  who  assembled  in  im- 
mense masses.  Party  feeling  ran  high. 
The  picturesque  and  striking  style  of  per- 
sonating national  candidates  had  not  vet  been 
abandoned.  The  young  republican  part}- 
adopted  this  st\le  of  electioneering  with 
vigor  and  extraordinary  effect.  Great  pro- 
cessions, gathered  together  from  all  parts  of 
the  surrounding  countr}-,  paraded  the  prin- 
cipal streets  of  Evansville  with  brass  bands, 
fife  and  drum  corps,  glee  clubs  and  uni- 
formed men,  women  and  children,  mounted, 
on  foot,  and  in  every  sort  of  convevance. 
The  "  Ship  of  State,"  which  was  so  promi- 
nently connected  with  Fremont's  campaign 
four  years  before,  was  succeeded  by  a 
symbol  that  created  an  enthusiasm  that  can 
now  hardly  be  comprehended.  This  was  a 
mammoth  log  wagon,  drawn  by  a  score  of 
oxen,  and  carrying  an  immense  log,  along 
which,  on  platforms  built  over  the  wheels, 
were  half  a  dozen  stalwart  farmers,  "  to  the 
manor  born,"  swinging  immense  mauls  on 
to  wooden  wedges  stuck  into  the  tough 
fibres  of  the  wood.  The  "rail-splitter" 
candidate  for  the  presidency  had  elements  of 
strength  that  were  not  dreamed  of  in  the 
aristocratic  south  and  the  cultured  east. 
The  claims  of  the  homely,  uncouth  and 
common  man  of  the  people  from  the  prairies 
of  Illinois  proved  irresistible.  His  divided 
opposition  was  routed,  and  a  political  party, 
with     no    claims    to  popular    favor    but    its 


pledges  and    the    character   of    its    leaders, 
took  possession  of  the  government. 

Abraham  Lincoln  had  publicly  declared 
his  deliberate  conviction  that  the  govern- 
ment could  not  exist  half  free  and  half  slave. 
His  election  to  the  presidency,  therefore, 
the  southern  states  accepted  as  a  menace 
to  then-  institutions.  In  that  section  of  the 
Union  the  doctrine  of  state  sovereignty  had 
long  been  taught  under  the  leadership  of 
John  C.  Calhoun.  Accordingly  they  did 
not  long  hesitate  to  secede  from  the  Union 
when  it  was  known  that  Abraham  Lincoln 
by  constitutional  methods  had  become  chief 
magistrate  of  the  land.  The  south  had  for 
so  long  a  time  controlled  the  legislation  of 
the  country  that  it  would  not  complacently 
submit  to  a  loss  of  its  power.  On  the  20th 
of  December,  i860,  following  the  election 
of  Lincoln,  South  Carolina  took  the  first 
active  steps  and  passed  an  ordinance  of 
secession  from  the  Union.  In  this  move- 
ment she  was  followed  in  rapid  succession 
b\'  Mississippi,  January-  9;  Alabama  and 
Florida,  January  11;  Georgia,  Januar\' 
19;  Louisiana,  January  26;  Texas,  Feb- 
ruary i;  Virginia,  April  17;  Arkansas, 
and  Tennessee,  May  6;  and  North  Caro- 
lina, May  21.  No  president  ever  assumed 
the  duties  of  that  high  office  under  more 
trying  circumstances  than  did  Abraham 
Lincoln.  Seven  states  had  declared  them- 
selves out  of  the  Union  and  refused  to 
recognize  his  authorit)',  and  in  less  than  two 
months  four  others  had  followed  into  the 
confederacy.  In  February,  1S61,  a  peace 
conference  was  held  at  Baltimore,  attended 
b}-  some  of  the  most  influential  men  from 
most  of  the  states.  The  object  was  to 
effect  a  compromise  between  the  different 
sections  of  the  Union,  and  prevent  a  disrup- 
tion and  war.  After  a  laborious  sitting  of 
several  davs  it  adjourned  without  having 
accomplished  the  purpose  for  which    it   was 


J,U 


MILITARY  HISTOR  Y. 


called.  The  excitement  was  intense 
throughout  the  country.  The  extreme  par- 
tisans who  had  supported  the  new  president 
were  for  a  time  disappointed  when  they  saw 
that  other  states  were  allowed  unmolested 
to  leave  the  Union  and  join  the  confederac}'. 
All  over  the  north  there  was  a  divided  sen- 
timent in  regard  to  the  cause  and  responsi- 
bility of  this  attempt  to  sever  the 
union.  Some  believed  that  if  the  south 
wanted  to  withdraw  from  the  Union,  there 
was  no  lawful  way  to  prevent  it.  They  did 
not  believe  that  a  state  could  be  "  coerced." 
The  condition  of  affairs  was  so  strained  that 
meetings  were  held  in  all  parts  of  the 
country  to  discuss  the  state  of  the  Union  and 
advise  as  to  the  best  course  to  pursue. 
While  the  public  mind  was  in  this  excited 
condition,  the  passionate  and  ill-tempered 
south,  imagining  its  slave  property  endan- 
gered by  the  election  of  a  republican  for 
president,  could  not  be  held  in  subjection. 
It  had  organized  into  a  separate  govern- 
ment even  before  Lincoln  had  been  inau- 
gurated. It  had  created  an  arm}'  and  navy, 
and  within  six  weeks  after  Abraham  Lin- 
coln had  been  proclaimed  president,  it  at- 
tacked the  United  States  troops  at  Fort 
Sumter,  in  the  bay  of  Charleston,  S.  C. 
That  deed,  more  than  all  others,  united  the 
loyal  hearts  of  the  north  in  defense  of  the 
national  flag  that  had  been  fired  upon  by 
those  in  rebellion.  They  welcomed  it,  per- 
haps, as  the  only  solution  to  the  question  of 
the  hour,  and  gladly  responded  to  the  call  to 
arms. 

When  it  became  known  that  the  question 
involving  the  nation's  life  must  be  submitted 
to  the  terrible  "  arbitrament  of  the  sword  " 
the  union  sentiment  in  Vanderburgh  county 
grew  rapidly.  At  first  many  persons  in 
conversation  on  the  streets  expressed  seces- 
sion sentiments,  but  as  soon  as  matters  as- 
sumed a  serious  aspect  and  men   could  see 


just  where  they  stood,  few  could  be  found 
who  would  openly  justify  the  citizens  of  the 
seceding  states  in  their  scheme  of  destroj-ing 
the  government.  Men  of  all  parties  came 
to  the  rescue  of  the  Union.  Party  differ- 
ences were,  for  the  time,  forgotten.  The 
theor}'  that  differences  of  opinion  as  to 
questions  of  national  import  should  be  de- 
cided at  the  ballot  box  was  well  understood 
and  accepted  by  the  people.  In  a  consti- 
tutional manner  they  had  decided  to  trust  a 
political  party  for  four  years,  and  before 
that  party  had  done  aught  to  show  that  it  was 
unworthy  the  trust,  it  was  sought  to  destroy 
the  Union.  In  this  crisis  all  loyal  people  re- 
gardless of  prior  part}-  affiliations  said  "  let 
us  save  the  ship  first  and  then  we  can  dispute 
as  to  the  best  mode  of  sailing  her.  " 

The  war  feeling  soon  became  intense. 
Little  else  was  thought  or  talked  of.  On 
the  morning  of  April  17,  a  call,  signed  by 
leading  citizens,  was  issued  for  a  public 
meeting  at  the  court-house  in  the  evening 
of  the  same  day.  At  nightfall  the  Jackson 
artiller}-,  of  fine  appearance,  under  Capt. 
Ellis,  turned  out  in  uniform  and  fired  a  na- 
tional salute.  Warren's  Crescent  City  band 
paraded  the  streets,  playing  inspiring  national 
airs.  The  court-house  was  (juickly  filled 
b\'  all  classes  of  citizens,  and  Ma3'or  Baker 
was  called  to  preside  over  the  meeting.  It 
bemg  ascertained  that  hundreds  desirous  of 
participating  were  in  the  streets  unable  to 
get  in  the  house,  an  adjournment  was  had 
to  the  street  about  the  Washington  House, 
from  the  balcony  of  which  the  band  dis- 
coursed enlivening  music.  From  here  the 
crowd  moved  on  to  Crescent  City  hall, 
hoping  there  to  find  room  for  its  members, 
but  it  grew  as  it  moved,  and  at  length  the 
upper  market  iiouse  was  chosen  as  a  place 
of  meeting.  The  market  house  was  speed- 
ily filled  in  all  its  parts;  a  stand  was  hastily 
erected;  the  vast  crowd  became  silent  and 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  WAR 


m 


listened  to  a  stirring  address  from  James  E. 
Blythe,  a  well-known  orator  of  that  day. 
He  was  followed  by  George  D.  Wagner,  of 
Warren  county,  aide-de-camp  of  Gen.  James 
M.  Shanklin,  in  a  noble  speech  which 
stirred  the  hearts  of  his  hearers  to 
their  lowest  depths.  Conrad  Baker, 
then  a  prominent  lawyer  antl  afterward 
governor  of  the  state,  made  a  for- 
cible speech  and  proposed  resolutions  de- 
claring "  our  time,  talents,  fortunes  and  li\es 
are  at  the  service  of  the  government  in  tliis, 
the  day  of  its  trial;  the  preservation  of  the 
government  is  above  all  personal  and  party 
considerations,  and  we  pledge  to  its  support, 
now  and  hereafter,  our  all,  without  reference 
to  the  men  or  party  b}*  which  it  may  be  ad- 
ministered." The  reading  of  these  ^loyal 
sentiments  moved  the  assembled  ihrong  to 
the  wildest  demonstrations  of  approval,  and 
in  the  midst  of  the  enthusiastic  outburst 
Judge  ]?aker  administered  to  most  of  those 
present  an  extemporized  oath  to  support  the 
constitution  and  the  Union.  Capt.  August 
Ellis  pledged  his  compan\'  to  the  support 
of  the  constitution  and  the  protection  of  the 
people's  homes.  Blythe  Hynes  and  Will- 
iam H.  Chandler  made  eloquent  and  effective 
speeches,  and  the  meeting  adjourned  with 
three  cheers  for  "  the  union,  the  constitution, 
the  enforcement  of  the  laws  and  the  stars 
and  stripes." 

There  was  no  time  during  the  war  when 
secession  sympathizers  were  not  to  be  found 
in  \'anderburgh  county.  Two  of  these  at- 
tempted to  air  their  views  and  breed  discord 
at  this  public  meeting  at  the  market-house, 
but  they  made  themselves  odious.  Their 
interruption  ot  the  meeting  and  the  spirit  it 
elicited  in  retaliation  only  served  to  bring 
out  in  bolder  relief  the  intense  union  feeling 
that  prevailed. 

No  adequate  idea  as  to  the  extent  and 
probable    duration   of  the  war   had  as   yet 


been  formed  by  the  people  in  any  part  of 
the  count)-.  The  Evansville  yoitriial  of 
April  20.  said  editorially,  '•'  this  is  the  most 
exposed  anr.  critical  poini  in  Indiana,  \et 
Evansville  will  send  at  least  one  compan}-  to 
join  the  forces  sent  out  of  the  state."  Few 
could  then  have  been  induced  to  beheve 
that  Vanderburgh  count}-  would  contribute 
to  the  nation's  armies  besides  her  own  home 
guard,  more  than  3,500  men.  And  yet  the 
alacrity  with  which  inlistments  were  made, 
and  companies  organized  would  encourage 
the  belief  that  citizens  supposed  a  great 
deal  of  home  defense  would  be  needed  if 
onl\'  one  company  was  to  be  sent  to  the 
front.  Companies  were  rapidh'  fornied  in 
the  city,  in  Lamasco  and  in  every  township 
in  the  count}-.  By  the  first  of  June  the 
townships  had  raised  nine  companies  of  in- 
fantry and  the  city  nine  companies  of  infan- 
try and  three  of  artillery.  Other  companies 
were  partially  made  up.  All  were  clamor- 
ing for  guns  and  equipments.  It  became 
necessary  to  determine  by  allotment  who 
should  be  favored  in  the  distribution  of 
arms. 

Man}'  of  these  were  prompted  bv  patriotic 
impulses  to  offer  their  breasts  to  shield  the 
nation's  heart  from  harm.  Others  were  out 
of  employment  because  of  the  closed  shops, 
and  enlisted  with  little  thought  of  the  re- 
sponsibilities to  be  borne;  and  yet  in  the 
hour  of  trial  were  equal  to  the  demands 
upon  their  manhood,  and  proved  themselves 
made  of  heroic  metal.  Every  encourage- 
ment was  offered  to  those  who  showed  a 
willingness  to  sacrifice  self  for  country. 
They  were  followed  to  their  camps  and 
bountifully  supplied  with  such  articles  of 
food  and  clothing  as  might  serve  to  amelio- 
rate the  hardships  of  camp  life.  Patriotic 
women  were  especially  thoughtful  in  their 
endeavors  to  encourage  a  loyal  support  of 
the   government.      When    the    first  troops 


^^6 


MILITARY  HISTOR  Y. 


moved  to  Camp  Baker  they  were  followed 
there  by  the  folks  at  home,  who  were  reluc- 
tant to  lose  sight  of  them.  Dinners  were 
spread  in  camp  by  prominent  ladies,  and 
comforts  were  brought  in  abundance.  The 
hearts  of  the  young  soldiers  were  full  of 
hope  and  buo3'ancy.  All  were  impatient  to 
reach  the  seat  of  war  and  gain  distinc- 
tion, and  their  movements  eastward  were 
watched  by  an  exultant  and  hopeful  people. 

The  first  irreat  excitement  in  Evansville 
over  the  war  news  followed  the  first  battle 
of  Bull  Run,  when  it  was  learned  how  the 
Union  forces,  routed,  had  fled  in  consterna- 
tion and  confusion  from  the  field  of  battle 
toward  the  capital.  In  Evansville  the  most 
intense  excitement  reigned,  business  was 
suspended,  men  gathered  in  groups  upon 
the  streets  and  about  the  news-centres  to 
discuss  the  thrilling  intelHgence.  A  deep 
gloom  seemed  to  have  settled  on  the  com- 
munit}'.  The  disappointment  and  chagrin 
of  the  routed  army  was  shared  by  all. 
Strong  men  wept  as  they  read  of  the  car- 
nage in  the  ranks  of  the  Union  army,  or 
were  told  of  the  temporary  defeat.  But  the 
ultimate  effect  was  most  gratif_ying.  The 
people  began  to  realize  the  magnitude  of  the 
contest  and  the  strength  and  determination 
of  their  opponents.  The  determination  was 
expressed  by  all  that  from  that  hour  they 
were  ready  to  obey  any  call  made  upoT 
them.  There  was  no  despondency  as  to  the 
final  result. 

So  all  through  the  war,  in  every  battle, 
in  every  campaign,  the  people  at  home  took 
the  liveliest  interest.  They  followed  their 
troops  throvigh  all  their  long  marches,  ex- 
ulted over  their  victories  and  deplored  their 
defeats.  When  Shiloh  was  fought,  the 
steamer  "  Charley  Bowen "  was  loaded 
with  supplies,  and  citizens  went  to  the  field 
of  battle,  to  relie^'e  distress  and  care  for  the 
wounded.      With    absorbing    interest    the 


siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg,  the  great 
and  decisive  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  all  of 
the  exploits  of  the  armv  both  in  the  east  and 
west,  were  watched.  All  eves  followed  the 
fearless  Sherman  and  his  gallant  army  in 
their  brilliant  campaign  of  1S64,  and  when 
the  news  of  Atlanta's  fall  came,  an  immense 
crowd  assembled  in  front  of  the  old  Branch 
bank,  to  hear  patriotic  speeches  and  music, 
and  to  indulge  in  fire-works.  Wild  demon- 
strations of  delight  followed  the  capture  of 
Richmond  and  Petersburg,  but  all  were  as 
nothing  compared  with  that  which  followed 
the  news  of  Lee's  surrender. 

The  news  from  Appomattox  reached 
Evansville  in  the  evening,  but  only  a  few- 
heard  it  then.  It  became  generally  known 
in  the  morning  of  the  next  da}',  and  at  sun- 
rise the  rejoicing  commenced.  The  great 
guns  belched  forth  theii  thunders,  the 
bells  pealed  with  joy,  and  flags  were  flung 
out,  and  fluttered  gorgeously  in  the  breeze, 
until  Main  street  seemed  a  galaxy  of  stars 
and  stripes.  The  city  schools  were  dis- 
missed and  more  than  a  thousand  youths 
betook  themselves  to  the  streets  with  wild 
shouts  and  unrestrained  rejoicing.  Bands 
of  musicians  paraded  the  streets  and  the  joy 
soon  became  fast  and  furious.  The  Crescent 
City  band  took  position  on  the  steps  of  the 
Branch  bank,  and  there  the  great  crowd 
assembled.  Distinijuished  citizens  and  sol- 
diers,  in  words  of  burning  eloquence  and 
thrilling  patriotism,  addicssed  the  throng. 
The  crowd  itself  commenced  singing  patri- 
otic songs,  making  the  streets  ring  with, 
"  Sons  of  Freedom,  Hear  the  Story,"  "  John 
Brown's  Body,"  "Rally  Round  the  Flag" 
and  other  soul-stirring  airs.  The  whole 
populace  of  the  cit}'  was  on  the  streets.  At 
noon  a  grand  salute  of  200  guns,  under  the 
direction  of  Capt.  Tombler,  was  commenced, 
and  the  firing  was  splendid.  Nearly  all  busi- 
ness was  suspended  during  the  day,  and   all 


SCENES  AT  HOME. 


477 


patriotic  men  partook  of  the  general  jo}-. 
The  city  rang  with  cheers  foi  Lincoln, 
Grant,  Sheridan,  Sherman  and  the  boys 
in  blue,  and  the  entire  day  was 
given  up  to  festivities  and  rejoicings, 
all  feeling  that  the  power  of  tlie  rebellion 
was  at  last  broken,  and  that  peace,  perma- 
nent and  honorable,  was  about  to  dawn 
ajrain  on  the  land. 

The  people,  elated  with  a  series  of  un- 
paralled  military  successes,  and  buoyant  with 
joN'ful  anticipations  of  the  almost  immediate 
termination  of  one  of  the  most  terrible  wars 
that  ever  desolated  a  land,  and  the  speed}" 
prevalence  of  peace,  were,  in  the  midst  of 
their  rejoicings,  appalled  and  cast  into  the 
deepest  gloom  by  the  announcement  that 
President  Lincoln  had  been  struck  down  b}' 
the  hand  of  an  assassin.  The  reception  of 
this  sad  news  in  Ex'ansville  is  indescribable. 
Men  were  struck  dumb  almost,  and  with 
white  lips  and  blanched  cheeks,  whispered: 
"  Can  this  be  true  ?  "  And  as  the  startling 
news  spread  from  lip  to  lip,  all  business  was 
instinctivelv  suspended,  places  of  business 
were  closed,  and  the  insignia  of  mourning 
was  hung  on  e\ery  house.  All  the  flags  in 
the  city  and  on  boats  at  the  wharf  were 
hung  at  half  mast  and  draped  in  mourning. 
The  churches  were  thronged  with  people, 
and  the  ser\ices  there  were  of  the  most 
solemn  and  affecting  character.  All 
eyes  were  bathed  in  tears,  and  a  feeling  of 
awe  and  terror  and  dread  prevailed.  Mayor 
Walker  issued  a  jiroclamation  requesting  a 
suspension  of  business,  the  draping  of  houses 
and  tolling  of  the  city  bells.  Guns  were 
fired  every  half  hour,  by  military  authoritv, 
from  sunrise  to  sunset.  The  people  gath- 
ered in  groups  to  discuss  the  appalling 
calamity.  A  look  of  anguish  per\aded 
every  countenance.  Grief  and  indignation 
were  mingled,  but  order  was  preserved,  and 
no  cause  for  reproach  to  the  city  was  given. 


If  there  was  any  one  who  rejoiced  in  his 
heart  at  this  fearful  calamity  to  the  nation, 
his  feelings  were  concealed  from  the  ordi- 
nary  observer. 

These  civic  demonstrations,  extending 
from  the  commencement  to  the  close 
of  the  war,  were  ample  proof  of  the 
loyalty  of  \'anderburgh  count\-  and  the 
great  majority  of  her  citizens.  But  even  a 
stronger  proof  is  afforded  by  the  careers  of 
those  who,  leaving  homes,  kindred  and 
friends,  joined  the  nation's  armies,  and 
through  suffering  and  hardship  were  forget- 
ful of  self  and  devoted  to  the  interest  of 
their  countrw  Their  names,  associated 
with  the  histor\'  of  one  of  the  grandest 
steps  in  the  progress  of  human  liberty,  are 
received  with  gratitude  to-day,  and  will 
pass  in  honor  to  remote  generations. 

/^irst  Troops /or  the  Front. —  The  loyal 
spirit  of  Vanderburgh  county  was  proved  by 
the  willingness  with  which  she  responded 
to  the  first  call  to  arms.  Scarcely  had  the 
people  recovered  from  the  shock  occasioned 
by  the  news  that  Fort  Sumter  had  been 
tired  on  when  they  commenced  preparations 
for  active  warfare.  On  the  19th  of  April, 
1861,  Capt.  Noah  S.  Thompson,  who  had 
served  honorably  in  the  Me.xican  war,  tele- 
graphed to  the  adjutant  general  at  Indian- 
apolis, "Will  you  receive  a  company  from 
this  cityr  "  The  repl\-  was  at  once  returned, 
"Yes;  come  on  immediately."  Tlie  com- 
pany rolls  were  opened  for  signatures  on 
Saturda\-,  the  20th,  and  such  was  the  en- 
thusiasm that  within  four  hours  the  company 
was  more  than  full.  On  that  evening  the 
compan\-  met  in  its  armory  in  the  Klausman 
buildiniT,  on  Main  street  abo\e  Second,  and 
organized,  after  the  administration  of  an  oath 
bvjohn  W.  Foster,  notary  public,  afterward 
the  distinguished  colonel.  The  first  otficers 
were:  Noah  S.  Thompson,  captain;  Nathan 
Willard,  first  lieutenant;  George  C.  Pope, 


Jfl8 


MILITAE  Y  HISTOE  Y. 


second  lieutenant:  J.  C.  C.  Miller,  thii-d  lieu- 
tenant. The  compan)'  took  the  name  of 
"  The  Crescent  City  Guards,"  and  during 
the  evening  after  organization  paraded  the 
streets  of  the  city  amid  great  enthusiasm, 
escorted  b}'  the  Crescent  City  band  and  a 
large  procession  of  citizens.  Preparations 
were  at  once  made  to  depart  for  Indianap- 
olis on  the  following  Tuesday  morning.  On 
Monday  morning  Capt.  Thompson  pro- 
ceeded to  Indianapolis,  and  telegraphed 
back  to  the  lieutenant,  "  We  cannot  get  in ; 
disband  the  company."  By  this  time  the 
company  was  132  strong,  and  at  least  100 
more  had  offered  themselves,  drilling  in  mil- 
itary tactics  had  been  actively  commenced, 
and  the  disappointment  to  the  men  occa- 
sioned by  the  news  from  their  captain  was 
very  great.  At  length,  however,  the  com- 
pany was  received  into  the  service  of  the 
state,  and  marched  to  the  fair  grounds  to 
camp  until  called  into  active  service.  The 
company  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  June  7,  1861,  as  Com- 
pany E,  Fourteenth  Regiment  infan- 
try—  the  first  of  the  three  years'  rem- 
ments  from  Indiana.  The  commissions  of 
the  officers  above  named  were  dated  April 
19,  1S61.  Capt.  Thompson  resigned,  and 
Lieut.  Willard  was  promoted  to  the  vacancy 
September  15,  1861,  serving  until  June    24, 

1864,  when  his  term  expired.  The  first 
lieutenants  were :  Edward  Ballenger, 
commissioned  September  15,  1861,  died 
September  23,  1862,  of  wounds  received 
inaction;  Chester  O.  Davis,  commissioned 
September  24,  1862,  resigned  February  23, 
1863;  Charles  H.  Myerhoff,  commissioned 
May  4,    1863,    mustered    out    October    17,- 

1865,  —  was  absent  in  hospital  on  account 
of  wounds  received  in  action  when  company 
was  mustered  out.  The  second  lieutenants 
were:  John  C.  C.  Miller,  commissioned 
April    19,    1861,    resigned    September     15, 


1861;  Thomas  M.  Marshall,  commissioned 
September  15,  1S61,  dismissed  October  17, 
1S62;  Horace  Bradford,  commissioned  Octo- 
ber 18,  1862,  mustered  out  June  24,  1864, 
term  expired.  The  following  is  a  complete 
roster  of  the  non-comn'iissioned  officers  and 
privates  of  this  company:  First  Sergeant 
Edward  Ballenger,  promoted  first  lieutenant. 
Sergeant  August  Junod,  elected  first  lieu- 
tenant, killed  Cheat  Mountain,  September  12, 
1861.  Sergeant  Chester  O.  Davis,  pro- 
moted first  lieutenant.  Sergeant  Thomas 
M.  Marshall,  promoted  second  lieutenant. 
Sergeant  Horace  Bradford,  promoted  second 
lieutenant.  Corporal  John  Dalzell,  wounded 
Winchester,  discharged  October  22,  1862, 
disability.  Corporal  Carl  Schone,  appointed 
sergeant,  discharged  March  2,  1863.  Cor- 
poral Charles  H.  Mj-erhoff,  promoted  first 
lieutenant.  Corporal  John  D.  Lyons,  dis- 
charged July  15,  1862,  disabilitv.  Corporal 
William  H.  Mitchell,  discharged  October 
20,  1862,  joined  Fourth  United  States  artil- 
lery. Corporal  John  S.  Troy,  discharged 
May  10,  1S62.  Corporal  Joseph  R.  Weas- 
ner,  discharged  June  21,  1S62.  Corporal 
Thomas  Davis,  dropped  from  rolls  October 
15,  1862.  Samuel  L.  Potts,  principal  mu- 
sician, discharged  Februar\-  25,  1863. 
Clayborn  Clements,  musician,  veteran, 
transferred  to  Company  C.  John  Dougherty, 
wagoner,  discharged  September  21,  1861. 
Privates. — Beck,  Ludw  ig,  discharged  Oc- 
tober 20,  1862,  joined  Fourth  United  States 
artillery;  Bergman,  William,  mustered  out 
June  16,  1864,  term  expired;  Bettus,  George 
W.,  discharged  August  7,  1861,  accidental 
wounds,  served  in  Veteran  Relief  Corps; 
Born,  Wendel,  discharged  May  20,  1862, 
disability;  Bodenheimer,  George  W., 
wounded  at  Fredericksburg,  to  Veteran 
ReHef  Corps,  November  16,  i863;Bowen, 
John,  dropped  from  rolls  October  15,  1862; 
Campbell,   George,  wounded  at  Antietam, 


^^cud    /^     /%e//^^^^ 


FIBST  COMPANY. 


479 


mustered    out    June     i6,    1864;    Carnsted, 
Charles,  died  at   Iluttosnville,  Va.,   Novem- 
ber 3,  1S61;  Dailey,    John  A.,  captured  at 
Chancellorsville,     mustered    out    June    16, 
1864;  Donaliue,  Michael,  not  mustered  out; 
Duncan,  Ira    II.,  discharged  December  15, 
1861,  disability;  Edrington,  Silas,  discharged 
May  10,    1862,    disability;    Everhart,   Fred, 
mustered  out  June  16,  1864,  term  expired; 
Feldman,  Francis  A.,  died  April  4,   1S62,  at 
Winchester,  Va.,  wounds;  Fickas,  William 
H.,    discharged    October    24,    1862,    joined 
Fourth  United  States  artillery;  Fluke,  Se- 
fren,   wounded    at  Antietam,    mustered  out 
June    16,  1864,  term   expired;  Foss,   Chris- 
tian,  discharged   May    20,    1S62,  disabilit}-; 
Gephardt,     Louis,    wounded     at    Antietam, 
captured  at   Chancellorsville,   mustered   out 
June  16,  1864,  term  expired;  Grey,  William 
H.,  appointed  wagoner,  transfered  to  Vet- , 
eran     Relief    Corps;     Harter,    Henry,    ap- 
pointed   corporal,    wounded     at     Antietam, 
transfered  to  Veteran  Relief  Corps;  Hennel, 
Joseph,  captured  at   Fredericksburg,  mus- 
tered   out    June    16,    1864,    term     expired; 
Henson,  John,  discharged    May    10,   1862, 
disability;    Hergt,    Charles,    mustered    out 
June  16, 1864,  term  expired;  Hitch,  Thomas, 
discharged  October  24,  1862,  joined  Fourth 
United     States    artillery;    Hitch,    George, 
wounded  Chancellorville,  mustered  out  June 

16,  1864,  term  expired;  Hagerman,  Chris- 
tian, discharged  August  2,  1862,  disability; 
Iloffmeinster,  Henry,  mustered  out  June  16, 
1864,  term  expired;  Ilugle,  Christian,  not 
discharged;  Jenner,  William  D.,  discharged 
October  20,  1862,  joined  Fourth  United 
States  artillery ;  Jolly,  Joseph,  appointed  cor- 
poral, discharged  March  14,  1863;  Koppler, 
William,  discharged  June  16,  1862,  account 
of  wounds  received  at  Winchester;  Ken- 
nedy, Edward,  killed  at  Antietam,  September 

17,  1862;  Kiger,  Ferdinand,  discharged  Oc- 
tober 24,  1862,  joined  Fourth  United  States 

88 


artillery;    Keshler,  Emdil,  wounded    Antie-' 
tarn,  mustered   out  June    16,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Kinney,  James  K.,  discharged  Octo- 
ber 24,  1862,  joined   Fourth  United  States 
artillery;  Kramer,  John  P.,  discharged  May 
10,  1S62,  disabihty;  Konig,  Fred,  mustered 
out  June  16,  1864,  term  expired;   Kornman, 
Adolph,  discharged  February  16,  1863,  dis- 
ability;   Kretchman,    Charles,    discharged 
February  7,  1863,  disability;  Kinkle,  George 
H.,  died    October  .9,  1862,   of   wounds    re- 
ceived   at    Antietam;    Kline,    Matthew,  ap- 
pointed   sergeant,  wounded    Antietam    and 
Fredericksburg;    Laughlin,    John    M.,  dis- 
charged   October  20,   1862,  joined    Fourth 
United    States   artillery;   Lennert,  Herman, 
discharged  October  20,  1S62,  joined  Fourth 
United   States  artillery;  Loop,  Francis  M., 
discharged  October  20,  1862,  joined  Fourth 
United     States    artillery;    Lyons,    Joseph, 
discharged      May       10,      1862,     disability; 
Meyer,  John  G.,  mustered  out  June  16, 1864, 
term  expired ;  Meyer,  George,  discharged  Oc- 
tober 24,  1862,  joined  Fourth  United  States 
artillery;     Murrisena,     Frank,     discharged 
October     10,     1861,    disability;    McMullin, 
James  H.,  wounded   three    times,  captured 
at  Chancellorsville,  killed  at  Wilderness,  May 
6,  1864;  McCarty,  James  J.,  discharged  De- 
cember    15,     1861;    McQuill,    James,    dis- 
charged May  19,  1862,  on  account  of  wounds 
received  at  Winchester;  Newbanks,  Charles 
E.,  dropped  October  15,  1862,  returned  and 
discharged   1863;  Nixon,  William,  captured 
at   Fredericksburg,   mustered  out  June    16, 
i86.|.,  term    expired;  Ottinger,  Jacob,  mus- 
tered   out    June    16,     1864,    term    expired; 
O'Bryen,  Frank,  killed  at  Antietam,  Septem- 
ber 17,  1862;  Peacock,  William,  discharged 
October   20,    1S64,    joined    Fourth    United 
States    artillery;  Planitz,    Antoine,  dropped 
April  10,  1863;  Quintell,  James,  appointed 
sergeant,     transferred    to    Veteran    Relief 
Corps,  September  i,  1863;  Richardt,  Con- 


i80 


MILITAR  Y  HI8T0R  Y. 


rad,  mustered  out  June  i6,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Richard,  John,  killed  at  Antietam, 
September  17,  1862;  Rourke,  John,  dis- 
charged October  23,  1862,  joined  Fourth 
United  States  artillery;  Scudder,  Frank, 
transferred  to  Fourth  United  States  artillery, 
killed  at  Chancellorsville:  Shultz,  Edward, 
discharged  October  23,  1862,  joined  Fourth 
United  States  artillery';  Shultz,  August, 
wounded  June  i,  1864,  mustered  out  June 
16,  1864,  term  expired;  Schreeber,  Stephen, 
discharged  October  20,  1862,  joined  Fourth 
United  States  artiller}';  Semler,  Fred, 
wounded  at  Cheat  Mountain,  September  12, 
1861;  Sneider,  Joseph  N.,  appointed  ser- 
geant, wounded  at  Chancellorville ;  Summer- 
field,  Henry,  discharged  April  10,  1863,  on 
account  of  wounds  received  at  Antietam; 
Shelby,  James  W.,  wounded  at  Gettysburg, 
mustered  out  June  16,  1864,  term  expired; 
Stack,  John,  discharged  May  29,  1863,  disa- 
bility;  Strausner,  Peter,  discharged  October 
16,  1861,  blindness;  Stark,  John,  killed  at 
Chancellorsville,  May  3, 1863 ;  Trout,  Caspar, 
mustered  out  June  16,  1864,  as  absent  sick, 
term  expired;  Thompson,  Joseph  G.,  cap- 
tured Fredericksburg,  wounded  and  cap- 
tured Wilderness;  Utalhofen,  William, 
missing  in  action  at  Wilderness;  Watson, 
Alexander,  not  discharged;  Weisenthal, 
Louis,  discharged  August  19,  1861,  disabil- 
ity; Winder,  George,  killed  at  Cheat  Moun- 
tain, September  12,  1861;  Winters,  Sebas- 
tian, discharged  April  11,  1863,  account 
wounds  received  Fredericksburg;  Win- 
gert,  John  H.,  died  December  17,  1S62,  of 
wounds  received  Fredericksburg;  Wood- 
ruff, John,  discharged  October  23,  1862, 
joined  Fourth  United  States  artillery;  Zus- 
span,  Adam,  wounded  Antietam,  mustered 
out  June  16,  1864,  term  expired. 

Rccriii/s. —  Hartlin,  Nicholas,  wounded 
Wilderness,  transferred  Twentieth  regi- 
ment June,  1864;  Robeson,  Charles,  trans- 


ferred to  Twentieth  regiment  June,  1864. 
The  company  started  out  with  ninety- 
eight  men  and  received  two  recruits.  Of 
these  twelve  died,  six  deserted  and  three 
were  unaccounted  for.  Col.  Thomas  G. 
Williamson,  of  Evansville,  served  in  this 
regiment  as  first  lieutenant  Compan}'  A, 
from  April  24,  i86i.to  Jul}'  5,  1861,  and  as 
captain  Companj'  F,  from  July  5,  1861  to 
April  26,  1862,  when  he  resigned. 

Mag  Presentation. —  When  Capt.  Thomp- 
son's company  was  ready  to  depart  the 
ladies  of  the  city  of  Evansville  sought  to 
show  their  appreciation  of  the  heroism 
which  was  leading  these  nien  from  the  quiet 
joys  of  home  to  the  hardships  of  army  life, 
and  arranged  to  present  a  silk  flag  to  the 
company  on  the  afternoon  of  Maj'  10,  at  the 
court-house.  The  following  account  of  the 
ceremonies  of  the  occasion  is  taken  from 
the  yoiirua/  oi  May  11,  1861: 

"  Long  before  the  hour  had  arrived  for 
the  presentation  the  crowd  began  to  assem- 
ble, and  but  few  minutes  elapsed  before  the 
windows  of  the  court-house.  Crescent  City 
hall  and  the  windows  and  balcony  of  the 
Washington  hotel  were  filled  with  ladies, 
while  Main  street  was  blocked  with  men. 
There  was  but  little  noise  or  confusion.  A 
feeling  of  sadness  appeared  to  pervade 
the  entire  assemblage  that  the  time 
had  ever  arrived  when  this  people 
were  called  on  to  arm  their  neighbors 
and  friends,  and  present  to  their  care  the 
American  flag,  which  they  are  expected  to 
protect  and  defend  against  traitorous  and  re- 
bellious Americans.  Notwithstanding  the 
sadness  which  man}'  thoughtful  countenances 
indicated,  the  compressed  lips  showed  there 
was  no  lack  of  determination,  and  the  flash- 
ing eves  and  heaving  bosoms  —  \\  hen  the 
beautiful  symbol  of  our  country's  nationality 
and  glory  was  unfurled  to  the  breeze  — 
plainly  spoke  death   to  the  traitorous  hand 


FLAG  PRESENTATION. 


Jt81 


tliat    should    attempt    to    desecrate   or    dis- 
honor it. 

"The  Turner  corps  was  out  in  full  num- 
bers, and  moved  with  the  precision  of  old 
soldiers.  Capt.  Thompson's  company  — 
the  Crescent  Cit}-  Guards  —  headed  by  the 
Crescent  City  band,  marched  up  in  double 
file,  and  stood  immediatel}'  in  front  of  the 
portico,  with  the  Turners  in  the  rear  in  two 
ranks,  while  the  crowd  was  compactly 
packed  in  between  the  two  com- 
panies, and  down  the  street  to  a 
considerable  distance.  The  band  opened 
the  exercises  b}^  playing,  "  Columbia,  the 
Gem  of  the  Ocean."  The  same  piece  was 
then  sung  by  a  party  of  3'oung  ladies  and 
gentlemen  with  fine  effect.  The  song 
struck  a  tender  chord,  and  the  hearty  cheers 
that  went  up  from  the  vast  crowd  showed 
that  Columbia  was  enshrined  in  their  hearts. 

"Mr.  Shanklin,  in  behalf  of  the  ladies,  then 
presented  the  flag,  with  the  following  elo- 
quent and  touching  appeal: 

"  '  Captain,  in  behalf  of  the  ladies,  I  pre- 
sent this  flag  to  you,  and  through  you  to  the 
company  which  j-ou  command.  It  is  the 
work  of  fair  hands,  prompted  b}-  the  patriot- 
ism of  noble  hearts.  The  custom  of  pre- 
senting a  flag  to  the  soldier  going  forth  to 
battle  for  his  country  is  not  a  new  one. 
Away  back  in  olden  times,  the  banners  that 
waved  victoriously  over  the  grim  legions  of 
Caesar  were  made  and  presented  by  the  sturdy 
matrons  of  Rome.  The  cross  of  St.  George, 
that  flaunted  defiantly  on  the  red  field  of  Wat- 
erloo, upon  which  cross  the  first  Napoleon 
was  that  day  crucified  and  afterward  the 
great  stone  of  St.  Helena  rolled  against  the 
door  of  his  sepulchre  —  that  cross  was 
made  by  the  proud  mothers  of  England;  and 
in  every  battlefield,  when  the  din  and  storm 
of  strife  is  loudest,  as  the  soldier  through 
the  thick  smoke  of  battle  catches  sight  of 
his  country's  flag,  his  heart  beats  quicker 


and  his  arm  graws  stronger  to  think  that  its 
bright  colors  were  put  on  by  the  brighter 
eyes,  and  its  pure  white  by  the  still  whiter 
hands  of  his  countrywomen.  History  tells 
us  that  the  original  of  this  flag  was  born  at 
Bunker  Hill,  and  baptized  at  Saratoga,  while 
the  choir  of  continental  cannon  was  chant- 
ing the  baptismal  service;  it  came  of  age 
at  Yorktown,  and  now,  when  it  is  grown 
up  in  its  full  manhood  and  strength,  southern 
traitors  insist  that  it  must  be  born  again. 
Well,  if  it  must  be  so,  let  its  new  birth  be  at 
Charleston,  and  its  re-baptism  at  Mont- 
gomery, with  the  same  proud  eagle  for 
its  godfather.  You  remember  when, 
during  the  revolutionary  war,  our 
flag  was  shot  away  from  the  breast 
works  of  Fort  Moultrie,  a  voung  soldier  by 
the  name  of  Jasper  sprang  forward,  and, 
amid  the  hot  fire  of  the  enemy,  planted  it 
firmly  on  top  of  the  ramparts.  Eighty  years 
have  rolled  by  since  then,  and  once  more  at 
the  same  Fort  Moultrie,  almost  on  the  very 
spot  where  it  fell  before,  has  our  flag  been 
insulted  and  dishonored  !  Is  there  a  heart  in 
this  vast  crowd  that  will  not  join  in  the 
prayer  that  Indiana  ma}-  furnish  the  next 
Jasper,  who  shall  once  more  plant  our  flag 
on  the  breastworks  of  Moultrie  ?  The  same 
glorious  immortality  that  covers,  with  a 
golden  sheen  of  light,  the  Jasper  of  the 
revolution,  awaits  the  coming  Jasper  of  our 
day. 

"  'Soldiers,  to  vou  this  flag  is  entrusted. 
The  knight  who  brought  back  his  banner 
untorn  and  unsullied  by  the  fierce  contest  of 
battle,  was  disowned  and  rejected  by  his 
lady  love.  Do  not  be  afraid  of  soiling  this 
noble  flag;  if  it  be  blackened  by  the  smoke  of 
battle,  the  same  fair  hands  will  make  its 
folds  white  again  on  your  return;  if  it  be 
torn  and  riddled  in  the  raging  strife  of  the 
battle-field,  not  a  broken  star  that  shall  not 
shine  again,  not  a  tattered  stripe  that  shall 


^82 


3IILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


not  wave  as  proudl}-  as  ever  to  the  breeze. 
God  of  heaven,  forbid  that  the  flag  of  the 
stars  and  stripes  should  ever  be'dishonored; 
that  flag  in  which  the  dying  Pike  was 
wrapped  when  borne  from  the  field  of  battle 
—  glorious  shroud  for  such  a  soldier's  form, 
that  flag,  which,  when  the  splinters  went 
tl3-ing  from  his  vessel,  and  the  blood  running 
deep  over  the  decks,  the  dying  Lawrence 
said  should  never  be  struck,  that  flag  under 
which  the  American  soldier  has  felt  that 
death  has  no  sting  nor  the  grave  a  victory  to 
him  who  dies  for  his  country's  honor  —  no, 
no;  it  must  never  be  dishonored.  As  its 
long  and  graceful  folds  bend  and  wave  in 
the  breeze,  the  red  stripes  look  like  so  many 
veins  or  arteries,  filled  with  healthful  life- 
blood,  drawn  from  the  wounds  of  the  old 
revolutionary  sires  who  bled  beneath  its 
glorious  folds;  and  as  for  the  white  stripes 
every  one  knows  that  they  are  the  milky 
wa)-  out  of  which  new  stars  are  continually 
forming.  It  is  the  red  veins  that  give  Hfe  and 
health  and  vigor  to  the  flag;  take  them  off 
and  it  looks  like  a  ghastly  shroud ;  if  it  be 
dyed  a  still  deeper  red  in  the  blood  of  trait- 
ors, bring  it  home  and  the  ladies  will  prove 
to  you  that  traitors,  blood  will  soon  wash 
out  but  patriots'  blood  never.  There  is  a  magic 
in  that  flag  which  makes  brave  soldiers,  and 
you  will  find  it.  If  the  shroud  of  Benedict 
Arnold  had  been  made  out  of  the  stars  and 
stripes,  he  would  have  been  a  very  respect- 
able looking  corpse.  And  now  in  conclu- 
sion tlie  ladies  have  but  one  thing  to  ask  in 
return  for  this  beautiful  flag;  and  appeal  to 
your  gallantry  to  grant  the  request.  When 
you  come  home  from  fields  of  battle  they 
want  you  to  bring  a  rattlesnake  flag  and 
present  it  to  them.  The}'  want  to  see  the 
old  serpent  that  is  tempting  our  fair  south- 
ern Eve  to  fall  again.  May  the  armies  of 
the  Union  bruise  the  head  of  that  serpent 
pretty  considerably  in  the  coming  campaign. 


so  that  peace  and  concord  and  harmon}', 
may  dwell  once  more  throughout  that  land 
which  the  Almight}-  intended  as  an  appen- 
dix to  Paradise.  ' 

"  Mr.  Willard  accepted  the  flag  in  behalf 
of  the  captain  and  company  in  a  short  and 
appropriate  address.  He  said  the  flag  would 
never  be  dishonored  in  the  hands  to  which 
it  was  entrusted.  He  returned  thanks  also 
for  the  many  acts  of  kindness  on  the  part  of 
tlie  ladies  toward  the  compan\',  and  said 
was  it  his  fate  to  fall  in  the  field  of  battle, 
he  knew  that  his  family  would  be  cared  for 
by  the  generous  people  in  whose  midst  he 
left  them.  The  address  was  received  with 
much  favor. 

"The  Star  Spangled  Banner,  that  good  old 
song  that  so  stirs  the  hearts  of  the  people 
and  arouses  their  enthusiasm,  was  played  by 
the  band  and  afterward  sung  by  the  people. 
The  singing  was  fine,  and.  the  words  and 
music  thrilled  ever}^  heart,  not  a  few  eyes 
being  suffused  with  tears.  Three  cheers 
were  then  given  for  the  ladies;  three  for 
the  flag;  three  for  the  boys,  and  three  for 
the  Union.  The  companies  then  took  up 
their  line  of  march  down  the  street,  and, 
after  listening  to  some  splendid  music  fur- 
nished by  the  regimental  band,  belonging 
to  Col.  Wallace's  regiment,  the  immense 
crowd  gradually  dispersed." 

Sketc/i  of  the  Regiment. —  On  July  5, 1861, 
the  regiment,  fulh'  armed  and  equipped,  left 
Indianapolis  for  the  seat  of  war  in  western 
Virginia,  everywhere  along  the  route  creat- 
ing the  wildest  enthusiasm.  On  the  nth, 
after  a  forced  march  from  Clarksburgh,  the 
regiment  reached  Rich  Mountain,  where  it 
was  held  in  reserve  in  fine  of  battle,  but  did 
not  participate  in  the  engagement.  After 
the  victory  the  column  moved  on,  through 
Beverly  to  Cheat  Mountain,  where  the  Four- 
teenth was  stationed  on  outpost  duty  until 
October  8,  in  the  meantime  bearing  a  con. 


FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT. 


48S 


spicuous  part  in  tlie  engagement  with  Lee's 
army  on    Cheat    Mountain,    September   12, 
losing  three  killed,  eleven  wounded  and  two 
prisoners,  and  in  the  battle  of   Green  Brier, 
on  October  3,  losing  live  killed  and  eleven 
wounded.     The  winter  was  spent  in  quar- 
ters at  Romney  and  Paw  Paw  Tunnel.     On 
March  4,  1862,  it  started  to  Winchester,  and 
on  the   evening    of    the   2 2d  following,  was 
engaged    in    some  severe  skirmishing  with 
Stonewall  Jackson's  arm}',  and  on  the  next 
day  participated   in    the  decisive    battle  of 
Winchester  Heights,  losing  four  killed    and 
fifty    wounded.     The     regiment    took    part 
in  the   pursuit  of  the  eneni}-  that   followed 
this    battle,    then    marched    to    Fredericks- 
burg, thence  back   to   Port  Ro3al,  aiding  in 
driving   the    enemy   out  of  that  place,  and 
thereafter  until  June    23  was  so   constantly 
on  the  march   that    339  miles  were  made,  a 
part   of   the    time    most   of   the    men    being 
without    shoes    and   very  short    of    rations. 
From  Bristow  Station,  via  Alexandria,  mov- 
ing bv  rail  and  water,  the  regiment  reached 
Turkey  Bend,  on  the  James  river,  July   2, 
and  there    finding  the  arm}'  of  the  Potomac 
retreating  before  a  closely  pursuing  enemy, 
was  at  once  sent  out  to  meet  the  enemy,  and 
assisted  in  checking  his  advance,  after  some 
severe  fighting.    Being  assigned  to  the  Sec- 
ond army  corps,  it  was  kept  on  the  extreme 
outpost,  without    tents   or   covering   of   an}- 
kind,  for  some    twent\-  days,  coming  in  con- 
tact with  the  enemy  almost   night   and   day. 
At   Centreville,  on  August  30th,  it  assisted 
in     covering      the     retreat    of    the     army 
of  the    Potomac;    was    in    the    Maryland 
campaign,   being   at   South    Mountain   as   a 
reserve  force  on  September  12;  and  follow- 
ing the  rebels   over  the   mountains,  partici- 
pated in  the  battle  of  Antietam  on  the  17th, 
serving    in    Kimball's    brigade    of   French's 
division,   it  being   the  only   portion  of  the 
line    of     battle     that     did     not,    at     some 


time  during  the  engagement,  give 
way.  For  its  behavior  on  this  occasion 
Gen.  French  gave  the  brigade  the  title  of  the 
"Gibraltar  brigade,"  it  having  maintained 
its  position,  repelling  the  terrible  onslaught 
of  the  enemy,  filling  the  ditch  in  front  with 
killed  and  wounded,  and  finally  advancing 
and  driving  the  enemy  from  the  field,  taking 
many  prisoners.  The  Fourteenth  was  en- 
gaged for  four  hours  within  sixty  yards  of 
the  enemy's  line,  and  after  exhausting  sixty 
rounds  of  cartridges,  the  men  supplied  them- 
selves with  others  from  the  boxes  of  their 
dead  and  wounded  companions.  It  went 
into  the  fight  with  320  men  and  lost  thirty- 
one  killed  and  150  wounded,  including  three 
officers  killed  and  seven  wounded. 

The  Fourteenth  after  marching  via  Har- 
per's Ferry  and  Warrenton  to  Falmouth,  re- 
mained inactive  till  the  12th  of  December, 
when  it  crossed  the  Rappahannock  and  on 
the  next  clay  was  with  the  "  Gibraltar 
brigade  "  in  leading  the  attack  upon  the  en- 
emy's works  just  outside  the  city  of  Fred- 
ericksburg. The  strength  of  the  enemy's 
works  and  the  advantage  of  his  position 
made  success  impossible.  The  army  was 
withdrawn  with  a  loss  to  the  Four- 
teenth of  four  killed,  seventeen  wounded 
and  eight  missing.  The  regiment  re- 
crossed  the  river  and  remained  at 
Falmouth  until  April  28,  1863,  when  it 
proceeded  to  Chancellorsville,  where,  on  the 
third  day  of  the  engagement  at  that  place  it 
moved  to  the  front,  charged  the  enemy, 
drove  him  some  distance,  re-occupying  the 
ground  lost  the  day  before  by  the  retreat  of 
the  Eleventh  corps,  but  soon  was  compelled 
to  fall  back  before  an  overwhelming  force 
of  the  enemy  to  a  point  where  it  was  sup- 
ported and  relieved  by  Col.  Caldwell's  brig- 
ade, after  being  engaged  for  three  hours, 
with  a  loss  to  the  fourteenth  of  seven  killed, 
fifty  wounded,  and  two  missing.     After  the 


hSlt 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


battle  and  the  retreat  across  the  Rappahan- 
nock the  regiment  went  into  its  old  quarters 
at  Falmouth  and  there  remained  until  June  14, 
when    it   marched  northward    and    reached 
Gettysburg   on  the    evening  of  July    i.     It 
did  not   engage  in  that  great    struggle  until 
about   dusk  of   the    next    day,    when    in    a 
charge  made  upon  the  advancing    rebels    it 
saved  from  capture  the  guns  of  Rickett's  bat- 
tery, crowded  the  rebels  down  the   hill,  and 
captured  all  of   the  field  officers,  the  colors, 
and  most  of  the  men  of  the  Twenty-first  North 
Carolina.     During  the   night  following  the 
regiment  successfully    resisted  a  flank    fire 
made  on  the  left  of  its  rear,  and  in  the  bloody 
contest  that  took   place  the  next  afternoon, 
for  the  possession  of  the  hill,  bore  a  conspic- 
uous part,  the  division  to  which  it  was  attached 
bearing  the  brunt  of  the  desperate  attack  im- 
mediately on  the  left  of  the  cemetery.     The 
regiment  lost  1 23  men  and  officers  in  killed  and 
wounded.     After  the  victory  it  followed  the 
retreating  rebels   to    WilHamsburg,   on  the 
Potomac,  and  thence  marched  via  Harper's 
Ferry  to  Elk   Run,  near   Warrenton.     On 
August  16,  it  was  sent  to  New  York  to  aid 
in    quelling    the    riots    there,    rejoining    the 
army  of  the  Potomac  in  Virginia,  in  Octo- 
ber,   and  after  aiding  in  the  defeat  of  the 
enemy  at  Bristow  station,  and  participating 
in    the  engagement  at  Mine  Run,  it    went 
into  winter  quarters  at  Stevensburgh,  where, 
on    December    24,    1863,   a  portion  of   the 
regiment  re-enlisted.    On  February  6,  1864, 
it  engaged  in  a  severe  action  at  Morton's 
Ford,  on  the  Rapidan,  losing  two  killed  and 
thirteen    wounded.     On    May  4,  it    moved 
southward  with  Grant's  army  and   took  an 
active  part  in  all  the   engagements  that  at- 
tended that  movement.  At  Spottsylvania,  the 
Fourteenth  made  a   victorious  charge   upon 
the    enemy's    works.     At    Cold    Harbor  it 
was  engaged  for  the  last  time,  the  non-vet- 
erans being  on  June  6,  ordered  to  Indianap- 


olis for  muster  out,  because  of  the  expira- 
tion of  their  term  of  service.  They  were 
finally  discharged  on  the  20th,  to  date  the 
i6th  of  June,  1865,  after  achieving  a  brilliant 
and  glorious  record.  The  detachment  of 
veterans  and  recruits  remained  on  duty  until 
July  12,  1865,  when  mustered  out  at  Louis- 
ville, Ky. 

T/ic  Eleventh  Regiment. —  The  first  regi- 
ment to  arrive  in  Evansville  was  the  Elev- 
enth, and  the  date  of  its  coming  was  May 
9,  i86r.  Being  unexpected,  no  demon- 
stration on  the  part  of  the  people  was  made. 
Composed  of  robust,  hard}',  noble  looking 
men,  the  regiment  presented  a  fine  appear- 
ance. Upon  its  re-organization  as  a  three- 
years'  regiment,  the  following  Vanderburgh 
county  men  found  their  way  into  its  ranks, 
serving  in  Company  K:  John  Frick,  sec- 
ond Heutenant  from  April  5,  1862;  first  lieu- 
tenant from  May  30,  1862 ;  captain  from  Sep- 
tember 4,  1862;  mustered  out  December  11, 
1864;  term  expired.  Frederick  Frank,  sec- 
ond lieutenant  from  September  4,  1862;  pro- 
moted to  first  lieutenant  Company  B,  July 
29,  1863;  mustered  out  January  11,  1S65, 
term  expired.  Frank  Snorpus,  corporal 
and  second  lieutenant;  mustered  out  July  26, 
1865,  term  expired.  Henry  Barner,  pri- 
vate; drowned  at  Memphis  July  14,  1862. 
Robert  Blum,  private,  discharged  August 
18,  1S62,  disabiHty.  John  Coch,  private; 
discharged  December  20,  1862,  disability. 
Lasselle  DeBruler,  private ;  discharged  June 
16,  1863,  disability.  Jacob  Frick,  private; 
killed  at  Port  Gibson  May  3,  1863.  Adolph 
Herndes,  private,  veteran;  mustered  out 
July  26,  1865,  term  expired.  Simon  Heins, 
private;  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  May  16, 
1863.  Peter  Heberer,  private;  discharged 
October  4,  1861;  disability.  Robert  Horn- 
brook,  private;  mustered  out  August  31,  1864. 
Charles  A.  McCutchan,  private  and  ser- 
geant, veteran,  mustered  out  July  26,  1865. 


TWENTY-FOURTH  REGIMENT. 


486 


Francis  Miller,  private;  killed  Champion 
Hills,  May  i6,  1863.  Fred  Ransch,  private; 
discharged  January  14,  1863,  account 
wounds.  William  Theiman,  private;  dis- 
charged September  29,  1862,  disability. 
August  Wolf,  private,  veteran ;  mustered  out 
July  26,  1865,  term  expired.  Charles  Al- 
brecht,  recruit;  mustered  out  July  26,  1865, 
term  expired.  John  Shelden,  a  recruit  in 
October,  1862,  assigned  to  Company  A, 
died  May  27,  1865,  at  Alexandria,  tienry 
Martin,  a  recruit  in  January,  1864,  was  un- 
assigned. 

Sketch  of  the  Regiment. —  The  Eleventh 
regiment  left  Indianapolis  on  September  6, 
1861,  was  stationed  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  during 
the  winter,  and,  excepting  a  slight  skirmish 
and  some  severe  marching,  experienced 
nothing  extraordinary  until  its  engagement 
in  the  battle  at  Fort  Donelson,  when  it  lost 
four  killed  and  twenty-nine  wounded.  It 
bore  itself  bravely  in  the  Shiloh  battle,  fight- 
ing the  enemy  from  half-past  live  in  the 
morning  till  half- past  four  in  the  afternoon, 
losing  eleven  killed  and  fifty-two  wounded. 
Many  arduous  marches  and  expeditions  in 
Mississippi  and  Arkansas  fell  to  the  lot  of 
the  company  during  the  following  year.  It 
joined  Grant's  army  April  11,  1863, 
and  on  May  i,  in  an  engagement 
at  Port  Gibson,  captured  a  battery, 
but  lost  one  man  killed  and  twenty-four 
wounded.  On  the  i6th,  it  was  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Champion  Hills,  losing  167  in 
killed,  wounded  and  missing;  was  in  the 
trendies  of  the  Union  works  about  Vicks- 
burg  from  June  21  until  the  surrender  on 
July  4,  losing  during  the  siege  three  killed 
and  ten  wounded;  and  on  the  next  day 
marched  thence  to  Jackson  with  constant 
skirmishing  on  the  route,  and  a  loss  of  nine 
men  wounded.  It  then  made  an  expedition 
to  Louisiana,  and  was  in  a  heavy  skirmish 
near  Opelousas,  and    aided    in    capturing    a 


rebel  camp  near  Lake  Tasse.  The  regi- 
ment Veteranized,  and  from  New  Orleans, 
in  March,  1S64,  went  by  steamer  to  New 
York  city,  and  thence  by  rail  to  Indianapo- 
lis, where  it  was  received  by  the  citizens  and 
addressed  by  Gov.  Morton.  Its  furlough 
over,  it  returned  to  New  Orleans,  and  in 
July  following  proceeded  to  Washington 
City  and  Harper's  Ferry,  and  while  moving 
toward  Winchester  engaged  the  enemy  in 
several  lively  skirmishes.  In  a  reconnois- 
sance  on  August  24,  two  men  were  killed 
and  eight  wounded,  and  on  September  19, 
at  Opeijuan,  eighty-one  were  lost  in  killed 
and  wounded.  On  the  20th,  it  pursued  the 
enemy  to  Fisher's  Hill,  engaged  him  there 
in  battle,  skirmishing  all  night,  and  contin- 
uing the  pursuit  to  Woodstock,  and  thence 
to  New  Market,  where  they  made  a  stand, 
but  being  flanked,  were  forced  to  retreat  to 
Harrisonburgh.  At  the  battle  of  Cedar 
Creek,  on  October  19,  it  lost  fifty-two  men, 
killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Upon  the 
close  of  Sheridan's  campaign  in  the  Shen- 
andoah Valley,  the  regiment  remained  on 
duty  at  Baltimore  until  its  muster-out  July 
26,  1865.  During  its  three  years'  service  it 
marched  9,318  miles. 

The  Ti^riity-foitrth  liegiiiiciit.  —  Mier  the 
muster  of  the  Fourteenth  the  next  regiment  in 
which  the  soldiers  of  Vanderburgh  county 
figured  conspicuously  was  the  Twenty- 
fourth,  led  to  the  front  by  that  gallant  com- 
mander. Gen.  Alvin  P.  Ilovey.  Companies 
C  and  F,  were  composed  principally  of 
Vanderburgh  county  men.  In  the  former 
company,  John  F.  Grill  was  captain  from 
July  31,  1S61,  to  May  14,  1S62;  then  major 
of  the  regiment  to  November  28,  1863, 
when  he  was  commissioned  lieutenant  col- 
onel, in  which  rank  he  served  with  distinction 
until  January  2,  1865,  when  mustered  out. 
He  re-entered  the  service  as  colonel  of  the 
One  Hundred    and     Forty-third     regiment. 


i86 


MILITAR  YHISTOR  Y. 


Peter  Schmuck  was  quartermaster  of  the 
regiment  from  December  4,  1S61  to  March 
24,  1862,  when  he  resigned,  his  successor 
being  Marcus  A.  Gavitt,  commissioned 
April  2,  1862,  and  discharged  March  27, 
1864.  Wilham  T.  Shepherd  succeeded 
Col.  Grill  to  the  captaincy  of  Company  C, 
serving  in  that  rank  from  May  14,  1862,  to 
October,  1863,  having  previously  served 
from  December  31,  1861,  as  first  lieutenant. 
James  M.  Smith  was  second  lieutenant  from 
March  31,  1862,  first  lieutenant  from  May  14, 
1862,  and  captain  from  November  i,  1863 
until  mustered  out  December  10,  1864. 
George  Messick  served  as  second  lieuten- 
ant from  May  14,  1862,  as  first  lieuten- 
ant from  November  i,  1863,  to  De- 
cember, 1863,  when  discharged.  Dittman 
Fisher  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant, 
November  27,  1863,  and  upon  re-organiza- 
tion, was  transferred  to  Compan}'  B,  Twen- 
ty-fourth regiment,  in  which  company- 
Fleming  Durham  was  second  lieutenant. 
On  the  regimental  non-commissioned  staff, 
there  were:  sergeant  major,  William  E. 
Hallock;  quartermaster  sergeant,  Ed- 
ward W.  Blythe,  and  commissary  sergeant, 
Peter  Schmuck.  A  band  of  twenty-six 
pieces  was  mustered  in  with  this  regiment, 
but  was  discharged  in  1862.  The  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  privates  of  Company 
C,  were  mustered  in  July  31,  1861,  and  were 
as  follows:  First  Sergt.  Peter  Schmuck, 
promoted  quartermaster;  Sergt.  William  T. 
Shepherd,  promoted  first  lieutenant;  Sergt. 
David  Lusk,  discharged,  disability;  Sergt. 
George  Long,  not  mustered  out;  Sergt. 
James  M.  Smith,  promoted  second  lieutenant; 
Corp.  Alexander  Ross,  not  mustered  out; 
Corp.  George  Messick,  promoted  second 
lieutenant;  Corp.  Dittmar  Fisher,  promoted 
first  sergeant;  Corp.  James  L.  Lytle,  dis- 
charged as  private;  Corp.  John  Juengling, 
discharged     on     account    wounds;     Corp. 


George  Reifling,  mustered  out  Jul}'  30, 
1864,  as  private;  Corp.  George  Kennedy, 
not  mustered  out;  Corp.  Keran  Barnwell, 
died  in  service,  date  unknown;  Horatio 
Arnold,  musician,  mustered  out  November 
15,  1S65,  term  expired;  Elisha  C.  Presnell, 
musician,  discharged;  Sebastian  Manning, 
wagoner,  mustered  out,  July  30,  1864. 

Privates. — ^  Alton  Josephs,  died  at  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  November  12,  1861;  Awen, 
John,  drowned  at  Helena,  Ark.;  Ar- 
nold, Franklin  C,  discharged;  Bach- 
mann,  George,  veteran,  mustered  out 
November  16,  1865,  term  expired;  Bate- 
man,  James  E.,  mustered  out  July  30,  1864, 
as  corporal,  term  expired;  Beadle,  Richard 
L.,  discharged;  Beha,  John,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  November  15,  1865,  term  expired; 
Beamon,  August  M.,  mustered  out  July  30, 

1864,  term  expired;  Billharz,  August,  not 
mustered  out;  Buening,  John  H.,  veteran, 
mustered  out  November  15,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Burksher,  George  W.,  died  at  New 
Iberia,  La.,  date  not  known;  Cawbosas, 
John,  veteran,   mustered  out  November  15, 

1865,  term  expired;  Chandler,  Charles  D., 
killed  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  1863; 
Clauss,  Andrew,  mustered  out  July  30, 1864, 
term  expired;  Conner,  Patrick,  mustered 
out  July  30,  1864,  term  expired;  Cravens, 
Williams  J.,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Novem- 
ber 23,  1861;  Darbensher,  Joseph  C,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  November  15,  1865, 
term  expired;  Darland,  James,  not  mustered 
out;  Davenport,  William  J.,  veteran,  died 
at  Morganza,  La.,  October  i,  1864;  Dodds, 
William  F.,  veteran,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 15, 1865,  as  sergeant;  Drawe,  Christian, 
killed  at  Fort  Blakely,  April  5, 1865:  Eagan. 
Michael,  mustered  out  July  30, 1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Earls,  WilHam,  died  at  Helena,  Ark., 
March  19,  1863;  Ervin,  George,  died  at 
Otterville,  Mo.,  date  unknown;  Fisher,  John, 
killed  at   Champion    Hills,  Miss.,  May  16, 


FIELD  MOVEMENTS. 


m 


1863;  Farderer,  Frank,  veteran,  mustered 
out  November  15,  1865,  term  expired; 
Fowler,  George,  veteran,  mustered  out 
November  15,  1865,  term  expired; 
Fluty,  Milton,  discharged;  Fry,  William  H., 
mustered  out  January  15,  1865;  Fry,  Daniel 
T.,  veteran,  mustered  out  November  15, 
1865,  term  expired;  Goins,  William  H., 
veteran,  mustered  out  November  15,  1865, 
as  corporal;  Grimme,  George  H.,  mustered 
out  July  30,  1S64,  term  expired;  Guthber- 
let,  Michael,  died  at  Otterville,  Mo.,  1861; 
Halbert,  Peter,  mustered  out  July  30,  1864, 
term  expired;  Hillman,  William  M., 
transferred  to  Compan}'  K;  Hoover, 
Thomas  W.,  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  Miss., 
May  16,  1863;  Huck,  William,  veteran, 
mustered  out  November  15,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Hull,  James  C,  died  at  Sedalia,  Mo., 
i86r;  Irvine,  Alexander,  died  at  Vicksburg, 
Miss.,  date  unknown;  Jacobus,  Peter,  dis- 
charged 1861 ;  Janey,  Spencer  F.,  discharged 
1861;  Johnson,  WilHam  H.,  died  at  Helena, 
Ark.,  date  unknown;  Johnson,  Thomas,  not 
mustered  out;  Joseph,  Aaron  C,  promoted 
to  second  lieutenant,  mustered  out  December 
10,  1864;  Jourdan,  Thomas,  discharged; 
Kelly  John,  mustered  out  July  30,  1864,  term 
expired;  Kennedy,  James,  veteran,  not  dis- 
charged; Knochen,  Albert,  died  at  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  September  28,  1863;  Lazarus,  Henry, 
mustered  out  July  30,  1864,  term  expired; 
Langanbacher,  John,  veteran,  mustered  out 
November  15,  1865,  term  expired; 
Lindell,  Joshua,  killed  at  MagnoHa 
Hills,  Miss.,  May  i,  1863,  a  corporal; 
Longtield,  Joseph,  mustered  out  July  30, 
1864,  as  corporal,  term  expired;  Macon, 
Joseph  C,  died  at  home,  February'  3,  1865, 
Martin,  Thomas  B.,  discharged;  Mars, 
Michael,  discharged;  Meissner,  Charles, 
veteran,  mustered  out  November  15,  1865, 
term  expired;  Merrill,  Nathaniel,  veteran, 
mustered  out    December  21,  1864,    as  first 


sergeant;  McGrath,  Lawrence,  unaccounted 
for;  O'Byrne,  Thomas,  died  at  Evansville; 
April,  1862;  Perry,  Thomas  J.,  veteran, 
mustered  out  November  15,  1865,  as  corpo- 
ral; Pressnell,  William  H.,  died  at  Helena, 
Ark.,  date  unknown;  Rabbitt,  Patrick,  died 
at  Fort  Donelson,  Tenn.,  date  unknown; 
Reis,  Christopher,  veteran,  mustered  out 
November  15,  1865,  term  expired;  Rile3% 
John,  mustered  out  July  30,  1S64,  term  ex- 
pired; Roberts,  Henr}'  C,  veteran,  mustered 
out  November  15,  1865,  as  sergeant;  Rob- 
ertson, William,  mustered  out  July  30,  1864, 
as  corporal,  term  expired;  Robertson, 
Philip,  veteran,  mustered  out  December  21, 
1864,  as  sergeant;  Schaefer,  Joseph,  not 
mustered  out;  Seick,  Frederick,  veteran, 
mustered  out  November  15,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Stuermer,  George  M.,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  November  15,  1865,  as  corporal; 
Storck,  Valentme,  mustered  out  July  30, 
1864,  as  corporal,  term  expired;  Suther- 
land, Prior  W.,  mustered  out  July  30,  1864, 
term  expired;  Thame,  John,  died  at  Helena, 
Ark.,  November  19,  1863;  Traylor, 
George,  veteran,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 15,  1865,  term  expired;  Wallace, 
Daniel,  accidentally  killed  on  railroad 
at  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  1861;  Wal- 
ters, John  W.,  died  at  Otterville,  Mo., 
1861 ;  Washborne,  William  H.,  died  at  Otter- 
ville, Mo.,  1861;  Wassman,  George,  mus- 
tered out  July  30,  1864,  term  expired; 
Withrow,  James  K.  P.,  discharged  1862; 
Woelffel,  Michael,  died  at  Evansville,  Ind., 
December  10,  1863;  Wolfe,  Peter,  veteran, 
mustered  out  November  15,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Youngman,  Henry,  not  mustered  out. 
Recruits,  1864. —  Burkhart,  Perry,  died  at 
home :  Collins,  George,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 15,  1865,  term  expired;  FuUen,  Miles  C, 
mustered  out  Noveniber  15,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Frasher,  David  D.,  mustered  out  May 
23,  iS65,term  expired;  Fisher,  David, died  at 


m 


MILITARY  HISTOR  Y. 


Mobile,  June  29,  1865;  Hosier,  John,  mus- 
tered out  November  15,  1865,  term  expired. 
This  compan}'  had  an  original  enrollment  of 
ninety-eight  men,  received  seventeen  re- 
cruits, lost  b}-  deaths  thirt3'^-one,  by  deser- 
tions eleven,  and  reported  one  unaccounted 
for. 

On  July  31,  1861,  Amazon  Connett, 
Thomas  E.  Ashley,  and  Joseph  A.  Sanders 
were  mustered  as  captain,  first  lieutenant, 
and  second  lieutenant,  respectively,  of  Com- 
pany F,  of  the  same  regiment.  Their  com- 
missions were  dated  August  15,  1861.  The 
captain  and  first  lieutenant  resigned  May  20, 

1862,  and  on  the  following  day  Joseph  San- 
ders assumed  command  of  the  company,  hav- 
ing previously,  on  February  6,  1862,  been 
promoted  to  first  lieutenant.  Capt.  Sanders 
resigned  July  28,  1S63,  when  the  command 
was  given  to  Capt.  Frank  M.  Robbins,  who 
had  served  as  second  lieutenant  from  May 
21,  1863,  and  as  first  lieutenant  from  June  4, 

1863.  The  other  commissioned  officers  were: 
James  H.  Baldwin,  second  lieutenant  from 
February  6,  1862,  and  first  lieutenant  from 
May  21,  1862,  until  he  died  of  wounds  June 
3,  1863,  and  Cadwalader  M.  Griffith,  second 
lieutenant  from  June  4,  1863,  and  first  lieu- 
tenant from  August  i,  1863,  until  he  resigned 
August  15,  1864.  The  non-commissioned 
officers  and  men  (mustered  in  July  31,  1861) 
were  as  follows:  Fu'st  Sergt.  James  H. 
Baldwin,  promoted  to  second  and  first  lieu- 
tenant and  died  of  wounds;  Sergt.  Frank 
M.  Robbins,  promoted  to  second  heutenant; 
Sergeant  William  E.  Hallock,  promoted  ser- 
geant major;  Sergeant  Isaac  F.  Talbott, 
promoted  captain  First  Arkansas  colored 
troop;  Sergeant  Edward  H.  Perkins,  vete- 
ran, mustered  out  November  15,  1865,  term 
expired;  Corporal  George  Leech,  veteran; 
mustered  out  November  15,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Corporal  John  F.  Crisp,  transferred 
to  Veteran  Reserve  corps;  Corporal  John  C. 


Ingle,  died  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  date  un- 
known; Corporal  Christopher  T.  Rudd, 
mustered  out  July  30,  1864,  term  expired; 
Corporal  Isaac  H.  Holmes,  died  April  22, 
1864;  Corporal  Orville  A.  Baugher,  pro- 
moted captain  First  Arkansas  colored  troops; 
Corporal  Benjamin  F.  Gillett,  discharged 
February  26,  1862;  Corporal  Frank  J. 
White,  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  Miss.,  May 
16,  1863;  Augustus  C.  F.  Leich,  musician, 
mustered  out  July  31,  1864,  principal  musi- 
cian; Nicholas  D.  Satterlee,  musician,  died 
at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  November  7,  1861;  Vin- 
cent Bovvlin,  wagoner,  discharged  July  31, 
1863,  disability. 

Privates. —  Barnett,  William,  veteran, 
mustered  out  November  15,  1865,  ^s  corpo- 
ral, term  expired:  Blythe,  Edward  E.,  mus- 
tered out  July  30,  1864,  term  expired;  Car- 
lisle, Joseph,  died  at  Carrolton,  La.,  August 
7,  1863;  Carson,  Frank  B.,  discharged,  dis- 
ability; Chapman,  Nicholas  S.,  mustered  out 
July,  30,  1864,  term  expired;  Colman,  John 
F.,  veteran,  mustered  out  November  15, 
1865,  term  e.xpired;  Colvin,  William  L.,  died 
November  5,  1862;  Conl}',  Andrew  J.,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  November  15,  1865, 
term  expired;  Da}',  Robert,  mustered 
out  July  30,  1S64,  term  expired; 
Davis,  James  A.,  discharged  by  civil  author- 
ity, date  unknown;  Durham,  Fleming,  pro- 
moted second  lieutenant  Company  B;  Elliott, 
Robert,  discharged  July  9,  1S62;  Emmons, 
Charles,  died  Crump's  Landing,  La.,  March 
30, 1862  ;  Emmons,  George  W.,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  November  15,  1865,  term  expired; 
I  Emmons,  John,  veteran,  mustered  out 
November  15,  1865,  term  expired;  French, 
George  V.,  discharged  June  23,  1862; 
French,  Thomas,  died  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  No- 
vember 9,  1862;  FuUen,  Miles  C, 
discharged,  date  unknown;  Gough,  John  L., 
mustered  out  July  30,  1864,  term  expired; 
Granger,    Ira,    died    at   Helena,  Ark.,  date 


COMPANY  ROSTER. 


J,89 


unknown;  Green,  Charlton  B.,  veteran, 
mustered  out  November  15,  1865,  as  ser- 
geant major;  Green,  William,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  November  14,  1S65,  sergeant; 
Gregory,  Fames,  discharged  February  i, 
1862;  Gresham,  George  E.,  transferred  to 
Veteran  Reserve  corps;  Griffith,  Cadvval- 
ader  M.,  promoted  second  lieutenant;  Gurd- 
ing,  Henr}',  veteran,  discharged  October 
14,  1864,  disability';  Halloway,  James  W., 
discharged  July  i,  1862;  Hannan,  Patrick, 
veteran,  mustered  out  November  15,  1S65, 
term  expired;  Heldt,  Christopher  D.,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  November  15,  1865, 
term  expired;  Henderson,  William  B.,  killed 
Champion  Hills,  Miss.,  May  16,  1863; 
Henderson,  Duncan,  discharged,  date  un- 
known; Ingle,  Thomas,  discharged,  date 
unknown;Jewett,  Joseph  A.,  discharged  ac- 
count wounds  received  at  Shiloh;  Laughlin, 
Abram  W.,  died  April  7,  1862;  Lawrence, 
Charles,  died  May  30,  1862;  Law- 
rence, Obediah,  veteran,  mustered  out 
November  15,  1S65,  as  tirst  sergeant; 
Lawrence,  Robert,  veteran,  mustered  out 
November  15,  1865,  term  expired;  Lenart, 
James,  discharged  November  25,  1863; 
wounds;  Logan,  Peter,  discharged  Decem- 
ber 31,  1863;  Little,  George  W.,  died  at 
Helena,  Ark.,  September  11,  1862;  Maghee, 
Thomas  G.,  discharged  December  22,  1863, 
Matheny,  John  Y.,  discharged  on  account  of 
disability;  Miller,  Charles,  veteran,  mustered 
out  November  15,  1865,  term  expired; 
Miller,  William  M.,  discharged  October  20, 
1861;  Myers,  John,  died  June  2,  1862; 
McClure,  Thomas  J.,  discharged  as  corporal 
on  account  of  wounds  received  at  Shiloh; 
N  elson,  Benjamin  F.,  not  mustered  out; 
Parker,  Edward  T.,  died  July  2,  1862; 
Patterson,  Greenberr}-,  mustered  out  July 
30,  1864,  term  expired;  Pugh,  John  H., 
mustered  out  July  30,  1864,  term  expired; 
Quick,    William    H.,    killed    at    Champion 


Hills,  Miss.,  May  16,  1863;  Quinn,  John, 
veteran,  mustered  out  November  15,  1865, 
term  expired;  Ragan,  John  M.,  veteran, 
mustered  out  November  15,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Redman,  William  H.,  mustered  out 
July  30,  1864,  term  expired;  Ruston,  John 
G.,  discharged  June  5,  1862;  Scarlet,  Will- 
iam, died  December  9,  1861;  Schuler, 
Marcus,  mustered  out  July  30,  1864,  term 
expired;  Shaffer,  Samuel,  discharged  Octo- 
ber 20,  1S61;  Shaw,  Perry  W.,  mustered 
out  July  30,  1864,  term  expired;  Skeen, 
Wilson  D.,  died  near  Helena,  Ark.,  date  un- 
known; Smart,  George,  died  in  service,  date 
unknown;  Smiley,  James  A.,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  November  15,  1865,  term  expired; 
Smith,  Samuel,  discharged  September  24, 
1861 ;  Stafford,  Alfred  C,  veteran,  mustered 
out  November  15, 1865,  term  expired;  Stew- 
art, Martin,  died  March  19,  1862;  Swope, 
Albert  A.,  mustered  out  July  30,  1864,  term 
expired;  Tall,  Bearley  S.,  discharged  May 
15,  1862;  Tollson,  William,  died  February 
25,  1862;  Topper,  William,  mustered  out 
July  30,  1864,  term  expired;  Tzschoppe, 
Julius,  mustered  out  July  30,  1864,  term  e.x- 
pired;  Urie,  Charles,  mustered  out  July  30, 
1864,  as  sergeant;  Urie,  William,  mustered 
out  Julv  30,  1864,  term  expired;  Vandusen, 
Oliver,  mustered  out  July  30,  1864,  term 
expired;  Van  Snyder,  Jasper,  killed  by 
guerillas  April  i,  1864;  Warren,  William,  jr., 
discharged  October  21,  1863,  account 
wounds  received  Champion  Hills,  May  i6, 
1863;  Watts,  Henry,  mustered  out  July  30, 
1864,  term  expired;  Westfall,  John,  died 
February  3,  1862;  Whalen,  William,  died 
February  4,  1862;  Wheeler,  John  E.,  must- 
ered out  July  30,  1864,  as  corporal;  Will- 
iams, Reuben  C,  mustered  out  July  30, 1S64, 
term  expired;  Williams,  Hiram,  transferred 
to  Company  H,  promoted  captain  Compan}- 
F,  Ninety-first  regiment;  Wise,  Joshua  M., 
discharged     account     disabilit}-;    Woodfill, 


490 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


William  W.,  veteran,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 15,  1865,  term  expired. 

Hceniits. —  Allen,  Thomas  B.,  mustered 
out  July  30,  1864,  term  expired;  Alderman, 
Thomas,  mustered  out  November  15,  1865; 
Blakeburn,  John,  mustered  out  November 
15,  1S65;  Barnes,  George  W.,  mustered  out 
October  28,  1865;  Clegg,  Thomas,  mus 
tered  out  November  15,  1865;  Clegg, 
Henry,  mustered  out  November  15,  1865 
Canwell,  Marcus  C.  not  mustered  out; 
Evans,  Charles  B.,  not  mustered  out;  Gran- 
ger, James,  died  at  Cairo,  December  20, 
1864;  Graham,  William  P.,  mustered  out 
November  15,  1865;  Hayhurst,  William, 
died  at  Morganza,  La.,  November  2,  1864; 
Osgood,  Merrill  T.,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 15,  1865;  Phillips,  James  M.,  not  mus- 
tered out;  Rodgers,  John  W.,  mustered  out 
October  25,  1865;  Sutton,  Isaac  N.,  mus- 
tered out  November  it;,  1865;  Server,  Ben- 
jamin, mustered  out  November  15,  1865; 
Vawter,  Thomas  C,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 15,  1865,  Wand,  John  R.,  mustered  out; 
Weitzel,  George,  not  mustered  out.  Com- 
pany F  went  out  with  ninety-nine  men,  re- 
ceived twenty-six  recruits,  lost  twentv-six 
b}'  death  and  four  by  desertion. 

The  Tzueiitv-foitrtli  in  the  Field. —  From 
Vincennes,  the  place  of  rendezvous,  the  regi- 
ment on  August  19,  1S61,  marched  to  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  there  joining  Fremont's  arm}^ 
and  moving  into  the  interior  of  Missouri, 
where  it  remained  until  Februar}-,  1862, 
when  ordered  to  reinforce  the  arm\-  then 
investing  Fort  Donelson.  Reaching  Padu- 
cah,  Ky.,  the  day  after  the  surrender  of 
Fort  Donelson,  it  proceeded  to  Fort  Henry, 
where  it  remained  until  the  march  of  Grant's 
armv  to  Pittsburg  Landing-.  In  the  battle 
of  Shiloh  it  was  conspicuously  engaged,  los- 
ing many  men  and  officers.  For  his  braverv 
here.  Col.  Hovey  was  made  a  brigadier 
general.     In  May  and  June  following  it  par- 


ticipated in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  after 
the  evacuation,  proceeded  to  Memphis, 
whence,  in  July,  it  was  transferred  to  Helena, 
Ark.,  where  it  remained  during  the  winter, 
engaging  in  sundry  expeditions  sent  out 
from  that  post.  In  the  spring  of  1863  it 
joined  Grant's  army  and  moved  with  Hov- 
ey's  division  of  the  Thirteenth  corps  during 
the  campaign  against  Vicksburg,  engaging 
in  all  the  skirmishes  and  battles,  including 
those  of  Port  Gibson  and  Champion  Hill. 
In  the  latter  battle  it  was  distinguished  for 
its  gallantry,  charging  and  defeating  the 
enemy  handsomely.  Durintr  the  siecfe  of 
Vicksburg  it  was  actively  engaged  in  the 
trenches  from  the  19th  of  May,  until  the 
4th  of  July,  and  after  the  capitulation  sailed 
for  New  Orleans,  reaching  that  city  in  the 
month  of  August,  and  remaining  on  duty  in 
that  yicinity  until  January  i,  1864,  at  Algiers, 
it  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  organization. 

After  visiting  Indiana  on  veteran  furlough, 
it  was  stationed  at  various  points  in  Louisiana 
and  while  at  Morganza  on  December  10, 
was  consolidated  with  the  Sixty-seventh 
regiment,  but  retained  the  designation  of 
the  Twenty-fourth  regiment.  In  Januar}^ 
1865,  it  was  transferred  to  Barrancas, 
Florida,  and  later  participated  in  the  moye- 
ment  against  Mobile,  taking  part  in  the 
battles  near  Blakely,  Ala.,  and  the  assaults 
made  upon  the  enemj's  works,  being  the 
first  to  place  its  colors  thereon.  After  the 
defeat  of  the  rebels  at  that  point  the  regi- 
ment was  stationed  at  Selma,  Ala.,  and 
Galveston,  Tex.  On  July  16,  1865,  it  was 
reorganized  as  a  battalion  of  five  com- 
panics,  and  three  days  later  the  other  five 
companies,  composed  mainly  of  men  who 
had  originally  enlisted  prior  to  October  i, 
1S62,  were  mustered  out  of  service,  and  at 
once  proceeded  home.  Arriving  at  Indian- 
apolis they  were  welcomed  by  the  citizens 
on  the  4th  of  August,  at  a  public   reception 


LIGHT  ARTILLERY. 


Jfil 


given  in  the  state  house  park,  at  which 
addresses  were  delivered  by  Lt. -Governor 
Conrad  Baker,  Gen.  Hovey  and  others. 
The  returning  men  and  officers  numbered 
310.  The  battahon  of  veterans  and  i^ecruits 
left  at  Galveston,  Tex.,  remained  there  for 
some  time  and  were  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 15,  1865. 

First  Battcrx  Lii^hl  Artillery. —  Among 
the  first  organizations  effected  was  that  of 
Capt.  Klauss'  battery.  As  soon  as  war- 
like preparations  began  to  be  made,  young 
men  rallied  about  this  popular  officer.  An 
independent  artillery  company  was  raised, 
neatlv  uniformed,  drilled  to  efficiency,  and 
performed  a  prominent  and  interesting  part 
in  all  the  early  war  scenes  about  the  city  of 
Evansville.  On  the  5th  of  August,  1S61, 
the  First  Battcrx  was  organized  for  the 
front,  and  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  on  the  16th  of  the  same 
month,  being  composed  chiefly  of  members 
of  the  independent  company  referred  to. 
Martin  Klauss  was  commissioned  captain, 
and  served  until  June  20,  1864,  when  he  re- 
signed, his  successor  being  Lawrence 
Jacobi.  The  first  lieutenants  at  the  outset 
were:  F.  Arnold  Schrauder  and  John  L.. 
Bittrolff,  jr.  The  former  died  in  1862,  and 
the  latter  resigned  July  22,  1S63.  The  sec- 
ond lieutenants  were:  John  Rothengatter, 
who  resigned  January  11,  1862,  and  Casper 
Tomhemelt,  who  was  promoted  to  first 
lieutenant,  but  resigned  before  his  muster. 
Philip  Nonweiler  was  promoted  from  quar- 
termaster sergeant  to  first  lieutenant, 
and  resigned  August  10,  1S63.  Jacob 
Mann  entered  the  ser\ice  as  a  sergeant, 
rose  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant,  and  was 
mustered  out  with  the  batterv.  John  W. 
Gerhardt,  jr.,  and  Hugo  Pfafflin  went  out 
with  the  battery  as  sergeants,  and  were  its 
second  lieutenants  when  mustered  out  at  the 
close  of  its  career.     The  followinix  is  a  com- 


plete roster  of  the  battery :  First  Sergt. 
John  W.  Gerhardt,  jr.,  promoted  second 
lieutenant;  Qmr.  Sergt.  Phihp  Nonweiler, 
promoted  first  lieutenant;  Sergt.  John  H. 
Yost,  mustered  out  June  14,  1865;  Sergt. 
Philip  Zahn,  mustered  out  September  10, 
1864,  term  e.xpired;  Sergt.  Eli  Meyherm, 
discharged  December,  1862,  disabilit}-; 
Sergt.  Jacob  Mann,  promoted  second  lieuten- 
ant; Sergt.  Louis  Schneider,  transferred; 
Sergt.  Hugo  Pfafflin,  promoted  second  lieu- 
tenant; Corp.  Julius  Mayer,  died  at  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  February  1S63;  Corp.  Freder- 
ick Reinhardt,  died  August  27,  1862;  Corp. 
August  Henckell,  not  mustered  out;  Corp. 
Jacob  Guth,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Novem- 
ber, 1862;  Corp.  John  Ehret,  discharged  on 
account  of  disability;  Corp.  Christopher 
Heilman,  mustered  out  September  10,  1864, 
as  sergeant;  Corp.  Anthon}'  Bihlen,  dis- 
charged January  7,  1863,  disability;  Corp. 
Henry  Richotein,  mustered  out  September 
10,  1864,  as  quartermaster  sergeant;  Corp. 
Benedict  Hassel,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 10,  1864,  as  sergeant;  Corp. 
William  Faist,  discharged,  date  un- 
known; Corp.  Michael  Elsasser,  mustered 
out  September  ro,  1864,  as  private; 
Corp.  John  Frey,  discharged  May,  1863, 
disability;  Bugler  Henry  Douges,  disciiarged 
December,  1861,  disability;  Bugler  Casper 
Foth,  veteran,  mustered  out  August  22, 
1865;  Artificer  Henr}'  Schmidt,  mustered 
out  August  22,  1865,  as  corporal;  Artificer 
John  Schneiter,  veteran,  mustered  out  Au- 
gust 22,  1865;  Artificer  Frederick  Preiss, 
transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  corps;  Artifi- 
cer Adam  Martell,  died  at  Morganza  Bend, 
La.,  May  30,  1864;  Artificer  George 
Schmidt,  mustered  out  September  10,  1864, 
term  expired;  Artificer  Charles  Frohman, 
mustered  out  September  10,  1864,  term  e.x- 
pired: Wagoner  Gottleib  Bauerie,  veteran, 
mustered  out  August  22,  1865. 


49S 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


Privates. —  Ahl,  Adolph,  mustered  out 
September  lO,  1864,  term  expired;  Ahl, 
Henry,  veteran,  not  mustered  out;  Baetz, 
George  A.,  veteran,  mustered  out  August 
22,  1865,  as  corporal;  Bassemer,  Henry, 
mustered  out  September  10,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Baumann,  Andrew,  discharged  Octo- 
ber 28,  1862,  disabilit}';  Begert,  John,  mus- 
tered out  September  10,  1864,  term  expired; 
Betscher,  John,  died  at  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Ga.,  June  20,  1S64;  Bilter,  Frederick,  vete- 
ran, died  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  August  12, 
1S64;  Brandly,  Theodore,  veteran,  mustered 
out  August  22,  1865,  as  sergeant:  Braun, 
Charles,  mustered  out  September  10,  1864, 
term  expired;  Braun,  John,  mustered  out 
September  10,  1864,  term  expired;  Brend, 
Jacob,  died  May  30,  1864;  Busch,  Wilham, 
veteran  mustered  out  August  22,  1865;  Buss- 
ing, Hermann,  died  October  28,  1862; 
Dickert,  Phihp,  died  October  28,  1861; 
Dorr,  Henry,  ist,  mustered  out  September 
10,  i86"4,  corporal;  Dorr,  Henry,  2nd,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  August  22,  1866;  Ehr- 
mann, Frederick,  died  at  New  Orleans,  La., 
July  6,  1864,  corporal;  Engel,  Nicholas, 
mustered  out,  September  19,  1864,  term 
expired ;  Fell,  Philip,  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber 10,  1864,  term  expired;  Fleischmann, 
Charles,  discharged  November,  1862,  dis- 
ability; Frank,  George,  veteran,  mustered 
out  August  22,  1864,  corporal;  Gehle,  An- 
thon}-,  died  at  Keetsville,  Mo.,  of  wounds; 
Gostelli,  Nicholas,  mustered  out  September 
10,  1861,  term  expired;  Gottschalk,  Theo- 
dore, mustered  out  September  10,  1S64, 
term  expired;  Gress,  Frederick,  veteran, 
mustered  out  August  22,  1865,  first  ser- 
geant; Gross,  Peter,  transferred  to  the 
Veteran  Reserve  corps;  Gve,  August, 
mustered  out  September  10,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Hoaker,  John,  veteran,  mustered  out 
August  22,  1865;  Happ,  George,  drowned 
in  the   Mississippi    river,    date    unknown; 


Hazemann,  Philip,  died  February  23,  1862; 
Hauck,  Philip,  veteran,  mustered  out 
August  22,  1865,  sergeant;  Heidorn,  Henry, 
mustered  out  September  10,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Heyde,  William  V.,  mustered  out 
September  10,  1864,  term  expired  :Hempel, 
Frederick,    mustered    out    September    10, 

1864,  term  expired;  Hemokel,  Joseph,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  August  12,  1865; 
Hermann,  John,  mustered  out  September 
10,  1S64,  term  expired;  Herman,  Henry, 
died  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  September  2, 
1861;  Hoch,  Guido,  discharged,  date  un- 
known; Hopstetter,  Dominic,  discharged 
November,  1862,  disability;  Inken- 
brant,  Philip,  killed  at  Kansas,  Illi- 
nois, September  6,  1861,  railroad  accident; 
Jeker,  Joseph,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  De- 
cember, 1861;  Katzenberger,  Adam,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  August  22,  1865;  Kry- 
der,  Ezra,  veteran,  mustered  out  August 
22,  1865,  as  sergeant;  Kling,  Frederick, 
died  at  Helena,  Ark.,  September  29,  1S62; 
Langenbrake,  Ernst,  veteran,  mustered  out 
August  22,  1865,  corporal;  Langenbrake, 
Henry,   veteran,  mustered  out  August  22, 

1865,  corporal;  Ledvina,  Ferdinand,  trans- 
ferred to  Veteran  Reserve  corps;  Loebs, 
Jacob,  discharged  account  wounds,  date 
unknown;  LoefHer,  Valentine,  mustered 
out  September  10,  1864,  term  expired; 
Lorenz,  Matthew,  mustered  out  September 
10,  1S64,  term  expired;  Lo}',  Gabriel,  mus- 
tered out  September  10,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Maas,  Louis,  discharged  account 
wounds,  date  unknown;  Maier,  William, 
discharged  account  wounds,  August  12, 
1862;  Muelchi,  John,  died  November  13, 
1862;  Muchlhausen,  Matthew,  mustered  out 
September  10,  1864,  term  expired;  Nester, 
George,  mustered  out  September  10,  1864; 
Nieman,  Frederick,  mustered  out  August 
?2,  1865,  as  artificer;  Ohler,  Roman,  dis- 
charged  March    7,   1864,   disability;  Osth- 


RECRUITS. 


J,!JS 


mann,  Andrew,  veteran,  mustered  out 
Auf^ust  2  2,  1865,  wagoner;  Preher,  Fred- 
erick, mustered  out  September  10,  1S64, 
term  expired:  Reppley,  Randolph,  mustered 
out  September  10,  1S64,  term  expired; 
Reifert,  Theodore,  mustered  out  September 
10,  1864,  term  expired;  Reiner,  Gottleib, 
mustered  out  September  10,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Reiss,  John,  mustered  out  September 
10,  1864,  term  expired:  Rohman,  William, 
not  mustered  out:  Ruskaup,  Henry, 
veteran,  mustered  out  August  22,  1865; 
Sauer,  August,  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber 10,  1864,  term  expired:  Schael, 
Gottleib,      died      at      Vicksburg,      Miss., 

1863,  wounds;  Schatzmant,  Conrad,  veteran, 
mustered  out  August  22,  1S65,  sergeant; 
Schauss,  Philip,  mustered  out  September  10, 

1864,  term  expired;  Schell,  Louis,  killed  at 
Port  Gibson,  Miss.,  May  i,  1863;  Schlarffer, 
John,  mustered  out  September  10,  1864, 
term  expired;  Schmalgriet,  John,  discharged 
Februar}-,  1862,  disability;  Schmidt,  Chry- 
rostamus,  mustered  out  September  10,  1864, 
term  expired;  Schmidt,  John  P.,  mustered 
out  September  10,  1864,  corporal;  Schmitz, 
William,  veteran,  mustered  out  August  22, 
1865;  Schwein,  George,  died  at  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  November,  i86r;  Leip,  Philip,  veteran, 
mustered  out  August  22,  1865,  quarter- 
master sergeant;  Schroeder,  Anthony,  dis- 
charged Februar}-,  1862,  disability;  Sind- 
linger,  Henry,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  date 
unknown;  Spraul,  Charles,  veteran,  must- 
ered out  August  22,  1865 ;  Springer,  Robert, 
mustered  out  September  10,  1864,  term  e.x- 
pired:  Spruth,  August,  veteran,  mustered 
out  August  22,  1865;  Steiert,  William,  must- 
ered out  September  10,  1864,  term  expired: 
Stuermer,  Henry,  died  at  Helena,  Ark.,  Sep- 
tember 23,  1S63;  Sturm,  Frederick,  pro- 
moted second  lieutenant  Sixteenth  batter^•: 
Twente,  Rudolph,  mustered  out  September 
10,  1864,  term  expired;  \*iedler,  John,  died 


at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  July,  1863;  Weies, 
John,  veteran,  mustered  out  August  22, 
1865;  Weiser,  Vincent,  died  at  Evans ville, 
Ind.,  September  4,  1863;  Winter,  Bernhard 
mustered  out  September  10,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Winter,  Henr}-,  mustered  out 
September  10,  1864,  term  expired; 
Wunderlich,  Christ,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 10,  1864,  corporal;  Wunderlich, 
Jacob,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  corps; 
Walter,  Frederick,  mustered  out  September 
10,  1864,  sergeant;  Zeller,  Frank,  not  mus- 
tered out. 

7?crn(/7s. —  Ambruster,  Frederick,  mus- 
tered out  August  22,  1865;  Bredenkamp, 
Henry,  mustered  out  August  22,  1865; 
Bischman,  William,  mustered  out  August 
22,  1865;  Burkhart,  George,  mustered  out 
August  22,  1865;  Fisher,  Henry,  mustered 
out  August  22,1 865 ;  Fisher,  Albert,  mustered 
out  August  22,  1865;  Georget,  John,  sub- 
stitute, mustered  out  August  22,  1865; 
ILartinetz,  John,  mustered  out  September 
10,  1864,  term  expired;  Hagelman,  Chris- 
tian, mustered  out  June  3,  1865;  Hach, 
John  J.,  died  at  Smith's  plantadon,  La., 
June,  1863;  Haberlach,  John,  mustered  out 
August  22,  186=?,  Kempell,  Frederick, 
mustered  out  August  22,  1865;  Kohl, 
Jacob,  mustered  out  August  22,  1865; 
Klein,  William,  mustered  out  August  22, 
1865;  Kucheer,  Emil,  mustered  out  August 
22,  1865;  Kessell,  Nicholas,  mustered  out 
August  22,  1865;  Kenkle,  Frederick,  not 
mustered  out;  Lemmel,  Ignatz,  mustered 
out  August  22,  1865:  Lintznich,  Frank, 
mustered  out  August  22,  1865;  Rupprecht, 
Tobias,  mustered  out  August  22,  1865; 
Riedel,  Lewis,  mustered  out  August  2  2, 
1865;  Schili,  David,  discharged,  date  un- 
known; Schussler,  John,  mustered  out  Au- 
gust 22,  1865;  Schmitt,  George  W., 
mustered  out  September  10,  1864;  Schane- 
mann,  William,  mustered  out  September  10, 


AH 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


1864;      Theuerkauf,      Frank,       died       at 
New  Orleans,  La.,  November  4,  1S64. 

The  Field  Service. —  Soon  after  its  muster 
the  First  battery  moved  to  St.  Louis,  and 
thence  with  Gen.  Fremont's  army  to  Spring- 
field, Mo.  On  December  13,  it  set  out  on 
the  Black  Water  expedition,  and  assisted  in 
the  capture  of  950  rebels  at  Black  Water 
creek.  It  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  Gen. 
Price,  driving  the  enemy  for  four  days,  with 
constant  skirmishing.  Early  in  March,  1S62, 
a  general  movement  was  made  by  the  divis- 
ions of  the  army  in  Missouri,  designing  to 
meet  and  check  the  rebel  Gen.  Van  Dorn, 
then  moving  north  with  a  large  force.  Se- 
vere battles  were  fought  at  Leetovvn,  Elk- 
horn  Tavern  and  Pea  Ridge.  In  the  tight 
at  the  last  named  place  one  of  the  enemy's 
batteries  opened  with  grape  and  canister  so 
near  the  flank  of  Klauss'  battery  that  it  was 
compelled  to  retire,  but  the  movement  of 
one  of  our  brigades  caused  this  anno3nng 
battery  to  withdraw,  when  Klauss' 
battery  took  position  in  an  open  field, 
and  maintained  the  contest  with  great 
spirit.  Soon  such  a  terrible  fire  swept  from 
our  fine  of  batteries  that  no  human  courage 
could  withstand  it.  The  infantry  crept  for- 
ward, the  guns  were  moved  onward,  the 
range  became  shorter,  and  at  last,  despair- 
ing, the  enemy  fled  in  great  confusion, 
Klauss'  battery  rendering  efficient  service  in 
the  series  of  battles  closing  at  Pea  Ridge. 
During  the  summer  and  faU  it  engaged  in 
the  campaigns  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas, 
and  marched  3,600  miles.  In  March,  1863, 
it  was  transported  to  Milliken's  Bend,  La., 
and  assigned  to  the  Thirteenth  Army  corps. 
It  marched  across  the  Peninsula,  crossed 
the  Mississippi  river,  and  was  severel}-  en- 
gaged in  the  battle  of  Port  Gibson.  The 
column  pressing  on,  the  battery  was  in  the 
fight  at  Champion  Hill,  and  assisted  in  the 
defeat  of    the  enemy   at    Big    Black    river 


bridge.  It  then  took  position  in  line  in  front 
of  the  enemy's  works  at  Vicksburg,  and 
was  engaged  during  the  siege  and  until  the 
surrender  of  that  formidable  position. 

In  July  it  moved  with  Sherman's  column 
toward  Jackson,  was  engaged  in  the  siege 
of  that  place  and  after  its  e\-acuation,  returned 
to  Vicksburg,  where  it  went  to  camp.  In 
August  it  proceeded  to  New  Orleans,  and 
thence  moved  with  Gen.  Franklin's  expedi- 
tion through  the  Teche  country  in  the  fol- 
lowing fall.  In  March,  1864,11  was  with 
Gen.  Banks,  army  on  the  Red  River  expedi- 
tion, took  part  in  the  battle  of  Sabine  cross- 
roads and  at  Yellow  Bayou.  When  Banks' 
shattered  army  fell  back  to  Grand  Ecore, 
the  battery  was  assigned  to  the  Sixteenth 
corps,  and  was  daily  engaged  in  assisting  to 
repel  the  enemy,  until  the  army  reached 
Morganza,  when  it  returned  to  its  old  corps 
and  proceeded  to  New  Orleans.  Here  a 
number  of  its  men  re-enlisted  as  veterans 
and  in  the  fall  of  1864  the  non-veterans  pro- 
ceeded to  Indianapolis  and  were  mustered 
out.  In  March,  1865,  the  battery  was  again 
assigned  to  the  Sixteenth  corps,  and  took 
an  active  part  in  the  siege  and  capture  of 
Spanish  Fort,  Ala.  After  the  surrender  of 
Mobile,  it  proceeded  to  Montgomery,  Ala., 
where  it  remained  until  ordered  to  Indianap- 
olis for  muster  out.  It  reached  Indianap- 
olis with  three  officers  and  102  men,  and  was 
mustered  out  August  22,  1S65.  The  bat- 
tery went  out  with  130  officers  and  men,  re- 
ceived 129  recruits,  lost  fift\--five  by  death, 
ten  by  desertion,  and  was  unable  to  account 
for  nine. 

Tiventy-fifth  Regiment .  —  The  first  infan- 
try regiment  that  went  to  the  front  as  a  dis- 
tinctively Evansville  organization  was  the 
Twenty-fifth.  It  was  being  raised  at  Evans- 
ville at  the  same  time  Gen.  Hovey  was 
raising  the  Twenty- fourth;  was  organized 
at  that  place  July  17,  and    mustered  into  the 


'U^  /iH^ 


TWEXTY-FIFTH  REGIMENT. 


Jfil 


United  States  service  for  three  years,  on  tlic 
19th  of  August,  1861.  Among  its  field  and 
staff  ofKcers,  high  in  rank,  were  the  citizens 
of  Evansxille;  two  of  its  companies  were 
composed  of  Vanderburgh  county  men; 
and  the  entire  regiment  was  made  up  of 
volunteers  from  the  counties  in  the  First 
congressional  district.  At  its  01  ganization 
the  colonel  in  command  was  James  C. 
Veatch,  a  princely  soldier,  an  able  man,  and 
patriotic  citizen,  who,  though  not  residing  in 
Vanderburgh  county  at  that  time,  was  then 
and  afterward  conspicuously  identified  with 
its  public  affairs.  Upon  his  appointment  as 
brigadier  general  April  28,  1862,  William 
II.  Morgan  was  placed  in  command  of  the 
regiment  and  served  with  distinction  until 
Mav  20,  1S64,  afterward  achieving  a  bril- 
liant record  in  the  corps  of  the  gallant  Han- 
cock. Later  Col.  James  S.  Wright  assumed 
command,  and  was  mustered  out  with 
the  regiment.  Col.  John  W.  Foster 
commenced  his  military  career  as 
major  of  this  regiment;  was  promoted 
lieutenant  colonel  April  30,  1862,  and  left 
the  regiment  August  4  following,  to  take 
command  of  the  Sixt^'-tifth  regiment.  Col. 
John  Rheinlander  entered  the  service  as 
captain  of  Company  B;  was  promoted  major 
April  30,  1862,  and  lieutenant  colonel  Octo- 
ber 18,  1862.  The  military  achievements 
of  Col.  Rheinlander  form  a  brilliant  chapter 
in  his  histor}-.  When  war  was  declared 
against  Mexico  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in 
Company  E,  Second  Kentuckj'  infantry,  and 
went  through  the  campaign  under  Taylor. 
By  a  detail  of  volunteers  he  was  attached  to 
the  First  Kentucky  infantry,  and  was  in  the 
battle  at  Monterey.  His  own  regiment  — 
he  being  with  it  —  participated  in  the  decis- 
ive battle  at  Buena  Vista,  and  in  that  terri- 
ble engagement  lost  both  of  its  commanding 
officers,  Col.  McKee  and  Lieut.  Col.  Ilenr)- 
Clay.  In  the  war  of  1861  Col.  Rheinlander 
89 


again  performed  a  gallant  part.  At  Fort 
Donelson,  on  the  first  day  of  the  battle,  he 
and  Capt.  Saltzman  were  sent  forward  bj^ 
Col.  Veatch  to  deploy  as  skirmishers.  They 
advanced  upon  the  enemy's  works,  and 
taking  position  on  a  hill  protected  the  body 
of  the  regiment  from  the  enemy's  rifle  pits 
and  silenced  a  six -pounder  field  piece 
which  was  brought  to  bear  on  its 
flank.  On  the  third  day  of  the  bat- 
tle Capt.  Rheinlander's  company  was 
the  first  to  scale  the  wall  and  enter  the 
enemj''s  works,  but  having  no  flag,  the  Sec- 
ond Iowa  men  were  the  first  to  set  up  a 
banner.  At  Shiloh,  Capt.  Rheinlander's 
compan}-  was  continually  kept  skirmishing 
from  the  beginning  of  the  first  day's  battle 
until  about  the  time  that  Gen.  Prentiss  was 
captured.  By  the  close  proximity  of  his 
companj'to  Gen.  Prentiss,  Capt.  Rheinlander 
afforded  some  five  or  si.x  hundred  men  an 
opportunity  of  escape,  and  had  he  known 
who  the)'  were,  he  could  have  saved  from 
capture  the  entire  command  of  Prentiss.  He 
participated  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  having 
been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major  for  gal- 
lantry and  efficient  service.  Soon  thereafter 
he  rose  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  colonel. 
At  Hatchie's  Run,  with  four  companies  of 
the  Twentj'-fifth  Indiana,  Col.  Rlieinlander 
charged  the  enemy,  drove  him  back,  en- 
gaged him  in  line,  and  finally  completely 
routed  him.  There  he  was  seriously 
wounded  in  the  right  thigh,  and  for  some 
time  was  not  able  to  be  with  his  command. 
Returning,  he  led  his  command  on  the 
march  to  Atlanta,  and  took  a  conspicuous 
part  in  the  battles  of  that  illustrious  cam- 
paign. It  was  only  when  he  became  so 
d'sabled  that  he  could  not  mount  a  horse 
that  he  resigned  on  account  of  disability. 
His  military  career,  bright  and  honorable  in 
all  its  parts,  ended  by  the  acceptance  of  his 
resignation,  August  18,  1864. 


Jf98 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


Dr.  John  T.  Walker  was  commissioned 
surgeon  of  the  regiment  August  13,  1S61, 
was  promoted  major  October  20,  1S62,  and 
resigned  June  10,  1864.  The  adjutant  of 
the  resriment  from  its  muster  into  the  service 
to  March  7,  1862,  was  William  H.  Walker, 
jr.,  and  from  July  5,  1862,  to  October  5, 
1864,  Capt.  Jesse  W.  Walker,  who  was 
honorably  discharged,  appointed  captain  and 
assistant  adjutant  general,  and  who  rendered 
valuable  service  to  his  country  as  citizen  and 
soldier.  Alexander  H.  Foster  and  Henrj- 
M.  Sweetser,  both  long  identified  with  the 
business  interests  of  Evansville,  were  quar- 
termasters, the  former  from  August  10, 
1861,  to  December  3,  1863,  when  he  re- 
signed, and  the  latter  from  October  19,  1861, 
at  which  time  he  was  promoted  from  quar- 
termaster sergeant,  to  Januar\'  15,  1862, 
when  his  resignation  was  accepted.  Rev. 
Jesse  L.  Walker  served  as  chaplain  of  the 
regiment  from  November  25,  1864,  until  its 
muster  out  of  the  service.  The  other  field 
and  staff  officers  were  from  the  adjoining 
counties.  A  band,  of  twenty-six  pieces,  was 
mustered  in  with  the  regiment,  but  was  dis- 
charged soon  thereafter.  Wheeler  Dexter, 
of  Evansville,  was  mustered  as  commis- 
sary sergeant,  and  died  at  New  Harmony, 
August  23,  1861. 

Capt.  Rheinlander's  company,  B,  with 
one  exception,  was  officered  through  its 
entire  career  by  Evansville  men.  Alexan- 
der Darling  was,  at  the  outset,  selected  as 
first  Heutenant;  was  promoted  captain  to  fill 
the  vacancy  caused  bv  Capt.  Rheinlander's 
advancement,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
September  15,  1864.  Capt.  Melchior  Lange 
thereafter,  until  the  end  of  the  compan^-'s 
service,  was  its  commander.  Daniel  W. 
Darling  at  the  organization,  was  second  lieu- 
tenant, and  was  honorabl}-  discharged 
August  20,  1864,  as  first  lieutenant,  to 
which  rank  he  was  promoted  May  i,  ^862. 


Charles  Straub  was  first  lieutenant  from 
November  14,  1S64,  to  the  muster  out  of 
the  company;  John  Adrian  was  second  lieu- 
tenant   from    Ma}'    i,    1S62,  to  January-   3, 

1863,  and  John  H.  Lange  was  commissioned 
but  not  mustered,  as  second  lieutenant. 
The  enlisted  men  of  this  company  were  as 
follows :  First  Sergt.  Alexander  Kirkpatrick, 
unaccounted  for;  Sergt.  William  Taylor, 
^inaccounted       for;    Sergt.     John      Adrian, 

promoted  as  second  lieutenant.  Sergt. 
William  Smith,  mustered  out  August 
18,  1864,  as  first  sergeant;  Sergt. 
Thomas  McAvoy,  unaccounted  for;  Corp. 
Charles  C.  Waring,  promoted  second 
lieutenant;  Corp.  John  B.  Edwards, 
unaccounted  for;  Corp.  Charles  Hanarh, 
unaccounted  for;  Corp.  Herman  Salnu,  un- 
accounted for ;  Corp.  Robert  Short,  mustered 
out  August  18,  1864,  as  private;  Corp. 
Andrew  Meuth,  unaccounted  for;  Corp. 
Charles  Straub,  promoted  to  first  lieutenant; 
Corp.  John  W.  McKee,  unaccounted  for; 
Musician  John  B.  Stinson,  unaccounted  for; 
Musician  George  Rothley,  veteran,  mustered 
out  July  17,  1865;  Wagoner  James  Klein 
mustered  out  August  18,  1864,  as  corporal. 
Privates. —  Altheide,  Fred,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  July  22,  1865;  Baily,  Thomas  A., 
died  Memphis,  Tenn.,  May  21,  1863,  dis- 
ease; Barnett,  Sylvanus,  unaccounted  for; 
Baring,  Henry,  unaccounted  for;  Brand, 
Jacob,  veteran,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865; 
Butcher,  Fred  C,  mustered  out  August  18, 

1864,  as  sergeant;  Byrd,  Thomas  L.,  died 
at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  December  24,  1861; 
Burkhart,  George,  unaccounted  for:  Colvin, 
Moses,  veteran,  transferred  to  Company 
F  ;  Coffin,  Levi  M.,  unaccounted  for; 
Cravin,  William  H.,  unaccounted  for;  Cook, 
James  A.,  died  at  St.  Louis,  February,  1862; 
Crunk,  William  D.,  mustered  out  August  18, 
1864,  term  expired;  Davis,  Jefferson  P.,  un- 
accounted  for;  Delong,  William   A.,   unac- 


TWENTY-FIFTH  REGIMENT. 


499 


counted  for;  Dunwright,  George,  mus- 
tered out  August  I,  1S64,  term 
expired;  Earl,  John,  unaccounted  for; 
Edwards,  John  M.,  unaccounted  for;  Estess, 
John,  veteran,  mustered  out,  July  17,  1865; 
Ford,  James,  killed  at  Shiloh;  Groub,  Cas- 
par, killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  February  15, 
1862;  Gallagher,  Felix,  unaccounted  for; 
Grant,  Perry,  mustered  out  August  18, 
1864,  term  expired;  Garlick,  Adam,  mus- 
tered out  August  18,  1864,  term  expired: 
Haag,  Jacob,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson;  Han- 
aman,  William,  unaccounted  for;  Hema, 
John  Martin,  unaccounted  for;  Hendrickson, 
William,  unaccounted  for:  Hoffman,  Nich- 
olas, veteran,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865; 
Housley,  Calvin  D.,  unaccounted  for;  Jar- 
vis,  John,  mustered  out  August  18,1864, 
term  expired;  Johann,  August,  veteran, 
mustered  out  July  17,  1865,  as  sergeant; 
Kappert,  Peter,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson 
February  15,  1862;  Kessinger,  Henry, 
mustered  out  August  18,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Kirkpatrick,  Robert  B.,  unaccounted 
for;  Klein,  Michael,  veteran,  mustered  out 
July  17,  1865;  Knowlman,  Caspar  H.,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  July  17,  1865;  Krowb, 
Jacob,  mustered  out  August  18,  1864,  as 
sergeant;  Krowley,  Patrick  G.,  killed  at 
Shiloh;  Littlepage,  Jeffrey  S.,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  Jul}-  22,  1865,  as  sergeant;  Lob- 
sher,  Rudolph,  unaccounted  for;  Logan, 
James,  mustered  out  August  18,  1864,  term 
expired;  Lutz,  Valentine,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  July  17,  1865,  as  cor- 
poral ;  Manning,  George,  died  at 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  November  30,  1862; 
Martin,  Henry,  unaccounted  for;  McCourt, 
Patrick,  mustered  out  August  18,  1864, 
term  expired;  McBroons,  Gilbert,  mustered 
out  August  18,  1864,  term  expired;  Meier, 
John  J.,  veteran,  mustered  out  July  22,  1865, 
as  corporal;  Miller,  Frank,  unaccounted  for; 
Milledge,    Aaron,     veteran,  mustered     out 


July  17,  1865;  Miller,  Jacob,  mustered  out 
August  18,  1864,  term  expired;  Moris, 
Casper,  unaccounted  for;  Nebler,  Ludwig, 
veteran,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865;  Neel, 
Thomas  J.,  mustered  out  August  18.  1S64, 
term  expired;  Newman,  George  W.,  unac- 
counted for;  Oliver,  William,  unaccounted 
for;  Phister,  Jacob,-  unaccounted  for;  Picket, 
Michael,  unaccounted  for;  Plaush,  Henry, 
killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  Februar}'  15,  1862; 
i  Powers,  Frank,  unaccounted  for;  Rader, 
Conrad,  veteran,  mustered  out  July  17, 
1865;  Risinger,  Martin,  veteran,  mustered 
out  July  17,  1865;  Robinson,  Francis,  unac- 
counted for;  Schlauch,  Charles,  veteran, 
mustered  out  July  17,1865;  Short,  James, 
unaccounted  for;  Smith,  Fred,  mustered  out 
August  18,  1864,  term  expired;  Stricktield, 
John,  veteran,  mustered  out  Julv  17,  1865; 
Spatta,  John,  committed  suicide  at  Memphis, 
, March  7,  1864;  Stallings,  John,  unaccounted 
for;  Strass,  Charles,  unaccounted  for;  Taylor, 
Franklin, veteran,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865; 
Taylor,  James,  unaccounted  for;  Taylor, 
Nicholas,  unaccounted  for;  Titzer,  John  J., 
veteran,  mustered  out,  July  17,  1865,  as  cor- 
poral; Wakefield,  James  A.,  unaccounted 
for;  Walker,  Henr}-,  unaccounted  for;  Web- 
ber, Nicholas,  unaccounted  for:  Wiebert, 
Andrew,  mustered  out  August  18,  1864, 
term  expired;  Weidenbaur,  John,  died  at 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  April  28,  1863,  disease; 
Welker,  William  F.,  \eteran,  mustered  out 
July  17,  1865,  as  corporal:  Wills,  James  S., 
discharged  September  25,  1863;  Woodruff, 
George,  unaccounted  for;  Westborough, 
Paul,  mustered  out,  August  18,  1864,  term 
expired. 

Recruits. —  Alsheid,  Frederick,  mustered 
out  Juty  17,  1865;  Berry,  Benjamin  F.,  mus- 
tered out  July  17,  1865:  Brown,  Albert,  sub- 
stitute, mustered  out  June  4,  1865;  Cox, 
Willis,  drafted,  mustered  out  June  4,  1865; 
Elkins,  William,  mustered  out  June  4,  1865; 


500 


MILITAR  YHISTOR  Y. 


Green,  William  S.,  substitute,  mustered  out ' 
July  17, 1865;  Hutchinson,  Isaac  H.,  mus- 
tered out  July  18,  1865;  Hall,  Henry  A., 
transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  corps; 
Hubbert,  George,  mustered  out  July  17, 
1865;  Hauchens,  Dabner,  mustered  out 
May  29,  1S65;  James,  Samuel  B.,  sub- 
stitute, mustered  out  •  April  17,  1865; 
Koenig,  Henry,  veteran,  died  at  Decatur, 
Ala.,  July  19,  1864;  Lange,  John 
H.,  veteran,  mustered  out  Jul)^  23, 
1865,  fi''^'^  sergeant;  Loening,  Henry, 
mustered  out  July  17,  1865;  Mills, 
William,  died  in  hospital  at  Indian- 
apoHs,  Ind.,  May  16,  1865;  McCrary,  Will- 
iam, discharged  February  3,  1865,  on 
account  of  disability;  Olmstead,  Charles, 
substitute,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865; 
Pierson,  Fobert  F.,  mustered  out  July  17, 
1865;  Powers,  Frank,  not  mustered  out; 
Shaffer,  William,  mustered  out  July  17, 
1865;  Schmitler,  Jacob,  mustered  out  Au- 
gust 9,  1865;  Salem,  Herman,  mustered  out 
July  17,  1865;  Schubert,  Geo.,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  July  17,  1865,  as  sergeant;  Stinch- 
field,  Daniel,  died  at  Decatur,  Ala.,  July  10, 
1864;  Williams,  Oscar,  substitute,  mustered 
out  Jul}'  17,  1865;  Woodruff,  Joseph,  died 
at  Chattanooga,  January  19,  1865. 

The  original  enrollment  of  this  company 
was  ninety-nine  men;  it  received  sixty-four 
recruits;  lost  by  death  twenty-two;  by  de- 
sertion two;  and  was  unable  to  account  for 
forty-two. 

Company  C,  of  the  Twenty-fifth,  was 
commanded  by  Capt.  Edward  C.  Hastings, 
from  the  commencement  of  its  service  until 
he  resigned,  August  20,  1864,  and  thereafter 
by  Capt.  James  T.  Reed,  who  entered  the 
service  as  a  sergeant,  rose  to  second  lieu- 
tenant April  10,  1S62,  to  first  lieutenant 
August  26,  1863,  to  captain  August  21, 
1864,  and  was  commissioned  major  though 
the  close  of  the  regiment's  service  prevented 


his  muster.  Alfred  G.  Quinlin  was  first 
lieutenant  until  he  resigned,  December  9, 
1 861,  the  vacancy  being  filled  by  the 
promotion  from  second  lieutenant  of  Henrv 
L.  Brickett,  who  laid  down  his  life  at  Shiloh. 
On  April  10,  1862,  William  F.  Reynolds, 
who  from  a  sergeant  had  been  promoted  to 
second  lieutenant  January  20,  1862,  was 
chosen  as  Lieutenant  Brickett's  successor, 
and  served  until  his  death,  August  25,  1863. 
When  James  T.  Reed  was  made  captain  of 
the  company,  John  M.  Ramsey,  because  of 
his  manl}-  qualities  and  faithful  service,  was 
taken  from  the  ranks  for  the  first  lieutenancy 
and  from  that  rank  was  mustered  out  with 
the  company'.  The  following  is  the  roster 
of  the  enlisted  men  of  Company  C,  who 
went  from  Vanderburgh  county :  First  Sergt. 
George  C.  Pope,  mustered  out  August 
19,  1864,  as  private,  term  expired; 
Sergt.  William  F.  Reynolds  promoted  to 
second  heutenant;  Sergt.  James  T.  Reed 
promoted  to  second  lieutenant;  Sergt. 
Michael  Keefe,  mustered  out  August  19, 
1864,  as  first  sergeant,  term  expired; 
Sergt.  Henry  Wilson,  mustered  out 
August  19,  1S64,  term  expired;  Corp. 
Peter  Smith,  veteran,  discharged  March 
25,  1865,  wounds;  Corp.  Charles  H.  Prater, 
discharged  Ma}'  24,  1863;  Corp.  George 
W.  Brown,  discharged  December  9,  1S62, 
as  private;  Corp.  Milton  H.  Tribble,  mus- 
tered out  August  19,  1864,  as  private,  term 
expired;  Corp.  James  Glover,  discharged 
January  17,  1863,  sergeant-major;  Corp. 
John  Trent,  died  at  St.  Louis,  January  9, 
1862;  Corp.  William  Hudson,  mustered  out 
August  19,  1S64,  as  private,  term  expired; 
Corp.  George  B.  Greene,  veteran,  discharged 
April  25,  1865,  as  sergeant;  Musician  James 
Stokes,  veteran,  mustered  out  July  17, 
1865;  Musician  John  Vint,  mustered  out 
August  19,  1864,  term  expired;  Wagoner 
Charles  Jones,  died  in  Florence,  S.  C,  prison. 


TWENTY-FIFTH  REGIMENT. 


501 


Privates. — Britting,  C.,not  mustered  out; 
Cavins,  Joshua  A.,  died  at  Otterville,  Mo., 
December  6,  1861:  Cavins,  F.  J.,  veteran, 
mustered  out  July  17,  1S65;  Capl,  William, 
veteran,  mustered  out  July  17, 1865 ;  Chrisler, 
John  H.,  died  at  St.  Louis,  December  i, 
1861;  Council,  Rufus,  discharged  Septem- 
ber 18,  1862;  Crawford,  John,  unaccounted 
for;  Dale,  Frederick,  not  mustered  out; 
Davison,  Benjamin,  mustered  out  August 
19,  1864,  term  expired;  Doig,  David,  died 
September  14,  1863;  Dutton,  Elijah  F., 
died  at  Otterville,  Mo.,  October  28,  1861; 
Falls,  Harvey,  veteran,  mustered  out  July 
17,  1865;  Fisher,  John  H.,  discharged  Jan- 
uary r8,  1863;  Fisher,  Henry,  not  mustered 
out;  Finley,  James,  not  mustered  out;  Flinn, 
James,  not  mustered  out;  Gast,  Martin, 
mustered  out  August  19,  1S64,  term  ex- 
pired; Gilson,  William  A.,  died  at  St.  Louis, 
November  28,  1861;  Green,  Josiah,  veteran, 
killed  at  Bentonville,  N.  C,  March  19,  1S65; 
Harden,  William  H.,  discharged  January  i, 
1862;  Hardiman,  John,  died  at  S3''racuse, 
Mo.,  December  4,  1861;  Heatherly,  David, 
killed  by  accident,  August  3,  1862;  Hollam, 
Roger,  veteran,  mustered  out  July  15,  1865; 
Hogen,  Burnet,  veteran,  died  at  Louisville, 
Ky.,  July  4,  1865;  Holder,  Samuel  R.,  mus- 
tered out  August  19,  1864,  term  expired; 
Hulner,  Paul,  not  mustered  out;  Hess, 
Philip,  discharged  December  16,  1862; 
Jones,  Leroy  W.,  mustered  out  August  19, 
1864,  term  expired;  Kohlmann,  Henry  W.  F., 
died  at  Bolivar,  Tenn.,  September  12,  1862; 
Kramer,  Christian,  mustered  out  August  19, 
1864,  term  expired;  Keller,  Irvin,  died  at 
Georgetown,  Mo.,  November  i,  1861 ;  Mahr, 
Patrick,  discharged  March  i,  1863;  Meyer, 
Joseph,  not  mustered  out;  Marce,  Henry, 
discharged  September  18,  1862;  Merriman, 
Reuben,  died  at  Fort  Donelson,  February  28, 
1862;  Mingst,  Christian,  not  mustered  out: 
Murphy,  Edward  D.,  not  mustered  out;  Mc- 


Rae,  Samuel,  mustered  out  August  19,  1864, 
term  expired;  McBride,  Michael,  veteran, 
mustered  out  July  17,  1865,  as  sergeant; 
McAllister,  Alexander,  died  at  Otterville, 
Mo.,  December  i,  1861;  Nelson,  Albert  J., 
not  mustered  out;  Pelt,  James  M.,  mustered 
out  August  19,  1864,  term  expired;  Ram- 
sey, John,  promoted  tirst  lieutenant;  Rapp, 
John  H.,  not  mustered  out;  Ratley,  Greens- 
bury,  not  mustered  out;  Reeves,  Albert,  mus- 
tered out  August  19, 1864,  term  expired;  Reel, 
Henry,  discharged  January  20,  1863;  Rose, 
Jonathan  G.,  veteran,  mustered  out  July  17, 
1865;  Robinson,  Nicholas  W.,  discharged 
September  18,  1862;  RichendoUer,  Stephen, 
veteran,  mustered  out  July  17,1865;  Ryan, 
Patrick,  veteran,  discharged  June  16,  1865; 
Scott,  Walter,  veteran,  mustered  out  July 
17,  1865,  as  corporal;  Scott,  Robert  L.,  dis- 
charged December  5,  1861;  Schimpff, 
Gustave  A.,  mustered  out  August  19, 
1864,  term  expired;  Seep,  John, 
discharged  June  30,  1865;  Shook,  Or- 
rin  F.,  veteran,  mustered  out  July 
16,  1865,  as  sergeant;  Shaw,  Elam,  mustered 
out  iVugust  19,  1864,  term  expired;  Smith, 
William,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  February 
13,  1S62;  Smith,  Truman  B.  not  mustered 
out;  Smith,  Robert,  c.ied  at  St.  Louis,  No- 
vember 6,  1861;  Schmitt,  Adam,  died  at 
Otterville,  Mo.,  November  25,  1861;  Sobe- 
ston,  Joseph,  veteran,  mustered  out  July  17, 
1865;  Snow,  Franklyn,  not  mustered  out; 
Timmons,  James,  died  at  Georgetown, 
Mo.,  October  22,  1861;  Vandevere, 
Samuel  H.,  died  September  22,. 
1863;  Walter,  Michael,  died  August  31, 
1861 ;  Walter,  John,  mustered  out  August 
19,  1864,  term  expired;  Walters,  Richard, 
not  mustered  out;  Wallace,  Alvin,  not 
mustered  out;  Weber,  Henr)-,  veteran, 
mustered  out  July  17,  1865;  Witcher,  Will- 
iam, discharged,  date  unknown;  Wiedig, 
Philip,  veteran,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865; 


oOi2 


MlLITAR  Y  HISTOB  V. 


Winkles,  Nicholas,  died,  date  unknown; 
Winkles,  Jasper  N.,  mustered  out  August 
19,  1864,  term  expired;  Wyerlocker,  Samuel, 
not  mustered  out. 

Recruits. —  Allen,  James  M.  mustered 
out  June  4,  1865:  Bogart,  Peter,  mustered 
out  July  17,  1865;  Bigley,  Franklin, 
mustered  out  July  17,  1865;  Green,  William 
G.,  transferred  to  Veteran  Relief  corps; 
Jincks,  George  W.,  discharged  date  unknown ; 
Kelly,  Edward,  veteran,  mustered  out  July 
17,  1865,  as  corporal;  McCansey,  John,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  July  17,  1865; Robinson, 
Nicholas  W.,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865; 
Sullivan,  John,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865. 
This  company  received  ninety-nine  original 
members  and  seventy  recruits;  lost  by 
death,  forty,  by  desertion,  sixteen;  and  re- 
ported one  unaccounted  for. 

The  Tzventy-jifth  in  the  F'ield. —  Leaving 
home  on  the  26th  of  August,  1861,  the  reg- 
iment moved  to  St.  Louis,  and  spent  the  fall 
and  winter  in  active  dut}-  in  Missouri,  at  one 
time  marching  with  Fremont's  army  240 
miles  in  sixteen  da^-s,  with  but  two  days' 
rest,  and  again  aiding  in  the  capture  of 
1,300  rebels  on  the  Black  Water,  on  Decem- 
ber 19.  From  Benton  Barracks,  in  Febru- 
ary, 1862,  it  moved  to  Fort  Donelson  and 
formed  a  part  of  the  attacking  force  at  that 
place.  On  the  13th,  it  was  compelled  '  to 
fall  back  with  a  loss  of  sixteen  killed  and 
eight)' wounded,  but  on  the  15th  it  formed 
a  part  of  the  storming  party  that  went  into 
and  held  the  outer  works,  sustaining  a  loss 
of  four  wounded,  and  after  the  surrender 
occupied  the  fort.  It  was  next  engaged  at 
Shiloh,  meeting  the  enemy  on  both  days  and 
losing  twenty-seven  killed,  and  122 
wounded.  It  then  took  part  in  the  siege  of 
Corinth,  and  after  the  evacuation,  marched 
to  and  occupied  Grand  Junction  on  the  loth 
of  June.  Through  the  summer  and  fall  it  was 
in  Tennessee,  above  Memphis  and    Bolivar 


chasing  guerillas  and  scouting,  and  at  one 
time,  on  October  5,  at  Hatchie  River,  fight- 
ing a  brief  but  fierce  battle.  The  enemy, 
at  the  time  retreating  from  Corinth,  and  in- 
tercepted at  this  place,  was  defeated  and 
compelled  to  retreat  by  another  route.  The 
loss  to  the  regiment  w'as  three  killed  and 
seventy-six  wounded.  A  campaign  in  north- 
ern Mississippi  next  engaged  it,  during 
which,  on  December  21,  six  companies  under 
Col.  Morgan,  while  doing  guard  duty  along 
a  line  of  railroad,  were  attacked  b)' the  rebel 
General  VanDorn,  with  a  large  force  of 
mounted  infantry.  The  little  band  bravely 
resisted  the  attack  and  fought  so  gallantly  as 
to  drive  the  enemy  from  the  field,  leaving 
behind  twent^'-three  of  his  dead  and  many 
wounded  and  prisoners,  while  Col.  Morgan's 
loss  was  but  three  slightly  wounded.  Dur- 
ing 1863  the  regiment  was  on  provost  duty 
at  Memphis,  and  guard  dut}'  along  the  rail- 
road between  Moscow  and  Grand  Junction. 
In  Februar}',  1864,  it  marched  with  Sher- 
man's army  on  the  raid  through  Mississippi, 
participating  in  the  skirmish  at  Marion  sta- 
tion. The  regiment  re-enlisted  on  February 
29,  1864  and  came  home  on  veteran  fur- 
lough, returning  to  Decatur,  Ala.,  on 
x'Vpril  24.  It  remained  at  that  place  till  the 
4th  day  of  August,  participating  in  several 
skirmishes  with  Roddy's  rebel  cavalry. 
Moving  by  rail,  it  joined  the  Fourth  division 
of  the  Sixteenth  army  corps  before  Atlanta, 
and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  siege  of  that 
stronghold  from  the  8th  to  the  26th  of 
August,  with  a  loss  of  three  killed,  six 
wounded,  and  four  prisoners.  At  Jonesboro, 
two  were  wounded.  After  the  occupj-ing  of 
Atlanta,  the  regiment  rested  until  October 
3,  when  it  formed  part  of  the  pursuing  force 
sent  northwest  after  Hood's  army.  While 
in  the  advance,  on  the  15th  of  October,  it 
attacked  the  rebels  at  Snake  Creek  Gap, 
driving  them  off,  with   a  loss  to  the  regi. 


FIRST  CAVALRY. 


50S 


ment  of  nine  killed  and  fourteen  wounded. 
From  Galesville,  Ala.,  the  regiment  re- 
turned, reaching  Atlanta  in  time  to  take 
part  in  Sherman's  "  march  to  the  sea." 
From  December  9th  to  i4t]i  it  participated 
in  the  investment  of  Savannah,  with  a  loss 
of  nine  wounded,  and  thereafter  did  duty  in 
and  about  that  city.  In  January-,  1865,  it 
moved  with  the  Seventeenth  army  corps  to 
Pocotaligo,  and  on  the  30th  commenced  its 
march  to  Goldsboro,  N.  C,  during  which  it 
was  engaged  in  several  skirmishes  and  in 
the  battles  at  Rivers  Bridge  and  Bentonville, 
losing  two  killed,  twenty-two  wounded,  and 
three  missing.  It  reached  Goldsboro  on 
March  24,  having  marclied  500  miles  in 
fift3--four  days.  Marching  thence  to  Raleigh, 
it  remained  there  until  the  surrender  of 
Johnston's  arm}-,  and  then  proceeded  to 
Washington,  arriving  there  May  17. 
From  there  it  was  transferred  to  Louisville, 
Ky.,  where  it  was  mustered  out  of  the  serv- 
ice July  17,  1865,  with  twenty-six  officers 
and  460  men,  and  proceeded  to  Indianapolis, 
where  it  was  publicly  received  in  the  capitol 
(grounds  on  the  21st,  and  addressed  by  Lieut. 
Gov.  Conrad  Baker,  Gen.  Alvin  P.  Hovej' 
and  others.  During  its  term  of  service  the 
T  Afenty-fifth  was  engaged  in  eighteen  bat- 
tles and  skirmishes,  sustaining  an  aggregate 
loss  of  seventy-six  killed,  255  wounded,  four 
missing  and  seventeen  captured,  making  a 
total  of  352.  It  marched  on  foot  3,200 
miles,  traveled  by  rail  1,350  miles,  and  on 
transports  2,430  miles,  making  in  all  6,980 
miles.  At  the  original  organization  it  must- 
ered 1,046  men  and  olficers,  and  received 
subsequently  686  recruits.  Of  these  391 
died  of  disease  or  of  wounds,  695  were  dis- 
charged on  account  of  wounds,  disability 
and  other  causes,  thirtj'-seven  were  trans- 
ferred, and  133  deserted. 

First  Cavalry —  Twenty-eighth  Regiment. 
—  Pursuant  to  instructions   from    the    War 


department,  orders  were  issued  on  the  loth 
of  June,  1861,  for  the  organization  of  a  reg- 
iment of  cavalry  in  the  counties  bordering 
on  the  Ohio  river,  and  a  camp  of  rendezvous 
was  established  at  E\ansville,  where  the 
organization'  of  eight  companies  was  com- 
pleted and  mustered  in  on  the  20th  of  August, 
1861 — the  day  following  the  muster  of  the 
Twenty-fifth  infantry  —  with  Conrad  Baker, 
whose  distinguished  services  as  citizen  and 
soldier  form  a  brilliant  part  of  the  county, 
state  and  national  history-,  as  its  colonel.  Of 
the  field  and  staff  officers  the  majority  were 
from  the  adjoining  counties,  Vanderburgh 
having  but  four  representatives  besides  Col. 
Baker.  John  Smith  Gavitt  went  out  as 
major,  was  commissioned  lieutenant  colonel 
October  21,  1861,  and  soon  thereafter  was 
killed  at  Frederickstown,  Mo.  Alexander  M. 
Foster  was  adjutant  from  November  i,  1862, 
and  Dr.  Isaac  Casselberr}-  was  surgeon  from 
August  13,  1861,  both  serving  until  the 
muster  out  of  the  regiment.  William 
Baker  was  commissioned  quartermaster, 
but  was  mustered  out  as  a  supernumerary 
Companies  A  and  B  were  composed  entirely 
of  Vanderburgh  county  men.  In  the  former 
companj'  William  C.  Browe  v^'ent  out  as 
captain,  but  resigning  October  29,  1861,  his 
place  was  filled  by  Joel  F.  Sherwood,  pro- 
moted from  a  second  lieutenancy,  who  also 
resigned  August  5,  1863,  from  which  time 
the  company  was  commanded  by  Capt's 
McCauley  and  Shugart,  residents  of  other 
counties.  The  first  lieutenants  from  this 
county  were:  Patrick  Raleigh,  from 
August  20,  to  October  29,  1861;  William 
R.  Tracey,  from  November  16,  1861,  to  his 
death  in  1862,  and  John  Farrell,  from 
August  16,  1862,  to  March  27,  1863,  when 
he  resigned.  Of  the  residuary  battalion. 
Company  A,  Samuel  Lefler  was  first  lieu- 
tenant, and  Robert  D.  McCracken,  second 
lieutenant,    the    former    from    February    6, 


oO]f. 


2IILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


1863,  to  the  muster  out  of  the  battaHon,  and 
the  latter  from  the  same  date  to  October  28, 

1864,  when  he  resigned.  In  this  company  the 
enhsted  men  were  as  follows:  First  Sergt. 
William  R.  Tracey,  promoted  first  lieuten- 
ant; Qrm.  Sergt.  James  B.  Evans,  not  mus- 
tered out;  Sergt.  Andrew  Spiegelberg,  dis- 
charged February  11,  1862,  disability; 
Sergt.  Jackson  Brown,  promoted  second 
lieutenant;  Sergt.  William  Bishop,  mustered 
out  September  12,  1864,  term  expired; 
Sergt.  David  D.  Dougherty,  discharged 
April  3,  1864,  to  accept  commission  in 
Fourth  x\rkansas  regiment;  Corp.  Will- 
iam C.  Wilhelm,  promoted  second  lieutenant; 
Corp.  Alonzo  N.  Steele,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 12,  1864,  as  sergeant,  term  expired; 
Corp.  Shelton  Franklin,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 12,  1864,  term  expired;  Corp.  Spen- 
cer J.  Mitchell,  mustered  out  September  12, 
1S64,  as  private,  term  expired;  Corp. 
Isaac  N.  Hutchinson,  discharged  Februarj- 
II,  1862,  disability;  Corp.  William  H.  For- 
tune, mustered  out  September  12,  1864, 
term  expired;  Corp.  Joseph  Lennox,  not 
mustered  out;  Corp.  Augustus  Galomut, 
mustered  out  September,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Bugler  Albert  Taffel,  discharged 
March  16,  1863,  disability;  Bugler  Freder- 
ick Wetzel,  mustered  out  September  12, 
1864,  term  expired;  Farrier  Jacob  Nehemire, 
mustered  out  September  12,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Farrier  William  A.  Brokavv,  mus- 
tered out  September  12,  1864,  term  expired; 
Saddler,  Benjamin  P.  Adams,  mustered  out 
September  12,  1864,  term  expired;  Wag- 
oner James  Ross,  not  mustered  out. 

Privates. —  Bachman,  John  P.,  mustered 
out  September  12,  1S64,  term  expired; 
Bass,  Howell,  discharged  May  25,  1863, 
disability;  Bellam,  John  F.,  mustered  out 
September  12,  1864,  term  expired;  Berry, 
Peter,  mustered  out  September  12,  1864, 
term  expired;  Bilderbach,  John  R.,  mustered 


out  September  12,  1864,  term  expired; 
Bilderbach,  William  L.,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 12,  1864,  "^^  corporal;  Brokaw, 
Abraham,  killed  at  Helena,  Ark.,  July  4, 
1863;  Broadwell,  Le  Roy  R.,  discharged  to 
accept  commission  in  the  Fourth  Arkansas 
regiment,  April  3,  1864;  Burke,  Richard, 
mustered  out  September  12,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Curry,  Moses  E.,  mustered  out 
September  12,  1864,  as  corporal: 
Commerford,  William,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 12,  1864,  term  expired;  Cummings, 
George,  mustered  out  May  27,  1865;  Dill, 
John,  mustered  out  September  12,  1864, 
term  expired;  Edwards,  William,  mustered 
out  September  12,  1864,  as  corporal;  Fer- 
guson, John,  promoted  to  chaplain;  Fergu- 
son, Levi,  discharged  February  11,  1S62, 
disability:  Ferguson,  Peter,  died  at  Memphis 
September  3,  1864;  Gerard,  Charles,  mus- 
\  tered  out  September  12,  1864,  term  expired; 
Gilbert,  James,    discharged    February    11, 

1862,  disability;  Hannah,  Samuel,  mustered 
out  September  12,  1864,  term  expired;  Har- 
rington, John  W.,  mustered  out  September 
12,  1864,  term  expired;  Hoke,  Henry  Cla}-, 
mustered  out  September  12,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Holman,  Joseph,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 12,  1864,  term  expired;  Hopkins, 
Josiah  M.,  mustered  out  September  12, 
1864,  term  expired;  Jones,  Francis,  mustered 
out  September  12,  1864,  as  sergeant,  term 
expired;  Judith,  Benjamin,  mustered  out 
September  12,  1864,  as  corporal,  term  ex- 

j  pired;  Kenny,  James,  mustered  out,  Septem- 
ber 12,  1864,  term  expired;  Kirkpatrick, 
Alfred,  discharged  October  30,  1863,  dis- 
abilit}';  Langford,  James,  discharged  Febru- 
ary 3,  1862,  disability;  Lyon,  William, 
promoted  second  lieutenant  of  First  Arkan- 
sas colored  troops;  Maeter,  Robert,  dis- 
charged March  19,  1862,  disability;  Mc- 
Cleland,    Samuel,    discharged  Januar}'    19, 

1863,  disability;  Medkiff,  Thomas  D.,  mus- 


FIRST  CAVALRY. 


BOS 


teredout  September  12, 1S64,  term  expired; 
Molds,  Stephen,  mustered  out  September 
12,  1864,  term  expired;  Rein,  Jacob,  mus- 
tered out  September  12,  1864,  term  expired; 
Richardson,  John  F.,  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber 12,  1864,  term  expired;  Richardson,  Mah- 
lon,  discharged  February  3,  1S63,  disability; 
Richardson,  William  H.,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 12, 1864,  as  sergeant;  Risinger,  John, 
discharged  November  i,  1861,  disability; 
Schoff,  Charles,  discharged  to  accept  com- 
mission in  the  First  Arkansas  regiment, 
January  i,  1864;  Scoville,  James  A., 
mustered  out  September  12,  1S64,  term  ex- 
pired; Skeens,  John  C,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 12,  1864,  as  first  sergeant;  Smith, 
Pear^,  mustered  out  September  12,  1864, 
ternr'expired;  Somerfield,  William,  mustered 
out  September  12,  1864,  as  sergeant;  Steele, 
Martin  A.,  mustered  out  September  12, 
1864,  as  corporal;  Tortersman,  John  W., 
mustered  out  September  12,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Turner,  James,  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber 12,  1864,  term  expired;  Wallace,  David, 
mustered  out  September  12,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Wallace,  James  H.,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 12,  1864,  term  expired;  Wallace, 
Theophilus  A.,  mustered  out  September 
12,  1864,  term  expired;  Welty,  Emanuel 
F.,  died  at  Helena,  Ark.,  December  26, 
1862;  Westall,  Daniel,  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber 12,  1864,  t<^'""i  expired;  Wilhelm,  Au- 
gustus L.,  mustered  out  September  12,  1864, 
term  expired;  Wickham,  Josiah,  died  May 
16,  1862,  wounds;  Wilheit,  Samuel,  dis- 
charged March  19,  1S62,  disabihty;  Wilson, 
Samuel  II.,  discharged  December  3,  i86r, 
disability. 

Recruits.. — Eisler,  George,  transferred  to 
Company  A,  First  cavalry,  reorganized; 
Hudson,  Robert,  transferred  to  Company  A, 
First  cavalry,  reorganized;  McClain,  John 
H.,  transferred  to  Company  A,  First  cavalry, 
reorganized;    Leidenthal,     George,     trans- 


ferred to  Compan}'  A,  First  cavalry,  reor- 
ganized ;  Wilson,  Peter,  transferred  to  Com- 
pan}'  A,  First  cavalr}-  reorganized.  This 
company  went  out  with  sevent\'-six  men, 
received  thirly-four  recruits,  and  lost 
five  by  death  and  three  by  desertion. 
The  command  of  Company  B  rested  with 
Capt.  Well  H.  Walker  from  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  company  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  Evansville,  January  23,  1863, 
and  from  that  day  until  the  company  was 
mustered  out  with  Capt.  Sylvester  J.  Bing- 
ham, who  had  served  as  first  lieutenant 
from  August  20,  1861.  Samuel  Lefler  and 
Robert  D.  McCracken  were  commissioned 
first  and  second  lieutenants,  respectively,  in 
this  compan3%  but  as  indicated  above  were 
transferred  to  the  residuary  battalion.  Com- 
pany  A.  The  following  is  a  roster  of  the 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  of 
Company  B:  First  Sergt.  Samuel  Lefler, 
promoted  first  lieutenant:  Qrm.  Sergt.  Rich- 
ard P.  Robson,  mustered  out  September  12, 
1S64,  commissary  sergeant,  term  expired; 
Sergt.  Joseph  Fravioli,  killed  at  Pine  Bluff, 
Ark.,  October  25,  1863;  Sergt.  Greenville 
Howe,  mustered  out  September  12,  1864, 
term  expired;  Sergt.  John  W.  Taylor,  dis- 
charged November  i,  1861,  disability; Sergt. 
James  B.  Cuyler,  discharged  November  i, 
1 861,  disability ;  Corp.  Robert  S.  McCracken, 
promoted  second  lieutenant;  Corp.  Wesley 
Jones,  mustered  out  September  12,  1864, 
term  expired;  Corp.  Hamlet  Martin,  died  at 
Pine  Bluff,  Ark.,  August  5,  1864;  Corp. 
Francis  A.  Bradley,  promoted  first  lieu- 
tenant First  Arkansas  colored  regiment; 
Corp.  Francis  M.  Thomas,  mustered  out 
September  12,  1864,  as  private,  term  ex- 
pired; Corp.  Francis  M.  Conn,  died  He- 
lena, Ark.,  July  24,  1S63;  Corp.  Solomon 
Hunter,  unaccounted  for;  Corp.  William 
H.  Parvin,  killed  Mark's  Mills,  April  25, 
1864;  Bugler  Thomas  J.    Love,  discharged 


506 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


June  i6,  1S62,  disability;  Bugler  Jacob  Huff, 
mustered  out  September  12,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Farrier  James  B.Smith,  mustered  out 
September  12,  1864,  term  expired;  Farrier 
John  Clayton,  died  Helena,  Ark.,  December 
24,  1862;  Saddler  Alfred  Balsover,  captured 
Mark's  Mills,  April  25,  1864,  mustered  out 
June  13,  1865;  Wagoner  Jesse  W.  Alvis, 
discharged  April  15,  1S62. 

Privates. —  Abbott,     William     IL,     mus- 
tered out  September  12,    1864,   as  corporal, 
term  expired;  Alvis,  Henry,  discharged  No- 
vember I,  1861,  disability;  Barrett,  George, 
M.,  mustered  out  September    12,    1864,    as 
corporal,     term     expired;       Barclay,    John, 
mustered  out  September  12,    1864,    as    cor- 
poral,   term      expired;      Beloat,      George, 
mustered  out  September  12,    1864,   as    ser- 
geant,   term    expired;  Brothers,   Benjamin, 
died  of  wounds.  Pine  Bluff,  Ark.,  July    23, 
1864;  Burns,  James,  mustered   out  Septem- 
ber 12,   1864,    term    expired;  Carter,  John 
T.,  missing  in  action  at    Mark's   Mill,  April 
25,  1S61 ;  Case,  James,  discharged  Septem- 
ber 6,  1S64,  disability;  Conner,  Daniel,  dis- 
charged December  i,    1861,    wounds;  Cox, 
Levi,  mustered    out    September    12,    1864, 
term  expired;  Cooper,  James,  died  at  home 
November  19,    1861,    of  wounds;  Cunning- 
ham, John  A.,  died  at  home,  October  29, 1861 ; 
Dougherty,  Joseph,  died  at  home  November 
27,  1863;  Donnovan,    Absalom,    missing  in 
action  at  Mark's  Mill,  April  25,  1864;  Evans, 
Marcus    L.,  discharged  November  i,  1861, 
disability;       Fahrr,    John,      mustered     out 
September,      12,      1864,       term      expired; 
Faisse,    George    E.,   mustered      out    Sep- 
tember   12,    1864,    as    corporal,    term     ex- 
pired; Frankhn,    Benjamin,  discharged  No- 
vember I,  1 86 1,  disability;  Gilbert,  Thomas 
J.,  missing    in  action   at  Mark's  Mill,    April 
25,    1864;    Haddock,    Thomas,    discharged 
November    i,      1861,    disability;    Haddock, 
Alexander,  died   at    Pilot    Knob,  Mo.,    No- 


vember 10,  1861;  Hays,  Divin, mustered  out 
September  12,  1864,  term  expired;  Holderly, 
James     W.,  mustered    out    September    12, 
1864,  term    expired;    Howard,    Henry  W., 
mustered    out    September    12,    1864,    term 
expired;  Hunter,  Francis   F.,  mustered  out 
September  12,  1864, term  expired;  Johnson, 
Wesley,  mustered  out  September  12,  1864, 
term  expired;  Joyce,  William,  mustered  out 
September  12,    1864,  term  expired;  Kahler, 
Benjamin  F.,  mustered    out    September  12, 
1864,  term  expired;  Lagrange,  John,  miss- 
ing in  action  at  Mark's  Mill,  April  25,  1864; 
May  bray,  William   W.,  mustered   out    Sep- 
tember  12,     1864,    as    corporal;    McClain, 
Charles  K.,  killed  at  Fredericktown,  Octo- 
ber 21,  1861;  McReynolds,  Leonard,   mus- 
tered out  September  12,  1864,  as  corporal; 
Miley,  Samuel,  killed  at   Pilot  Knob,   Octo- 
ber  28,    1861;  Miley,  David    H.,   mustered 
out    September    12,    1864,    term     expired; 
Orman,    Aaron,    died    at    Greenville,    Mo., 
March  10,  1862;   Perrigo,  William   H.,  dis- 
charged   September     6,      1861,    disability; 
Phillips,  Peter,  died  at  Pine  Bluff,  Ark,  July 
16,      1864;      Plantz,      James      A.,      mus- 
tered   out      September      12,     1864,     term 
expired;     Pride,     Joel     S.,     mustered    out 
September      12,       1864,      term       expired; 
Pride,  Wesley,  mustered  out  September  12, 
1864,  as  corporal,  term  expired;   Rawlings, 
Floyd  W.,  discharged  for  promotion  May  4, 
1863;    Reeves,    Henry    M.,    mustered    out 
September  12,  1864,  term  expired;  Rogers, 
Franklin,  discharged   November   30,    1861, 
disability;  Russell,   Moses,  discharged    De- 
cember 18,  1862,  disabilitv;  Stephens,  Obed, 
mustered  out  September  18,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Stewart,  Michael,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember   18,    1864,    term    expired;    Turner, 
John,    mustered    out  September    18,    1864, 
term  expired;  Turner,  Gilbert  B.,  mustered 
out    September    18,     1864,     term     expired; 
Turpin,  Asa,  captured  at  Mark's  Mill,  April 


t'iRST  CAVALRY. 


501 


25,  1864,  mustered  out  January  3,  1865; 
Walker,  Charles,  missing  in  action  at  Mark's 
Mill,  April  25,  1864;  Williamson,  George, 
discharged  September  6,  1861,  disability; 
Williams,  Albert,  died  at  Helena,  Ark., 
January  10,  1863;  Whittaker,  George  W., 
died  June,  1864,  wounds  received  Camden, 
Ark. ;  Whittaker,  Robert  A.,  died  at  Iron- 
ton,  Mo.,  February  26,  1862;  Willis, 
Abner,  discharged  November  i,  1861,  dis- 
ability. 

Recruits. —  Chutte,  Hale,  mustered  out 
May  31,  1865;  Hitch,  John,  transferred  to 
Company  A,  First  cavalry,  reorganized; 
Lyons,  Harry,  transferred  to  Company  A, 
First  cavalry,  reorganized.  The  original 
enrollment  of  this  companv  was  seventy-six; 
the  number  of  its  recruits,  twenty-two;  its 
loss  bv  death,  twentv-three;  desertion,  four; 
unaccounted  for,  six. 

Exploits,  of  the  First  Cavalry. —  Leaving 
Evansville  August  21,  i86i,the  regimentpro- 
ceeded  via  St.  Louis  to  fronton,  Mo.,  and,  on 
September  12,  had  a  sharp  skirmish  with  a 
party  of  rebels  on  Black  river,  in  which  five 
of  the  enemy  were  killed  and  four  captured. 
During  the  fall  and  winter  it  remained  on 
duty  near  Pilot  Knob,  and  while  campaign- 
ing in  this  region,  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Fredericktown  on  the  21st  of  October, 
and  in  a  charge  that  decided  the  fate  of  the 
battle,  captured  a  piece  of  artillery  and 
drove  the  enemy  from  the  field,  not,  how- 
ever, without  a  serious  loss  —  the  death  of 
Major  Gavitt.  In  the  spring  of  1862,  the 
First  cavalry  moved  into  Arkansas,  on  July 
7th  fought  tlie  battle  of  Round  Hill,  and 
durintr  the  remainder  of  its  term  of  service 
remained  on  duty  in  that  state.  For  over  a 
year  it  was  stationed  at  Helena,  engaging 
in  various  expeditions  in  every  direction 
from  that  point,  and  during  the  last  year  of 
its  service  was  stationed  at  Pine  Bluff.  The 
regiment,    excepting     the    recruits    whose 


terms  of  service  had  not  yet  expired,  were 
mustered  out  of  service  at  Indianapolis  on 
September  6,  1864. 

The  remaining  recruits  left  behind  in  Ar- 
kansas, were  on  August  31st,  organized  into 
a  detachment  of  two  companies  —  A  and 
B  —  and  stationed  at  Pine  Bluff.  While  on 
a  scout  on  September  15th,  it  had  a  severe 
engagement  with  the  enemy  and  was  com- 
pelled to  fall  back,  losing  eight  men  vs'ounded 
and  prisoners.  It  continued  its  service  in 
Arkansas  until  June  24th,  when  it  moved  to 
Indianapolis,  where  it  was  finally  discharged, 
numbering  125  men  and  three  ofiicers. 

In  this  reorganized  detachment  there  were 
from  Vanderburgh  count}'  the  following 
men:  Companj'  A — Hith,  John,  musician, 
mustered  out  June  22,  1865;  Eisler,  George, 
farrier  and  blacksmith,  mustered  out  June 
22,  1865;  Hudson,  Robert,  mustered  out 
January  14,  1865;  Miller,  Andrew,  mustered 
out  June  22,  1865,  as  farrier;  McClain,  John 
H.,  mustered  out  March  25,  1865,  as  corpo- 
ral; Myers,  Joseph,  mustered  out  June  22, 
1865;  Sidenthall,  George,  mustered  out 
June  22,  1865;  Wilson,  Peter,  mustered  out 
June  22,  1865;  Turner,  James,  recruit, 
mustered  out  June  22,  1865.  Company 
B  —  Waldon,  Joseph  P.,  sergeant,  mustered 
out  June  22,  1865;  Effinger,  Thomas,  cor- 
poral, mustered  out  June  22,  1865;  Bates, 
John  L.,  corporal,  mustered  out  June  22, 
1865;  Holmes,  Jonathan,  mustered  out  De- 
cember 9,  1864;  McGark,  Peter,  mustered 
out  March  10,  1865;  Topf,  William, 
mustered  out  June  22,  1S65,  as  saddler; 
Young,  John  B.,  mustered  out  June  22,  1865, 
as  sergeant. 

Tlic  Tliirty-second  Regiment. —  This  was 
called  the  First  German  regiment,  being  the 
first  to  organize  and  be  mustered  in  as  ex- 
clusively composed  of  soldiers  of  German 
birth  or  descent.  It  was  organized  at  In- 
dianapolis through  the  exertions  of    August 


508 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


Willich,  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  Ger- 
man revolution  of  1848,  who  was  mustered 
in  with  the  regiment  as  its  colonel  on  the 
24th  day  of  August,  1861.  Early  in  the 
spring  of  that  year,  indeed,  immediately  fol- 
lowing the  first  warlike  demonstrations,  a 
company  of  Germans,  composed  mostly  of 
Turners,  was  organized  in  Evansville,  with 
William  Schnackenburg  as  captain.  The 
company  was  armed  with  rifles,  uniformed 
with  blue  blouses,  soft  cassimere  hats  and 
dark  pants,  and  for  some  time  did  duty, 
guarding  powder  houses  and  protecting 
propert}-.  On  the  afternoon  of  June  24,  in 
front  of  the  Mozart  hall  on  First  street,  a 
large  crowd  of  people  assembled  to  witness 
the  presentation  of  a  beautiful  American 
flag  to  this  sterling  corps  by  its  lad}'  ad- 
mirers. The  Home  guards  were  out  in 
force;  the  Jackson  artiller}-  and  Capt. 
Klauss'  battery,  the  Lamasco  guards, 
and  the  companies  of  Capts.  Monk, 
Wolflein,  Denby  and  Shanklin,  were 
all  there  to  add  interest  to  the  occa- 
sion. The  assembled  ladies  sang  the  "Red, 
White  and  Blue "  with  inspiring  effect, 
after  which,  in  their  behalf,  Miss  Pfaf- 
flin,  with  appropriate  remarks,  presented 
the  flag.  Capt.  Schnackenburg  received 
the  emblem  of  liberty,  expressing  to 
the  ladies  on  behalf  of  the  company, 
a  high  appreciation  of  their  patriotic 
encouragement,  promising  loyalty  and 
love  to  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  pledging 
the  lives  of  himself  and  his  men  in  its  de- 
fense and  protection  from  dishonor.  The 
bands  discoursed  patriotic  music,  hearty 
cheers  were  given,  German  songs  were 
sung,  and  the  procession  marched  about  the 
city,  everywhere  creating  great  enthusiasm 
by  its  loyal  demonstrations.  Upon  the  or- 
ganization of  a  regiment  bv  the  Germans 
of  the  state,  this  company  of  Turners  joined 
it,  forming  Company  K.     Capt.  Schnacken- 


burg was  commissioned  major  of  the  regi- 
ment, was  promoted  lieutenant  colonel,  and 
resigned  October  19,  1S62.  Wilham  G. 
Mank,  another  Evansville  citizen,  went  out 
as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  A,  was  pro- 
moted captain  of  Company  C,  major 
of  the  regiment  and  lieutenant  colonel, 
although  mustered  out  September  7,  1864, 
before  his  muster  in  the  rank  last  named. 
Charles  Schmitt,  who  went  out  as  adjutant, 
was  commissioned  major  July  18,  1862,  and 
resigned  November  17,  1862,  for  promotion 
as  assistant  adjutant  general.  Ferdinand 
C.  Meyer,  first  sergeant  Company  K,  was 
promoted  adjutant,  and  served  from  Septem- 
ber 25,  1862,  to  March  27,  1863,  when  he 
resigned.  From  October  7  to  November 
15,  1861,  Wilhelm  Schmitt  was  chaplain, 
and  from  June  13,  1863,  Emil  Forstmeyer 
was  assistant  surgeon.  The  other  regi- 
mental  officers  were  from  other  parts  of  the 
state.  Of  the  company  officers  several  were 
from  Vanderburgh  county.  Louis  Beyreiss, 
a  sergeant  in  Company  A,  was  successively 
promoted  second  lieutenant  Company  H, 
first  lieutenant  Compan}^  A,  and  captain 
Company  B,  being  mustered  out  September 
7,  1864,  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  en- 
listment John  D.  Ritter  rose  from  second 
lieutenant  Company  K,  to  first  lieutenant 
and  captain  Company  B,  a. id  was  killed  at 
Chickamaugua  September  20,  1863.  Gus- 
tave  Arnold,  a  recruit  to  Compan}-  A,  was 
commissioned,  but  not  mustered,  as  second 
lieutenant  of  Company  B.  Phillip  Wassem, 
a  corporal  in  Companv  K,  was  promoted 
second  lieutenant,  and  subsequently  captain 
of  the  residuary  battalion.  Company  C,  and 
resigned  June  I,  1S65.  Charles  H.  Allen 
served  as  captain  residuary  battalion.  Com- 
pany D,  from  October  4,  1864,  to  June  16, 
1865,  when  he  resigned.  Seigmund  Selig, 
a  sergeant  Companv  K,  second  liec.tenant 
Company  F,  and  first  lieutenant    Company 


THIRTY-SECOND  REGIMENT. 


',09 


D,  resigned  January  31,  1S63.  Benjamin 
Hubbs,  jr.,  served  from  October  4,  1864, 
to  April  10,  1865,  as  first  lieutenant  Com- 
pany D,  residuary  battalion;  Will- 
iam Birley  was  second  lieutenant  and 
first  lieutenant  in  the  same  battalion. 
Isidore  Esslinger  entered  the  service  as  first 
lieutenant  Company  K,  was  promoted  cap- 
tain Compan\'  E,  August  13,  1862,  and  re- 
signed October  16,  1S63.  Charles  W.  Lang, 
rose  from  sergeant  Company  K,  to  second 
lieutenant  Company  H,  and  first  lieutenant 
Compan\'  G,  from  which  rank  he  was  mus- 
tered out  at  the  e.xpiration  of  his  term  Sep- 
tember 7,  1864.  The  command  of  Com- 
pany K,  at  its  organization  rested  with  Capt. 
Andreas  Winter,  who  resigned  February 
13,  1863,  and  was  succeeded  by  Capt. 
Adolph  Metzner,  of  Indianapolis.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  roster  of  the  enlisted  men  who 
were  from  Vanderburgh  count}-:  First 
Sergt.  Ferd  C.  Meyer,  promoted  adjutant; 
Sergt.  Seigmund  Selig,  promoted  second 
lieutenant  Company  F;  Sergt.  Louis 
Beyreiss,  promoted  second  lieutenant  Com- 
pany H;  Sergt.  Charles  W.  Lang,  promoted 
second  lieutenant  Company  H ;  Corp.  Fritz 
Nitzer,  died  January  4,  1863,  wounds  re- 
ceived Stone  River;  Corp.  William  Frieders- 
dorff,  transferred  to  Company  C,  Thirty- 
second  reorganized;  Corp.  Louis  Eller,  dis- 
charged April  24,  1862,  disabihty:  Corp. 
Julius  Hauser,  discharged  May  4,  1863,  disa- 
bility; Corp.  Louis  Nitz,  died  April  29,  1862, 
wounds  received  Shiloh;  Corp.  Phillip 
Wassem,  promoted  second  lieutenant  Com- 
pany I;  Corp.  Bernard  Watt,  promoted  sec- 
ond lieutenant  another  regiment;  Corp. 
Joseph  Wack,  died  April  24,  1862,  wounds 
received  Shiloh;  Musician  CSristian  Messer, 
mustered  out  September  7,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Musician  William  Keupert,  not  mus- 
tered out;  Wagoner  Freidrich  Lichte,  mus- 
tered out  September  7,  1864,  term  expired. 


Privates. —  Bartels,     Ileinrich,    mustered 
out  September  7,  1864,  term  expired;  Bin- 
der, Jacob,  transferred  to    Veterans'  Relief 
corps  September  21,  1863;  Burgdorff,  Con- 
rad, mustered  out  September  7,  1864,  term 
expired;  Burgdorff,   Julius,    discharged    on 
account  of  wounds  March  17, 1864;  Decker, 
John,  discharged   April  22,  1863,  disability; 
Decker,  Phillip,  died  in  Andersonville  prison 
July  26,    1864;  Denzer,    George,    mustered 
out  September  "],  1864,  term  expired;  Died- 
rich,  George,  died  at  Nolansville,  Ky.,  De- 
cember   13,  i86r;  Disi^ue,  Jacob,  mustered 
out    September     7,     1864,     term     expired; 
Drohm,     Philip,   unaccounted     for;     Druis- 
berry,  August,  mustered  out    September  7, 
1864,   term   expired;  Eberlin,  William,   dis- 
charged   May     7,     1863,    disability;    Felle, 
John,  mustered  out  September  7,  1864,  term 
expired;    Fielich,    Herman,     mustered    out 
September    7,   1864;  Gessner,   Jacob,    died 
January  2,  1863,   wounds  received   at  Stone 
river;  Heidman,   John,    discharged    March 
12,  1863,  disability;  Jaeger,  John,  mustered 
out  September  7,  1864,  term  expired;  Jahn, 
Christian,  mustered  out   September  7,  1864, 
as  first  sergeant;  Johnson,  Phillip,  mustered 
out       September       7,       1864,       term      ex- 
pired;    Kamp,      Robert,     died      at     Lou- 
don,    Tenn.,       x\pril      4,      1S64;     Kamp, 
Berthold,     mustered     out      September     7, 
1864,  term  expired;  Kiehnz,  Wilhelm,  mus- 
tered out  September  7,  1864,  term  expired: 
Kirsch,  Peter,   mustered  out  September  7, 
1864,  term  expired;  Klein,  Jacob,   mustered 
out  September  7,  1864, term  expired;  Kniese, 
Erikus,  died  April  7,  1862,  wounds  received 
at  Shiloh ;  Krause,  Wilhelm,   mustered    out 
September   7,    1864,    term    expired;    Krug 
Phillip,  discharged  April  21,  1S63,  disability; 
Kuhlman,  Ileinrich,  mustered  out  September 
7,  1864,  term   expired;    Kunow,  Fritz,  mus- 
tered out  September  7,  1864,  term   expired; 
Launstem,  Wilhelm,  discharged    March  16^ 


510 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y 


1864,  disability;  Lartner,  Joseph,  discharged 
March  15,  1S62,  disability;  Mehr,  Andreas, 
mustered  out  September  7,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Niehaus,  Wilhelm,  discharged  Sep- 
tember 22,  1862,  disability;  Offerman, 
Joseph,  discharged  January  14,  1863,  disabil- 
ity; Oswald,  Jacob,  mustered  out  September 
7,  1864,  term  expired;  Pape,  Franz,  dis- 
charged February  22, 1862,  disability;  Pfist- 
ner,  Heinrich,  mustered  out  September  7, 
1864,  as  sergeant;  Plank,  Simon,  died  at 
Nolansville,  Ky.,  November  29, 1861 ;  Ploe- 
ger,  Heinrich,  discharged  June  21,  1S62, 
disability;  Rickerich,  Philip,  discharged 
May  18,  1863,  disability;  Roesner,  Peter, 
mustered  out  September  7,  1864,  term  ex- 
pired; Rupp,  Franz,  not  mustered  out; 
Schaefer,  Heinrich,  mustered  out  September 
7,  1864,  term  expired; Schickel,  Jacob,  mus- 
tered out  September  7,  1864,  term  expired; 
Schmacke,  Martin,  discharged  Ma}^  5, 
1863,  disability;  Schmidt,  Jacob,  mustered 
out  September  7,  1864,  term  expired; 
Schreyer,  George,  discharged  February  16, 

1863,  disability;  Schwell,  Benedict,  mus- 
tered out  September  7,  1864,  term  expired; 
Schute,  Christian,  mustered  out  September 
7,  1864,  term  expired;  Stiegman,  Frederick, 
mustered  out  September  7,  1864,  as  cor- 
poral; Stroebel,  George,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 7,  1864,  term  expired;  Stumpf, 
Ernst,  mustered  out  September  7,  1864, 
from  Company  I ;  Stumpf,  Lains,  mustered 
out  September,  1862,  as  musician;  Tiemayer, 
Hermann,  transferred  to  Company'  F; 
Wagner,  Jacob,  mustered  out  September  7, 

1864,  term  expired;  Weber,  Fritz,  mustered 
out  September  7,  1864,  as  sergeant,  term 
expired;  Weber,  Samuel,  not  mustered  out; 
Weinhoeppel,  Joseph,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 7,  1864,  term  expired;  Weiter- 
shausen,  Carl,  discharged  March  12,  1863, 
disability;  Wentrup,  Wilhelm,  mustered  out 
September  7,  1864,  ^*i^^  expired;  Zeuzins, 


John,  mustered  out  September  7,  1864,  as 
sergeant;  Zugler,  John,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 7)  1864,  term  expired;  Zeimmerman, 
John,  discharged  June  24,  1862,  disabihty; 
Zielauf,  George,  died  September  19,  1863, 
wounds  received  at  Chickamauga. 

/^crni/'/s. —  Balnitze,  Henr}',  transferred 
to  Thirty-second,  reorganized;  Beeheer, 
George,  transferred  to  Thirtv-second,  re- 
organized: Blume,  George,  transferred  to 
Thirty -second,  reorganized,  mustered  out  De- 
cember 4,  1865 ;  Duisberg,  Ernst,  transferred 
to  Thirt^'-second,  reorganized,  mustered  out 
June  14,  i865;Ehrhardt,  William,  transferred 
to  Thirty-second,  reorganized,  mustered  out 
October  19,  1S65;  Faas,  Christian,  trans- 
ferred to  Thirty-second  reorganized,  dis- 
charged June  22,  1865,  disability;  Grote, 
Frederick,  transferred  to  Thirty-second,  re- 
organized, mustered  out  July  12,  1865,  as 
corporal;  Heuschkel,  Wilhelm,  transferred 
to  Thirt3'-second  reorganized,  mustered 
out  December  4,  1865,  as  corporal; 
Koenig,  George,  transferred  to  Thirt}-- 
second,  reorganized,  mustered  out  Februar}- 
6,  1865;  Lauer,  Christoph,  transferred  to 
Veteran  Reserve  corps  September  i,  1863; 
Minsterman,  Henr\-,  transferred  to  Thirt)-- 
second,  reorganized,  mustered  out  October 
19,  1865,  as  corporal;  Moes,  Wilhelm,  trans- 
ferred to  Thu'ty-second,  reorganized,  dis- 
charged April  3,  1S65,  disability;  Michel, 
George,  discharged  December  20,  1862, 
disability;  Niehaus,  Gottlieb,  died  at  Hunts- 
ville,  Ala.,  August  29,  1862;  Niehaus,  Wil- 
helm, transferred  to  Thirty-second,  reorgan- 
ized, mustered  out  July  27,  1S65:  Roesner, 
Henry,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve 
corps  September  16,  1863;  Schelosky, 
Henrv,  transferred  to  Thirtv-second,  reor- 
ganized, to  Veteran  Reserve  corps  January 
21,  1865;  Schwertpeyer,  Christian,  dis- 
charged March  i,  1S63,  disability;  Trow, 
Philip,    transferred    to    Veteran     Reserve 


THIRTY-SECOND  REGIMENT. 


511 


corps  March  17,  1864;  Wassem,  Henry, 
transferred  to  Thirty-second,  reorganized, 
mustered  out  June  14,  1S65,  a  corporal; 
Weyman,  Henry,  died  June  21,  1864,  of 
wounds  received  at  Kenesaw ;  Wund,  Jacob, 
transferred  to  Thirtj'-second,  reorganized, 
mustered  out  Januar}'  30,  1865,  as  sergeant. 
The  original  enrollment  of  this  company 
was  ninety-one;  its  recruits  numbered  thirty- 
eight;  it  lost  by  death  sixteen,  and  by 
desertion  six. 

Among  other  recruits  to  the  regiment 
the  following  were  furnished  by  Vander- 
burgh county :  Company  A  —  Dickman. 
John,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  corps 
April  30,  1864,  mustered  out  August  26, 
1865;  Frick,  John,  transferred  to  Thirty- 
second,  reorganized,  discharged,  disability. 
Company  C  ^-  Dutlenhausen,  August,  dis- 
charged February  3,  1863;  Degg,  William, 
transferred  to  Thirty-second,  reorganized, 
mustered  out  June  15,  186S5  ^  cor- 
poral; Elfelder,  Lenhardt,  transferred  to 
Thirt3'-second,  reorganized,  mustered  out 
June  15,  1865;  Euler,  Matthias,  trans- 
ferred to  Thirty-second,  reorganized, 
mustered  out  December  4,  1865; 
Gerlach,  John,  transferred  to  Thirth-second, 
reorganized;  Hettenbach,  Frederick,  died 
July  12,  1S64;  Krieger,  William,  transferred 
to  Thirty-second,  reorganized,  mustered  out 
December  4,  1865;  Lipper,  Christian,  trans- 
ferred to  Thirty-second,  reorganized,  mus- 
tered out  June  15,  1865.  Company  D  — 
Hauser,  Jacob,  transferred  to  Thirty-second, 
reorganized,  mustered  out  December  4,  1S65; 
Schaefer,  August,  transferred  to  Thirty- 
second,  reorganized,  not  mustered  out; 
Weitzel,  Rudolph,  discharged  November 
22,  1863,  disability;  Zuspann,  Jacob,  trans- 
ferred to  Thirtv-second,  reorganized,  and 
mustered  out  June  15,  1865.  Company 
E  —  Eberhart,  Michael,  transferred  to  Thirt}-- 
second,  reorganized,  mustered  out  June  14, 


1865,  '^s  sergeant;  Graff,  George,  died  at 
Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  June  20,  1864;  Hafen- 
drefer,  Henry,  transferred  to  Thirty-second, 
reorganized,  mustered  out  June  14,  1865,  as 
sergeant;  Kleinlogel,  Jacob,  transferred  to 
Thirty-second,  reorganized,  mustered  out 
June  14,  1S65;  Lantenschlager,  John,  died 
at  Chattanooga  Jul}-  18,  1864;  Pfister,  Ja- 
cob, transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  corps, 
December  28,  1864;  Ritt,  Gustave,  trans- 
ferred to  Thirty-second,  reorganized,  mus- 
tered out  December  4,  1864;  Rittinger, 
V^alentine,  transferred  to  Thirty-second,  re- 
organized; Rickenck,  Jacob,  transferred  to 
Thirty-second,  reorganized:  Risinger, 
Adam,  died  at  Atlanta  rebel  prison,  July  24, 
1864;  Risinger,  William,  died  at  New  Al- 
bany, June  25,  1864;  Schneble,  William, 
transferred  to  Thirt^'-second,  reorganized. 
Company  F  —  Bohlleber,  John,  transferred 
to  Thirty-second,  reorganized,  mustered  out 
June  14,  1865;  Deussner,  William,  trans- 
ferred to  Veteran  Reserve  corps,  March  17, 
1864;  Graf,  Louis,  transferred  to  Thirty-sec- 
ond, reorganized,  mustered  out  June  14, 
1865,  '^s  sergeant;  Steinmetz,  Joseph,  dis- 
charged December  26,  1862,  disability.  Com- 
pany G  —  Mann,  Adam,  discharged  May  22, 
1863,  disabilit}';  Mitz,  Henry,  transfered  to 
Thirty-second,  reorganized,  mustered  out  De- 
cember 4,  1865.  Company  H —  Grass,  Con- 
rad, died  in  Andersonville  prison  August  30, 
1864;  Kaiser,  Frederick,  transferred  to 
Thirt} -second,  reorganized,  mustered  out 
February  18,  1865;  Raisinger,  Jacob,  not 
mustered  out.  Company  I —  Saalnaechter, 
Jacob,  transferred  to  Thirty-second,  reorgan- 
ized, mustered  out  October  19,  1865.  Un- 
assigned  —  Broeker,  Henry,  unaccounted 
for;  Ileil,  John,  unaccounted  for;  Hoffman, 
Peter,  transferred  to  Thirt\--second,  reorgan- 
ized; Kaiser,  Jacob,  unaccounted  for;  Stem- 
per,  Charles  August,  unaccounted  for. 
iikclch  of  the  Regiment. —  In  the  latter 


512 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


part  of  September,  1861,  the  regiment  pro- 
ceeded to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  spent  the  fall 
and  winter  in  various  camps  in   tliat   state, 
doing  picket  duty  much  of  the  time,  along 
the  south  side   of    Green    river.     While  so 
engaged  on  December    17,    near  Rowlett's 
station,  four  companies  were    attacked  by  a 
force  of  1,100  infantry,  four  pieces  of  artil- 
lery and  a  battalion  of  Texan  rangers.    The 
struggle  for   a  time  was   fierce  and  appar- 
ently hopeless,  but  the  attacked  companies 
were     reinforced     by     the     rema'^nder     of 
the     regiment,       which       came       on       the 
run    to    the      scene    of    conflict,     and     the 
enemy     was      routed      after      a      contest 
which  brought  out  the  highest    qualities    of 
skill,  daring    and   endurance.       For  its  gal- 
lantry on  this  occasion,    the    regiment    was 
highly  complimented  in    special    orders    by 
Gen.  Buell  and  Gen.  Morton  and  the   name 
"Rowlett's  Station"  directed   to   be   placed 
on  the   regimental   colors.       It    participated 
in  the    battle    at    Shiloh,    losing    six    killed, 
ninety-three  wounded  and  four  missing,  and 
in  the  siege    of  Corinth    was    engaged    for 
many  days,  losing    eight    wounded.       After 
the  evacuation  of  Corinth  the  regiment  was 
with  Buell's  army,    most    of  the   time,    and 
took  part  in  the  pursuit   of  Bragg,    through 
Kentucky.    From  November,  1862,  to  June, 
1863,  it  was  at  Nashville  and  Murfreesboro, 
during  which  time  it    was    engaged    in    the 
battle     of     Stone      River,    losing       twelve 
killed,         forty         wounded,         and        115 
missing.       Moving   with    Rosecranz's  arm}- 
toward  Chattanooga,  it  engaged  in  a  severe 
skirmish  at  Liberty  Gap,  on  June  24,  and  on 
September  19  and   20    participated    in    the 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  losing    twenty-one 
killed,  seventy-eight   wounded,    and    seven- 
teen missing.     Falling  back  to  Chattanooga, 
it  remained  there  until  the  battle  of  Mission 
Ridge    was  fought,    on  November    25,    in 
which  it  bore  an  honorable  part.       Remain- 


ing in  east  Tennessee  until  just  before  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  it  joined  Sherman's  army, 
and  marched  with  it  to  Atlanta,  engaging 
always  with  credit  to  itself  in  the  following 
battles  and  skirmishes:  Resaca,  Allatoona 
Hills,  Dallas,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Paid 
Springs,  Atlanta  and  man\-  minor  skir- 
mishes. The  non-veterans  were  mustered 
out  at  Indianapolis,  September  7,  1864.  The 
remaining  recruits  were  organized  into  a 
residuary  battalion,  did  duty  in  Tennessee, 
Louisiana  and  Texas,  and  was  finally 
mustered  out  December  4,  1865. 

T/'ic  Thirty-pflh  Regiment. —  During  the 
winter  of  1861  authority  was  given  Bernard 
F.  Mullen,  of  Madison,  Ind.,  to  organize  the 
Sixtv-first,  or  second  Irish,  regiment,  the 
Thirty-fifth,  or  first  Irish,  regiment  having 
been  organized  at  Indianapolis,  and  mus- 
tered into  the  United  States  service  on 
December  11,  1861,  with  John  C.  Walker 
as  colonel.  About  twenty  men  went  from 
Vanderburgh  county  to  join  the  Sixty-first, 
and  proceeded  to  Madison,  the  place  of 
rendezvous.  The  attempt  to  raise  this  reg- 
iment being  unsuccessful,  the  enlisted  men 
and  a  few  of  the  oflicers,  including  Col. 
Mullen,  were  transferred  to  the  Thirty-fifth 
regiment  on  May  22,  1862.  Prior  to  the 
date  of  this  consolidation,  however,  many  of 
the  men  had  become  dissatisfied  and  refused 
to  muster.  As  a  result  but  few  Vander- 
burgh county  men  found  their  way  into  the 
ranks  of  this  regiment.  Among  the  regi- 
mental officers  there  was  but  one  from  here. 
James  Fitzwilliams  was  commissioned  sec- 
ond lieutenant,  Company  G,  March  20, 
1S62,  rose  to  first  lieutenant  and  captain  of 
his  company,  and  then  to  major  of  the  regi- 
ment on  March  i,  1865,  but  before  muster- 
ing in  this  rank,  he  resigned,  as  captain, 
June  10,  1865,  In  the  same  company  Tim- 
othy Dawson  was  second  and  first  lieutenant 
and  later  was  captain  of  Company  H,  being 


THIRTY-FIFTH  REGIMENT. 


'>13 


mustered  out  with  llie  regiment.  Michael 
Gorman  was  commissioned  second  lieuten- 
ant of  Company  13  upon  the  consolidation 
of  the  two  regiments,  was  promoted  llrst 
lieutenant  November  13,  1S62,  and  captain 
May  I,  1S63,  from  which  rank  he  resigned 
June  10,  1865.  James  Gaviske  was  second 
lieutenant  and  captain  Company  E,  and  re- 
signed July  21,  1864-  Among  the  enlisted 
men  from  here  there  were  in  Company  G 
the  following:  Ilumphries,  Ignatius  X., 
corporal,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve 
corps  February  10,  1864;  Fitzwilliams, 
Patrick,  corporal,  discharged  September 
15,  1862,  disability;  Gaffney,  Patrick, 
corporal,  not  mustered  out;  Williams,  Sam- 
uel, corporal,  veteran,  transferred  to  Vet- 
eran Reserve  corps,  mustered  out  June  23, 
1865;  Dawson,  Michael,  not  mustered  out; 
Gleeson,  Cornelius,  not  mustered  out; 
Holmes,  Thomas,  mustered  out  April  6, 
1865;  Mill,  Patrick,  not  mustered  out;  Ken- 
nedy, John,  missing  at  Stone  River,  January 
2,  1863;  Hughes,  John,  not  mustered  out; 
Nolan,  William  J.,  not  mustered  out;  Ryan, 
Thomas,  died  February  20,  1863,  of  wounds 
received  at  Stone  River;  Summers,  Timothy, 
veteran,  mustered  out  September  30,  1865, 
as  sergeant;  Victor\-,  John, discharged  April 
7,  1863,  disability;  Tremble, John,  mustered 
out  September  30,  1865.  In  Company  E, 
Thomas    P.    Cole,    drafted    in    December, 

1864,  was    mustered    out    September     30, 

1865,  and  Isaac  Miller,  who  joined  the  com- 
pany January  12,  1865,  lt;ft  it  without  being 
mustered  out. 

Slcctr/i  of  the  T/iir/y-fJl/i.~\i\.ftY  the 
consolidation  mentioned  above,  the  regiment 
remained  in  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  in 
the  fall  of  1862  participating  in  the  pursuit 
of, Bragg,  the  battle  of  Perry ville  and  the 
skirmishes  of  the  march.  In  a  skirmish  at 
Dobbins  Ford,  December  9,  it  lost  fortv 
men  in  killed  and  wounded.  At  Stone  River 
30 


it  lost  one-third  of  the  number  engaged, 
having  twentN'-nine  killed,  seventy-two 
wounded  and  thirty-three  missing,  making  a 
total  loss  of  134.  It  also  sustained  heavv 
losses  at  Chickamauga.  With  the  Second 
brigade,  First  division.  Fourth  corps,  it  par- 
ticipated in  all  the  marches,  battles,  skirm- 
ishes and  scouts  of  the  historic  Atlanta  cam- 
paign of  1864.  At  Kenesavv  Mountain  in  a 
hand  to  hand  encounter  with  the  enemy  the 
regiment  particularly  proved  its  valor,  losing 
eleven  killed  and  fifty-four  wounded.  Near 
Marietta,  while  valiantly  engaged  capturing 
the  enemy's  rifle  pits  and  twenty-eight  pris- 
oners it  again  lost  eleven  in  killed  and 
wounded.  It  acted  a  conspicuous  part  in  the 
battles  following  the  fall  of  Atlanta  and  the 
pursuit  of  the  enemy  to  the  northward.  At 
Franklin,  Tenn.,  it  gallantly  repulsed  the 
enemy,  and  at  Nashville  assisted  in  his  rout 
and  complete  demoralization.  It  remained 
in  Tennessee  until  June,  1865,  when  sent  to 
Texas.  Mustered  out  September  30,  1865. 
T/ic  S/.\ih  Battery,  Light  Artillery. — 
This  battery  was  recruited  at  Evansville 
and  mustered  into  the  service  at  Indianapo- 
lis on  the  7th  of  September,  1S61,  with 
Frederick  Behr,  of  Evans\'ille,  as  captain. 
When  Capt.  Behr  gave  his  life  .to  his 
country,  on  the  field  at  Shiloh,  April  6, 
1S62,  the  command  was  entrusted  to 
Michael  Mueller,  who  had  rendered  faithful 
service  as  second  and  first  lieutenant,  and 
who  afterward  was  ever  active  in  the  per- 
formance of  his  duty  as  captain  until  mus- 
tered out  at  the  expiration  of  his  term, 
September  19,  1864.  The  other  ofiicers  of 
the  battery  were  residents  of  Indianapolis. 
The  enlisted  men  contributed  by  Vander- 
burgh county  to  this  battery  were  as  follows : 
Sergt.  Conrad  Mushagen,  mustered  out 
September,  1864;  Sergt.  Heinrich  Scludz, 
died,  date  unknown;  Coip.  Joseph  Yuer- 
gensmayer,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserv^ 


BlJt    ■ 


MILITA  R  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


corps;  Corp.  Johann  Kastner,  veteran, 
mustered  out  July  22,  1865,  ^^  sergeant; 
Corp.  William  Hogrefe,  mustered  out 
September,  1S64,  as  first  sergeant;  Corp. 
Charles  Yuergens,  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber, 1864;  Corp.  August  Bergmann,  mus- 
tered out  September,  1864;  Bugler  Charles 
Mahler,  discharged  November  13,  1862; 
Artificer  John  HuUer,  died  at  Memphis, 
Tenn.,July  20,  1864. 

Privates. — AUbach,  Franz,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  July  22,  1865;  Becker,  David, 
mustered  out  September,  1864;  Benke, 
Heinrich,  mustered  out  September,  1864; 
Bickel,  Johann, veteran,  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber, 1864;  Blum,  Johann,  veteran,  mustered 
out  July  22,  1865;  Burggrabbe,  Charles,  dis- 
charged August  18,  1862;  Druschel,  Johann, 
mustered  out  September,  1864;  Ebie,  Con- 
rad, mustered  out  September,  1864;  Feld- 
worth,  Adam,  mustered  out  September, 
1864;  Fisher,  Christian,  never  mustered  out; 
Flurer,  Tobias,  mustered  out  September, 
1864;  Firnhaber,  Adolph,  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember, 1864,  '^^  *^''^'^  sergeant;  Gardner,  Au- 
gust, transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  corps; 
Hortig,  August, unaccounted  for;  Hartmann, 
Heinrich,  mustered  out  September,  1S64; 
Heidorn,  William,  unaccounted  for;  Hess, 
Peter,  mustered  out  September,  1S64;  Hin- 
steadt,  Heinrich,  mustered  out  September, 
1864;  Hirsch,  Ferdinand,  mustered  out  May 
28,  1865;  Huller,  Michael,  mustered  out 
September,  1864;  Jochum,  George,  mus- 
tered out  September,  1864;  Jochum, 
Jacob,  mustered  out  September  1S64; 
Jockol,  Michael,  mustered  out  September, 
1864  ;  Jordon,  Heinrich,  veteran,  mustered 
out  July  12,  1865  ;  Koffitz,  Heinrich,  mus- 
tered out  February  6,  1865;  Krueger, 
Charles,  unaccounted  for;  Kutterer,  Anton, 
unaccounted  for;  Krohnsager,  Heinrich, 
mustered  out  September,  1864;  Korff, 
Heinrich,      discharged,      date      unknown; 


Kohl,  Heinrich,  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber, 1864;  Longhaus,  Adam,  veteran, 
mustered  out  Juh'  22,  1865;  Lim- 
bach,  Peter,  unaccounted  for;  Limbach, 
Casper,  discharged  July  30,  1862;  Loebs, 
Johann,  mustered  out  September,  1S64; 
Mehsens,  Claus,  unaccounted  for;  Maertz, 
Samuel,  discharged,  date  unknown ;  Piiaef- 
fle,  Johann,  accidental!}'  killed;  Pump, 
George,  mustered  out  1864;  Peck,  James, 
mustered  out  Maj^  22,  1865;  Riedle,  Albert, 
nuistered  out  September,  1864;  Roffen- 
sholfer,  Christ.,  not  mustered  out;Rosem- 
meyer,  Frederick,  mustered  out  September, 
1864;  Sickenberger,  Johann,  discharged 
November  13,  1862;  Schneidthorst,  Hein- 
rich, died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  January  21, 
1864;  Schaaf,  Jacob,  unaccounted  for;  Stern, 
Franz,  unaccounted  for;  Schmidtz,  Valen- 
tine, unaccounted  for  ;  Schmidtz,  Heinrich, 
died  May  28,  1864;  Steljes,  Johann,  mus- 
tered out  September,  1864;  Strohmayer, 
Xavier,  mustered  out  September,  1864 ; 
Schuman,  Heinrich,  died  at  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  June  18,  1864;  Trautt,  Jacob, 
mustered  out  September,  1864;  Un- 
hold,  Frederick,  mustered  out  Septem- 
ber, 1864;  Wetzel,  George,  discharged 
November  26,  1862,  wounds ;  Wei- 
bel.  Christian,  mustered  out  September, 
1864;  Wechmayer,  Heinrich,  mustered  out 
September,  1864;  teller,  Louis,  veteran, 
mustered  out  July  22,  1865;  Zeigler,  Franz, 
veteran,  mustered  out  July  22,  1865,  '>s 
corporal. 

Recruits. —  Bechdolt,  Erhard,  mustered 
out  July  10,  i86S;  Becker,  Johann,  mus- 
tered out  Julj'  22,  i865)  as  sergeant;  Diet- 
rich, Charles,  unaccounted  for;  Fenke, 
John  H.,  unaccounted  for;  Horreben,  Fred- 
erick, mustered  out  July  22,  1S65;  Heiden, 
William,  mustered  out  July  22,  1865;  Hein- 
rich, Anton  J.,  supposed  lost  on  Sultana, 
April  27,  1865;  Isler,  Adam,   mustered  out 


SIXTH  BATTERY. 


515 


July  22,  r865;Klosen,  Nicholas,  unaccounted 
for;  Kaiser,  Gottleib  W.,  mustered  out  July 
22,  1865;  Michelfelder,  Gottleib,  mustered 
out  July  22,  1S65;  Pope,  Charles,  mustered 
out  July  22,  1865;  Rommel,  Gottleib,  mus- 
tered out  July  22,  1S65;  Sholl,  Joseph,  un- 
accounted for;  Titt,  John  G.,  mustered  out 
May  28,  1865;  Williams,  August,  unac- 
counted for;  Wengert,  George,  mustered 
out  July  22,  1S65;  Wolf,  George  P.,  not 
mustered  out.  This  battery  went  out  with 
133  men,  and  received  seventy-eight  re- 
cruits. Nineteen  of  its  men  re-enlisted  as 
veterans,  seventeen  died,  six  deserted  and 
twenty-six  were  unaccounted  for. 

Field  Service  0/  t/ic  Sixt/i  Batter \. —  Oc- 
tober 2,  1861,  the  battery  left  Indianapolis 
by  rail  and  proceeded  bv  way  of  Evansville 
to  Henderson,  Ky.,  whence  it  moved  to  Cal- 
houn, South  Carrollton, and  Owensboro, K}., 
being  on  dut}' at  these  places  until  the  spring 
of  1862,  when  it  joined  Gen.  Sherman's 
command  at  Paducah.  On  the  4th  of  March, 
with  Sherman's  division,  it  moved  up  the 
Tennessee  river  on  steamers,  disembarking 
at  Pittsburg  Landing.  On  the  morning  of 
April  6,  when  the  rapid  advance  of  the 
enemy  opened  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  it  was 
guarding  the  bridge  over  Owl  creek  on  the 
Purdy  road.  For  over  two  hours  it  held 
its  position  su|-)ported  bv  McDowell's  brig- 
ade, but  was  eventually  forced  back  by  the 
strong  columns  of  the  enemy.  While  the 
battery  was  retiring  Gen.  Sherman  met  it 
at  the  intersection  of  the  Corinth  road,  and 
gave  orders  to  Capt.  Behr  to  bring  his  guns 
into  battery.  The  captain  had  hardly  given 
the  order  to  his  men  when  he  was  struck  by 
a  musket  ball  and  fell  from  his  horse.  This 
caused  confusion,  and  the  enemy  pressing 
forward  vigorouslj-,  captured  most  of  the 
guns  of  the  battery,  and  killed  sixty-eight  of 
its  horses.  Capt.  Behr's  wound  proved 
fatal,  and  four  more  were  wounded.     After 


this  battle  new  guns  were  procured,  and  the 
battery  moved  with  the  army  upon  Corinth. 
On  May  2Sth,  supported  bv  Gen.  Denver's 
brigade,   the   battery    had   a    sharp  engage- 
ment with  the  enem\-.     The  guns  were  un- 
limbered  and  moved  b}'  hand  to  the  crest  of 
a  hill,  and  opening   a   rapid    tire   drove   the 
enemy  from   a  strong   position,   demolished 
a  block  house,   from   which  he  annoyed  one 
line  of  skirmishers,  and  dashing  forward,  the 
brigade     captured    and    held    the     ground. 
Taking  position    in    these    advanced  works, 
the  battery  was  constantly  engaged  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth  until  its   evacuation   by  the 
enemy.     The    battery,    with    a     portion    of 
Sherman's  troops,  next  engaged  the  enemy 
at  Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  defeating  and  driv- 
ing him   from  the   town.      Thereafter,  until 
November  26,  it  did  garrison  duty  at  Fort 
Pickering,    near     Memphis,    Tenn.     From 
here  it  moved  with  Sherman's  forces  upon 
the  rebel   Gen.   Pemberton,    on    the   Talla- 
hatchie river.     The  enemy,  however,  aban- 
doned his  works  and  retreated  to  Grenada, 
the  batter^'  returning  to  La  Grange,   where 
one  section  was  detached  to  LaFayette   and 
the  other  to   Colliersville,  Tenn.     In  June, 
1863,    the   battery,  proceeding  by   way   of 
Memphis,  joined  the  armv   of  Gen.   Grant, 
then  engaged  in  the    siege    of    \'icksburg, 
taking  part  in  the  operations  against    that 
city  until  its  surrender.      It  then  moved  with 
Sherman's    column    to     15ig    Black     river, 
where,  July   6,  it  engaged  the    rebel    forces 
under     Gen.  Johnson.     It    next   took    part 
in  the  siege  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  until  its  evac- 
uation, when  it  was  assigned   to   the   Third 
brigade.    Third    division.    Fifteenth     army 
corps,  and  went  into  camp  near  Bear  creek. 
Miss.     On   October    15,    the  battery  moved 
with  Gen.  McPherson's  command  on  an  ex- 
pedition   to   Brownsville,  Miss.,  and   shelled 
the    rebels    out     of     a      strong     position. 
Soon     afterward      it     went      into     camp 


516 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


at  Pocahontas,  Tennessee.  January  i, 
1864,  ^  majorit}'  of  its  members  re- 
enlisted  as  veterans.  It  was  stationed  at 
Pocahontas,  Black  River  Bridge,  Vicksburg 
and  Memphis  until  May,  when  it  moved 
with  Gen.  Sturgis'  command  through  north- 
ern Mississippi,  and  on  June  10  was  engaged 
in  the  battle  of  Guntown,  losing  three  men 
and  ten  horses.  At  Tupelo,  Miss.,  July  14, 
1864,  it  lost  one  killed  and  seven  wounded. 
Thereafter,  until  ordered  to  Indianapolis  for 
muster  out,  it  served  as  a  stationed  batter}- 
at  Fort  Pickering.  It  reached  Indianapolis 
July  15,  1S65,  with  two  officers  and  forty- 
eight  men,  and  was  mustered  out  July  22, 
followinfj. 

The  F'oiiy-secoiui Bcg/incnt.  —  The  organ- 
ization of  this  regiment  was  completed  on 
the  9th  of  October,  1861,  and  Company  A, 
the  onlv  one  composed  exclusively  of  Van- 
derburgh county  men,  was  mustered  in  un 
the  same  day.  The  colonel  of  the  regiment 
during  its  entire  service,  was  one  of  Evans- 
ville's  foremost  citizens,  James  G.  Jones. 
Its  lieutenant-colonel,  was  the  distinguished 
statesman  and  soldier,  Charles  Denby,  who 
being  promoted  colonel  of  the  Eightieth 
regiment,  resigned  October  21,  1862,  when 
the  vacanc\-  was  filled  by  the  appointment 
of  another  well-known  man  who  went  out 
as  major  of  the  regiment,  James  M.  Shank- 
lin,  whose  service  was  terminated  by  death 
at  his  home  May  23,  1863.  Other  staff 
officers  from  Vanderburgh  county  were: 
DeWitt  C.  Evans,  adjutant,  September  12, 
1861,  to  October  11,  1862  ;  James  L.  Orr, 
quartermaster  to  November  9,  1862,  when 
promoted  captain  and  assistant  commissar}' 
sergeant ;  William  Atcheson,  chaplain, 
January  28,  to  May  24,  1862  ;  Nicholas  M. 
Patterson,  chaplain,  December  18,  1862,  to 
October  20,  1S63;  and  John  Mageniss, 
assistant  surgeon,  September  7,  1861,  to 
August  21,  1864.       Of  the  regimental  non- 


commissioned officers  Joseph  C.  Overell  was 
sergeant-major  from  the  date  of  muster  un- 
til promoted  second  lieutenant  of  Company 
D,  April  5,  1S62,  which  position  he  resigned 
August  27,  1864;  George  W.  Shanklin  was 
quartermaster  sergeant,  and  Elder  Cooper 
was  commissary  sergeant,  from  which  rank 
he  rose  by  successive  stages  to  the  captaincy 
of  Company  D,  and  w-as  honorabl}'  dis- 
charged after  three  years  of  active  service. 
A  regimental  band,  of  twenty  pieces,  under 
the  leadership  of  Charles  C.  Genung,  was 
mustered  in  with  the  regiment,  but  orders 
from  the  war  department  dispensing  with 
such  organizations,  prevented  this  body  of 
men  from  leading  the  regiment  through  its 
brilliant  career. 

Company  A  was  first  commanded  by 
Capt.  WiUiam  Atcheson,  who  resigned 
January  28,  1862,  to  accept  a  commission  as 
chaplain  of  the  regiment.  A  promotion 
from  the  first  lieutenancy  was  then  given  to 
Capt.  Charles  G.  Olmstead,  who  was  killed 
at  Chaphn  Hill,  Ky.,  October  8,  1862.  His 
successor  was  Capt.  John  Trimble,  for  a 
time  second  and  then  first  lieutenant.  Upon 
the  muster  out  of  Capt.  Trimble,  March  30, 
1S65,  Jacob  W.  Messick,  who  had  entered 
the  service  as  a  sergeant,  was  commissioned 
captain,  but  his  term  expiring,  he  was 
mustered  out  as  second  lieutenant,  in  which 
rank  he  was  then  serving.  May  i,  1S65, 
Andrew  McCutchan,  who  had  enlisted  in 
the  ranks,  and  been  promoted  therefrom  to 
the  first  lieutenancy,  was  rewarded  for  his 
faithful  service  with  a  captain's  commission, 
and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment. 
James  W.  Vickery  passed  successively  from 
the  rank  of  first  sergeant  to  that  of  first 
lieutenant,  from  which  he  was  mustered  out 
at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment. 
William  Shaw  also  rose  from  the  ranks,  and 
was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment 
as     first      lieutenant      of      his      company, 


FORTY-SECOXD  REGUIENT. 


S17 


Jesse  Gillett  was  commissioned  second 
lieutenant  Ma}^  i,  1S65,  but  was  not  mus- 
tered, beinfj  disciiarged  as  first  sergeant 
June  18,  1S65.  The  following  isa  complete 
roster  of  the  company,  as  mustered  October 
9,   1S61: 

First  Sergt.  James  W.  Vickery,  pro- 
moted second  lieutenant;  Sergt.  William 
Lant,  mustered  out  October  10,  1864, 
term  expired;  Sergt.  Jacob  W.  Messick, 
promoted  second  lieutenant;  Sergt.  Charles 
S.  Talbot,  discharged  account  disability; 
Sergt.  Nathaniel  Mathenj-,  died  Anderson- 
viile  prison,  August  29,  1864;  Corp.  John 
W.  James,  discharged  account  wounds; 
Corp.  John  Riggs,  killed  at  Perry^■ilIe,  Ky., 
October  8,  1862;  Corp.  Chauncey  Glass- 
mith,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December  31, 
1862;  Corp.  Thomas  Trimbal,  veteran, 
killed  Lost  Mountain,  June  17,  1864;  Corp. 
Lewis  W.  Short,  mustered  out,  date  un- 
known; Corp.  Robert  W.  Woods,  mustered 
out  February  14,  1865 ;  Corp.  Christopher 
L.  Scott,  discharged  July,  1862,  disability; 
Corp.  William  Swanson,  mustered  out 
October  10,  1864,  term  expired;  Musician 
John  Messick,  mustered  out  October  10, 
1864,  term  expn-ed;  Musician  Alonzo  Brein- 
iard,  transferred  to  gunboat  service;  Wag- 
oner Robert  McCutchan,  discharged  May 
12,  1862,  disability. 

Privates. —  Abbott,  Owen,  discharged 
June,  1863,  disability;  Ahns,  Louis,  killed 
Penyville,  Ky.,  October  8,  1862;  Albacker, 
John,  transferred  to  \"eteran  Reserve  corps; 
Ayers,  James  B.,  discharged  Februar)-,  1862, 
disability;  Barns,  James,  veteran,  mustered 
out  July  21, 1865;  Benner,AshlevR.,  veteran, 
not  mustered  out;  Bennet,  Samuel,  dis- 
charged May,  1862,  disability';  Bicking, 
Heni-y,  veteran,  mustered  out  July  21,  1865; 
Black,  Nathaniel,  discharged  July,  1863, 
wounds;  Brightenhauger,  Fred,  died  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  3,  1S63,  disease; 


Brown,  Nicholas,  discharged  account  of 
disability;  Carter,  William,  veteran,  died 
May  31,  1864,  wounds;  Chisler,  Louis,  dis- 
charged account  of  disability;  Clinger, 
George,  discharged  account  of  disability; 
Calvin,  Henry,  mustered  out  October  10, 
1864,  term  expired;  Copley,  Charles,  dis- 
charged October  3,  1862,  disabiHty;  Copley, 
Erastus,  mustered  out  October  10,  1864, 
term  expired;  Dean,  Charles,  died  February 
28,  1862,  disease;  Deitz,  George  W.,  dis- 
charged, 1862,  account  of  disabilit}-;  Deitz, 
Southmead,  died  March  29,1862;  Delong 
Josiah,  unaccounted  for;  Dennison,  Thomas, 
died  in  i\ndersonville  prison,  August  23, 
1864;  Depaw,  John  W.,  killed  at  Perryville, 
Ky.,  October  8,  1862;  Elliott,  WiUiam,  mu.s- 
tered  out  October  10,  1864,  term  expired; 
Elwood,  Benjamin,  discharged  January  6, 
1863;  Fairchild,  Isaac,  discharged  account 
of  disability;  Fleehearty,  Joel,  discharged 
December  22,  1863,  disability;  Fleehearty, 
Zadok  S.,  discharged  account  disability ; 
Fogel,  Conrad,  mustered  out  October  10, 
1864,  term  expired;  Gleichman,  (jeorge, 
unaccounted  for;  Goodge,  George,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  Jime  15,  1865; 
Hasanwinkle,  John,  veteran,  mustered  out 
July  21,  1865,  as  first  sergeant;  Headon, 
Robert,  promoted  in  U.  S.  colored  troops ; 
Huff,  August,  transferred  to  Veteran  Re- 
serve corps ;  Kirkpatrick,  Andrew,  trans- 
ferred to  Veteran  Reserve  corps  ;  Kirkpat- 
rick, George,  transferred  to  Veteran 
Reserve  corps ;  Laurence,  Charles  F.,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  July  21,  1865,  as  corpo- 
ral ;  Lawrence,  Leslie,  veteran,  mustered 
out  Juh'  21,  1865;  Lockwiod,  John  R., 
mustered  out  October  10,  1S64,  term  ex- 
pired ;  Louder,  Andrew,  discharged,  disa- 
bility ;  Lutz,  Francis,  discharged,  date  un- 
known; Martin,  James,  killed  at  Lookout 
Mountain,  November  24,  1863 ;  Mathias, 
John    W.,  transferred  to   Veteran   Reserve 


-,18 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


corps,  not  mustered  out;  McCutchan,  An- 
drew, promoted  first  lieutenant ;  McCutchan, 
Reuben,  discharged  April  29,  1864 ;  Mc- 
Cutchan, Thomas,  mustered  out  October 
10,  1864,  term  expired;  McCutchan,  Will- 
iam J.,  mustered  out  October  10,  1864,  term 
expired ;  McElroy,  Albert,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  July  20,  1865  ;  McFarland,  Will- 
iam A.,  mustered  out  June  8,  1865  ;  Mcln- 
nery,  Michael,  died  at  Pittsburg  Landing, 
March,  1S63;  Miller,  Joseph,  veteran,  mus- 
tered out  July  21,  1865,  as  sergeant;  Mor- 
gan, George  P.,  mustered  out  October  10, 
1864,  term  expired  ;  Moushart,  Rening,  lost 
on  steamer  Sultana,  April  27,  1865  ;  Nash, 
Richard,  veteran,  mustered  out  July  21, 
1865  ;  Neihaus,  David,  died  in  Anderson- 
ville  prison,  September  3,  1864 ;  Olmstead, 
Charles  D.,  discharged  in  1863,  disability ; 
Otto,  August,  mustered  out  October  10, 
1864,  term  expired;  Park,  Alexander, 
veteran,  mustered  out  July  21,  1865 ; 
Parrott,  Matthew,  veteran,  discharged  March 
2,  1865,  wounds;  Perry,  James,  veteran, 
mustered  out  June  15,  1865;  Pitts,  Josiah, 
not  mustered  out;  Plowman,  x\mon,  trans- 
ferred to  gunboat  service;  Rhoads,  Joseph, 
veteran,  mustered  out  July  21,  1865;  Schel- 
ter,   Bernhard,  mustered    out    October    10, 

1864,  term  expired;  Schroder,  William,  died 
in  Andersonville  prison  June  4,  1864;  See, 
William,  discharged,  1863,  wounds;  Sell, 
Frederick,  veteran,  mustered   out  July  21, 

1865,  sergeant;  Shaw,  William,  promoted 
second  lieutenant;  Shook,  Henr}',  died  of 
disease,  date  unknown;  Skelly,  Bryan,  died 
November  11,  1862,  of  wounds;  Smith, 
Joseph,  lost  on  steamer  Sultana,  April  27, 
1865;  Stone,  Henry  J-,  killed  at  Stone  River, 
December  31,  1862;  Street,  Benjamin,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  July  21,  1865,  corporal; 
Tomlinson,  Daniel,  died  of  wounds,  date 
unknown;  Trindle,  John,  discharged  Septem- 
ber 23,   1863;  Truckey,  Peter,  discharged 


September  14,  1S64,  disability;  Tyrrel, 
John  Q.,  discharged,  1863,  disabilitv; 
Wagoner,  Edward,  died  in  Andersonville 
prison,  August  29,  1864;  Weatherspoon, 
Gran\ille,  mustered  out  October  10,  1864, 
term  expired;  Webb,  John,  discharged  July, 
1863,  disability;  Wills,  Wilham,  died  at 
Evansville,  Ind.,  February,  1862;  Withrow, 
Leander,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve 
corps. 

Recruits. —  Billiods,  George,  mustered  out 
July  21,  1S65;  Dixon,  Matthew  G.,  mus- 
tered out  June  18,  1865;  Freppon,  Madi- 
son, mustered  out  July  21,  1865; 
Fairchild,  Isaac,  mustered  out  July  21,  1865  ! 
Hooker,  George,  mustered  out  July  21, 
1865,  as  corporal;  Hoffman,  Daniel,  mus- 
tered out  July  21,  1865  ;  Jackson,  Joseph  A., 
mustered  out  June  18,  1865  ;  Nightingale, 
William  O.,  mustered  out  June  18,  1865  ; 
Olmstead,  William  L.,  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865  ;  Pharr,  Josiah,  mustered  out  June  18, 
1865  ;  Reed,  Thomas  E.,  mustered  out  July 
21,  1865  ;  Wunt,  George  E.,  mustered  out 
July  21,  1865.  This  compan}'  went  out 
with  ninety-eight  men,  received  eighty- 
eight  recruits  ;  lost  b\'  death,  twenty-eight ; 
b}'  desertion,  three,  and  reported  two  unac- 
counted for. 

Vanderburgh  county  was  also  represented 
among  the  officers  in  other  companies  of 
this  regiment.  In  Company  C,  Worthing- 
ton  W.  Combs  was  second  lieutenant  from 
the  company's  organization,  and  though 
commissioned  first  lieutenant,  resigned  April 
23,  1863,  before  being  mustered.  In  Com- 
pany D,  in  addition  to  those  already-  named, 
Francis  M.  Edwards  served  as  captain,  Sep- 
tember 12,  1861,  to  March  18,  1862,  and 
James  D.  Saunders  as  first  lieutenant,  Sep- 
tember 12,  1861,  to  April  5,  1862,  when 
commissioned  captain,  though  discharged 
before  being  mustered.  In  Company  K, 
Edward  M.  Knowles  rose  from  first  sergeant 


FORTY-SECOND  REGIMENT. 


519 


by  promotion  to  tirst  lieutenant,  and  was 
killed  in  a  rebel  prison  at  an  unknown  date; 
and  John  D.  Linxweiler  rose  from  the  ranks 
to  the  second  lieutenancy,  beinff  commis- 
sioned May  I,  1865,  and  serving  until 
mustered  out  with  the  reffiment.  Besides 
those  recruits  assigned  to  Company  A, 
others  joined  the  regiment  from  this  county. 
In  Compan)-  F,  there  were:  John  Finn, 
March,  1864,  to  July,  1865;  William  Munn, 
December,  1862,  to  Jul}-,  1865,  and  Samuel 
C.  Stitt,  March,  1864,  to  July,  1865.  Har- 
rison Farmer  was  in  Company  G,  and 
Adam  Leifert  and  John  W.  Smith  in  Com- 
pany I,  as  substitutes.  In  Company  K, 
John  Dressel  served  as  a  private  and  cor- 
poral from  November,  1864,  to  July,  1865; 
and  as  substitutes  during  the  same  time 
there  were:  Bernard  Knust,  David  King, 
Anton  Maus,  John  Peters,  James  Swainey 
and  William  Walters. 

MovcDicnts  ill  the  Field. —  For  some  time 
after  its  organization  the  Forty-second  regi- 
ment did  dut\-  in  the  interior  of  Kentucky, 
Tennessee  and  Alabama.  Moving  with 
Buell's  army  to  Louisville,  in  the  fall  of  1S62, 
it  took  part  in  the  pursuit  of  Bragg  through 
Kentucky,  participating  in  the  battle  of 
Perryville,  on  October  8,  losing  166  in 
killed,  wounded  and  missing.  It  was  next 
engaged  in  battle  at  Stone  River,  where  sev- 
enteen were  killed  and  eighty-seven 
wounded,  and  after  several  months  in  camp 
at  Murfreesboro  and  Chattanooga,  it  partic- 
ipated in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  losing 
eight  killed,  fifty-three  wounded  and 
thirt}'-two  missing.  Subse(iuently  it  took 
part  in  the  storming  of  Lookout  Mountain 
and  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  losing 
forty  three  in  killed  and  wounded.  January  i, 
1864,  ^'^^  regiment  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran 
organization  at  Chattanooga,  and  soon  after 
returned  to  Indiana  on  veteran  furloujih, 
where    it    was     publicly    received  and    ad- 


dressed   by    Governor    Morton     and    other 
prominent  men. 

Returning  to  the  field  in  March,  it  joined 
Sherman's  army  near  Chattanooga,  and  on 
the  7th  of  Ma}'  marched  from  Ringgold  on 
the  campaign  against  Atlanta,  participating 
in  all  the  principal  battles  of  that  famous 
campaign,  losing  along  the  route  103  offi- 
cers and  men,  in  killed  and  wounded.  Dur- 
ing this  campaign  while  in  Six-mile  Range, 
near  Allatoona,  the  regiment  was  on  picket 
duty  seven  daj-s  and  nights,  within  tift}' 
yards  of  the  rebel  skirmish  line,  without  be- 
ing relieved.  After  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  it 
marched  to  Kingston,  Rome,  Resaca,  and 
through  Snake  Creek  Gap  to  the  Chattuga 
valley,  thence  to  Gaylesville,  Ala.,  in  pur- 
suit of  Hood's  army,  and  then  back  again 
to  Rome  and  Atlanta.  In  November,  mov- 
ing with  Sherman  from  Atlanta  to  Savan- 
nah, it  took  part  in  the  skirmishing  along 
the  route  and  the  siege  of  that  cit}-.  Then, 
through  the  Carolinas  it  went  to  Goldsboro, 
engaging  in  the  battles  of  Averysboro  and 
Bentonville,  losing  ten  men  and  officers  killed 
and  wounded.  After  the  close  of  active  opera- 
tions the  regiment  marched  to  Washington, 
and  proceeded  thence  to  Louisville,  Ky., 
where  on  July  21,  1865,  it  was  mustered 
out.  Four  days  later  at  Indianapolis,  it  was 
present  at  a  public  reception  on  the  capitol 
grounds,  on  which  occasion  addresses  were 
made  by  Gen.  Sherman  and  Gov.  Morton. 
During  its  term  of  service  the  Fort}-- 
second  lost  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing, 
629,  of  which  number  eighty-six  were  killed 
on  the  field,  443  were  wounded,  and  lOO 
taken  prisoners.  Its  strength  at  the  time 
of  its  muster  out  was  846,  officers  and  men. 
It  participated  in  battles  and  skirmishes  at 
Wartrace,  Perryville,  Stone  River,  Elk 
River,  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain, 
Mission  Ridge,  Ringgold,  Rocky  Face 
Ridge,  Resaca,  Allatoona  Mountains,  Kene- 


S20 


MILITA  R  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


saw,  Chattahoochie  River,  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  vSavannah, 
Charleston,  Black  River  and  Bentonville. 

T/ic  Sixtieth  Regiment. —  In  the  autumn 
of  1861,  Col.  Richard  Owen,  of  New  Har- 
mon}',  celebrated  throughout  the  stale  as  an 
erudite  scholar  and  gallant  commander,  then 
heutenant  colonel  of  the  Fifteenth  regiment, 
obtamed  authority  to  recruit  a  regiment  and 
rendezvous  it  at  Evansville.  A  partial 
organization  was  made  at  that  place  in  No- 
vember, 1861.  During  the  progress  of 
enlisting,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Camp 
Morton,  Indianapolis,  on  February  22,  1862, 
to  guard  rebel  prisoners,  and,  while  on  duty 
there  the  organization  was  perfected  —  the 
last  companies  being  mustered  in  in  the 
months  of  March  and  April.  Except  on  the 
medical  staff  the  only  regimental  officer 
from  this  county  was  Maj.  Joseph  B.  Cox,  a 
valuable  and  well-known  citizen,  who  jomed 
the  regiment  as  captain  of  Company  F,  was 
promoted  major.  May  27,  1862,  and  re- 
signed November  30  following,  on  account 
of  ill  health.  Dr.  Madison  J.  Bray,  a  recog- 
nized leader  among  Evansville  physicians, 
was  surgeon  from  November  15,  1 861,  to 
November  28,  1862,  when  he  resigned, 
whereupon  Dr.  W.  W.  Slaughter,  an  able 
physician  and  ripe  scholar,  well-known 
in  Vanderburgh  county,  though  not  a 
resident  then,  was  conmiissioned  as 
his  successor.  Upon  Dr.  Slaughter's 
resignation,  June  11,  1864,  Dr.  James  B. 
Hunter,  another  well-known  Evansville 
ph3'sician,  who  had  served  as  assistant  sur- 
geon from  September  27,  1S62,  was  ap- 
pointed to  this  vacancy,  and  served  until 
March  21,  1865,  when  the  regiment  was 
mustered  out  and  disbanded.  In  Company 
B  there  was  one  otTicer  from  this  county, 
George  W.  Fairfield,  who  rose  from  the 
ranks  of  Company  C  to  second  lieutenant, 
September  i,  1862,  and    to    first  lieutenant. 


December  ist  of  the  same  j'ear,  serving  as 
such  until  his  death  at  Young's  Point,  La., 
on  the  4th  day  of  February  following.  The 
officers  of  Companies  F  and  G  were,  with 
few  exceptions,  Evansville  men.  In  the  for- 
mer company,  upon  the  promotion  of  Capt. 
Cox  to  the  majority,  George  W.  Merrill, 
then  first  lieutenant,  ascended  to  the  va- 
cancy.    Upon  his  resignation,  December  6, 

1862,  David  Greathouse  was  given  com- 
mand of  the  company,  he  having  previously 
served  as  second  and  first  lieutenant.  Cressy 
K.  Cole  and  George  Peva  were  both  the 
recipients  of  a  captain's  commission,  but 
neither  was  mustered  into  that  rank,  the 
former  resigning  June  24,  1864,  because  of 
disability,  and  the  latter  being  mustered  out 
at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment. 
James  M.  Miller,  from  November  15,  1862, 
•to  April  14,  1863,  served  as  second  and  first 
lieutenant,  and  Lewis  Ragland,  a  sergeant, 
was  commissioned  first  lieutenant,  though 
not  mustered. 

Of    Company   G,  Philip  Hench  was    first 
lieutenant  and   captain    from    September  3, 

1863,  to  the  muster  out  of  the  regiment, 
March  21,  1865.  Ferdinand  G.  Borges, 
October  7,  1861,  to  November  30,  1862, 
and  Herman  Knoll,  October  i,  1863,  to  De- 
cember 31,  1864,  were  first  heutenants; 
Frederick  Merz,  October  7,  1861,  to  April 
12,  1863,  and  Conrad  Hedwig,  December  i, 
1862,  to  September  3,  1863,  were  both  sec- 
ond and  first  lieutenants  successively.  The 
only  officer  from  Evansville  in  Company  I 
was  Oliver  H.  P.  Ewing,  who,  as  first  lieu- 
tenant from  February  10,  1S62,  and  as  cap- 
tain from  March  9,  1863,  rendered  faithful 
service  until  September  23,  1863,  when  he 
resigned,  afterward  re-entering  the  service 
in  the  First  Heavy  artillery.  Company  K 
also  drew  upon  Evansville  for  one  of  its  offi- 
cers, Charles  Larch,  who  achieved  an  envi- 
able record,  serving  as  first   lieutenant  from 


SIXTIETH  REGIMENT. 


531 


July  3,  1862,  and  as  captain    from    April    3, 

1863,  until  his  death  from  wounds  received 
in  action,  whicli  occurred  on  the  5tli  day  of 
December,  1863. 

Company  F  of  this  ret^fiment  was  made  up 
of  Vanderburgh  count}-  men.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  roster  of  the  company:  First  Sergt. 
David  Greathouse,  promoted  to  captaincy; 
Sergt.  James  M.  Miller,  promoted  to  first 
lieutenant ;  Sergt.  Mason  O.  Newman,  dis- 
charged November  14,  1862,  disability; 
Sergt.  Cressy  K.  Cole,  discharged  June  24, 

1864,  wounds;  Sergt.  George  Peva,  pro- 
moted first  lieutenant;  Corp.  John  M. 
Gregory,  discharged  March  21,  1863,  dis- 
abilit}-;  Corp.  John  J.  Parks,  mustered  out 
March  21,  iS65j  term  expired;  Corp.  George 
W.  Newman,  discharged  November  14, 
1862,  disabiHty;  Corp.  Peter  W.  Welton, 
mustered  out  March  21,  1865,  term  expired; 
Corp.  Lewis  Ragland,  mustered  out  March 
21,  1865,  term  expired;  Corp.  Benjamin  F. 
Greathouse,  discharged  Januarj'  24,  1S64; 
Corp.  Calvin  Conner,  died  at  Vicksburg, 
Miss.,  June  12,  1863;  Corp.  Thomas  Elder- 
field,  died  at  Indianapolis  May  15,  1862; 
Musician  John  D.  Dunn,  transferred  to 
Eleventh  United  States  infantry  December 
3,  1862;  Wagoner  Ptolfemy  P.  Wells,  dis- 
charged November  29,  1862,  disabihty. 

Privates.  —  Ashcraft,  Jacob,  died  in  hands 
of  enem}',  December,  1863  ;  Asher,  Da- 
vid, discharged  August  4,  1862;  Beene, 
Edward  H.,  drummed  out  of  service  Au- 
gust 13,  1862;  Behagg,  Charles,  discharged 
Marcii  I,  1864,  disability  ;  Benthall,  William 
H.,  mustered  out  March  21,  1865,  term 
expired;  Blair,  James  M.,  mustered  out 
March  21,  1865,  term  expired;  Bowers, 
Charles,  mustered  out  March  21,  1865,  term 
expired ;  Bradky,  Thomas  J.,  discharged 
November  13,  1862,  disability;  Broth,  John, 
killed  at  Vick.sburg,  June  14,  1863;  Buzzell, 
Julius,  di.scharged  November  20,  1862,  disa- 


bility; Bunch,  Andrew  J.,  mustered  out 
March  21,  1865,  term  expired;  Burre,  Her- 
man, transferred  Eleventh  United  States  in- 
fantry, November  29,  1862;  Canady,  James 
W.,  mustered  out  March  21,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Cato,  Henrj-  R.,  not  mustered  out; 
Chamberlain,  William,  mustered  out  March 
21,  i865>  term  expired;  Chenoweth,  Jona- 
than K.,  died  in  hands  of  enemy  December, 
1863;  Chamberlain,  Samuel,  not  mustered 
out;  Combs,  Jessie,  discharged  Novem- 
ber I,  1862,  disability;  Collins,  James  H., 
not  mustered  out;  Davis,  William  R.,  mus- 
tered out  March  21,  1865,  term  expired; 
Dawley,  Alexander,  died  March  31,  1862; 
Donaldson,  William  C,  discharged  June  20, 
1862,  disability;  Drieman,  Alford,  tran.s- 
ferred  Eighteenth  United  States  infantry 
December  3,  1S62 ;  Dubois,  Henr}',  not 
mustered  out ;  Duty,  William,  died  at  Mil- 
liken's  Bend,  La.,  March  22,1863;  Elder- 
lield,  John  R.,  mustered  out  March  21, 
iS65)  term  expired  ;  Finney,  Joseph,  mus- 
tered out  March  21,  1865,  term  expired; 
Foulks,  Isaac,  mustered  out  March  21, 
1865,  term  expired;  Floyd,  Thomas  E., 
not  mustered  out ;  Grivens,  William  B.,  dis- 
charged June  4,  1864,  wounds;  Grant, 
Henr}-,  died  at  Milliken's  Bend,  La.,  March 
27,  1863;  Grant,  Peterson,  di.scharged  No- 
vember 19,  1864,  disability;  Hamilton, 
James  T.,  discharged  December  i,  1S62, 
disability;  Hancock,  Alexander  D.,  nuis- 
tered  out  March  21,  1865,  term  expired; 
Hawkins,  George  F.,  mustered  out  March 
21,  1865,  term  expired;  Hock,  John, 
drummed  out  of  service  August  13,  1862; 
Jewett,  Rice  O.,  killed  at  Arkansas  Post, 
January  11,  1863;  Kellogg,  William,  mus- 
tered out  March  21,  1S65,  term  expired; 
Kiler,  James,  discharged  November  12, 
1862,  disabilit}';  Klotz,  Henry  J.,  mustered 
out  March  21,  1865,  term  expired; 
Mcintosh,  James  M.,    mustered  out  March 


S22 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


21,  1865,  term  expired;  Mockbell,  Augus- 
tus, discharged  November  7,  1862,  disabil- 
ity ;  Morgan,  Edward,  mustered  out  Marcli 
21,  1865,  disability  ;  Holder,  Columbus  T., 
discharged  October  3  1S63  ;  Moore,  Martin 
B.,  not  mustered  out  ;  Morris,  Elisha,  trans- 
ferred to  Eleventh  United  States  infantry, 
December  5,  1862  ;  Moses,  James  H.,  mus- 
tered out  March  21,  1865,  term  expired. 
Murphy,  John,  died  April  14,  1S63  ;  Nare, 
Charles,  transferred  to  Eleventh  United 
States  infantry  November  29,  1S62  ;  New- 
man, Henrv  O.,  discharged  to  accept  com- 
mission in  Seventh  Kentucky  cavalry;  Noble, 
Robert,  mustered  out  March  21,  1S65,  term 
expired:  Osterhage,  Frederick,  transferred 
to  Eleventh  United  States  infantry  Novem- 
ber 29,  1S62;  Osterhage,  Ernest,  transferred 
to  Eleventh  United  States  infantr}-  Novem- 
ber 29,  1862;  Osterhage  Alfred,  transferred 
to  Eleventh  United  States  infantr\',  Novem- 
ber 29,  1862;  Payne,  John  W.,  transferred  to 
Eleventh  United  States  infantry  December  3, 
1862;  Peters,  Harvey  B.,  transferred  to 
Eleventh  United  States  infantry  December 
3,  1862;  Pickett,  James,  not  mustered  out; 
Ragan,  John  R.,  discharged  October  22, 
1862,  disability;  Schoenfeld,  Jacob,  died  at 
Indianapolis,  December,  1863;  Smith,  Fran- 
cis, discharged  November  4,  1862,  disa- 
bility; Smith,  John,  died  at  Indianapolis, 
March  6,  1862;  Snyder,  Hiram  F.,  not  mus- 
tered out;  South,  William,  died  Newburgh, 
Ind.,  February  i,  1863;  Stelling,  Frederick 
A.,  mustered  out  March  21,  1865,  term 
expired;  Utley,  David,  not  mustered  out; 
Watson,  Augustus  B.,  mustered  out  March 
21,  1865,  term  expired;  Walker,  Fred- 
erick, transferred  to  Compan\'  D, 
and  mustered  out  March  21,  1865; 
Way,  James,  discharged  November  12, 
1862,  disability;  Whipple,  Lawrence,  dis- 
charged November  7,  i863,disability;White, 
William,  discharged  June  20,  1S62,  disabil- 


ity; Williams,  Anthony,  discharged  March 
20,  1863,  disabihty;  Young,  John,  discharged 
April  15,  1862,  disability;  Young,  Charles 
A.,  not    mustered  out. 

J^ccniits. —  Behr,  Jacob,  discharged  No- 
vember 5,  1862 ;  Benson,  John,  discharged  as 
a  minor;  DeBusler,  Aver}'  J.,  died  at  Mil- 
liken's  Bend,  La.,  February  22,  1863;  Ed- 
wards, William  II.,  discharged  as  a  minor; 
Filstead,  John,  discharged  as  a  minor;  Huff- 
man, John,  mustered  out  March  21,  1865; 
Young,  Henry,  discharged  as  a  minor. 
Companv  F  went  to  the  front  with  eighty- 
eight  enlisted  men,  and  received  fourteen 
recruits.  It  lost  sixteen  by  death  and  thir- 
teen by  desertion. 

The  Field  Opcratioui  of  the  Sixtieth. — 
Even  before  its  organization  was  perfected 
this  regiment  was  ordered  on  dut\-  to  guard 
prisoners  at  Camp  Morton.  Leaving  In- 
dianapolis on  June  20,  1862,  it  went  to 
Lebanon,  Ky.,  and  from  there  to  Mumfords- 
ville,  where,  on  September  14,  the  advance 
of  Bragg's  ami}-  surrounded  the  place  and 
its  works,  and  compelled  the  garrison  to 
surrender,  after  a  gallant  resistance.  Seven 
companies  of  the  regiment  were  captured, 
the  remainder  of  it  being  near  Lebanon  Junc- 
tion under  command  of  Maj.  Cox,  guarding 
a  railroad  bridge  over  Rolling  Fork.  The 
captured  companies  were  paroled,  and  went 
into  camp  at  Indianapolis,  and  were  then 
joined  by  the  other  portion  of  the  regiment. 
Upon  being  exchanged  in  November,  the 
regiment  joined  the  army  of  the  Mississippi 
at  Memphis,  and  participated  in  the  move- 
ments of  that  arm\'  during  the  winter  of 
1S62,  and  on  January  10,  1863,  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Arkansas  Post,  losing  a  num- 
ber in  killed  and  wounded.  In  the  campaign 
against  Vicksburg,  it  acted  a  gallant  part. 
Moving  from  Milliken's  Bend,  on  April  14, 
it  made  rapid  and  fatiguing  marches 
through    swamps,     bayous     and     streams, 


EiaHTH  BATTERY. 


523 


under  scorching  suns,  drcncliing  rains, 
and  engaging  in  five  desperate  and 
hard  fought  battles.  At  Port  Gibson 
it  was  among  the  first  to  enter  the  town; 
at  Champion  Hills  it  was  in  the  ad\ance;  at 
Black  River  it  behaved  with  gallanlr\-,  and 
in  tlie  siege  of  Vicksburg  it  took  an  active 
part,  remaining  in  the  trenches  until  the  sur- 
render, on  the  4th  of  July.  x\fter  the  ca- 
pitulation it  marchen,  with  its  brigade,  to 
Jackson,  participating  in  the  skirmishes  along 
the  route. 

In  August  it  was  transported  to  New  Or- 
leans, and  assigned  to  Banks'  army.  It 
spent  the  fall  and  winter  in  the  Teche  coun- 
try, engaging  in  the  battle  of  Grand  Cou- 
teau  Plains,  on  November  3d,  and  other 
parts  of  Louisiana  and  Texas,  until  it  joined 
Banks'  unfortunate  expedition  up  Red  river. 
At  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  on  April  Sth, 
where  the  rebels  charged  on  our  forces, 
routed  and  drove  them  back  in  great  disor- 
der, the  Sixtieth  lost  heavily  in  killed, 
wounded  and  prisoners.  The  shattered 
armv  fell  back  to  Grand  Ecore,  and  thence 
to  tlie  Mississippi  river.  After  this  cam- 
paign the  regiment  re-enlisted  and  came 
home  on  veteran  furlough.  Its  re-muster 
was  not,  however,  approved  by  the  war 
department,  the  regiment  in  its  opinion  not 
having  served  a  sufiicient  length  of  time  to 
warrant  its  re-muster  as  a  veteran  organiza- 
tion. Returning  to  the  field  it  was  stationed 
at  Thibodeaux,  La.,  where  it  remained  until 
the  fall  of  1S64.  On  November  3d  it  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  of  Carrion  Crow 
Bayou,  losing  largely  in  killed,  wounded  and 
prisoners.  Subsequently  the  regiment  was 
stationed  at  Algiers,  remaining  there  until 
February  24,  1865,  when  the  remaining  re- 
cruits were  transferred  to  another  command, 
and  the  balance  of  the  regiment  proceeded 
to  Indianapolis,  where,  on  March  21,  1865, 
it  was  mustered  out. 


Eiiihth  Battery  Liiiht  Artillery. —  Many 
of  the  officers  and  men  of  this  battery 
were  residents  of  Vanderburgli  county,  and 
it  was  therefore  one  in  whose  victories  and 
trying  experiences  the  people  of  the  county 
took  a  deep  personal  interest.  It  was  or- 
ganized and  mustered  into  service  at  Indian- 
apolis on  the  13th  of  December,  1861,  with 
George  T.  Cochran  as  captain.  On  Febru- 
arj-  I,  1863,  Capt.  Cochran  and  Lieut.  Rich- 
ard Jervis,  who,  when  the  battery  was 
formed,  was  its  second  lieutenant,  and  after- 
ward was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  were 
dismissed  from  the  service  by  a  court  mar- 
tial. On  Februar}-  2,  1863,  George  Estep 
was  advanced  from  his  position  as  first  lieu- 
tenant to  fill  the  vacanc}'  in  the  captainc}', 
and  thereafter,  until  the  battery  was  mus- 
tered out,  served  in  that  rank.  John  W. 
Thompson  served  as  first  lieutenant  until 
June  15,  1862,  when  he  resigned.  William 
Stokes,  who  entered  the  service  as  a  ser- 
geant, was  second  lieutenant  from  February 
2,  1865,  until  April  11, 1S65,  when  he  became 
captain  of  the  Seventh  battery.  Charles  B. 
Eldred  was  also  second  lieutenant  from  June 
I,  1863,  to  the  muster  out  of  the  battery  at 
the  termination  of  its  service.  The 
following  V'anderburgii  county  men 
were  in  the  ranks  of  the  bat- 
tery; Sergt.  Frank  Burkhart,  veteran, 
transferred  to  Seventh  battery;  Sergt.  Will- 
iam Stokes,  promoted  second  lieutenant; 
Sergt.  Bart.  Mclnernv,  unaccounted  for; 
Sergt.  Milton  11.  Catlett,  discharged  Sep- 
tember 25,  1863,  disability;  Sergt.  Charles 
B.  Eldred,  promoted  second  lieutenant; 
Corp.  Thomas  McCorkle,  mustered  out 
with  battery;  Corp.  Theodore  F.  Dunlap, 
veteran,  transferred  to  Seventh  battery; 
Corp.  Louis  Weisenthal,  veteran,  transferred 
to  Seventh  battery;  Corp.  Joseph  Mariscen, 
mustered  out  with  battery;  Corp.  Jerome 
Ingram,  killed  at  Chickamauga,  September 


521^ 


MILITARY  HISTORY. 


19,  1863;  Bugler  Samuel  Day,  promoted 
second  lieutenant,  mustered  out  with  battery ; 
Artificer  Jacob  Lynn,  mustered  out  with 
battery. 

Privates. —  Allsup,  George,  mustered  out 
with  battery;  Anderson,  Charles,  transferred 
to  Veteran  Reserve  corps;  Brown,  John  T., 
mustered  out  with  battery;  Carr,  William, 
mustered  out  with  batter}-;  De  Witt,  George 
H.,  mustered  out  with  battery;  Griffith, 
John  W.,  discharged  for  disabilit}-;  Hampton, 
David,  died  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  August  16, 
1862;  Hampton,  John,  discliarged  for  disa- 
bility at  Shiioji;  Hampton,  James  T.,  died 
at  Evansville,  Ind.,  April  15,  1864;  Hamp- 
ton, Green  S.,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
September  10,  1S64;  Ingram,  Joshua,  mus- 
tered out  with  battery;  In  wood,  William, 
mustered  out  with  battery;  Milliman, 
Joseph,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.;  Racine, 
Peter,  discharged  for  disability  at  Shiloh; 
Reed,  Andrew  J.,  died  at  Evansville,  Ind., 
January-  15,  1S64;  Robertson,  William  A., 
mustered  out  Februar}'  10,  1S65;  Robertson, 
William  H.,  discharged  for  disability ;  Skeels, 
George,  mustered  out  with  battery;  Smith, 
Warren  S.,  discharged  for  disability',  Hunts- 
ville,  Ala.;  Stahlefer,  Joseph,  mustered  out 
with  battery;  Stephens,  Thomas  T.,  mus- 
tered out  with  battery;  Winters,  Christian, 
mustered  out  June  14,  1865;  Wood,  Garrett, 
discharged  for  disability;  Young,  William, 
honorably  discharged. 

Kecrtiits. —  Burdit,  Lenzy,  died  at  Indian- 
apolis; Bond,  William,  transferred  to  Sev- 
enth battery;  Root,  John  H.,  transferred 
to  Seventh  batter\'.  At  its  organization  the 
battery  enrolled  iii  men,  and  during  its 
seivice  received  103  recruits.  Twelve  of 
its  men  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  ten  died,  two 
deserted,  and  ninety-seven  were  unaccounted 
for. 

Sketch  of  the  Eighth  Battery. — Januar}- 
24,    1862,   the   battery  proceeded    by    rail 


from     Indianapolis      to      Louisville,      Ky., 
and   was   assigned   to    Gen.  Nelson's  divis- 
ion.    It      took      part      in     the      movement 
upon    Nashville,    and   was     the    first    Union 
battery  to  pass  through  the  streets  of  that 
cit}'.     Being  assigned  to   Gen.    Wood's  di- 
vision, a  forced  march  to  Pittsburg  Landing 
was  made,  arriving  there  at  the  close  of  the 
battle   of  Shiloh.     In  the   siege  of  Corinth 
the    battery  was   an   active   participant,  and 
upon   the  evacuation   of  that  place   moved 
with   the   main    army   through   Alabama  to 
Tuscumbia,  iiaving  several   skirmishes  with 
the    eneni}-.       On    August    30th,    it    had  a 
sharp  engagement  with  Forest's  rebel  cav- 
alry,   near    McMinnville,    Tenn.,    the    rebel 
command    being    cut    in    two    and    utterly 
routed  b}'  the  fire  of  artillery  alone.     It  en- 
gaged in   tlie   pursuit   of   Bragg,    drove  the 
rebels    from    Mumfordsville,    and    held    the 
town  while  the    army   moved   to  Louisville. 
Soon  afterward  it   proceeded  to   Louisville, 
and  thence  pursued  the  retreating  forces  of 
Bragg,   skirmishing    constantly,   and  losing 
several  horses,  until  Perryville  was  reached. 
It  was   present    at    that  fierce  engagement. 
When  the  pursuit  of  Bragg  was  abandoned, 
it  returned    to    Nashville,    and    while    near 
there     had    several     skirmishes     with     the 
enemy.     December    26,    1862,  the  battery 
left   Nashville,    and  moved  with    Rosecrans' 
army  toward  the  enemy,    encountering  and 
driving  him    from   position  near   Lavergne. 
During  the  next  da\-  the  enemy   was    driven 
to    within    three    miles    of    Murfreesboro, 
where  he  showed  a  determination   to  resist 
the  further  advance  of  the  Union  troops.     In 
line    of   battle   the   brigade    bivouacked    on 
their  arms.     On    the    morning  of   the    31st, 
the  passage  of  the    Stone    river  was  com- 
menced, and  in  the  memorable  battle   which 
followed,  the  Eighth  batter\-    acted    a    con- 
spicuous and  honorable  part,  aiding  in    gal- 
lant style  in  driving   the    enemy    back    and 


SIXTY-FIFTH  REGIMENT. 


o'^ti 


holding  him  in  clieck  on  various  parts  of 
the  blooch'  lie'ld.  It  lost  so  heavil\-  that  it 
became  necessary  to  make  a  detail  of  infan- 
trymen to  assist  in  working  its  guns. 
Shortly  after  the  battle  of  Stone  River  the 
enemy  evacuated  Murfreeshoro  antl  the 
battery  moved,  witli  its  division,  through  that 
town  and  took  position  in  its  fortilications, 
remaining  there  until  the  advance  of 
Rosecrans'  armv  upon  Tidlaiioma  in  June, 
1863,  when  it  joined  in  the  niox'enient  wiiich 
resulted  in  the  expulsion  of  the  rebel  army 
from  middle  Tennessee. 

From  Hillsboro,  where  for  some  timi'  it 
was  in  camp,  the  battery  moved  to  Chat- 
tanooga, and  on  September  9,  entered  that 
place,  being  the  hrst  Union  batter\-  to  pass 
through  its  streets.  Thence  it  proceeded  to 
Ringgold,  Ga.,  constantlv  skirmishing  with 
the  enemy's  rear  guard,  and  thence  to 
Gordon's  Mill,  where  Rosecrans'  army 
was  endeavoring  to  concentrate.  x\t  Chick- 
amauga  the  battery  was  severely  engaged, 
losing  two  oflicers  wounded,  two  men  killed, 
seven  wounded  and  seven  captured,  and 
fortj'-three  horses  killed  and  disabled.  A 
tierce  charge  of  the  enemy  through  a  gap  in 
the  Union  lines  captured  the  battery,  but  it 
was  soon  recaptured  by  Bradley's  brigade, 
Sheridan's  division.  After  two  days  of  ter- 
rible fighting,  Rosecrans'  army  fell  back  to  | 
Chattanooga,  and  the  Eighth  battery  was 
stationed  in  the  fortifications  of  that  place. 
On  November  25,  it  was  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  which  resulted  in 
raising  the  siege  of  Chattanooga,  and  driv- 
ing tlie  rebel  army  beyond  Rocky  Face 
Ridge.  It  was  then  assigned  as  a  stationed 
battery  to  the  important  militar}-  post  of 
Chattanooga.  In  April,  1864,  a  number  of 
the  men  re-enlisted  as  veterans.  In  Janu- 
ary, 1865,  the  non-veterans  were  mustered  ; 
out  and  left  for  home.  On  March  it,,  the 
Eighth  was  consolidated  with  the  Seventh 


Indiana  batter_v,  with  Lieut.  William  Stokes 
as  captain  of  the  consolidated  companies, 
known  as  the  Seventh  battery.  This  bat- 
tery was  stationed  at  Chattanooga  until  its 
muster  out  Jul)-  20,  1865. 

T/ic  S/x/y-ji/7//  Bco/mcii/. —  The  first 
year  of  the  war  had  drawn  to  a  close,  its 
extent  and  probable  long  continuation  began 
to  be  realized  by  the  people  and  the  admin- 
istration, tlie  success  of  the  nation  in  crusli- 
ing  out  the  rebellion  required  a  large  force 
in  the  field,  and  calls  upon  the  loyal  states 
for  additional  men  continued  to  be  made. 
The  response  to  these  calls  on  the  part  of 
the  people  was  prompt  and  gratifying..  The 
first  three  years'  regiment  raised  in  south- 
western Indiana  under  the  calls  of  1862,  in 
which  the  citizens  of  Vanderburgh  county 
figured  conspicuoush',  was  the  Sixty-iifth. 
It  was  organized  at  Princeton  and  mustered 
in  at  Evansville  (with  the  exception  of  one 
of  its  companies)  on  the  i8th  and 
20th  of  August,  1862,  with  John  W. 
Foster,  the  able  soldier  and  accom- 
plished diplomat,  as  its  colonel,  wiio 
after  gallant  service,  resigned  March 
10,  1864,  because  of  phvsical  disabilitv,  sub- 
sequently re-entering  the  service  as  colonel 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-sixth. 
William  A.  Page  was  its  adjutant  from  its 
organization  until  physical  disability  caused 
him  to  resign  February  i,  1865.  Robert 
Henry  was  commissioned  assistant  surgeon, 
but  before  his  muster  into  that  rank  was 
mustered  out  as  hospital  steward,  June  22, 
1865.  Company  H  was  composed  of  Van- 
derburgh count)'  men.  Saunders  R.  Horn- 
brook,  who,  by  his  erudition  and  manliness 
of  character  has  long  adorned  the  society 
and  bar  of  Evansville,  being  its  captain 
throughout  its  career.  Because  of  his  meri- 
torious service  he  was  commissioned  major 
of  the  regiment  January  i,  1865,  but  de- 
clined the  acceptanc*?  of  the  honor.     Robert 


526 


MILITARY  HISTOR  Y. 


P.  Mcjohnson  rendered  efficient  service  as 
second  and  first  lieutenant  and  was  commis- 
sioned captain  upon  the  advancement  of 
Captain  Hornbrook,  but  was  mustered  out 
with  the  refriment  before  assuminjr  com- 
mand  of  the  company.  Samuel  K.  Leavitt 
went  out  with  the  company  as  its  second 
lieutenant,  was  promoted  first  lieutenant 
October  17,  1S62,  captain  of  Com- 
pany I,  December  21,  1S63,  trans- 
ferred to  Company  G,"as  its  captain,  January- 
31,  1865,  and  mustered  out  with  the  regi- 
ment. John  Ruston  from  October  17,  1S63, 
to  December  21,  1863,  served  as  second 
lieutenant,  being  promoted  at  the  latter  date 
to  first  lieutenant,  from  which  rank  he  was 
honorably  discharged  on  account  of  disabil- 
ity November  22,  1864.  James  Brodie,  of 
]McCutchan\-ille,  was  commissioned  first 
lieutenant,  but  the  close  of  the  company's 
service  prevented  his  muster.  Thomas  J. 
Groves  held  a  commission  in  the  compan\' 
as  second  lieutenant  from  January  31,  1865, 
to  May  18,  1865,  when  he  resigned.  Of  the 
regimental  non-commissioned  staff  Elam 
McRitchey  was  sergeant  major,  James 
D.  Parvin,  commissary  sergeant,  (dis- 
charged on  account  of  physical  disabilitv), 
John  Ingle,  quartermaster  sergeant  (pro- 
moted commissary  Tenth  cavalrv),  and  John 
Alsop,  hospital  steward.  The  following  list 
comprises  the  non-commissioned  officers  and 
enlisted  men  of  Company  H,  who  joined  it 
as  residents  of  Vanderburgh  county.  Sergt. 
William  C.  Bacon,  discharged  March  24, 
1865,  disability  ;  Sergt.  George  W.  Hill, 
mustered  out  June  22,  1865,  as  private,  term 
expired;  Sergt.  Thomas  J.  Groves,  promoted 
second  lieutenant;  Sergt.  Daniel  V.  Lar- 
abee,  not  mustered  out;  Corp.  Arthur  In- 
wood,  discharged  February  5,  1865, 
disability;  Corp.  Joseph  Phar\-,  dis- 
charged August  24,  1864,  '^'^  fii'st  sergeant ; 
Corp.  Robert  Mcjohnston,  promoted  second 


lieutenant,  first  lieutenant  and  captain;  Corp. 
William  P.  Filo,  mustered  out  June  22, 
1865,  term  expired;  Corp.  Henry  Cromwell, 
not  mustered  out;  Corp.  Daniel  Grim,  dis- 
charged November  10,  1S62,  disability; 
Corp.  Arthur  F.  Mcjohnston,  mustered  out 
June  22,  1865,  term  expired;  Corp.  John  L. 
McCutchan,  mustered  out  June  22,  1865,  as 
sergeant,  term  expired;  Musician  John 
Rollins,  not  mustered  out;  Musician  Thomas 
Cattenberger,  mustered  out  June  22,  1865, 
term  expired. 

Privates. —  Baxter,  Kennedy,  died  at 
Owensboro,  Ky.,  April  5,  1863;  Bennett, 
George,  mustered  out  June  22, 1865,  as  cor- 
poral, term  expired;  Bishop,  Frank,  dis- 
charged October  24,  1864,  wounds;  Bitz, 
Polser,  mustered  out  May  25, 1865;  Bacook, 
Samuel,  mustered  out  June  22,  1865,  as 
sergeant;  Borre,  John,  died  in  Andersonville 
prison  June  9,  1S64;  Brodie,  James,  mustered 
out  June  I,  1865,  as  first  sergeant;  Chap- 
man, Jesse,  killed  at  Nashville  April  9, 
1865;  Cannon,  Curtis,  died  at  Evansville, 
Ind.,  Januar\'  3,  1863;  Craig,  Smiley,  died 
at  Bowling  Green,  K3-.,  February  21,  1864; 
Duncan,  John,  killed  x\pril,  1864;  Denner, 
Octave,  mustered  out  Jul}-  7,  1865;  Evans, 
William  C,  not  mustered  out;  Fisher, 
George  D.,  discharged  November  7, 
1863,  disabiHty;  Green,  Jonas,  mustered 
out  June  22,  1865,  term  expired; 
Hall,  Thomas,  died  December  14,  1863,  o^ 
wounds  received  in  action ;  Harrison,  Henrv, 
mustered  out  June  22,  1865,  term  expired; 
Henr}-,  Robert,  mustered  out  June  22, 1865, 
as  hospital  steward;  Ilogan,  Bennett,  trans- 
ferred to  Twenty-fifth  regiment,  July  26, 
1863;  Holt,  Parker, killed  October  iS,  1862, 
by  accident;  Horan,  Thomas  W.,  mustered 
out  June  22,  1865,  term  expired;  Hunsinger, 
Charles,  died  at  Rochester,  Ky.,  February 
7,  1863;  Keefer,  Carl,  mustered  out  June 
22,  1865,  term  expired;  Lingfield,  Carl,  dis- 


SIXTY-FIFTH  REGIMENT. 


537 


charged  November  29,  1S64,  wounds; 
Lampe,  Benjamin,  died  at  Tazewell,  Tenn., 
December  28,  1863;  Lorance,  Alexander 
H.,  mustered  out  June  22,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Lovelace,  Albert  H.,  died  at  Hender- 
son, Ky.,  March  2,  1863;  Mansel,  William 
B  ,  mustered  out  June  22,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; McCutchan,  Robert,  mustered  out 
June  22,  1865,  term  expired;  McCutchan, 
James  A.,  mustered  out  June  22,  186.S)  term 
expired;  McGrath,  Patrick,  mustered  out 
June  22,  1865,  term  expired;  Martin,  Perry, 
mustered  out  June  2  2,  1865,  tt^>"m  expired: 
May,  John  M.,  not  mustered  out;  Moffit, 
Charles  J.,  mustered  out  June  22,  1865,  term 
expired  ;  Moffit,  John  F.,  mustered  out  June  22, 
1865,  as  corporal;  Perry,  Matthew,  transfer- 
red to  marine  service;  Ptinijston,  August, 
mustered  out  June  22,  1865,  term  expired; 
Powell,  Willougliby,  died  at  Madison,  Ind., 
August  24,  1864;  Ragland,  Martin  S.,  dis- 
charged June  15,  1863,  disability,  as  cor- 
poral; Reeves,  James  M.,  mustered  out  June 
22,  1865,  as  corporal;  Riggs,  James,  mus- 
tered out  June  22,  1865,  term  expired; 
Rosey,  Conrad,  mustered  out  June  22, 
1865,  term  expired;  Ruston,  John,  promoted 
to  second  lieutenant;  Stinson,  Andrew  J., 
discharged  March  18, 1865,  wounds;  Stinson, 
Benoni  C,  discharged  March  4,  1865,  disa- 
bility; Strange,  John,  transferred  to  Veteran 
Reserve  corps  March  17,  1864;  Strange, 
William  J.,  mustered  June  22,  1S65,  as  cor- 
poral; Skeels,  William,  died  at  Aiidersonville 
September  26,  1864;  Taylor,  Thaddeus, 
transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  corps,  mus- 
tered out  July  12,  1865;  Ullerick,  John, 
mustered  out  May  25,  1865;  W.u^ren,  Ed- 
ward, died  at  Andersonville,  June  14,  1864; 
Weber,  Lewis,  discharged  February  8, 
1865;  Withrow,  Alonzo,  discharged  Jul}' 
25,  1863,  disability;  Wood,  Alfred  II.,  mus- 
tered out  June  22,  1865,  Wyatt,  WilHam, 
died  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  March  18,  1865. 


Recruits..  —  Berger,  Frederick,  never  re- 
ported to  company;  Crist,  James  L.,  dis- 
charged from  hospital  May  26,  1865;  Cos- 
tello,  John,  transferred  to  One  Hundred  and 
Twentieth  regiment  June  15,  1865;  Hall, 
John,  died  at  Rochester,  Ky.,  January  25, 
1863;  Headen,  Thomas  F.,  died  at  Chatta- 
nooga, May  14,  1864,  wounds;  Hawkins, 
Sanford  J.,  transferred  to  One  Hundred  and 
Twentieth  regiment  June  15,  1865;  McMur- 
ran,  Marshall,  transferred  to  One  Hundred 
and  Twentieth  regiment  June  15,  1865; 
Odell,  Isaac  H.,  transferred  to  One  Hundred 
and  Twentieth  regiment  June  15,  1S65; 
Strange,  Augustine,  transferred  to  One  Hun- 
dred and  Twentieth  regiment  June  15,  186  5; 
Wells,  Walter  F.,  dischargedjune  28,  1864, 
disability;  Westgate,  Wilfred  M.,  trans- 
ferred One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  retxi- 
ment. 

This  company  at  the  outset  had 
ninet3'-six  men,  and  received  thirtv-one  re- 
cruits. It  lost  by  death  twentv-nine,  and 
by  desertion  ten.  The  following  men  were 
in  other  companies  of  this  regiment; 
CompanyA  —  Blakely,  James,  mustered  out 
June  22,  1865;  Poule,  Christopher,  mus- 
tered out  June  22,  1S65.  Compan}'  B — 
Howell,  Henry,  recruit,  mustered  out  Jul\- 
15,  1865.  Company  C  —  Fuqua\-,  William, 
discharged  February  27,  1863,  disability; 
Feagle}-,  Mark  C,  mustered  out  June  22, 
1865,  as  corporal;  Unde,  Wilhelm,  mus- 
tered out  July  10,  1865;  Hodson,  William  T., 
transferred  to  One  Hundred  and  Twentieth 
regiment;  Inwood,  Thomas  R.,  mustered 
out  May  27,  1865;  Inwood,  Arthur,  died 
at  Marietta,  Ga.,  August  4,  1864;  Ingler, 
James,  transferred  to  One  Hundred  and 
Twentieth  regiment;  Ingler,  David,  not 
mustered  out;  Kell,  Robert,  transferred  to 
One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  regiment; 
Martin,  Charles  V.,  not  mustered  out; 
Murphy,  James,  transferred  to    (Jne    Hun- 


528 


MIL  ITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


dred  and  Twentieth  regiment;  Riley, 
Abraliam,  discharged  April  8,  1S65, 
disability;  Ruston,  IIenr\',  died  Nashville, 
December  14,  1864;  Smith,  Hiram  T., 
mustered  out  May  27,  1865.  Company 
E  —  Witherspoon,  Milton  B.,  transferred  to 
One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  regiment 
Company  G —  Harris,  Napoleon  S.,  trans- 
ferred to  One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  regi- 
ment. Company  K  —  Heckman,  Geise, 
died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  September  14, 
1864. 

The  Field  Work  of  the  Sixty-fifth.— 
Immediately  after  its  muster  this  organi- 
zation was  stationed  at  Henderson,  Ky., 
affording  to  that  place  valuable  protection 
from  guerilla  warfare.  After  a  severe  skir- 
mish with  Adam  Johnson's  rebel  regiment, 
on  August  28,  1862,  it  took  possession  of 
Madison\-ille,  and  for  a  year  following  this 
event,  performed  duty  in  the  western  coun- 
ties of  Kentucky,  there  engaging  in  several 
skirmishes.  In  April,  1863,  the  regiment 
was  mounted.  Being  moved  to  east  Ten- 
nessee, the  regiment  there  engaged  in  sev- 
eral important  expeditions,  engaging  the 
enemy  near  Zollicoffer,  at  Blountsville, 
Rheatown,  and  Bristol,  at  each  place  acting 
with  gallantry.  In  November  it  moved  to 
Tazewell,  and  on  December  i  had  a  severe 
tight  at  Walkersford,  assisted  by  the  Fifth 
cavalry,  in  which  both  regiments  fought  all 
day  against  great  odds,  the  Sixt3'-fifth  losing 
two  killed,  eight  wounded  and  two  missing. 
Its  next  engagement  was  at  Bean  Station, 
on  December  14,  with  Longstreet's  in- 
fantry, losing  two  killed,  ten  wounded  and  five 
missing.  On  the  following  day  it  engaged 
the  enemy  at  Powder  Spring  Gap  and 
Skagg's  Mills,  and  a  month  later  at  Dan- 
dridge,  losing,  in  the  three  engagements, 
eighteen  men  killed,  wounded  and  captured. 
In  April,  1864,  it  was  dismounted  and 
joined  Sherman's  army,  participating  in  the 


Atlanta  campaign  and  all  the  battles  and 
skirmishes  attending  it,  losing  along  the 
route  eleven  killed,  twenty-three  wounded, 
and  five  prisoners.  It  followed  Hood  into 
Alabama  and  Tennessee,  and  fought  bravely 
at  Columbia,  Franklin  and  Nash\ille.  Be- 
ing transferred  to  the  east  in  January,  1865, 
on  February  18  it  bore  the  brunt  of  the  at- 
tack on  Fort  Anderson  and  did  the  skirmish- 
ing for  the  troops  at  Town  Creek  on  the 
20th.  It  was  not  afterward  entraffed. 
Mustered  out  June  22,  1S65. 

The  Fourth  Cavalry  [Seventy-seventh^ 
Regiment. —  In  the  ranks  and  among  the 
officers  of  this  organization  the  men  of  Van- 
derburgh county  were  prominent.  The 
regiment  was  organized  at  Indianapolis  on 
August  22,  1862,  with  Isaac  P.  Gray,  now 
governor  of  the  state,  as  colonel.  It  was 
with  Company  F  that  the  citizens  of  this 
county  were  identified.  John  T.  Deweese 
was  its  captain.  He  was  promoted  major,  lieu- 
tenant colonel,  and  colonel  in  rapid  succes- 
sion, but  resigned  March  11,  1864,  before 
his  muster  into  the  rank  last  named.  Albert 
C.  Rosencranz  went  out  as  its  first  lieuten- 
ant, rose  to  the  command  of  the  company, 
and  was  commissioned  major  of  the  regi- 
ment; his  honorable  discharge,  May  15, 
1865,  however,  preventing  his  muster  as  a 
regimental  officer.  John  Y.  Urie,  who  be- 
gan his  service  as  commissary  sergeant  of 
the  companj',  was  promoted  first  lieutenant 
and  then  captain.  Alonzo  Stone  and  John 
W.  Peck,  corporals,  received,  June  i,  1865, 
commissions  as  first  and  second  lieutenants 
respectively'.  The  close  of  the  company's 
career  prevented  the  muster  of  the  last  three 
named  officers  in  the  advanced  rank  in  which 
they  had  been  commissioned.  The  en- 
listed men  from  this  county  were  as  follows: 
.First  Sergt.  Robert  Wheeler,  mustered  out 
June  29,  1865,  term  expired;  Com.  Sergt. 
John  Y.  Urie,  promoted    to   first  lieutenant; 


-rf*^       ^') 


FOURTH  CAVALRY  REGIMENT. 


531 


Sergt.  Arthur  Trimble,  mustered  out  June 
29,  1S65,  term  expired;  Sergt.  William 
Earle,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Corp.  James  Barton,  mustered  out 
June  29,  1865,  as  commissary  sergeant, 
term  expired;  Corp.  William  Hilliard,  mus- 
tered out  June  29,  1865,  as  sergeant,  term 
expired;  Corp.  John  W.  Peck,  mustered  out 
June  29,  1S65,  'IS  sergeant,  term  expired; 
Corp.  Alonzo  Stone,  mustered  out  June  29, 
1865,  as  first  sergeant,  term  expired. 

Privates. —  Barton,  Charles  S.,  mustered 
out  June  29,  1865,  term  expired;  Clark, 
John,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Covey,  John  W.,  mustered  out  June 
29,  1865,  term  expired;  Crisp,  James,  dis- 
charged December  18,  1862;  Euler,  Jacob, 
mustered  out  June  29,  1865,  term  expired; 
Fields,  Green,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865, 
term  expired;  Fields,  Edmund,  discharged 
September  22,  1863;  Hompej-,  Richard, 
mustered  out  June  29,  1865,  term  expired; 
Harrison,  John,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865, 
as  corporal,  term  expired;  Jarrell,  Theo- 
dore, discharged  November  14,  1862;  Jones, 
William  L.,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865, 
term  expired;  Korb,  Nicholas,  died  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  November  11,  1863;  Korb, 
Anthony,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865,  term 
expired;  Lodge,  Henry,  promoted  to 
second  lieutenant;  Losee,  Stephen  G.,  mus- 
tered out  June  29,  1865,  term  expired; 
Morris,  John  T.,  mustered  out  June  29, 
1865,  term  expired;  Miller,  Christian,  mus- 
tered out  June  29,  1865,  term  exjiired; 
McCutchan,  Charles  R.,  mustered  out  June 
29,  1865,  '1^  corporal,  term  expired;  McCut- 
chan, John  T.,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865, 
term  expired;  Sherry,  Andrew  J.,  mustered 
out  June  29,  1865,  as  corporal;  Trimble, 
Arthur  B.,  died  at  Madison,  Ind.,  Novem- 
ber 22,  1863;  Wheeler,  John  F.,  discharged 
December  11,  1862;  Walker,  William,  died 
at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  January  i,  1863. 
81 


Recruits.  —  Gillett,  Benjamin  F.,  mustered 
out  June  29,  1865,  term  expired;  Homer, 
John,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Lee,  George,  mustered  out  June  29, 
1865,  term  expired;  Stogel,  Henry  R.,  miss- 
ing at  Newman,  Ga.,  July  30,  1864.  This 
company  enrolled  102  men,  received  eight 
recruits,  lost  by  death  sixteen;  by  desertion 
two,  and  two  reported  unaccounted  for. 
Among  the  recruits  who  went  to  the  regiment 
in  the  earl}-  part  of  1864  from  Vanderburgh 
county,  the  following  were  assigned  to 
Company  K :  Brewster,  William  E.,  mus- 
tered out  June  29,  1865,  term  e.xpired;  Con- 
ner, Willliam  D.,  mustered  out  June  29, 
1865,  term  expired;  Inman,  James,  mustered 
out  June  29,  1865,  term  expired;  Kirkman, 
James  O.,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865, 
term  expired;  Richey,  Hezekiah,  mus- 
tered out  June  29,  1865,  term  expired; 
Skeggs,  Abram  D.,  mustered  out  June  29, 
1865,  term  expired;  Snider,  Robert  B.,  mus- 
tered out  June  29,  i865,term  expired;  Webb, 
Samuel,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865,  term 
expired;  William  Street,  who  joined  Com- 
pany K,  as  a  recruit,  October  i,  1S62,  died 
at  Henderson,  Ky.,  March  5,  1863. 

The  Regimenfs  Field  Record. —  On  the 
completion  of  its  organization  this  regiment 
was  sent  to  the  interior  of  Kentucky,  and 
performed  valuable  service  there,  engaging 
the  enemy  twice  at  Madisonville,  and  at 
other  places  in  1862.  A  portion  of  the 
command,  stationed  in  eastern  Kentucky, 
pursued  Morgan's  forces  toward  Green 
River,  fought  and  defeated  that  rebel  near 
Munfordsville  on  December  25,  and  after- 
ward did  active  duty  in  the  vicinity  of  Mur- 
freesboro,  Tenn.,  for  some  months,  occa- 
sionally skirmishing  and  fighting  the  enemy. 
The  regiment  was  in  Rosecrans'  campaign 
toward  Tullahoma  and  Chattanooga,  fought 
at  Chickamauga,  and  elsewhere,  with  valor, 
and   spent   the    winter    of    1863-4    '"  ^^^^^ 


5S2 


MILITAR  YHISTOR  Y. 


Tennessee,  holding  the  advanced  position  in 
all  the  cavalry  movements,  and  being  con- 
spicuously engaged  at  Mossy  Creek,  Tal- 
bot's and  Dandridge,  for  which  it  was 
highly  complimented  in  the  reports 
of  brigade  and  division  command- 
ers. At  Fair  Garden,  in  a  severe 
fight,  on  January  27,  1864,  it  particularly 
distinguished  itself  in  a  sabre  charge  led  by 
Lieut.  Col.  Leslie,  which  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  a  battery,  one  battle  flag  and 
more  prisoners  than  the  charging  party  had 
men  engaged.  While  gallantly  leading  his 
men  to  victory,  Leslie  fell  pierced  through 
the  breast  by  a  rebel  bullet.  The  regiment 
moved  with  Sherman's  campaign  against 
Atlanta,  fighting  the  enemy  at  Varnell's 
Station  and  at  Burnt  Church ;  participated  in 
the  McCook  raid,  was  in  the  battle  of  New- 
man and  all  the  movements  of  that  expedi- 
tion; and  after  the  capture  of  Atlanta, 
marched  into  Tennessee,  engaging  the 
enemy  at  Columbia.  Later  it  was  stationed 
at  Louisville,  at  Nashville  and  at  Waterloo, 
Ala.  In  the  spring  of  1865,  it  actively 
participated  in  the  campaigns  in  Alabama 
and  Georgia,  being  in  the  battles  of  Planters- 
ville  and  Selma.  June  29  it  was  mustered 
out   and  disbanded  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

The  A'iiicfy-Jirst  Infantry. —  This  regi- 
ment was  recruited  from  the  first  con- 
gressional district  during  the  month  of 
August,  1862,  and  rendezvoused  at  Evans- 
ville.  Only  seven  companies  were  raised, 
and  they  were  formed  into  a  battalion,  and 
mustered  into  service  with  John  Mehringer, 
of  Jasper,  Ind.,  as  lieutenant  colonel,  on  Oc- 
tober I,  1862.  To  the  people  of  Vander- 
burgh county  the  regiment  is  known  as  Col. 
Butterfield's  regiment,  it  being  with  this 
command  that  that  well-known  citizen 
achieved  his  military  honors,  while  serv- 
ing as  major  of  the  regiment,  which  rank  he 
held  from  its  organization,     In  1S63,  three 


recruited  companies   were  assigned  to  the 
command,  Lieut.  Col.  Mehringer  was  pro- 
moted to  colonel,  and  at  the  same  time  Maj. 
Butterfield   was    advanced    to  the    rank  of 
lieutenant  colonel,  in  which  he  served  with 
distinction  until  mustered  out  with  the  regi- 
ment, June  26,  1865.     Oscar  Mills  served  as 
adjutant  and  quartermaster   throughout  the 
regiment's   service.     The  other  regimental 
officers  were  from  other  parts  of  the   state. 
The  men  from  this   county  found   their  way 
into     several    of    the     companies    of     the 
regiment,    but    most    of   them  were  in  the 
ranks  of  Company  G,  the  officers  of  which 
were  with  one  exception  Evansville  citizens. 
William  P.  Hargrave  was    captain,  and    on 
May  I,  1864,  was  appointed  assistant  com- 
missary of  musters.     Robert    Rowland,  en- 
tering the    service  as  a    sergeant,  was    pro- 
moted second  lieutenant,  June  24,  1863,  and 
first  heutenant  April  8,  1865,  serving  in  that 
rank  until  mustered  out   with  the   regiment. 
Stephen  H.  S.  Cook  went  out  with  the  com- 
pany as  second  lieutenant,  and  resigned  June 
23,  1863.     Thomas  M.   Smith,  a    sergeant, 
was  commissioned  second  lieutenant,  but  the 
termination  of  the    company's    service    pre- 
vented his  muster.     The  men    of    this  com- 
pany   accredited    to    Vanderburgh    county, 
were  as  follows:     Sergt.  Robert    Rowland, 
promoted  second  lieutenant;  Sergt.  Thomas 
M.  Smith,  mustered  out  June  26,  1865,    as 
first  sergeant,    term  expired;  Sergt.   Daniel 
S.  Wilson,    mustered    out  June   26,    1865, 
term  expired;  Corp.  Frederick   Meier,  mus- 
tered out  June  26,  1865,  term  expired;  Corp. 
William  H.  Hardin,  discharged    August  11, 
1864;  Musician   Leander  Lewis,    mustered 
out  June  26, 1865,  term    expired;  Wagoner 
John  Cavin,  discharged  March  6,  1863. 

Privates. —  Curnich,  S3'dney,  mustered 
out  June  26,  1865,  as  corporal,  term  ex- 
pired; Chism,  Jacob,  died  at  Hender- 
son,   Ky.,    December    13,     1862;     Chism 


NINETY-FIRST  REGIMENT. 


533 


Jesse,  discharged  Februarj'  24,  1S65; 
Cady,  John,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  July 
5,  1864,  disease;  Daly,  James,  not  mustered 
out;  Gates,  Charles,  died  at  Evansville, 
October  22,  1863;  Godfrey,  Daniel,  died  at 
Cumberland  Gap,  May  i,  1864;  Hoffman, 
Lewis,  mustered  out  June  26,  1S65,  term 
expired;  High,  Robert,  died  at  Madisonville, 
Ky.,  March  10,  1S63;  Jones,  John,  mustered 
out  June  26,  1S65,  term  expired;  Milliman, 
John,  discharged  October  28,  1864;  Nagle, 
George,  mustered  out  May  15,  1865;  Olds, 
William  H.,  died  at  Baby  town,  December 
28,  1S62;  Overdieck,  Conrad,  drowned  at 
Spottsville,  Ky.,  August  10,  1863;  Peck, 
William,  mustered  out  June  26,  1865,  term 
expired ;  Thompson,  WiUiam,  mustered  out 
June  26,  1S65,  term  expired;  Tieman,  John, 
died  at  Madisonville,  Ky.,  February  13,  1S63; 
Warren,  Henry,  mustered  out  May  24, 
1865;  Wiedenbaugh,  Nicholas,  mustered 
out  June  26, 1865,  term  expired;  Duckworth, 
William  (recruit,  1863),  mustered  out  Jul}' 
21,  1865.  This  company  went  to  the  front 
with  eighty-four  men,  received  thirtj^-one 
recruits,  lost  by  death  twenty,  by  desertion 
fourteen,  and  was  unable  to  account  for 
eighteen.  Vanderburgh  countj^  men  in 
other  companies  of  the  Ninety-first 
regiment  were :  Company  A  —  Hooker, 
George,  mustered  out  June  26,  1865,  term 
expired;  Reese,  Jerome,  mustered  out 
June  26,  1865,  term  expired;  Usery, 
Joseph  S.,  discharged  February  14, 
1865,  account  wounds.  Company  D  — 
Purett,  Isaac  J.,  musician,  mustered  out  June 
26,.  1865,  term  expired;  Adler,  Nicholas, 
mustered  out  June  26,  1865,  term  expired: 
Koch,  Andrew,  mustered  out  June  26, 1865, 
term  expired;  Koch,  William,  mustered  out 
June  26,  1865,  as  sergeant  major,  term  ex- 
pired; Stinchtield,  Washington,  'mustered 
out  June  26,  1865,  as  corporal,  term  ex- 
pired; Thomas,    Henry   C.,   recruit,    1864, 


died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  September  28, 
1S64,  wounds.  Company  E  —  McDonald, 
Bushrod,  sergeant,  transferred  Veteran 
Reserve  corps,  January  22,1864;  Andies, 
Charles,  mustered  out  June  26,  18655  term 
expired;  Abbing,  Bernard,  mustered  out 
June  26,  1865,  term  expired;  Bippus,  John 
J.,  mustered  out  June  26,  1865, 
as  quartermaster  sergeant,  term  expired; 
Kuhn,  John,  mustered  out  June  26,  1865, 
term  expired;  Kruger,  Henr}',  mustered 
out  June  26,  1865,  term  expired;  Laub- 
shire,  John,  mustered  out  June  26,  1865, 
term  expired;  Lush,  David  H.,  not  mustered 
out;  Lupking,  WiUiam,  mustered  out  June 
26,  1865,  term  expired.  Company  F  — • 
Neel,  WiUiam  H.,  not  mustered  out;  War- 
ren, Orlando,  recruit,  1863,  died  February 
II,  1864. 

Movements,  of  the  Ninety-first. —  From 
October  10,  1862,  to  June  15,1863,  the  reg- 
iment performed  guard  duty,  and  protected 
the  western  Kentucky  interior  from  rebel 
raids.  In  June,  1863,  it  assisted  in  the  pur- 
suit of  the  rebel  Gen.  John  H.  Morgan, 
then  making  a  raid  through  Kentuck}',  but 
being  distanced  by  Morgan's  fleet  horses 
went  into  camp  at  Russellville  without  over- 
taking the  raider.  It  was  at  this  place  on 
September  11,  1863,  that  three  companies, 
of  six  months'  men  joined  the  command, 
thus  completing  the  regiment.  At  the  ex- 
piration of  their  term  they  were  mustered 
out,  and  the  regiment  again  had  but  seven 
companies  until  the  winter  of  1864,  when  it 
received  an  assignment  of  three  companies. 
At  Russellville  and  other  points  in  Kentucky 
and  Tennessee,  the  regiment  remained  until 
January,  1864,  when  it  moved  to  east  Ten- 
nessee, Company  A  engaging  in  a  sharp 
fight  with  a  rebel  force  1,200  strong,  near 
Cumberland  Gap,  on  February  22.  It 
moved  with  Sherman's  Atlanta  campaign, 
taking  an  active  part  in  the  desperate  but 


53k 


MILITAE  Y  HISTOE  Y. 


successful  engagements  at  Pine  Mountain 
and  New  Hope  Church,  and  in  that  constant 
skirmishing  which  engaged  the  armies  of 
Gens.  Schofield  and  Thomas,  through  the 
month  of  June  and  until  the  enemy  was 
driven  from  his  strong  position  on  Kenesaw 
Mountain.  It  was  engaged  at  Decatur,  Ga., 
the  whole  hne  skirmishing  heavily,  was  in 
the  battle  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  and  played 
a  conspicuous  part  in  the  siege  and  capture 
of  Atlanta,  performing  many  valiant  acts 
and  always  honorabh'  conducting  itself.  In 
October  it  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  Hood,  and 
at  Cedar  Bluffs  was  detached  from  Sher- 
man's army  and  ordered  to  report  to 
Gen.  Thomas.  It  took  part  in  the  battles 
at  Franklin  and  Nashville  in  November  and 
December;  and  from  Tennessee  went  via 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  to  Washington,  D.  C. , 
where  it  arrived  January  28,  1S65.  It  par- 
ticipated in  the  Peninsular  campaign,  during 
the  following  spring,  and  with  its  corps  cap- 
tured Wilmington,  N.  C;  then  moved  to 
Goldsboro  and  Raleigh,  and  soon  thereafter 
to  Salisbury,  where  it  remained  until  mus- 
tered out,  June  26,  1865.  The  regiment 
lost  eighty-one  in  killed  and  wounded,  and 
returned  to  the  state  with  nineteen  officers 
and  315  men,  having  gone  to  the  front  with 
an  aggregate  of  635  otficers  and  men.  Ar- 
riving at  Indianapolis,  after  muster  out,  it 
was  greeted  with  an  ovation  in  the  state 
house  grove,  and  welcomed  home  with  ad- 
dresses by  Gov.  Morton  and  others. 

T/ie  One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  Regi- 
ment.— During  the  month  of  September, 
1863,  Gov.  Morton  received  authority 
from  the  \yar  department  to  raise  eleven 
regiments  of  three  years'  volunteers.  Six 
of  these  regiments  were  raised,  organized, 
armed,  equipped  and  turned  over  to  the 
command  of  Brig.  Gen.  Alvin  P.  Hovey. 
Among  these  was  the  One  Hundred  and 
Twcentieth,  the  only  one  of  the  si.\  in  which 


Vanderburgh  county  people  were  to  be 
found,  and  there  only  in  small  numbers. 
John  M.  Simmerman,  who  enlisted  as  a  pri- 
vate in  Company  D,  was  promoted  first 
lieutenant,  and  subsequently  captain  of  his 
compan}^,  but  no  other  man  from  Vander- 
burgh county,  in  the  regiment,  received  a 
commission.  The  enlisted  men  from  the 
county,  all  in  Company  F,  were:  Corp. 
Henry  C.  Walker,  not  mustered  out;  Corp. 
James  L.  King,  mustered  out  January  8, 
1866,  term  expired;  Butler,  Harrison,  mus- 
tered out  January  8,  1866,  term  expired; 
Davis,  James,  mustered  out  January  8,  1866, 
as  corporal,  term  expired;  Fraker,  William, 
mustered  out  January  8,  1866,  term  ex- 
pired; Fairchild,  William,  mustered  out  Jan- 
uary 8,  1866,  term  expired;  Giser,  Matthew, 
mustered  out  January  8,  1866,  term  expired; 
Hampton,  John  T.,  mustered  out  May  25, 
1865;  Hofnagle,  Henry,  mustered  out  Janu- 
ary 8,  1866,  term  expired;  Layton,  John  H., 
transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  corps, 
mustered  out  October  11,  1865;  Parker, 
Charles,  not  mustered  out;  Sanders,  Will- 
iam, not  mustered  out;  Simpson,  Henry, 
mustered  out  May  31,  1865 ;  Short,  John  M., 
mustered  out  January  8,  1866,  term  expired; 
Shakelford,  William,  mustered  out  January 
8,  1866,  term  expired;  Thompson,  John,  not 
mustered  out;  Wilson,  William,  mustered 
out  January  8,  1866,  term  expired. 

Exploits  of  the  Reg-iment. —  Leaving 
Indianapolis  March  20,  1864,  ^^is  organiza- 
tion proceeded  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where 
it  was  equipped  for  active  service.  It 
marched  over  200  miles  to  reach  Charles- 
ton, Tenn.,  and  was  with  the  Twenty-third 
army  corps  in  the  campaign  against  Atlanta, 
and  in  the  pursuit  of  Hood,  its  historj'  being 
identified  with  that  of  this  gallant  corps.  It 
especially  distinguished  itself  by  bravery  and 
effective  fighting  at  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, Atlanta  and  Jonesboro,  and  lost    many 


TENTH  CAVALRY  REGIMENT. 


CSS 


killed  and  wounded  in  these  battles  and  the 
heavy  skirmishing  attending  the  campaign 
and  siege.  In  October,  it  moved  to  Tennes- 
see with  Thomas'  army;  fought  firmly  and 
bravely  at  Franklin,  losing  its  major  and 
forty-eight  men  in  killed  and  wounded, 
and  took  part  in  the  utter  defeat  of  Hood's 
army  at  Nashville,  December  15  and  16, 
pursuing  the  rebel  fugitives  to  the  Tennes- 
see river,  then  going  into  camp  at  Clifton. 
Going  east,  it  acted  a  conspicuous  part  in 
the  Peninsula  campaign  during  the  spring 
of  1865,  and  when  active  operations  had 
ceased,  did  guard,  provost  and  garrison 
duty  at  Goldsboro,  Raleigh,  Charlotte  and 
elsewhere,  not  being  mustered  out  until 
January  8,  1S66.  Well  commanded  and 
finely  disciplined,  this  regiment  ever  con- 
ducted itself  in  a  manner  that  elicited  much 
genuine  admiration  and  praise. 

The  Tenth  Cavalry  [One  /it/ //(/red 
and  Tventy -fifth')  Regi/nc/it.  —  This  or- 
ganization was  recruited  during  the  fall 
and  winter  of  1863,  its  first  camp  of  ren- 
dezvous being  at  Vincennes  and  the  next  at 
Columbus.  A  considerable  number  of  men 
from  Vanderburgh  county,  enough  indeed 
to  have  formed  one  company,  were  distrib- 
uted about  in  its  various  commands.  Very 
few  of  its  officers  were  drawn  from  here. 
Thomas  G.  Williamson  went  out  as  captain 
of  Company  B,  rose  rapidly  to  the  lieuten- 
ant colonelcy  and  servedthroughout  the  regi- 
ment's career.  In  the  same  company  Oliver 
Babcock,  enlisting  as  a  private,  was  ad- 
vanced to  second  and  then  first  lieutenant, 
and  remained  with  the  company  until  its 
muster  out.  Edward  A.  Pitts,  another  who 
enlisted  in  the  ranks,  was  appointed  ser- 
geant and  commissioned  second  lieutenant, 
though  the  termination  of  the  company's 
service  prevented  his  muster.  The  enlisted 
men  from  the  county  in  this  regiment  were : 
Company  A.,  (mustered  March  30,  1864). 


—  Bills,  William  F.,  mustered  out  May  29, 
1865;  Britton,  Francis  L.,  mustered  out 
August  31,  1865,  as  sergeant,  term  expired; 
Dodson,  James  F.  N.,  not  mustered  out; 
Davidson,  Samuel  M.,  died  of  wounds  re- 
ceived at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  October  27  1864; 
Gibson,  Richley,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865; 
Grider,  Hamilton,  mustered  out  August  31, 
1865,  term  expired;  Martin,  Jackson,  dis- 
charged July  28,  1865,  as  corporal;  Phar, 
John  F.,  mustered  out  August  31,  1865, 
term  expired;  Terry,  Elias,  mustered  out 
August  31,  1865,  as  wagoner,  term  expired; 
Wagoner,  Joseph,  mustered  out  September 

12,  1865,  term  expired;  Wolfinger,  George, 
mustered  out  August  31, 1865,  term  expired; 
Wesbicker,  Joseph,  mustered  out  August 
31,  1865,  term  expired;  Weise,  Franklin, 
mustered  out  August  31,  1865,  term  expired. 
Company  B  (mustered  January  8,  1864)  — 
Babcock,  Oliver,  promoted  second  lieuten- 
ant; Behler,  George,  mustered  out  August 
31,  1865,  term  expired;  Bell,  Ortha  C, 
mustered  out  August  31,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Bruce,  John  M.,  mustered  out  July 
21,  1865;  Bradshaw,  George,  mustered  out 
August  31,  1865,  term  expired; Benton,  Ed- 
ward M.,  mustered  out  August  31,  1865,  as 
corporal;  term  expired;  Cash,  Francis  M., 
mustered  out  June  19,  1865;  Green,  Arthur, 
mustered  out  August  31,  1865,  term  expired; 
Greathouse,   Enoch,   discharged   December 

13,  1864;  Graham,  Simeon,  mustered  out 
August  31,  1865,  as  commissary  sergeant, 
term  expired;  Gregley,  George  S.,  mus- 
tered out  June  19,  1865;  Gumbert,  Simon, 
mustered  out  August  31,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Higgenbotham,  James  G.,  mustered 
out  July  II,  1865,  as  corporal;  Hopkins, 
Charles  W.,  mustered  out  June  24,  1865  ; 
Hubert,  Casper,  discharged  June  13,  1865; 
Jackson,  James  J.,  mustered  out  August  31, 
1865,  term  expired;  Jolly,  Charles,  mustered 
out  August    31,  1865,  term    expired;  Kall^ 


536 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOE  Y. 


Andrew,  mustered  out  August  31,  i865> 
term  expired;  Kirkpatrick,  John  C, 
mustered  out  August  31,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Knight,  G.  C,  died  at  Pulaski, 
Tenn.,  October  3,  1864;  Martin,  John  T., 
mustered    out  June    19,    1865;    McClellan, 

Thomas,  mustered    out    August  31,    1865, 
term  expired;  Parker,  Lewis,  mustered  out 
August    31,     1865,    term    expired;    Potter, 
William    L.,    mustered    out   May  29,  1865; 
Priest,  Erastus,   mustered    out    August   31, 
1865,  term  expired;  Rodgers,  James,  mus- 
tered out    August   31,  1S65,  term    expired; 
Romine,    Abraham,  mustered   out  July  14, 
1865;  Romine,  Ephraim,  mustered  out  June 
22,  1865;  Rutherford,  Daniel  R.,  mustered 
out  August  24,  1865,  term  expired;  Staggs, 
Martin,  mustered  out  August  31, 1865,  term 
expired;  Stainbrook,    Philip,   mustered   out 
August  31,  1865,  as  corporal,  term  expired; 
Strody,  George  W.,  died  at  Pulaski,  Tenn., 
September   30,    1864;  Stubblefield,  Beverly 
M.,  mustered  out  August  31,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Taylor,    Thomas,  not    mustered  out; 
Waller,  William   S.,  mustered    out  July  25, 
1865;  Walter,    Thomas    A.,    mustered  out 
August  31,  1865,  term  expired;  Williamson, 
Philip  H.,    killed    by  accident    at    Gallatin, 
Tenn.,  May  5,    1864;  Weres,   Joseph,    dis- 
charged July   17,    1864;  Zehmley,  William, 
mustered  out  August  31,  1865,  as. corporal; 
Company  F  (mustered  January  8,  1864)  — 
Beavers,    Joseph    W.,   not    mustered    out; 
Chaney,  Thomas,  mustered  out  August  31, 
1865,  term  expired;  Collins,   Shelb}',  mus- 
tered out  August   31,  1865,   term  expired; 
Jordon,    Adam    T.,    died    in    Andersonville 
prison,  March    16,    1865;  Shafer,   Samuel, 
died  at  Columbus,  Ind.,  April  5,  1864;  Wil- 
son  Amos,   never    mustered  in;  Williams, 
Samuel,    mustered   out,    August  31,    1865, 
term  expired;  Company  G,  (mustered  Janu- 
ary 8,  1864) — -Able,    George  W.,  mustered 
out  August  31,  1S65,  as  corporal,  term   ex- 


pired; Berry,  James  R.,  mustered  out  Au- 
gust 31,  1865,  term  expired;  Herron,  John, 
died  at  Fort  Gaines,  Ala.,  May  7,  1864; 
Herrick,  Charles,  mustered  out  August  31, 
1865,  term  expired  ;  Jones,  William,  mus- 
tered out  July  31,  1865;  McCleland,  James 
A.,  mustered  out  June  23,  1865;  Wage, 
George,  mustered  out  August  31,  1865; 
term  expired;  Company  K  (mustered 
March  6,  and  April  14,  1864) — Lewis, 
Thomas  W.,  mustered  out  August  31,  1865, 
term  expired  ;  Lutz,  Frederick,  not  mustered 
out ;  Pitts,  Edward  A.,  mustered  out  Au- 
gust 31,  1865,  as  sergeant,  term  expired; 
Pitts,  Warren,  discharged  June  13,  1865; 
Wiles,  John,  mustered  out  August  31, 
1865,  ^s  bugler,  term  expired;  Company 
M  (mustered  March  8,  1864)— Bell,  John, 
mustered  out  August  31,  1865,  term  ex- 
pired; Jett,  Henry  C,  mustered  out  August 
31,  1865,  term  expired. 

T/ic  Regiiiiciirs  Work  in  the  Field. — - 
This  command  did  not  leave  the  state  until 
May  3,  1864.  It  then  moved  to  Pulaski, 
Tenn.,  where,  and  at  Decatur,  Ala.,  during 
the  Atlanta  campaign,  it  guarded  a  railroad 
over  which  supplies  were  sent  to  Sherman's 
army.  It  had  several  skirmishes  with  the 
forces  under  Rodd}',  Wheeler  and  Forrest, 
and  in  the  battle  of  Pulaski,  September  28, 
fought  bravely,  losing  fifty  officers  and  men, 
killed  and  wounded.  A  detachment  at  De- 
catur fought  Hood  four  days  in  October, 
and  a  portion  of  the  regiment  fell  back  on 
Nashville,  engaging  in  the  battles  of  Nash- 
ville, Little  Harpeth,  Reynolds'  Hill  and 
Sugar  Creek,  losing  in  officers  and  men 
sixty-three  killed  and  wounded,  and  seventy- 
five  captured;  and  on  the  other  hand  cap- 
turing from  the  enemy  in  these  several  en- 
gagements, four  stands  of  colors,  and  300 
men  and  officers  with  their  arms.  During 
the  winter  the  detachment  at  Decatur,  under 
Maj.  Williamson,  participated  in  the  battles 


ONE  HUNDRED  DAYS'  MEN. 


757 


of  Flint  River,  Indian  Creek,  Courtland 
and  Mount  Hope,  and  succeeded  in  captur- 
ing ten  pieces  of  artillery,  150  officers  and 
men,  and  a  supply  train  consistincr  of  150 
wagons  and  500  mules.  In  February, 
1S65,  the  regiment  proceeded,  by  steamer, 
to  New  Orleans,  and  thence  to  Alobile  Bay, 
participating  in  the  reduction  of  Spanish 
Fort  and  Fort  Blakely,  which  resulted  in 
the  surrender  of  Mobile.  The  regiment 
then  made  an  expedition  to  Eufala  and 
Montgomery,  Ala.,  and  moved  thence  to 
Vicksburg,  Miss.,  reaching  there  in  July. 
Thereafter,  until  muster  out,  August  31, 
1865,  it  was  engaged  in  garrison  and  patrol 
duty  in  Mississippi.  On  April  28,  1865,  the 
regiment  lost  three  officers  and  thirty-five 
men  by  the  explosion  of  the  ill-fated  steamer. 
Sultana.  These  soldiers  had  been  paroled 
and  were  on  their  way  home  when  killed. 
In  May,  1864,  it  also  lost  five  men  killed  and 
seventy  wounded  by  a  railroad  collision  on 
the  L.  &  N.  railroad.  The  regiment  went 
out  with  1,254  officers  and  men,  and  re- 
ceived forty-six  recruits.  It  returned  to  the 
state  with  twenty-eight  officers  and  519 
men. 

T/ic  Hundred  Days'  Volunteers. — When 
the  winter  of  1863-4  ^^^  passed  and  the 
life  of  the  nation  was  still  in  danger, 
preparations  were  made  for  a  vigorous 
prosecution  of  the  war.  The  victories  and 
campaigns  of  the  preceding  year  were  bril- 
liant and  in  a  large  measure  effective,  but  it 
was  hoped  that  the  achievements  of  the  year 
just  commencing  might  terminate  the  re- 
bellion and  restore  peace.  The  governors 
of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Iowa,  and  Wiscon- 
sin offered  to  raise  for  the  service  of  the 
general  government  a  force  of  volunteers  to 
serve  for  100  days,  and  on  the  23d 
day  of  April,  1864,  Gov.  Morton  issued  his 
call  for  Indiana's  portion  of  that  force.  The 
troops  thus  raised  were   to    perform   such 


military  services  as  might  be  required  of 
them  in  any  state,  and  were  to  be  armed, 
subsisted,  clothed  and  paid  by  the  United 
States,  but  were  not  to  receive  any  bounty. 
These  troops  were  designed  to  make  the 
campaign  of  1864  successful  and  decisive  by 
relieving  a  large  number  of  veterans  from 
garrison  and  guard  duty  and  allowing  them 
to  join  their  companions  in  arms,  then  about 
entering  one  of  the  most  active  and  im- 
portant campaigns  of  the  war.  Their  places 
were  filled  by  the  100  daj's'  men  as 
fast  as  the  latter  could  be  organized  into 
regiments  and  sent  forward  from  the  camps 
of  rendezvous.  The  organizations  from 
Indiana  consisted  of  eight  regiments,  num- 
bered consecutively  from  the  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-second  to  the  One  Hundred  and 
Thirt^'-ninth,  inclusive.  The  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-sixth  R:o-i.niznt  was  composed 
almost  entirely  of  men  from  the  First  con- 
gressional district,  there  being  three  entire 
companies.  A,  B  and  C,  from  Vanderburgh 
count}^  the  largest  body  of  citizens  that  had 
yet  gone  out  with  any  organization.  The 
regiment  was  organized  and  mustered  into 
service  on  the  23d  day  of  May,  1864. 
Vanderburgh  county  gave  to  the  regiment 
the  following  officers,  all  of  whom  were  com- 
missioned May  21,  1S64,  ^"^^  mustered  out 
with  the  regiment:  Col.  John  W.  Foster, 
Lieut.  Col.  William  H.  Walker,  Maj.  Blythe 
Hynes,  and  Qrm.  Robert  Early;  to  Com- 
pany A,  Capt.  Adolphus  Pfafilin,  First  Lieut. 
Philip  Euler,  Second  Lieut.  Charles  Ritter, 
all  commissioned  May  3,  1864:  to  Company 
B,  Capt.  William  B.  Ilollingsworth,  First 
Lieut.  Frank  M.  Thayer,  Second  Lieut. 
Christopher  L.  Scott,  all  commissioned  May 
5,  1864;  and  to  Companj'  C,  Capt.  William 
H.  Caldwell,  First  Lieut.  Edward  P.  Elliott, 
Second  Lieut.  Frederick  Geiger,  all  com- 
missioned May  21,  1864.  At  the  organiza- 
io!i    of  Compan}'  C,  May  5,  1S64,    William 


S38 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


H.  Walker  was  commissioned  captain,  and 
the  officers  above  named  were  each  one 
grade  lower  than  as  stated,  but  upon  his  ad- 
vancement to  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  regi- 
ment, promotions  were  made  which  officered 
the  company  as  indicated  above.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  complete  roster  of  the  enlisted 
men  serving  in  these  companies :  Company 
A — John  Alderton,  Ernst  Andel,  George 
Brown,  William  G.  Boepple,  William  Bisch- 
man,  Leopold  Bernheimer,  John  Berner, 
George  Bambe,  George  Baisch,  Charles 
Coply,  Henr}'  Dreier,  Frank  Dougherty, 
Peter  Deal,  John  Dean,  Tliomas  Doyle, 
Peter  Dam,  Thomas  Dickerson,  Henry 
Eisler,  Michael  Eisler,  Henry  Ehman, 
WilHam  H.  Edwards,  Stephen  Ensner,  Al- 
bert Enstein,  William  A.  Fritsch,  Albert 
Fisher,  George  Geisler,  Henry  C.  Green, 
Henry  Gumberts,  John  Gebing,  Henry  J. 
Glein,  John  M.  Gleichman,  John  Huber, 
Frederick  Hoelscher,  Jacob  Hirch,  Phillip 
Haumer,  Jacob  Hahn,  August  Heinekamp, 
Louis  Hanschilds,  Henry  Hewig,  John 
Jordan,  Rudolph  Kehr,  Frederick  Kercher, 
George  Kissel,  August  Korsemeyer,  Fred- 
erick Krohne,  Francis  Krug,  Henry  Kruse, 
Theodore  L.  Kuhlman,  Louis  Kramer, 
Christian  Koehler,  George  Kinkel,  Charles 
Kretschmar,  John  Linde,  Gottlieb  Lerch, 
John  H.  Lambers,  Henry  Moellenkamp, 
John  Mosel,  Louis  Metzner,  Gustave 
Mathias,  John  McDonough,  Reinhard  Orth, 
John  Polhaus,  Theodore  Pfafflin,  Gottlieb 
Pfisterer,  Jacob  Rifflin,  Jacob  Rickling, 
John  Roepple,  Christian  Ressler,  John  L. 
Straub,  Harry  Smith,  Henry  Schmitt,  Ernst 
Schorr,  Jacob  Schlintenhard,  Gottheb 
Schieber,  Peter  Schindler,  Charles 
Schweitzer,  Albert  Severet,  John  Straub- 
miller,  Albert  Schumaker,  Charles  Schlange, 
Joseph  Schoene,  Christian  Steinhauer, 
William  Schneider,  Jacob  Showener, 
William    F.    Schlotter,    August    Schlange, 


Frederick  Teipel,  John  Voll,  William  Vier- 
ling,  John  Walter,  Charles  West,  Christian 
Walter,  Peter  Wilsbacher,  Joseph  Witz, 
Henry  F.  Wilke,  Charles  White,  Isaac 
Weiss,  Nicholas  Yost,  Christian  Ziss. 
Company  B — Henry  J.  Ashley,  Augustus 
C.  Ames,  John  C.  Barnes,  James  W.  Bar- 
bour, Adam  Belling,  David  W.  Burns,  Jud- 
son  G.  Burtis,  Jackson  Belford,  Benjamin 
H.  Beggs,  Samuel  W.  Blackburn,  Henry 
W.  Beppus,  Robert  H.  Blackburn,  William 
W.  Brownell,  Eleazer  V.  Burnett,  George 
Burkhart,  John  Burrucker,  William  T.  Car- 
ne}',  Martin  N.  Christ,  William  Christian, 
John  W.  Collins,  James  Crafts,  ji^xiam  Con- 
rad, James  Corduroy,  George  B.  Davison, 
Fletcher  O.  DeBruler,  John  C.  l)uvendork, 
Isaac  F.  Demerit,  Robert  Early,  George 
Elsperman,  Oliver  Evans,  James  C.  Farrow, 
Joseph  Fitzgerald,  John  Fitzgerald,  Isadora 
A.  Flack,  James  S.  Floyd,  George  Forsyth, 
Spencer  Glazier,  James  Gorman,  WiUiam 
Grammer,  Joseph  Gugaraus,  Christian  Her- 
man, J.  Blythe  Hendricks,  William  E.  Hows- 
lev,  John  T.  Hutchinson,  Thomas  Hum- 
phreys, James  P.  Hy^nes,  Thomas  Ingle, 
William  Johnson,  John  Kattenbacher, 
Franz  Kirchner,  Josiah  Kightly,  Rob- 
ert B.  Kirkpatrick,  Madison  B.  Kirk- 
patrick,  William  H.  Kirkpatrick,  Isaac 
H.  Kimbly,  John  Koenig,  John  Kohl, 
Leo  Kuhn,  Adolph  Lagant,  WiUiam  B. 
Lindsey,  Marion  Lockwood,  Joseph  Lyron, 
Walter  M.  Lewis,  Michael  Mackedon, 
Thornton  Males,  George  F.  Mayer,  John 
Mum,  James  McKinney,  Charles  Miller, 
John  A.  Miller,  Herman  Miller,  Jacob  Miller, 
Henr\-  Morris,  John  Nester,  James  O.  Byrne, 
Charles  W.  Osborne,  William  E.  Quinn, 
Lewis  Raple,  John  Roeder,  Mathew  W. 
Rogers,  George  J.  Reeves,  John  M.  Samp- 
son, Louis  Schmitt,  Frank  S.  Schu, 
John  H.  Sonntag,  Henry  Steiper,  James 
Swanson,    jr.,    James  Taylor,    George    A. 


LAST  REGIMENTS. 


539 


Urie,  Abram  Van  Strickland,  George 
Vickery,  Samuel  W.  Wallace,  William 
T.  Wade,  Frank  C.  White,  Samuel  Wyt- 
tenbach,  John  Yocum,  Adrian  Youngs. 
Company  C  —  Charles  H.  Allen,  William 
F.  Beard,  John  Baile}-,  Jacob  Bippus,  Louis 
Birtis,  Henry  Browne,  John  Burns,  WilHam 
Burroughs,  F.  Bruce  Carson,  Albert  W. 
Carpenter,  Henry  Clark,  David  Cory,  Henry 
Curry,  W.  H.  Day,  John  Dick,  James  E. 
Eargood,  James  H.  Foster,  John  F.  Foster, 
Frank    France,    James    B.    Gammel, 


Geiger,     Frederick     Geiger,      Christopher 
Garst,  Jefferson  Girman,  Frank  Gray,  Fred- 
erick Guth,  Samuel  Hays,  Jacob  Heddrick, 
John        Heilman,        George       Henninger 
Louis  Hess,  A.  B.  Hinkle,   Henry    Huber, 
John  Hopkins,  Calvin    P.    Howard,    Benja- 
min Hubb,  jr.  Jacob  Hurmell,  John  Hurly, 
Heber  Ingte*Charles  T.  Jenkins,  Frank  M. 
Kennison,  Moses  C.  Kohn,  Joseph  P.    Kra- 
mer, James    Larue,   Bruce   Lechner,  John 
Maine,    George    W.    Mayhu,     Joseph     B. 
Mayhu,  jr.,  George  F.  Mansell,  William  W. 
Manning,  John  Monks,  William    McDowell, 
Isaac     Miller,    Conrad    Miller,    Allen     G. 
Mills,    Henry    Myers,  Benjamin    Newman, 
George  W.  Newman,  Henry    C.  Newman, 
Philip     Nester,     John      O'Brien,      Dennis 
O'Brien,  Patrick   O'Brien,  James    H.    Phil- 
lips, Jacob  Reerer,  William  Ryan,  John    H. 
Re3nolds,  Andrew  J.    Rudisil,    William    L. 
Sauer,  James    M.    Scantlin,  John   Scotield, 
Charles   Sewsemier,  Charles    Seedrel,  John 
Sheppard,  John  D.  Sheppard,  John    Sheer, 
Joseph  E.  Schu,  Thomas  Shaw,  Eson  Shap- 
taugh,  John  List,  Jesse  B.  Start,  George  M. 
Stinson,  John  M.    Slinson,  Burnett    Taylor, 
Cornelius  Totten,  Levi  H.  Tower,  Howard 
Walker,  William  Warren,  Nicholas  Weber. 
John  White,  George  White,  William   Wil- 
son, George  H.  Williams,  Nicholas  Winter, 
Joseph  Winer,  Robert  F.    Woods,  William 
Zast. 


T/ic  Field  Service  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-sixth. —  Soon  after  its  organiza- 
tion the  regiment  departed  for  Tennessee. 
Arriving  at  Nashville  it  was  assigned  to 
duty  along  the  railroads  over  which  were 
transported  supplies  for  Sherman's  arm}', 
then  advancing  on  Atlanta,  and  until  the 
latter  part  of  August,  1864,  ^^'''^^  kept  con- 
stantly engaged  in  guarding  these  import- 
ant lines  of  communication.  Its  service  was 
valuable  as  an  important  adjunct  to  the  bril- 
hant  and  successful  campaign  of  1S64.  The 
three  companies  from  this  county  went  out 
with  294  men.  They  lost  one  b}'  death  — - 
Albert  Schumacher,  who  died  June  20,  1S64, 
and  one  by  desertion.  Immediately  after  its 
final  discharge,  Joseph  Kramer,  of  Company 
C,  was  killed  by  a  shot  fired  b}-  an  unknown 
person.  The  regiment  was  mustered  out 
September  2,  1864,  at  Indianapolis. 

The  Last  Regiment  for  the  Front. —  In 
December,  1864,  Abraham  Lincoln  again 
called  on  the  loyal  people  of  the  north  for 
300,000  volunteers.  In  response  to  this,  the 
final  call  for  troops  made  by  the  president 
during  the  civil  war,  Indiana  sent  eleven 
regiments  to  the  front,  among  them  being 
the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-third^  com- 
posed of  companies  from  the  first  congres- 
sional district,  organized  and  mustered  into 
service  at  Indianapolis  on  the  21st  day  of 
Februar}-,  1S65,  with  John  F.  Grill,  as 
colonel.  Earl}'  in  1861,  Col.  Grill  had  gone 
out  as  captain  of  a  company  in  the  Twenty- 
fourth,  had  rendered  valiant  and  faithful 
service  with  that  gallant  regiment,  had  won 
and  received  advancement  to  the  rank  of 
lieutenant  colonel,  had  just  returned  to  his 
home  from  active  service,  and  it  was  a  fitting 
recoenition  of  his  worth  that  he  should  com- 
mand  the  last  regiment  that  went  out  com- 
posed largely  of  \'anderburgh  county  men. 
His  commission  was  dated  the  20th  day 
of      February,      1865,      and     he      served 


5i0 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


until  mustered  out  with  the  regiment. 
Other  regimental  officers  from  the  county 
were:  Edward  P.  Elliot,  adjutant;  Peter 
Schmuck,  quartermaster,  and  Benjamin 
Davidson,  assistant  surgeon.  The  following 
were  the  officers  of  Company  A,  all  resi- 
dents of  Evansville:  Justin  A.  Kellogg, 
captain;  Joseph  B.  Maghee,  jr.,  first  lieu- 
tenant, and  George  H.  Dearing,  second 
lieutenant.  Lieut.  Dearing  resigned  June 
23,  1865,  and  John  Mossell  was  commis- 
sioned to  fill  the  vacancy,  but  was  not  mus- 
tered. The  officers  of  Company  F  were: 
Christopher  L.  Scott,  captain:  Frank  W. 
Fickas,  first  lieutenant,  and  George  J. 
Reeves,  second  lieutenant.  Captain  Scott 
resigned  May  26,  1865,  the  lieutenants  were 
each  promoted,  and  John  T.  Fickas  filled 
the  vacancy  occasioned  by  Lieut.  Reeves' 
advancement.  In  Company  G,  Frank 
France  went  out  as  second  lieutenant,  was 
promoted  first  lieutenant  May  16,  1865,  and 
resigned  August  18,  1865;  John  W.  Griffith 
was  commissioned  but  not  mustered  as 
second  lieutenant  in  this  same  company. 
The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  enlisted  men 
who  were  accredited  to  this  count}^:  Com- 
pany A  —  First  Sergt.  Frank  M.  Kennison, 
mustered  out  May  22,  1865;  Sergt.  Chris- 
topher C.  Harris,  not  mustered  out; 
Sergt.  Miles  Scales,  mustered  out  October 
17,  1865,  as  first  sergeant;  Sergt.  John 
Morehead,  not  mustered  out;  Corp.  Peter- 
son Grant,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865, 
as  sergeant;  Corp.  Andrew  J.  Angel,  mus- 
tered out  October  17,  1865,  as  sergeant; 
Corp.  Bruce  Lechner,  mustered  out  Octo- 
ber 17,  1865,  as  sergeant;  Corp.  Patrick 
Burns,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865,  ^s 
private;  Corp.  Henry  Kerf,  not  mustered 
out;  Musician  Theodore  Pfefflin,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1864,  as  principal  musician. 
Privates. —  AicHe,  John,  mustered  out 
October   17,    1865;   Bowers,  John,  not  mus- 


tered out;  Bishop,  Lee,  mustered  out  Octo- 
ber 17,  1865 )  Brown,  George,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1865;  Brown,  Lewis,  died 
at  Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  June  14,  1865;  Coul- 
ter, William,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865;  Dunbush,  William,  mustered  out 
October  17,  1865;  Effinger,  Frederick, 
mustered  out  October  17,  1865;  Eiseman, 
Lorenz,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865; 
Fickas,  Benjamin  A.,  mustered  out  October 
17,  1865;  Fe_v,  John,  mustered  out  October 
17,  1865;  Folz,  John,  mustered  out  Octo- 
ber 17,  1865;  Folz,  Joseph,  mustered  out 
October  17,  1S65;  Grill,  Edward,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1865,  ^s  quarter- 
master sergeant;  Green,  John,  not  mus- 
tered out;  Grant,  Perr}',  mustered  out 
October  17,  1865;  Gephart,  August,  mus- 
tered out  October  17,  1865;  Hawkins, 
Isaac,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865; 
Irons,  William,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865;  Kirkpatrick,  William  H.,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1865,  as  corporal;  Knott, 
Alexander,  not  mustered  out;  Loranze, 
John,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865;  Mo- 
selle, John,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865, 
as  commissar)'  sergeant;  McGee,  Joseph  B., 
promoted  to  first  lieutenant;  Miller,  John, 
mustered  out  October  17,  1865;  Martin, 
Henr}'  E.,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865; 
Mc Andrews,  J.  F.,not  mustered  out;  Rieder, 
Christopher,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865;  Raubb,  Frank,  mustered  out  October 
17,  1865;  Reisinger,  John,  mustered  out 
October  17,  1865;  Shore,  Lewis  L.,  mus- 
tered out  October  17,  1865,  as  corporal; 
Shanks,  John,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865;  Smith,  Pa^-ton,  died  at  Clarksville, 
Tenn.,  July  25,  1865,  of  wounds;  Strange, 
Leonard,  mustered  out  October  17,  1S65; 
Strange,  Thomas,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865,  as  corporal;  Smith,  Robert,  mustered 
out  Jul)'  14,  1865;  Steinhizzen,  John,  mus- 
tered   out    October     17,     1S65;     Wagner, 


COLORED  TROOPS. 


5U 


Charles,  mustered  out  October  17,  1S65; 
Wise,  Isaac,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865.  At  its  organization  this  company 
mustered  107  men;  it  lost  eight  by  death 
and  twenty-one  by  desertion.  In  the  other 
companies  of  the  regiment  were  the 
following  men  from  this  county:  Com- 
pany D  —  Sergt.  Berr}'  P.  Robertson, 
mustered  out  October  17, 1865.  Privates  — 
Judith,  Andrew,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865;  Lumsden,  William,  died  at  Murfrees- 
boro,  Tenn.,  March  20,  1865;  Town,  Cyrus, 
mustered  out  October  17,  1865.  Company 
E — Privates  — Feil,  Martin,  mastered  out 
October  17,  1865;  Huff,  Adam,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1865.  Company  F  —  Sergt. 
Isaac  F.  Demoret,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1S65;  Corp.  John  R.  Williams,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1S65;  Corp.  Cornelius  H. 
Lawrence,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865. 
Privates  —  Burkhart,  Jacob,  mustered  out 
October  17,  1S65;  Bresnahan,  Jeremiah, 
mustered  out  October  17,  1865;  Butler, 
Joseph,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865; 
Bonafield,  Gustave,  mustered  out  October 
17,  1865;  Brandis,  Thomas,  mustered  out 
October  17,  1865;  Brown,  James,  mustered 
out  January  2,  1866;  Byron,  Levi,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1865;  Carson,  Charles  H., 
mustered  out  October  17,  1865;  Dean,  Will- 
iam S.,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865; 
Dregg,  Philip,  mustered  out  October 
17,  1865;  Elkins,  Henry,  died  at 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  February  19,  1865; 
Ellis,  Andrew  J.,  not  mustered  out; 
Gregor,  Jacob,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865:  Hybarger,  George,  mustered  out  Oc- 
tober 17,  1865;  K.emp,  August,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1S65;  Krouse,  George, 
mustered  out  October  17,  1865 ;  Lipper, 
Henr}-, ,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865; 
Lohmaer,  Henry,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865;  Loveless,  William  J.,  mustered  out 
October  13,   1865;  Lockwood,  Francis  M., 


mustered  out  October  17,  1865,  as  corporal; 
Muse,  Thomas  J.,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865,  as  corporal;  Morgan,  Henry  I.,  mus- 
tered out  October  17,  1865;  Morguis,  Elli- 
son, mustered  out  October  17,  1865;  Nevil, 
Henry  C,  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn., 
June  22,  1865;  Rinckle,  George,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1S65  ;  Reed,  John,  mus- 
tered out  October  17,  1865;  Sandman,  Her- 
man, mustered  out  October  17,  1865;  Trim- 
ble, Joseph,  mustered  out  July  4,  1865; 
Finley,  Patrick,  not  mustered  out;  White, 
John,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865;  Wun- 
derlich,  Charles,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865.  Company  G — Privates  —  Euler, 
John  C,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865; 
Faver,  James  R.,  not  mustered  out;  Griffith, 
John  W.,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865; 
Smith,  Thomas,  mustered  out  October  17, 
1865.  Company  H  —  Privates  —  Miller, 
Herman  A.,  mustered  out  October  17,  1865; 

Company  I —  Privates —  Lenn,  James  P., 
mustered  out  October  17,  1865,  as 
corporal ;  Priest,  Francis  M.,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1865;  Vanbiffer,  Rat- 
chffe  B.,    not   mustered  out. 

Sketch  of  the  Regiment.  — This  command 
left  Indianapolis  February  24,  1865,  for 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  moved  thence  to  Mur- 
freesboro, where  it  performed  guard  duty 
until  the  13th  of  May,  when  it  proceeded  to 
Tullahoma.  Moving  from  that  place  on  the 
26th  of  June,  to  Nashville,  it  was  sent  to 
Clarksville,  at  which  place  three  companies 
were  detached  and  sent  to  garrison  Fort 
Donelson.  Receiving  orders  for  muster 
out,  the  regiment  was  brought  together  and 
marched  to  Nashville,  when  it  was  mustered 
out  on  the  17th  of  October,  1865.  Return- 
ing to  Indianapolis,  it  was  publicly  received 
at  the  state  house  grove  h\  the  citizens  and 
state  authorities  and  tinallj-  discharged. 

United  States  Colored  Troops.  —  No  or- 
ganized body  of  colored  men  was  sent  to 


54^ 


MILITAR  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


the  front  by  Vanderburgh  count}-,  but  many 
individuals  joined  organizations  made  in 
other  localities  and  rendered  effective  ser- 
vice. In  the  Twenty -eighth  regiment  United 
States  colored  troops,  there  were  from 
this  county  the  following  enlisted  men:  Re- 
cruits for  Company  A —  Bluff,  Charles,  sub- 
stitute, mustered  out  November  8,  1865  ; 
Bishop,  Abner,  mustered  out  November  8, 
1865 ;  Cheatem,  John,  not  mustered  out ; 
Green,  Henry,  substitute,  mustered  out  No- 
vember 8,  1S65  ;  Green,  John,  mustered 
out  November  8,  1865,  as  corporal;  John- 
son, Joseph,  not  mustered  out;  Johnson, 
Silas,  substitute,  mustered  out  November  8, 
1865;  Todd,  Moses,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 8,  1865;  Washington,  Wesley,  substi- 
tute, mustered  out  November  8,  1865; 
White,  Robert,  substitute,  mustered  out 
November  8,  1865.  Recruits  for  Company 
B — Buford,  Jackson,  substitute,  mustered 
out  November  8,  1865;  Frankhn,  Colvin, 
substitute,  mustered  out  November  8,  1865  ; 
as  corporal ;  Green,  Jacob,  substitute  mustered 
tered  out  November  8, 1865  ;  Jordan,  Joseph, 
substitute,  mustered  out  November  8,  1865  ; 
Randolph,  Pollace,  substitute,  mustered  out 
November  8,  1865  ;  Sutton,  Daniel,  substi- 
tute, mustered  out  November  8,  1865,  as 
wagoner ;  Taylor,  Henry,  substitute  mustered 
out  November  8,  1865;  Walker,  Henderson, 
mustered  out  November  8,  1865;  Young, 
William,  mustered  out  Novembers,  1865; 
Recruits  for  Company  D  —  Cox,  John, 
mustered  out  November  8,  1865;  Duncan, 
James,  not  mustered  out;  Goens,  Bryant, 
mustered  out  November  8,  1S65;  Grandison, 
John,  mustered  out  November  8, 1865;  Han- 
cock, John,  mustered  out  November  8,  1865 ! 
Hatchett,  John,  discharged  June  26,  1865; 
Harris,  William,  mustered  out  November 
8,  1865;  Jones,  Peter,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 8,  1865;  McClure,  Dred,  substitute; 
Tyler,  Harvey,  mustered   out  November  8, 


1865.  Recruits  for  Company  G  —  Barrett, 
Aaron,  mustered  out  November  8,  1865; 
Carr,  Alexander,  mustered  out  November 
8,  1865 ;  Cobble,  Thurston,  mustered  out 
November  8,  1865,  as  corporal;  Clay,  Grant, 
mustered  out  November  8,  1S6S5  as  cor- 
poral; Davis,  Payton,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 8,  1865;  Fleming,  Samuel,  died  at  City 
Point,  Va.,  November  25,  1864;  Field, 
Thomas,  mustered  out  November  8,  1865; 
Graham,  William  H.,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 8,  1865;  Reed,  Charles,  substitute,  mus- 
tered out  November  8,  1865;  Snead,  James, 
mustered  out  November  8,  1865,  as  ser- 
geant; Scott,  William,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 8,  1865;  Washington,  George,  ist,  mus- 
tered out  November  8,  1865  ;  Washington, 
George,  2d,  mustered  out  November  8, 1865; 
Washington,  George  3d,  mustered  out  No- 
vember 8,  1865;  Williams,  Henry  2d, 
mustered  out  November  8,  1865.  Recruits 
for  Company  H  —  Spalding,  Thomas  J., 
substitute,  mustered  out  November  8,  1865; 
Sanders,  Aaron,  mustered  out  Nov.  8,  1865. 

Original  Enrollment  of  Company  I. — 
Sergt.  James  Barnett,  mustered  out  No- 
vember 8,  1865;  Hollo  way,  Gale,  mustered 
out  November  8,  1865;  Jones,  Lewis,  mus- 
tered out  November  8,  1865;  McCallister, 
Archibald,  mustered  out  November  8, 
1865;  McElroy,  Green,  mustered  out 
November  8,  1865 ;  McElroy,  Samuel, 
mustered  out  November  8,  1865,  as  cor- 
poral; Thompson,  Henry,  substitute,  mus- 
tered out  November  8,  1865. 

Recruits  for  Company  I. —  Campbell, 
Henry,  mustered  out  November  8,  1865; 
Green,  WilHam  H.,  mustered  November 
8,  1865;  Hughes,  William,  mustered  out 
November  8,  1865,  as  corporal;  Hughes, 
Dennis,  mustered  out  November  8,  1865; 
Wagoner,  James,  mustered  out  November 
8,  1865,  as  corporal;  Waldon,  Moses,  mus- 
tered out  November  8,  1865. 


COLORED  TROOPS. 


5^3 


Unassigned  Recruits. — ■  Abram,  Jolin,  un- 
accounted for;  Anderson,  Benjamin,  unac- 
counted for;  Avery,  Jesse,  unaccounted  for; 
Arnold,  Sanford,  unaccounted  for;  Bates, 
Harrison,  unaccounted  for;  Bates,  Joun,  un- 
accounted for;  Brown,  L.,  unaccounted  for; 
Berry,  John,  unaccounted  for;  Bruner, 
George, unaccounted  for ;  Beverly,  Joseph,  un- 
accounted for;  Barrett,  Stephen, unaccounted 
for;  Bradford,  George,  unaccounted  for; 
Cooke,  Preston,  unaccounted  for;  Camp- 
bell, Charles,  Unaccounted  for;  Common 
George,  unaccounted  for;  Cheatem,  Wash- 
ington, unaccounted  for;  Cooper,  Henry, 
unaccounted  for;  Farley,  Samuel,  died,  date 
not  stated;  Goldman,  Robert,  unaccounted 
for;  Green,  Daniel,  unaccounted  for;  Hollo- 
way,  Gabe,  unaccounted  for;  Holloway, 
Abram,  unaccounted  for;  Herndon,  William, 
unaccounted  for;  James,  Robert,  unaccounted 
for;  Jones,  Thomas,  unaccounted  for;  Long, 
Philip, unaccounted  for;  Long,  Lewis,  unac- 
counted for;  McHenry,  Joshua,  unaccounted 
for ;  Monroe,  William,  unaccounted  for ;  Ross, 
Jacob,  unaccounted  for;  Reader, William, un- 
accounted for;  Robinson,  John,  unaccounted 
for;  Robinson,  Milton,  unaccounted  for; 
Roley,  Milton,  mustered  out  November  S, 
1865;  Smith,  Lee,  unaccounted  for; Street, 
James,  unaccounted  for;  Stanley,  Albert, 
unaccounted  for;  Smith,  Charles,  unac- 
counted for;  Tall,  Charles,  unaccounted 
for;  Tate,  Benjamin,  unaccounted  for; 
Taylor,  Alfred,  unaccounted  for;Vaughan, 
Moses,  unaccounted  for ;  Wilkinson  Sam- 
uel, unaccounted  for;  Watkins,  William, 
unaccounted  for;  Webber,  Louis,  unac- 
counted for;  Watson,  Frank,  discharged, 
date  unknown,  disabilit}';  Wilson,  Dick,  un- 
accounted for;  Williams,  Nathan,  unac- 
counted for;  Williams,  George,  unaccounted 
for;  Williams,  David,  unaccounted  for; 
Williams,  Lewis,  unaccounted  for;  Weltz, 
John,  unnaccounted  for;  Williamson,  Benja- 


min, unaccounted  for  ;  Young,  Henry,  un- 
accounted for.  The  Twenty-eighth  regi- 
ment. United  States  Colored  Troops, 
as  at  first  organized  in  April,  1864, 
formed  a  part  of  Indiana's  quota,  and 
did  valuable  service  in  the  field,  especially 
in  the  campaign  against  Petersburgh,  dur- 
ing the  summer  and  fall  of  1864. 
It  lost  heavily  in  the  seven  engagements  in 
which  it  participated.  Its  decimated  ranks 
were  filled  with  recruits,  and  after  some  ac- 
tive field  service  the  regiment  was  selected 
for  duty  in  the  quartermaster's  department 
at  City  Point,  at  which  place  it  remained 
until  called  on  to  assist  in  operating  against 
Richmond.  It  was  among  the  first  organi- 
zations to  enter  Richmond,  and  was  de- 
tained at  Camp  Lee  for  three  days.  From 
there  it  was  sent  to  City  Point,  to  take 
charge  of  prisoners.  Here  it  remained 
until  the  Twenty-fifth  corps,  to  which  it  be- 
longed, was  ordered  to  Texas,  when  it  pro- 
ceeded to  Brazos  Santiago,  where  it 
arrived  Jul}'  i,  1S65.  It  remained  some  time 
at  Indianola,  and  then  at  Corpus  Christi, 
until  mustered  out  of  service  November  8, 
1865. 

Recruits  for  Eighth  Regiment  Iiifantry, 
United  States  Colored  Troops. —  Austin, 
John,  unaccounted  for;  Berry,  Daniel,  unac- 
counted for;  Blain,  Manuel,  unaccounted  for; 
Baxter,  Aaron,  unaccounted  for;  Berry, 
Benjamin,  unaccounted  for;  Cannon,  Sam- 
uel J.,  unaccounted  for;  Calvin  Alfred,  unac- 
counted for ;  Davis,  George,  unaccounted  for; 
Dodd,  Abe,  unaccounted  for;  Farquar, 
Lafayette,  unaccounted  for;  Goeus,  James, 
unaccounted  for;  Givens,  Jasper,  unaccounted 
for;  Henry,  John,  unaccounted  for;  Hamil- 
ton, James,  unaccounted  for;  Johnson,  Ben- 
jamin, unaccounted  for;  Johnson,  Nelson, 
unaccounted  for;  Johnson,  Samuel,  unac- 
counted for;  Johnson,  Joseph,  unaccounted 
for;     Morton,    Thomas,    unaccounted    for; 


5Vt 


MILITAB  Y  HISTOR  Y. 


Morgan,  George,  unaccounted  for;  McCoy, 
Spencer,  unaccounted  for;  Moore,  Robert, 
unaccounted  for;  Parker,  George,  unac- 
counted for;  Smith,  Horace,  unaccounted 
for;  Suttlemeir,  Augustus,  died,  date  un- 
known; Tyler,  Ciiarles,  unaccounted  for; 
Washington,  George  P.,  unaccounted  for; 
Wilson,  William,  unaccounted  for;  Williams, 
John,  unaccounted  for. 

(J)!assig)icd  Colored  Recriiils.  —  Bell, 
Emanuel,  substitute,  unaccounted  for; 
Brown,  George,  substitute,  unaccounted  for; 
Gibson,  Samuel,  substitute,  unaccounted  for; 
Johnston, Preston,  substitute,  unaccounted  for; 
Perkins,  Abe,  substitute,  unaccounted  for; 
Thompson,  Ross,  substitute,  unaccounted 
for;  McKinney,  Alexander,  substitute,  un- 
accounted for;  Richard,  Preston,  substitute, 
unaccounted  for. 

Miscellaneous  List  of  Officers  and  Men. — 
At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  there  was  such 
a  general  desire  to  enhst,  that  many  men  in 
the  county  of  Vanderburgh,  and  especially 
in  the  city  of  Evansville,  were  unable  to  get 
their  names  on  the  rolls  of  companies  being 
formed  at  home,  and  joined  the  organiza- 
tions of  other  counties  and  of  other  states. 
A  captain  who  had  failed  to  get  his  company 
into  the  organizations  of  our  own  state, 
busied  himself  in  negotiating  for  an  attach- 
ment to  some  regiment  belonging  to  a  neigh- 
boring state,  and  if  he  succeeded  was 
considered  fortunate.  In  the  spring  of  1861 
there  was  a  ver}'  strong  complaint,  which 
found  its  way  into  the  press,  that  Indiana 
was  not  allowed  to  furnish  her  just  propor- 
tion of  the  troops  needed.  The  prominent 
public  men  were  called  to  account  for  their 
failure  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the 
people.  Because  of  this  it  is  impossible  to 
say  how  manj^  men  Vanderburgh  county 
gave  to  the  nation  in  the  hour  of  its  peril. 
They  were  accredited  to  other  localities,  and 
it  is  not  possible  to  record  their  names  here. 


Later  in  the  war  many  recruits  obtained 
by  voluntarj'  enrollment  and  by  the  draft, 
were  unassigned,  and  the  muster  out  rolls 
fail  to  afford  information  as  to  their  places 
of  residence.  Indeed,  many  cases  appear 
where  men  rendered  valuable  and  honorable 
service,  such  as  entitles  them  to  the  grateful 
remembrance  of  the  present  generation, 
the  beneficiaries  of  their  heroic  endeavors, 
and  yet  because  of  a  failure  on  the  part  of 
the  mustering  officer  to  make  a  record  of 
the  soldier's  residence  it  is  impossible  to 
write  their  names  in  the  account  of  what 
Vanderburgh  county  did  in  the  war  of 
1S61-5.  The  following  is  a  list  of  such 
officers  and  men  as  have  not  heretofore 
received  mention,  and  is  as  accurate  and 
complete  as  it  is  possible  to  secure:  Com- 
pany F,  Ninth  regiment — Douglas,  Lee, 
drafted  1864,  mustered  out  August  20  > 
1S65;  Kaiser,  Frederick,  drafted  1864, 
mustered  out  August  20,  1865;  Maffit,  John 
J.,  drafted  1864,  died  at  Indianola,  Tex., 
August  7,  1865;  Skeels,  Daniel,  drafted 
1S64,  mustered  out  August  20,  1865. 
Company  H,  Ninth  regiment  —  Farney, 
Adam,  drafted  1864,  mustered  out 
August  13,  1865;  Pifer,  Ignatius, 
drafted,  1865,  not  mustered  out;  Yates, 
Edward,  drafted  1864,  mustered  out 
September  11,  1865;  Easton,  Daniel,  sub- 
stitute, 1864,  mustered  out  September  28, 
1865;  Ramsey,  John,  substitute,  1864,  died 
September  13,  1865;  Tafel,  Albert,  substi- 
tute, 1864,  mustered  out  1S65.  Company 
C,  Twelfth  Regiment  —  Duske}-,  James, 
drafted  1864,  transferred  to  Fifty-ninth  regi- 
ment. Thirteenth  Regiment  —  In  this  or- 
ganization Dr.  Isaac  N.  Craig  served  as 
surgeon  from  July  16,  1863,  until  August  2, 
1S64,  when  mustered  out  at  the  expiration 
of  his  term.  WilHam  Riley  served  in  Com- 
pan)-  H  of  this  regiment  as  a  private  from 
January  20  to  September   5,  1865.     Seven- 


OTHER  OFFICERS  AND  MEN. 


5J^ 


teenth  Regiment  —  In  Company  G,  Philip 
Hill  was  second  and  first  lieutenant  from 
February  4,  1S65,  until  mustered  out  with 
the  regiment.  June  12,  1861,  the  following 
were  enrolled  as  priv-ates  in  Company  D : 
Brinkman,  Frederick,  veteran,  mustered 
out  August  8,  1865;  Cell,  Charles,  not  mus- 
tered out;  Donley,  John,  not  mustered  out; 
Gensman,  Jacob,  mustered  out  June  20, 
1864;  Guise,  William,  not  mustered  out; 
Koontz,  John,  not  mustered  out;  Long, 
George  W.,  discharged  October  28,  1861, 
disability.  At  the  same  time  the  following 
were  enrolled  as  privates  in  Company  F: 
Herse,  Henry,  transferred  to  Veteran  Re- 
serve corps;  Maguire,  Alexander,  not  mus- 
tered out;  March,  Joseph,  transferred  to 
Company  K,  mustered  out  June  20,  1864; 
Melcher,  John  F.,  transferred  to  Fourth 
United  States  artillery  December,  1862; 
JNIiller,  Frank,  transferred  to  Company  K; 
Sheoffer,  Andrew,  transferred  to  Fourth 
United  States  artillery,  December,  1862. 
In  Company  H  the  two  first  named  below 
were  enrolled  as  privates  January  12,  1864, 
and  the  two  last  named  came  to  the  com- 
pany as  recruits  in  February,  1864:  Holtman 
John,  veteran,  mustered  out  August  8,  1865; 
McClure,  James  N.,  veteran,  mustered  out 
August  8,  1865;  McCutchan,  Marcus  C, 
mustered  out  August  8,  1865;  Smith,  Will- 
iam,  mustered  out    Ma}-^  31,   1864. 

Company  C,  Twentieth  regiment — Joseph 
Gaul  was  transferred  as  a  veteran  to  this 
company  from  the  Seventh  regiment,  Janu- 
ary 3,  1864,  and  was  mustered  out  Jul)'  12, 
1865. 

Twenty-first  regiment  —  Dr.  Isaac  T. 
Conn  was  commissioned  assistant  sur- 
geon June  5,  1865;  Henry  Henning  and 
Robert  Stinson  joined  Company  D  as 
recruits,  April  6,  1864,  and  were 
mustered  out   January  13,  1866. 

T-Mcnty-sccond  Regiment. — •  In  the  fall  of 


1864,  this  regiment  received  many  of  its  re- 
cruits from  Vanderburgh  county.  The  fif- 
teen first  named  below  were  assigned  to 
Company  B,  the  two  succeeding  these  to 
Company  F,  the  nine  next  thereafter  to 
Company  G,  and  the  remaining  seventeen 
to  Company  K:  Davis,  Benjamin,  mus- 
tered out  Jul}'  24,  1865,  term  expired; 
Gable,  Joseph,  drafted,  mustered  out 
October  14,  1865;  Harve}-,  George,  drafted, 
never  reported;  Kalkman,  August,  drafted, 
mustered  out  Julj^  24,  1865,  term  expired; 
Kendall,  William  C,  drafted,  mustered  out 
July  24,  1865,  term  expired;  Kohler,  Nich- 
olas, drafted,  never  reported  to  company; 
Korhessel,  Frank,  drafted,  never  reported 
to  company;  Kohlmire,  Fred,  drafted,  never 
reported  to  company;  Kohler,  August, 
drafted,  mustered  out  July  24,  1865,  term 
expired;  Lamb,  Isaac  L.,  drafted,  never  re- 
ported to  company;  Reno,  William  H., 
drafted,  mustered  out  July  24,  1865,  term 
expired;  Ruark,  Davis,  drafted,  mustered 
out  July  24,  1865,  term  expired;  Weston, 
Stephen,  drafted,  mustered  out  July  24,  1865, 
term  expired;  Whitman,  Adam,  drafted, 
mustered  out  July  24,  1S65,  term  expired; 
Wilkerson,  James  F.,  drafted,  mustered 
out  July  24,  1S65,  term  expired;  Monhol- 
land,  Owen,  mustered  out  July  24,  1865, 
term  expired ;  Ude,  Henry,  drafted,  mustered 
out  July  3,  186.S;  Gates,  Jacob,  mustered 
out  July  24,  1865,  term  expired; 
Meyer,  Henry  P.,  drafted,  never  reported  to 
company;  Mathew,  John,  mustered  out  July 
24,  1S65,  term  expired;  Mayall,  Malphus, 
substitute,  mustered  out  July  24,  1865,  term 
expired;  Padgett,  William  B.,  substitute, 
mustered  out  Juh'  18,  1865;  Phillips,  Ed- 
ward, drafted,  mustered  out  July  24,  1865, 
term  expired;  Powell,  Squire,  drafted,  mus- 
tered out  July  13,  1865;  Rader,  John, 
drafted,  never  reported  to  company;  Rice, 
James  C,  drafted,  never  reported   to  com- 


5^6 


MILITARY  HISTOB  Y. 


pan\-;  Bonke,  John,  drafted,  mustered  out 
July  24,  1865,  term  expired;  Brandenburgh, 
Frederick,  substitute,  mustered  out  July  24, 
1865,  term  expired;  Mulligan,  James,  sub- 
stitute, mustered  out  July  24,  1865,  term -ex- 
pired; Smith,  John,  substitute,  mustered  out 
July  24,  1865,  term  expired;  Smart,  Alfred, 
drafted,  mustered  out  July  24,  1865,  term 
expired;  Stinchfield,  Mark,  drafted,  mus- 
tered out  July  24,  1865,  term  expired; 
Snyder,  Philip,  drafted,  mustered  out  Jul}' 
24,  1865,  term  expired;  Stohl,  Felix, 
drafted,  mustered  out  Jul}-  24,  1865,  term 
expired;  Stuckmann,  Frederick,  drafted, 
mustered  out  July  24,  1865,  term  expired; 
Schmadel,  August,  drafted,  mustered  out 
Jul}'  24,  1865,  term  expired;  Shrotguth, 
Frederick,  mustered  out  May  25,  1865; 
Sharum,  Cornelius,  mustered  out  May  22, 
1865;  Tyser,  Henry,  drafted,  mustered  out 
July  24,  18655  term  expired;  Trautreter, 
Traugott,  mustered  out  June  i,  1865;  Wal- 
ter, Frederick,  substitute,  mustered  put 
July  24,  1865,  term  expired;  Williams, 
John  L.,  substitute,  mustered  out  July  24, 
1865,  term  expired;  Wilcox,  George 
W.,  mustered  out  May,  25,  1865; 
Hiram  F.  Wilson,  as  substitute,  was  assigned 
to  the  Eight3--second  regiment,  and  after- 
ward to  Company  I,  of  this  regiment,  and 
mustered  out  July  24,  1865. 

Tzvcnty-sixth  Reg-iiiieiit. —  Parvin,  John, 
recruit  Companj'  E,  1864,  mustered  out 
January  11,  1866;  Sissell,  Erastus,  recruit 
Company  F,  mustered  out  September  6, 
1865,  drafted  1864;  Goldsmith,  Frederick, 
recruit  Company  H;  Staub,  Frederick,  re- 
cruit Company  I,  1864,  mustered  out  Janu- 
ary 15,  1866. 

Tzvcntv-ninth  I^co-iinenf. —  Grundman, 
William  H.,  substitute.  Company  A,  1S64, 
mustered  out  October  21,  1865. 

Thirtieth  Regiment,  Reorganized. —  Les- 
lie, James  P.,  private  Company  A,  died  at 


Victoria,  Tex.,  November  9,  1865;  Stewart, 
Mark  C,  private  Companj-  A,  mustered  out 
November  8,  1865;  Taber,  Henderson,  pri- 
vate Company  A,  mustered  out  October  23, 
1865;  Vanderhoof,  John,  private  Company 
A,  mustered  out  October  23,  1865;  Wood, 
Charles  W.,  substitute,  Company  A,  not 
mustered  out;  Wilson,  David,  private,  Com- 
pany A,  never  reported  to  the  company; 
Rapple,  John,  private,  Company  E,  mustered 
out  June  23,  1S65;  Seuff,  WiUiam,  sergeant, 
Company  F,  mustered  out  November  25, 
1865;  Harter,  Henrj-,  substitute.  Company 
G,  mustered  out  October  13,  1865. 

Thirty-first  Regiment. —  All  in  the  list 
below,  with  three  exceptions,  were  recruits, 
in  Company  C,  joining  it  in  1864.  The  last 
in  the  list  belonged  to  Company  I,  and  the 
two  preceding  the  last  to  Company  F :  Boof- 
man,  Henry,  drafted,  never  mustered  out; 
Beck,  Samuel,  drafted,  mustered  out 
August  18,  1865;  Blackburn,  Cyrus, 
drafted,  mustered  out  December  8,  1865; 
Coon,  John,  drafted,  mustered  out  August 
18,  1865;  Emer}',  William,  drafted,  mus- 
tered out  August  18,  1865;  Frelinghuysen 
Frank,  drafted,  mustered  out  August  18, 
1865;  Gastenfelt,  John,  drafted,  mustered 
out  August  18,  1865;  Kemberle,  Charles, 
drafted,  mustered  out  August  18,  1865; 
Johnson,  John  R.,  drafted,  died  at  Camp 
Harker,  Tenn.,  May  11,  1865;  Martin, 
James  S.,  substitute,  never  mustered  out; 
McKinnis,  John  R.,  drafted,  mustered  out 
August  18,  1865;  Queen,  Elijah,  drafted, 
mustered  out  August  18,  1865;  Richard, 
John  R.,  drafted,  never  mustered  out; 
Sterm,  Jacob,  drafted,  mustered  out  Decem- 
ber 8,  1865;  Slicer,  William,  drafted,  mus- 
tered out  November  16,  1865  ;  Wilkinson, 
James  B.,  substitute,  mustered  out  Novem- 
ber 16,  1865;  Zint,  George,  mustered  out 
November  15,  1S65;  Smoak,  John,  drafted, 
mustered    out     October    20,    1865 ;    Strah, 


OTHER  OFFICERS  AND  MEN. 


5Jfl 


Andrew,  drafted,  mustered  out  December 
8,  1865  ;  Saltzman,  John,  drafted,  mustered 
out  October  17,  1865. 

Thirl  Y  -  third  Regiment.  —  Shepherd, 
James  L.  B.,  recruit.  Company  B,  vet- 
eran, mustered  out  July  21,  1865;  Robin- 
son, John  A.,  recruit,  Company  C,  substi- 
tute, mustered  out  July  21,  i86S- 

Thirt\-cight  Regiment. —  Bower,  Freder- 
ick, substitute,  1864,  mustered  out  July  15, 
1865;  Hill,  James  N.,  drafted,  mustered  out 
July  15,  1S65;  Hook,  John,  substi- 
tute, mustered  out  July  15,  1S65; 
Kramer,  August,  drafted,  mustered  out  July 
15,  1S65;  Kohn,  Leo,  substitute,  mustered 
out  July  15,  1865;  Miller,  Henry,  drafted, 
mustered  out  July  15,  1865;  Mank,  Austin, 
mustered  out  July  15, 1865 ;  Sartore,  Andrew, 
substitute,  mustered  out  July  15,  1S65;  Til- 
man,  Henry,  drafted,  mustered  out  July  15. 
1865;  Vouble,  Henry,  substitute,  mustered 
out  July  15,  1865;  Winternheimer,  Jacob, 
substitute,  mustered  out  July  15,  1865 ;  Her- 
mann, Christian,  substitute,  mustered  out 
July  15,  1865;  Kattenbocher,  John,  substi- 
tute, mustered  out  July  15,  1865.  The 
above  were  in  Company  C,  as  recruits,  ex- 
cept the  two  last  named,  who  were  in  Com- 
pany E.  In  the  following  list  the  first  named 
fifteen  were  in  Company  G,  and  the  remain- 
ing twenty-seven  were  in  Company  I:  Ax, 
WiUiam  A.  H.,  drafted,  never  reported  to 
company;  Ax,  Joseph,  drafted,  mustered 
out  June  29,  1865;  Althouse,  John  A., 
drafted,  mustered  out  June  7,  1865 ;  Bennett, 
David  J.,  drafted,  died  at  Jeffersonville,  Jan- 
uary' 18,  1S65;  Pendall,  Jefferson,  drafted, 
mustered  out  July  15,  1865;  Richardson, 
Edward,  drafted,  never  reported  to  com- 
pany-; Stewart,  Peter,  drafted,  never  reported 
to  company;  Stallings,  Henry  C,  drafted, 
discharged  by  order  war  department: 
Stallings,  James  W.  H.,  drafted,  lost  on 
steamer  Sultana;  Schnarr,  Henry,  drafted, 
83 


mustered  out  July  15,  1865;  Smith,  Rich- 
ard, drafted,  mustered  out  July  15,  1865  ; 
Smith,  Henry  G.,  substitute,  mustered  out 
July  15,  1S65  ;  Sollaman,  John  IL,  drafted, 
never  reported  to  company;  Stotts,  John  L., 
drafted,  died  at  Ringgold,  Ga.,  February 
9,  1865;  Underbill,  John,  drafted,  died  at 
Ringgold,  Ga.,  February  26,  1865  ;  Bias, 
James  S.,  drafted,  mustered  out  July  15, 
1895;  Coroline,  George,  died  at  Savannah, 
Ga.,  February  28,  1865  ;  Cartiniel,  James, 
died  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  March  i,  1865  ; 
Donaldson,  Abraham,  drafted,  never  re- 
ported to  company ;  Davis,  Philip,  drafted, 
mustered  out  June  20,  1865 ;  Everett, 
George  W.,  drafted,  never  reported  to  com- 
pany ;  Emerson,  Thomas,  drafted,  never  re- 
ported to  company;  Fisher,  Thomas, 
drafted,  died  at  Chattanooga,  February  21, 
1865  ;  Ferguson,  Thomas,  drafted,  mustered 
out  June  29,  1865  ;  Fillinger,  John,  drafted, 
mustered  out  June  29,  1865 ;  Fishall, 
Henry,  mustered  out  June  22,  1865;  Good- 
night, John,  substitute,  never  reported  to 
company;  Garder,  VViUiam,  substitute,  never 
reported  to  compaay;  Goodage,  James  L., 
substitute,  died  at  Bridgeport,  Ala., 
January  9,  1865  ;  Green,  David  R.,  died 
at  Chattanooga,  January  7,  1S65 ;  Gar- 
rett, John,  mustered  out  June  7,  1865 ; 
Hall,  John,  substitute,  never  reported  to  com- 
pany; Harmon,  Reuben,  mustered  out  June 
7,  1865;  McDonald,  James  A.,  drafted,  mus- 
tered out  June  29,  1865 ;  Mayne,  Philip, 
mustered  out  June  29,  1865 ;  Palmer,  Zach- 
ariah,  drafted,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865  ; 
Prechler,  Joseph,  drafted,  mustered  out  June 
29,  1865;  Stafford,  William,  mustered  out 
July  15,  1865  ;  Stowe,  Charles  D.,  mustered 
out  June  29,  1S65  ;  Tonna,  Elias  P.,  mus- 
tered out  June  29,  1865;  Wade,  John, 
drafted,  mustered  out  June  29,  1865;  Ward, 
George  W.  R.,  drafted,  mustered  out  June 
29,  1865  ;  Isaac  Brown  was  a  substitute  in 


5i8 


MILITARY  HISTOR  Y. 


Company  H,  of  this  regiment,  serving  from 
November  lo,  1864,  to  Jul}'^  15,  1865. 

Forty-fourth  Regiment. —  In  this  regi- 
ment Dr.  Isaac  N.  Plummer  served  as  as- 
sistant surgeon  from  March  i,  1865,  to  Sep- 
tember 14,  1865.  The  following  recruits 
joined  company  D  in  October,  1864:  Cook, 
Andrew  J.,  drafted,  mustered  out  July  25, 
1865;  Fisher,  Matthias,  substitute,  mustered 
out  September  14,  1865;  Flack,  Simon, 
drafted,  mustered  out  Jul}'  25,  1865;  Irons, 
John,  drafted,  mustered  out  July  25,  1865: 
Kennedy,  Charles,  substitute,  mustered  out 
September  14,  1865. 

Forty-ninth  Regiment. — Manhall,  James, 
recruit  company  C,  served  April  i,  to  Sep- 
tember 13,  1865. 

Fifty-first  Regiment. — •  Buckthal,  Her- 
man, Company  E,  private  and  sergeant, 
served  December  14,  1861,  to  December  13, 

186S. 

Fifty  fourth  Regiment  {Jhrcc  montlis'). — 
In  this  organization  L.  Gilbert  Knox  ren- 
dered service  as  major  and  lieutenant 
colonel,  being  mustered  out  with  the  regi- 
ment in  September,  1S62. 

Fifty-seventh  Regiment. —  Smith,  Freder- 
ick G.,  recruit  Company  H,  missing  in 
action  at  Franklin,  November  30,  1864. 

Fifty-eighth  Regiment. — Ruston,  Thomas, 
iirst  lieutenant.  Company  A,  commissioned 
September  i,  1864.  mustered  out  July  25, 
1865;  Halt,  Horace  A.,  first  lieutenant  and 
captain  Company  K,  commissioned  Febru- 
ary 13,  1865,  and  June  28,  1865,  mustered 
out  July  25,  1865;  Jones,  James  H.,  musi- 
cian Company'  B,  served  November  12, 
1861,  to  November  11,  1864;  Howard,  Geo. 
W.,  Company  F,  mustered  out  July  25,  1865. 

Fifty-ninth  Regiment. —  Samuel  M. 
Blackburn,  Andrew  A.  Scales  and  John 
Wilder  were  drafted,  mustered  into  Com- 
pany G,  of  this  regiment  December  8, 
1864,  ^"d  mustered  out  July  17,  1865. 


Sixty-third  Regiment. —  In  May,  1862, 
the  following  men  were  mustered  into  Com- 
pany A,  of  this  regiment  to  serve  three 
years:  Mitchell,  Edward  J.,  sergeant  and 
private,  mustered  out  May  3,  1865; 
Bounds,  Andrew  L.,  not  mustered  out; 
Keisch,  Jacob,  mustered  out  May  3,  1865, 
term  expired;  Nightingale,  Robeit  F.,  trans- 
ferred to  Eighteenth  United  States  infantry; 
Unfried,  Franz,  mustered  out  May  3,  1865, 
term  expired. 

Eightieth  Regiment.  —  Hon.  Charles 
Denby,  one  of  Evansville's  most  prominent 
men,  and  now  United  States  minister  to 
China,  was  colonel  of  this  regiment  from 
October  i,  1862,  to  January  17,  1863,  when 
he  resigned.  Alonzo  Coleman  served  as  a 
private  in  Company  G  from  August  14, 
1862,  to  April  10,  1863,  and  John  Bucken- 
berger  as  a  private  in  Company  F  from 
October  3,  1863,  to  June  22,  1865. 

Eleventh  Cavalry  ( One  Hundred  and 
Tznentv-sixth)  Regiment — Abram  Sharra 
was  commissioned  lieutenant  colonel  May  9, 
1864,  and  colonel  May  10,  1865,  remaining 
in  command  till  the  regiment  was  mustered 
out  September  28,  1865. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-eighth  Regiment 
—  Brock,  Christian,  private  Company  E, 
served  January  12,  1864,  to  April  10,  1866. 

Thirteenth  Cavalry  [^One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-first  Regiment)  —  Norcross,  Daniel 
B.,  recruit  Company  H,  mustered  out  as 
corporal  November  13,  1865. 

One  Hundred  and  Fortieth  Regiment  — 
Winkles,  Jasper  N.,  recruit  Company  C, 
mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 

Seventh  Battery  Light  Artillery  —  Will- 
iam Stokes,  already  mentioned  in  connection 
with  the  Eighth  battery,  was  captain  of  this 
organization  from  April  11,  1865,  to  July 
20,  1865.  Louis  Weisenthal  was  its  second 
lieutenant  from  May  i,  1865,  to  July  20, 
1865. 


INDIANA  LEGION. 


5]fi 


Indiana  Le_<>[ion. —  When  the  rebel  forces 
first  offered  resistance  to  national  authority, 
and  fired  upon  the  national    fla<f,  the    militia 
of  this  state    had    not    been    organized    for 
thirty    years,    and  the    fragmentary    laws 
passed  at  various  times,  and  remaining  un- 
repealed, were  of  no   force   or  effect  what- 
ever.    The    legislature,    in  special'  session, 
immediately   provided  for  the  organization 
and  regulation  of  the  militia.     In  the  organ- 
ization   as    effected,  with    Maj.   Gen.   John 
Love  as  commander-in-chief,  the  only  gen- 
eral officer  from  Vanderburgh  count}-  was 
Bh'the  Hynes,  who  was   afterward  provost 
marshal,  fourteenth  district,  and  later  major 
One    Hundred   and  Thirty-sixth    regiment. 
The  Vanderburgh  count)'  forces  formed  the 
Second  regiment,  First  brigade.  Second  divis- 
ion of  the  Legion.     Carl  Schmitt,  as  major 
and  aide-de-camp,  was   among  the  division 
officers.     Gen.   James    E.    Blythe,    a    well- 
know.i  citizen,  rose  to  the  command  of  the 
brigade,  and  died  during  service.     The  staff 
officers    were:  William   H.  Walker,   major 
and    inspector;    Thomas  E.    Garvin,  major 
and   judge    advocate;    Victor  Bisch,  major 
and  paymaster  ;   Martin   Klauss,    major  and 
chief  of  artillery  ;   Cyrus  K.   Drew,  captain 
and  aide-de-camp.     The  field  and  staff  offi- 
cers   of   the  Second    regiment,    at    various 
times,  were:  James  E.  Blythe,  colonel ;  Will- 
iam E.  HoUingsworth,  colonel ;  Victor  Bisch, 
colonel ;  John  T.  Walker,  lieutenant  colonel ; 
William  E.  HoUingsworth,  lieutenant  colonel; 
Henry    C.    Gwathney,     lieutenant   colonel 
Morris  S.Johnson,  major;  John  H.  Sonntag, 
adjutant;   Charles  S.  Wells,   quartermaster; 
Robert    Earley,    quartermaster;  Joseph    P. 
Elliott,  ([uartermaster.     The  following  were 
the  officers  in  the  companies  of  the  regi- 
ment, and  the  dates  of  organization:    Jack- 
son artillery,  July  15,  1861  — August  Ellis, 
captain;    Albert    Runroth,    first    Heutenant; 
Charles  Edelman,  second  heutenant.     Van- 


derburgh Greys,  August  9,  1861 — Victor 
Bisch,  captain;  Jesse  W.  Walker,  first  lieu- 
tenant; Adolph  Pfafflin,  first  lieutenant; 
T.  W.  Simpson,  second  lieutenant.  Union 
artillerj-,  September  21,  1861 — George 
Cochran,  captain;  James  Taj  lor,  captain; 
John  J.  Haj-es,  first  lieutenant;  John  How- 
den,  first  lieutenant;  James  Taylor,  second 
lieutenant;  Thomas  W.  Hopkins,  second 
lieutenant.  McCiellan  Guards,  October  14, 
1S61 — William  Reitz,  captain,  William 
Leonard,  first  lieutenant;  Thornton  P. 
Males,  second  lieutenant.  Evansville  Artil- 
lery, October  14,  1861  —  W.  H.  Chandler, 
captain;  F.  W.  Cook,  first  lieutenant  and 
captain;  John  Nurre,  first  lieutenant;  George 
H.  Stockwell,  second  lieutenant;  C.  L. 
Scott,  second  lieutenant.  Goodsellville  Rifle 
Guards,  September  18,  1S62  —  Henry 
Brumelhaus,  captain;  John  Reich,  first  lieu- 
tenant; A.  McCutcheon,  second  heutenant. 
Evansville  Rifles,  October  i,  1861— Will- 
iam E.  French,  captain;  C.  H.  Butterfield, 
first  lieutenant;  I.  Haas,  second  lieutenant. 
City  Guards,  October  i,  1861 — William 
Gwyn,  captain;  R.  S.  Hornbrook,  first  lieu- 
tenant; B.  H.Griffith,  second  lieutenant.  Em- 
met Guards,  October  12,  1861  —  Thomas  D. 
Smith,  captain;  James  M.  Keever,  first  lieu- 
tenant ;  James  Filzwilliams,  second  lieutenant. 
Brownlow  Guards,  October  14,  186 1  —  P.  G. 
O'Reilly,  captain;  Oscar  Miles,  captain; 
Edward  S.  Martin,  first  Heutenant;  B.  F. 
Tribble,  second  lieutenant.  Centre  Rangers, 
September  iS,  1S62 — Alex  Kirkpatrick, 
captain;  James  Erskine,  first  lieutenant; 
Lee  Douglass,  second  lieutenant.  Perry 
Rangers,  September  18,  1862  —  Will- 
iam Collins,  captain;  Henry  Weitze, 
first  lieutenant;  Christian  Ochenforth, 
second  lieutenant.  Armstrong  Guards, 
September  18,  1862 — Joseph  A.  Pruitt, 
captain;  George  Huffman,  first  Heuten- 
ant;   Balthus     Meyer,    second     lieutenant. 


550 


MILITARY  HISTORY. 


Washington    Guards,  September  i8,   1862, 
— John  Kraft,  captain;  Robert  Header,  first 
lieutenant;    C.   Becker,    second  lieutenant. 
City   Blues,   September     18,    1862  — John 
Greek,  captain;    Fred  Sharpe,  captain;  A. 
H.  Jones,  first  lieutenant;  Valentine  Schmitz, 
second     lieutenant.       Evansville      Guards, 
September  18,  1862  — J.  G.  Sauer,  captain; 
George    Houston,    William    Sauer,    second 
lieutenants.    Morton  Guards,  September  18, 
1862  — J.  P.  Carson,  captain;  B.  H.  Griflith, 
captain;  John     Wymond,     first  lieutenant; 
Matthew       Henning,     second      lieutenant. 
Brownlow  Guards,  September  18,  1862  — 
Emil      Schoenlaub,      captain;     Henry     L. 
Mitchell,  first  lieutenant;  J.  D.  Payne,  first 
lieutenant;  John  D.    Payne,    second  lieuten- 
ant; Charles  L.   Reese,    second    lieutenant. 
Grey  Jaegers,  September    18,  1862 — John 
Monk,    captain;    Casper    Schelhouse,    first 
lieutenant;  Charles Ritter,  second  lieutenant. 
Crescent  City  Light-Horsemen,  September 
18,     1862  —  B.   A.  Kinsey,    captain;    A.  J. 
Dennis,     first   lieutenant;     J.     H.  Morgan, 
second  lieutenant.    Sigel's  batterj^  Septem- 
ber   18,    1862  —  Albert    Rimroth,    captain; 
B.  W.  Waldkinch,  first    lieutenant;  William 
E.    Boepple,    second   lieutenant.     Vander- 
burgh Cavalry  Scouts,  September  ig,  1862 — 
Thomas  H.  Rucker,  captain;  E.  Mcjohnson, 
first   lieutenant;     John  Whitehead,    second 
lieutenant.     Darmstadt  Guards,  October  29, 
1862,  F.  Richardt,   captain;  A.  Schillinger, 
first  lieutenant;  E.  Maidlow,  second  lieuten- 
ant.    Besides  these  several  companies  were 
formed,    but     were     not   organized    \inder 
lejjion  law.     A  battalion  of  the  Second  resri- 
ment  was  formed  of  the   following  compa- 
nies:    Crescent  City  Tigers,  September  18, 
1862  — Joseph    J.    Reitz,    captain;    William 
Leonard,     first    lieutenant,     John      Haney, 
second  lieutenant.     Union  Guards,  Septem- 
ber 18,1862 —  WilHam  Martin,  captain,  S.  R 
Neal,  first  lieutenant,  Louis  Kamp,   second 


lieutenant.  Knight  Township  Rangers,  Sep- 
tember 18, 1862— Edward  S.  Morris,  captain, 
John  Hall,  first  lieutenant  and  captain, 
Thomas  J.  Linn,  second  and  first  lieutenant, 
Samuel  Granger,  second  lieutenant.  Bot- 
tom Rangers,  September  18,  1862 — James 
L.  Gardner,  captain,  J.  W.  Irvin,  first  lieu- 
tenant, Henderson  Reese,  second  Heutenant. 
Aluvia  Guards,  September  18,  1S62 — B. 
F.  Williamson,  captain,-  EH  Gerard,  first 
lieutenant,  John  Robinson,  second  lieutenant. 
McClellan  Guards,  September  18,1862  — 
George  Muntzer,  captain,  John  Holland,  first 
lieutenant,  Henry  Jacobs,  second  lieutenant. 
Evansville  Rifles,  September  18,  1862  — 
William  H.  Walker,  captain,  I.  Haas,  first 
lieutenant  and  captain,  B.  F.  Tribble,  second 
and  first  lieutenant,  Caleb  Davidson,  second 
lieutenant.  Scott  Guards,  October  29,  1862 
—  Francis  Talbot,  captain,  A.  McCutchan, 
first  lieutenant,  Richard  Ruston,  second  lieu- 
tenant. Sigel  Guards,  October  29,  1862  — 
Joseph  Venemann,  captain,  Charles  Lenne- 
man,  first  lieutenant,  August  Schafer,  second 
lieutenant.  Independent  Guards,  Octo- 
ber 29,  1862  —  Alexander  Simpson,  captain, 
James  P.  Swift,  first  lieutenant,  Philip  Koch, 
first  lieutenant,  Henry  Reitman,  second  lieu- 
tenant. Of  this  battalion  WilHam  H. 
Walker,  jr.,  was  commissioned  major  April 
9,  1864,  but  on  May  22d  following  he  en- 
tered the  United  States  service  as  lieuten- 
ant colonel  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- 
sixth  regiment. 

Services  of  the  Legion. —  As  fast  as  or- 
ganized companies  were  supplied  with  arms 
and  accoutrements,  drills  were  frequent, 
and,  for  some  time,  attended  with  such 
promptness  and  regularity  that  the  com- 
mand, in  a  few  months,  attained  a  highly 
creditable  proficiency  in  company  and  bat- 
talion movements.  Important  service  was 
rendered  in  keeping  alive  the  martial  spirit, 
promoting   genuine  loyalty,  and  preventing 


INDIANA  LEGION. 


invasions  and  raids.  The  city  of  Evansville 
owed  its  immunity  from  guerilla  incursions 
to  the  fact,  well  known  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  river,  that  one  thousand  of  her  citi- 
zens, armed,  equipped  and  organized,  could 
have  been  called  from  their  beds  and 
formed  in  line  of  battle  in  thirty  minutes 
from  the  first  sound  of  alarm.  The  officers 
and  men  in  this  branch  of  the  service  dis- 
plaved  such  patriotic  zeal  as  to  entitle  them 
to  the  lasting  gratitude  of  their  fellow- 
citizens. 

During  the  occupation  of  Bowling  Green 
and  Russellville,  Ky.,  b}-  Buckner's  com- 
mand, frequent  demonstrations  were  made 
in  the  direction  of  the  Ohio  river,  threatening 
the  destruction  of  the  locks  on  Green  river 
and  the  capture  of  the  city  of  Henderson. 
At  one  time  a  force  was  detailed  by  order  of 
Gen.  Buckner  to  destroy  the  first  lock.  A 
regiment  of  volunteers  marched  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  lock,  accompanied  by  a  detail 
of  artillery  from  Col.  Hollingsworth's 
command.  They  succeeded  in  pro- 
tecting the  threatened  point,  and 
held  possession  of  this  important  place 
for  several  days.  Other  demonstrations 
were  constantly  threatening  th©  securitj-  of 
Evansville,  and  scouting  parties  were  sent 
into  Kentucky  and  up  and  down  the  Ohio 
river  to  ascertain  the  position,  numbers  and 
purposes,  so  far  as  possible,  of  rebel  forces 
in  the  vicinity.  Guards  were  posted  at 
various  approaches  to  the  city,  and  the  com- 
mand was  held  in  readiness  to  repel  an 
attack  at  any  moment.  The  disastrous  ter- 
mination of  McClellan's  and  Pope's  Vir- 
ginia campaigns  encouraged  the  rebels  to 
renew  their  operations  in  Kentucky,  and 
guerillas  again  made  their  appearance  on 
the  border.  Henderson  was  threatened,  and 
in  several  cases  details  were  sent  from  Col. 
HoUingsworth's  command  to  support  a  small 
force  of  Union  troops  stationed  there.  Adam 


Johnson's  raid  on  Newburgh,  in  July  1862, 
was  the  occasion  for  fresh  alarm.  During 
the  day  of  the  raid  a  courier  arrived  at 
Evansville  with  intelligence  that  the  New- 
burgh hospital  was  being  sacked  by  a  large 
band  of  Kentucky  guerillas.  The' signal  of 
danger  was  given,  and  in  less  than  an  hour 
1,000  men  were  under  arms.  Two  steam- 
ers, the  "  Eugene  "  and  "  Courier  "  were 
fired  up  and,  with  infantry  and  artillery  on 
board,  proceeded  up  the  river.  Col.  Hol- 
lingsworth,  with  a  small  force  of  mounted 
men,  also  proceeded  by  land  to  the  scene  of 
disturbance,  but  neither  the  water  or 
land  expedition  effected  an3thing  beyond 
the  destruction  by  the  former  of  the  boat  in 
which  the  rebels  had  crossed  and  re-crossed 
the  river. 

September  21,  1S62,  Col.  Hollingsworth, 
with  five  companies,  proceeded  to  Owens- 
boro,  Ky.,  to  aid  in  repelling  an  attack,  but 
returned  without  having  an  opportunity  to 
meet  the  enemy.  On  the  return  trip  a 
sergeant  of  Company  A  accidentally  shot 
himself  through  the  head,  producing  instant 
death.  The  Morgan  raid,  in  July,  1S63, 
created  intense  excitement  in  Vanderburgh 
county.  Every  company  in  the  county  ral- 
lied, with  full  ranks,  and  going  into  camp, 
awaited  orders  until  it  became  evident  that 
the  first  brigade  could  not  be  used  against 
the  enemy.  During  the  early  part  of  1864, 
the  duties  of  the  regiment  were  exxeedingly 
onerous,  because  of  frequent  and  heavy  de- 
tails for  guard  dut}-  in  protecting  the  border 
from  invasion.  In  May  one  conipanv  and 
parts  of  several  others  volunteered  for  the 
one  hundred  davs"  service.  Col.  Hollintrs- 
worth  occupied  a  captaincy  in  the  United 
States  service,  leaving  Lieut.  Col.  Victor 
Bisch  —  subsequently  appointed  colonel  — 
in  command.  The  most  important  feature 
of  its  service  subsequent  to  this  time  was  its 
participating  in    the  expedition    into    Ken- 


552. 


MI  LIT  A  R  Y  HIS  TOE  Y. 


tuck}-  under  Gen.  Alvin  P.  Hovey  and 
James  Hughes,  to  rout  Johnson  and  Seipert. 
These  rebels  had  planned  an  invasion  of 
southern  Indiana,  but  by  the  prompt  and 
brave  conduct  of  the  men  who  marched 
against  them,  were  put  to  flight  near  Mor- 
gansfield,  Kj'.,  with  a  loss  of  three  officers 
and  thirty  men  captured. 

T/ie  Caftiire    of   John   Morgan. —  The 
famous    invasion    of   Indiana    in    1S63,    by 
Gen.  John  Morgan,  the  famous  rebel  ranger, 
was  intended  to  break   railroad  communi- 
cation, attract  much  of  the  military  attention 
to  himself,  and    prepare   for  the  capture  of 
Louisville  and  Cincinnati  b}-   Gen.  Buckner. 
He  succeeded  in  doing    an  immense  amount 
of    damage,     in    levying     large     sums     of 
money,  and  most  of  all,  creating  wonderfully 
wide-spread  alarm  throughout  southern  In- 
diana, nearly  every  town    of  which    feared 
attack.     During  the  fall  and  winter  of  1862, 
the  cavalry  command  of    Col.  J.  M.  Shackel- 
ford, stationed  in  Kentucky,  was  frequently 
engaged    with    the    guerillas.     Some    time 
thereafter  William  Davenport,  of   Hopkins- 
ville,  Ky.,  an  old  friend  of  President  Lincoln, 
went  to    Washington,    and    in    conversation 
with  the  president  concerning  the    depreda- 
tions   of  John    Morgan,    said    that    if    Col. 
Shackelford  were  made  a  brigadier  general 
he  would  guarantee  the  great  guerilla's  cap- 
ture.    Col.  Shackelford  was  then  nominated 
as  a  brigadier  general  by  the  president,  and 
unanimously  confirmed  by  the   senate.     He 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  First  Brigade, 
Second  Division,  Twenty-third  Army  Corps, 
and  commanded  the  chase  after  Morgan,  on 
the  27th  day  of  June,  1863.     From  Russell- 
ville,  Ky.,  he   moved  to  Glasgow,  thence  to 
Marrowbone.     From    thence     he     pressed 
on     to    Lebanon,    at     which    place     Gen. 
Hobson    turned  his    brigade    over  to  Gen. 
Shackelford  and   assumed   command  of   all 
the    forces.     A    rapid  advance    was    made 


from    Lebanon    to    Springfield;    thence    to 
Bardstown      and     Brandensburg.       When 
within  two   miles  of  Brandensburg,  the  pur- 
suing forces    discovered  the   smoke  arising 
from  the  burning  transports  that  had  set  the 
enemy  across  the  river,  and  heard  his  shouts 
of  triumph.     Twenty-four  hours   were  lost 
in  obtaining    transports    and    crossing    the 
river.     But  when  once  across  the  river,  the 
pursuit  was  eagerly  resumed.     Swift  march 
was    made    through    Indiana   to  Harrison, 
Ohio.     The  pnrsuit   was  continued  day  and 
night.     At  length,  on  Jul}'  19,  near  Buffing- 
ton's  Island,    the    report    of    artillery  was 
heard.     Officers   and   men,  notwithstanding 
the  immense    fatigue    they  had  undergone, 
seemed  to    be    inspired    with  new  li^e   and 
energ}-,  and  there  was    a   general  rush  for- 
ward.      The      enemy     was     soon      found 
in       force.       Lines       were       immediatel}'^ 
formed,    and    a     battle    was    commenced. 
After  fighting  about    an   hour  the    cavalry 
charged  and  drove  the  enemy  in  confusion. 
Immediately  a  flag  of  truce  came  from  Col. 
Dick  Morgan.     No  terms  but  an   immedi- 
ate   and  unconditional  surrender  would  be 
considered,  and  with  their  commands.  Cols. 
Morgan,  Ward   and    Smith   marched  within 
the  Union  lines.     The  commana  was  moved 
up  the  river  about  fifteen  miles,  where  Gen. 
John  Morgan,  with  his  forces,  was  found  in 
a  deep    ravine.     An  attack  was  not  made 
that   da}',  and   during  the   night   the  enemy 
slipped  out  by  a  path,  and  by  daylight  was 
four  miles  in  advance  of  Gen.  Shackelford. 
The  general  at  once  gave  chase,  and  ran 
Morgan  fifty-seven  miles.     Several  skirm- 
ishes took  place,  and  the  enemy  was  brought 
to  a  stand  on  the  20th  at  Keizer's  creek.    A 
fight  ensued,  which  lasted  one  hour.     By  a 
flank  movement,   accomplished  with    great 
rapidity  and  effectiveness,  the  only  road  on 
which  Morgan  could  retreat  was  taken  pos- 
session of.     Finding  the  way  of  retreat  cut 


THE  MORGAN  BAID. 


553 


off,  and  being  hotly  pressed  from  the  front, 
he  retired  to  an  immense  bluff  for  refuge. 
A  flag  was  sent  up  demanding  an  uncondi- 
tional surrender  of  Morgan  and  his  command. 
The  flag  was  met  by  rebel  officers,  with 
a  request  for  a  personal  interview  with  Gen. 
Shackelford,  and  one  hour  for  consultation 
among  their  officers.  Forty  minutes  were 
granted,  and  within  that  time  the  whole 
command,  excepting  Gen.  Morgan,  with  a 
detachment  of  about  600  officers  and  men 
who  deserted  the  command,  surrendered. 
It  was  the  general  understanding  that 
Morgan  himself  had  surrendered,  but  he 
escaped  and  fled  before  his  pursuer.  On 
that  day  there  were  captured  between  1,200 
and  1,300  men,  with  their  horses,  arms,  etc. 
On  the  morning  of  the  21st,  Gen. 
Shackelford  called  for  1,000  volunteers  who 
would  stay  in  their  saddles  as  long  as  neces- 
sary without  eating  or  sleeping  until  Morgan 
was  captured.  The  entire  command  would 
have  volunteered  bnt  for  the  want  of  horses. 
With  500  men  the  chase  was  resumed. 
Traveling  day  and  night  the  enemy  was 
overtaken  on  Friday  morning  the  24th,  at 
Washington.  The  rebel  pickets  were  driven 
in  and  the  entire  force  driven  out  of  the 
town.  One  mile  east  of  Washington  the 
enemy  made  a  stand  in  a  dense  wood.  Gen. 
Shackelford's  command  formed  a  line  of 
battle  and  soon  drove  him  from  his  position. 
He  fell  back  two  miles,  tore  up  a  bridge 
over  a  rugged  stream  and  took  position  in 
the  woods  on  a  high  hill,  just  beyond  the 
stream.  Gen.  Shackelford's  advance  moved 
upon  his  left  flank,  while  a  portion  of  his 
forces  crossed  the  stream  above  the  site  of 
the  bridge  and  moved  up  the  hill  in  face  of 
a  heavy  tire.  Steadily  they  advanced  and 
drove  the  enemy  before  them.  He  crossed 
another  stream,  burned  two  bridges,  and 
caused  much  delay,  but  his  relentless  pur- 
suers succeeded  in  crossing,  and  pressed  on 


all  night.  At  daylight  on  the  25th  they 
came  up  with  him  one  mile  from  Athens. 
They  pressed  forward  and  shelled  him  for 
thirty  minutes.  He  fled  to  the  woods  for 
shelter.  Maj.  Gen.  Burnside  had  sent  for- 
ward fresh  troops,  and  issued  an  order 
placing  Gen.  Shackelford  in  command  of 
all  the  forces  in  pursuit  of  Morgan.  A  hot 
pursuit  with  heavy  skirmishing  followed. 
The  enemy  was  chased  to  Richmond,  thence 
to  Springfield,  and  on  to  Hanimondsville. 
Hammondsville  was  reached  at  daylight  on 
Sabbath  morning,  the  26th.  Learning  the 
whereabouts  of  Morgan,  Gen.  Shackelford 
placed  his  forces  on  the  New  Lisbon  road, 
and  continued  the  pursuit.  When  he  had 
gone  about  seven  miles,  he  was  informed 
by  Maj.  Rue,  then  in  charge  of  the  advance, 
that  he  had  come  up  with  the  enemv.  The 
whole  column  was  thrown  forward  at  the 
the  utmost  speed  of  the  horses.  Being 
overtaken,  the  enemy  started  to  run,  and 
was  fired  upon  vigorously.  A  flag  of  truce 
was  shown,  the  firing  ceased,  and  Morgan 
asked  a  personal  interview  with  his  captor. 
He  claimed  to  have  surrendered  to  a  militia 
captain,  who  had  agreed  to  parole  him,  his 
officers  and  men,  and  thus  tried  to  avoid  his 
inevitable  fate.  Gen.  Shackelford  told  his 
prisoner  that  he  had  followed  him  thirty 
days  and  nights;  had  met  and  defeated  him 
a  number  of  times;  had  captured  nearly  all 
his  command;  that  Morgan  had  acknowl- 
edged that  the  militia  captain  was  no  im- 
pediment to  him,  but  that  he  knew  his 
escape  from  Shackelford  was  impossible; 
that  on  the  field  with  his  right  and  left 
covered  and  his  rear  sorely  pressed  he  had 
yielded;  and  that  under  these  circumstances 
his  pretended  surrender  to  a  militia  captain 
was  not  only  absurd  and  ridiculous  but  unfair 
and  illecal  and  would  not  be  recognized. 
Morgan  then  demanded  to  be  placed  back 
upon    the    field,  but    the   demand    was    not 


554 


MILITAE  Y  HISTOE  F. 


considered,  and  with  his  officers  and  men  he 
was  dismounted  and  disarmed.  He  was  de- 
hvered  to  Maj.  Gen.  Burnside  at  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  The  number  of  prisoners  captured 
with  Morgan  was  about  350. 

The  Drafts. — Notwithstanding  the  prompt 
and  hberal  responses  made  by  the  people  to 
the   nation's  call   for   aid,  it  became  neces- 
sary to  resort  to    the    drafts    in    supplying 
Indiana's  quota  under  the   president's  third 
call  for  troops,  issued  August  4,  1S62,  and 
asking  for  300,000    men.     The    deficiency 
due  from  the   state   was  very  small,  and  it 
soon  afterward  became  known  that  the  state 
had  in  fact  furnished  more  than  her  quota ; 
but   the   account    of   troops    furnished    had 
been  made  up  inaccurately  and  showed  many 
townships  in  arrears  on  their  quotas.     The 
governor  and  leading  citizens  in  all  parts  of 
the  state  deplored  the  necessity  of  the  draft, 
because  it  was  then  looked  upon  as   a  dis- 
graceful thing,  but  it  was  resorted  to  as  the 
only   means    of  equalizing  the   burdens    of 
furnishing    the    troops.       The    first    draft 
occurred    October  6,   1862,  the   enrollment 
for  which  was  made  September  19,  at  which 
time  Vanderburgh  county  was  charged  with 
a  total  militia  force  of  3,536.     To  be  de- 
ducted from  this  were  401  exempts,  leaving 
3,135   subject  to  draft.      The   county  was 
credited  with  1,550  men  then  in  the  service, 
and  a  total  volunteer  list  of  1,641,  the  diff- 
erence  representing  men  whose  terms  had 
expired.     When  the  draft  was  ordered  the 
county  was  deficient  on  its  quota  eighty-one 
men,    distributed    as    follows:      Armstrong 
township,  nineteen ;  Scott  township,  nineteen ; 
German  township,  forty-three. 

Under  the  call  of  October  17,  1863,  for 
300,000  troops,  the  quota  for  Vanderburgh 
county  was  255,  which  number  was  raised 
without  draft.  Up  to  July  18,  1864,  when 
the  call  for  500,000  men  was  made,  the 
county  was  required  to  furnish  1,353  '"  ad- 


dition to  those  heretofore  stated.     To  offset 
this,  there  were  credits  of  1,206  new  volun- 
teer recruits,  sixty-three  veteran    re-enlist- 
ments and  ninety-seven  drafted  men,  a  total 
of  1,366,  thus  making  a  surplus  of  thirteen. 
The  president's  last  call  for  troops  was  for 
300,000   men,  issued    December  19,  1864. 
On   the   14th   of    April,  1865,  all  efforts    to 
raise  troops  were  abandoned.     At  that  date 
the    county  was    charged,  on   the    call   last 
mentioned,  with   a  quota    of   318  men,  and 
was  credited    with    311    new    volunteer  re- 
cruits, eight  veteran  re-enlistments  and  two 
drafted,  thus  showing   a    surplus    of   three. 
The  grand  total  of  men  with  which  Vander- 
burgh county  was  credited  as  furnishing  for 
the  war  was  3,664;  in  this  number,  however, 
each  term  of  service  forms    a  unit,  without 
regard  to  the  fact  that  two,  and  sometimes 
three,  enlistments  were  made  by  the  same 
individual  at  different    periods.     The  draft 
officers     in    Vanderburgh    county    in    1862 
were:  William    E.    French,    draft    commis- 
sioner; Philip   C.   Decker,  marshal;  T.   C. 
Gale,  surgeon.     The  officers  in  the  provost 
marshal's    department    for    the    first    con- 
gressional district,  appointed  under  the  act 
of  congress  approved  March  3,  1863,  vvere 
as      follows :     Provost      marshals  —  Blythe 
Hynes,   appointed    May    i,    1863,  resigned 
May  19,   1864;  Cyrus    K.  Drew,  appointed 
May  25,    1864,   resigned    August   i,    1864; 
James  W.  Wartmann,   appointed  August  8, 
1864,  'resigned    September  5,  1864  5  Alvah 
Johnson,    appointed    November    22,    1864, 
honorably  discharged    October    31,    1S65. 
Commissioners  —  Nathaniel      Usher,      ap- 
pointed May  I,    1863,  resigned  August  29, 
1864,  and  James  W.  Wartmann,  appointed 
September  13,    1S64,   honorably  discharged 
May  8,  1865.     Surgeon  —  William  G.  Ral- 
ston, appointed  May  i,  1863,  honorably  dis- 
charged  May    30,    1865.       Owing    to   the 
evident  fairness  with  which  the  drafts  were 


BOUNTY  AND  RELIEF. 


555 


conducted  at  Evansville,  no  resistance 
was  offered  to  prevent  their  progress.  Some 
individual  efforts  were  made  to  escape  tiieir 
consequences;  a  few,  being  drafted,  success- 
fully evaded  the  deputy  marshals  and  fled 
from  the  state;  others  resorted  to  strategy, 
with  ill  success  in  most  cases,  to  deceive  the 
officers;  but  there  was  never  a  riot  nor  an 
organized  effort  at  opposition  to  this  never 
popular  necessity  of  war. 

Bounty  and  Relief. — The  bounties  paid  by 
the  United  States  ranged  from  $iooto  $400, 
increasing  as  the  war  advanced.  Local 
bounties  were  not  necessary  at  first  to  stim- 
ulate enlistments.  Quotas  were  filled  with- 
out difficulty.  Small  bounties  were  paid, 
however,  the  main  purpose  being  to  benefit 
the  families  of  volunteers.  Later,  when  the 
fear  of  the  draft  prevailed,  enormous  local 
bounties  were  offered  bv  the  county  and 
by  the  townships  to  induce  volunteering. 
The  total  amount  thus  expended  is  shown 
in  a  table  appended  below.  As  soon  as  the 
first  troops  had  gone  to  the  front  means  of 
affording  substantial  relief  to  their  families 
were  devised.  In  this  work  the  county, 
through  its  board  of  commissioners,  and  the 
city,  through  its  council,  took  an  active  part. 
But  the  most  efficient  sources  of  relief  were 
the  people  in  their  individual  capacities. 
Special  efforts  were  made  to  collect  all  sorts 
of  useful  articles  to  be  distributed  amonc 
the  needy.  In  response  to  a  call  made 
through  the  press,  a  large  number  of  people 
assembled  in  Mozart  hall  on  the  evening  of 
the  2  2d  of  August,  1861,  to  adopt  a  system 
of  extending  needed  aid  for  as  long  a  period 
as  the  continuation  of  the  war  might  deprive 
families  of  their  supporting  members.  Such 
representative  citizens  as  John  S.  Hopkins, 
W.  T.  Page,  R.  Kehr,  William  Heilman, 
Anthony  Reis,  C.  Babcock,  Philip  Horn- 
brook,  Dr.  Ilallock,  and  many  others,  took 
an  active    part   in   the  proceedings    of   the 


evening.     With  few  words  committees  were 
appointed  who   went  to   work   immediately 
and  vigorously  in   this   work  of  loyalty  and 
love.     At  this  time  there  was  no  idea  of  the 
extent  to    which    their   strength    would  be 
tasked, —  no  idea  that  the  war  was  to  be  pro- 
longed through  years  of   suffering   to  fami- 
Hes  left  without  the  acti\e  brain  and  strong 
arms  that  had  been  wont  to  devise  means  for 
and  achieve  their  dail}^  subsistence.  Neverthe- 
less there  was  no  haltinjj.  All  throusih  those 
years    the     loyal    people   of     Vanderburgh 
county  were  not  for  a  day  unmindful  of    the 
soldier's  family.     Perhaps  the   most  notable 
occasion  growing    out  of  this  work,  usually 
done  in  quiet  and  without  display,  was   the 
great  demonstration  of  November  14,  1863. 
At  this  time   the  farmers  of  the  county  were 
thoroughly  aroused.     They    came    into  the 
city  and  made  a  gala  daj'.     They  formed  an 
immense    procession,  with    bands    of  music 
and  "  jolt-wagons,"  loaded  with    wood   and 
products  of  the  farm,  and  went  through  the 
streets  creating  genuine   patriotic  joy  in  the 
hearts  of  the  throngs   that  along  the  line    of 
their  march  came  to  greet  them    and    bless 
them    for    their   great    kindness.     Patriotic 
music  filled  the  air;  banners  and  the  beloved 
stars  and  stripes  were  everywhere  to  be  seen; 
speeches  were  made  by  Judge  William    F. 
Parrett,    and    Capt.    William    Reavis,    and 
last  though    not   least,  a   sumptuous  repast 
was    served   to  the   farmers    by   Mrs.   Dr. 
Walker,  Mrs.  Mayor    Baker,   Mrs.    Robert 
Early,  Miss  Victoria  Cody  and  others,  who, 
like  these  were  ever  ready  to  aid  and  encour- 
atre  others  to    aid  in    the   relief    work.     On 
this  occasion  130  wagon  loads  of    wood  and 
vast    quantities    of     farm    produce    of    all 
sorts,    were  delivered     to     the     committee 
for  distribution  to  soldiers'   families   during 
the  cold  winter  that  followed.     All  who  en- 
gaged in  this  work  proved  their  patriotism 
and  earned  the  continued  gratitude,  not  only 


556 


MILITARY  HISTOE  Y. 


of  the  direct  beneficiaries  of  their  acts,  but 
also  of  every  loyal  person.  After  the  war 
closed,  the  county  continued  to  spend  vast 
sums  of  money  to  properly  care  for  disabled 
soldiers  and  for  soldiers'  widows  and  or- 
phans whose  circumstances  would  otherwise 
have  driven  them  to  the  shelterinjr  roof  of 
the  poor-house.  The  vast  sum  given  by 
individuals  during  and  after  the  war  period, 
of  which  no  account  was  kept,  can  never  be 
estimated  in  dollars  and  cents.  In  addition 
to  the  intrinsic  value  of  these  gifts  the  good 
they  did  in  encouraging  the  despondent  and 
filling  sad  hearls  with  the  bright  sunshine  of 
happiness  can  not  be  reckoned  by  any  sys- 
tem of  mathe"i:itics  yet  discovered  by  human 
reason.  The  following  statement  shows  the 
amounts  of  bounties  and  relief  afforded  by 
the  county  and  townships  in  their  official 
capacities : 


Vanderburgh  county. 

Pigeon  township. 

Knight  "       

Scott  "       

Armstrong    **       . ,.  . 

Perry  "        . 

Union  •' 

Center  "       . .. . 

German         "        

All  the  townships  . . . 


Total 

Grand  total. 


Bounty. 


$60,000  00 
70,000  00 
5,300  00 
7, 140  00 
5,490  00 
5,800  00 
4,550  00 
5,410  00 
7>475  00 


$171,165  00 


Relief. 


$38,600  00 


50,000  00 


$88, 600  00 
!f 259. 765  00 


Militia  Companies.  —  The  earl}'  militia 
and  the  Indiana  Legion  have  been  noticed 
elsewhere.  The  citizens  of  Evansville  have 
never  been  unmindful  of  that  wise  injunction, 
"  In  time  of  peace  prepare  for  war. "'  With 
the  close  of  the  civil  war  and  the  return  to 
their  homes  and  their  peaceful  pursuits,  on 
the  farm,  and  in  tlie  shop,  the  victorious 
soldiers  in  that  great  struggle  laid  aside  the 
feelings  which  had  animated  them  on  the 
march  and  in    the    battle,    but   the    martial 


spirit  was  not  allowed  to   die.      As   a  result 
of  it  several  independent  military   organiza- 
tions were  formed.     The  spirit  was  fostered 
and  has  grown  strong  in  the  younger  gen- 
erations, even  to  those  whose   memories  do 
not  reach  back  to  the  war  period.       One  of 
the     last    of  these    independent    companies 
formed  after  the   civil  war  closed,  and  per- 
haps the  best  remembered,  was  the   Evans- 
ville Lio-ht  Guards,   organized  June,    1876, 
with  those  veterans,   Capt.   Charles   Myer- 
hoff,  Lieut.  August  Leich,  and   Lieut.   Will 
Warren,  as  its  officers.     Subsequently  A.  J. 
McCutchan    became    captain,    and  Phil    C. 
Helder  second  lieutenant    of  the    company. 
The  organization  was  abandoned  about  1883. 
The  first  Evansville  company  to  form  a  part 
of    the    state    militia    was     the    Evansville 
Rifes,    organized    in    October,    1S77,    with 
Capt.  William  M.  Blakey,  First  Lieut.  Jacob 
Messick  and  Second  Lieut.  Henry  Hammer- 
sley  as  its  officers.      These  gentlemen  were 
succeeded  by  Jacob  Messick,  captain;  R.  L. 
Dawes,     first     lieutenant,    and    Walter     S. 
Viele,  second  lieutenant;  these  by    George. 
A.Cunningham,  captain;  Edgar  Garvin,  first 
lieutenant,  and  Harry  Stinson,  second   lieu- 
tenant; and,  in  turn,  these  by  J.  W.  Messick, 
captain ;  Harry  Stinson,  first  lieutenant,  and 
Walter    S.    Viele,  second  lieutenant.     The 
organization  was  abandoned  in    1883,    after 
taking  various  prizes  at    competitive    drills, 
in  which  some  of  the  best-drilled  companies 
of    the  country  participated.     The    Bennett 
Rifles  (^colored)  forming  Company  M,  First 
regiment  Indiana  Legion,  organized  in  Sep- 
tember, 1885,  is  the  oldest  compan}-  now  in 
Evansville.     Capt.    W.    Allen    Street    and 
First  Lieut.  James  Bennett  are    its    officers. 
The    -Evansville  Light   Infantry,  Company 
G,    First  regiment  Indiana  Legion,  was  in- 
corporated October  10,   1887,  and  mustered 
into  the  state  service  by  Maj.  W.  D.Ewing, 
November  7,  1887.     Its  officers  are:  W.  D. 


GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC. 


557 


Ewing,  president;  W.  11.  Caldwell,  vice- 
president;  I.  II.  Odell,  vice-presi- 
dent; S.  P.  Gillett,  treasurer;  F.  M. 
Gilbert,  secretary;  T.  J.  Groves,  manager; 
C.  H.  McCarer,  captain;  Marry  Stinson, 
first  lieutenant;  Ilenr}'  Lubberman,  second 
litiutenant,  and  B.  R.  Beecher,  third  lieuten- 
ant. The  Evaiisvi/lc  Hifics,  Company  F, 
First  regiment  Indiana  Legion,  organized 
October  24,  1887,  is  commanded  by  Capt. 
Henry  Horster,  First  Lieut.  Harry  P.  Cor- 
nicle, and  Second  Lieut.  Julius  Blum. 

Grand  Army  of  the  Rcfublic. —  The  ob- 
jects and  aims  of  this  organization,  insti- 
tuted in  times  of  peace,  yet  composed 
exclusively  of  survivors  of  the  war,  are 
benevolent  and  fraternal.  Farragut  Post, 
No.  27,  Department  of  Indiana,  was  organ- 
ized June  24,  1881,  with  forty-two  charter 
members.  To  the  present  time  443  have 
been  admitted  to  memberships;  sixteen  have 
been  lost  b}'  death,  and  enough  by  removals 
from  this  locality  and  other  causes,  to  reduce 
the  membership  to  342.  Among  its  mem- 
bership are  those  who  served  in  all 
branches  of  the  army,  and  many  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  many  of  whom  were 
officers  high  in  command  and  statesmen  of 
national  repute.  The  post  commanders  in 
the  order  of  their  succession  have  been: 
W.  H.  Keller,  (three  terms),  C.  H.  Myer- 
hoff,  A.  C.  Rosencranz,  Jacob  W.  Messick, 
A.  J.  McCutchan  and  Christopher  J.  Mur- 
phy, now  commanding.  From  the  organi- 
zation to  the  present,  Capt.  August  Leich 
has  been  adjutant;  Dr.  J.  W.  Compton, 
surgeon,  and  Conrad  Reichert,  sergeant 
major.  The  other  officers  at  the  date  of 
organization  were:  Charles  H.  Myerhoff, 
S.  V.  C;  George  II.  Neekamp,  J."v.  C; 
Michael  Gorman,  Qrm.;  H.  A.  Mattison, 
chaplain;  J.  \V.  Messick,  O.  of  I).:  W.  A. 
Shuder,  O.  of  G.,  and  J.  H.  Holtman,  Qrm. 
Sergt.    The  other  present  officers  are :    Ed- 


ward Grill,  S.  V.  C;  H.  P.  Hopkins,  J.  V.  C; 
August  Schmitt,  Qrm.;  S.  B.  Sansom,  chap- 
lain; C.  H.  Myerhoff,  O.  of  D.;  R.  M. 
Nickels,  O.  of  G.,  and  Joseph  E.  Schu,  Qrm. 
Sergt.  The  post  was  incorporated  under 
state  law  in  1885;  the  present  trustees  are: 
A.  C.  Rosencranz,  S.  R.  Hornbrook  and 
C.  H.  Buttertield. 

Under  the  auspices  of  the  post  Memorial 
day  exercises  are  annually  conducted, 
when  that  tender  tribute  of  loving 
praise  due  the  heroic  dead  of  the 
nation's  armies  is  paid  with  appropri- 
ate ceremonies.  While  ever  thoughtful  of 
those  who  have  pitched  their  tents  in  the 
silent  encampment  on  the  other  side  of  that 
deep  river  which  flows  between  this  life  and 
the  vast  beyond,  the  post  has  not  been  un- 
mindful of  the  living  in  its  works  of  charity, 
and  its  efforts  of  love  to  bring  back  that  har- 
monious feeling  between  the  two  sections  of 
the  country  lately  at  war,  which  ought  to 
exist  for  the  good  of  the  present  and  the 
greatness  of  the  future.  The  reunion  of  the 
Blue  and  the  Grey  under  its  auspices,  held  at 
Evansville,  in  1887,  was  a  great  event  in 
the  history  of  the  cit}'  and  of  the  country, 
being  the  most  successful  practical  effort  of 
its  kind  known  to  the  people  of  the  nation. 
The  post  induced  by  invitation  a  discus- 
sion of  the  Shiloh  fight  between  Gen.  James 
C.  Veatch  and  Gen.  Alvin  P.  Hovey, 
which  created  intense  interest  among  ex- 
soldiers  in  all  parts  of  the  country;  and 
through  its  members,  has  given  to  the  litera- 
ture of  the  war  period  many  valuable  pa- 
pers. Its  armory  in  the  Masonic  block  is 
one  of  the  finest  in  the  state,  and  is  hand- 
somely furnished  with  every  convenience 
for  the  comfort  and  entertainment  of  its 
members.  The  auxiliary  branches,  the 
Wo»M/i's  Relief  Corps,  and  Sons  of 
Veterans,  are  in  a  flourishing  condition. 
The  former  was  instituted  in  1885. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

The  Newspapers  of  Evansville  —  The  Gazette  — The  Journal  —  The  Courier 
— The  Public  —  The  Democrat  —  The  Tribune  —  Other  Evening  Papers  — 
The  Bulletin  —  The  Post  —  The  Call  —  The  Advance  —  Other  Papers. 


tHE  newspaper,  that  agent  in  the  dif- 
fusion of  knowledge  and  the  de- 
velopment of  material  wealth  whose 
power  is  universally  recognized,  earl\'  made 
its  appearance  in  the  town  of  Evansville. 
In  182 1,  the  Evansville  Gazette  was  estab- 
lished, its  proprietors  being  Gen.  Elisha 
Harrison  and  William  Monroe.  Gen.  Har- 
rison was  self-taught,  honorable,  and  of 
great  ability  and  energy.  He  occupied 
many  important  places  of  trust,  and  was 
highly  esteemed  for  his  excellent  and  manly 
qualities.  During  his  day  his  individuality 
was  stamped  upon  nearly  every  branch  of 
his  country's  history.  Mr.  Monroe  was  a 
practical  printer,  and  attained  no  especial 
distinction.  Because  of  the  hard  times, 
affecting  everj^  interest  about  1824,  the 
Gazette  suspended  publication. 

Ten  years  passed,  during  which  no  paper 
was  published  nearer  than  Vincennes.  At 
the  end  of  this  time  William  Town,  who 
came  from  the  east,  settled  in  Evansville 
and  announced  his  intention  of  starting  a 
newspaper.  This  announcement  was  grati- 
fying to  all  classes  of  citizens,  and  much  en- 
couragement was  extended.  Mr.  Town 
combined  teaching  with  journalism,  and 
taught  a  grammar  school  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian church,  of  evenings,  while  preparing 
his  printing  office  in  the  old  Mansel  house, 
on  Main  street.  About  the  middle  of  March, 
1834,  he  sent  out  his  first  issue.  The  lead- 
ing item  was  an  account  of  the  Buck  Horn 
tavern,   so  called   from  the  sign,  a  pair  of 


buck-horns  hung  on  a  post  in  front  of  the 
cabin.  He  called  his  paper  the  Evansville 
yoiirnal,  under  which  name  it  has  been 
published  continuously  to  the  present  time. 
The  yoiinial  at  the  outset  advocated  whig 
principles,  and  was  a  very  influential  organ. 
It  chiefly  displayed  its  zeal  and  industry, 
however,  in  encouraging  the  development 
of  the  country.  Its  progressive  spirit  led  it 
to  favor  every  enterprise  whose  ultimate 
object  was  the  advancement  of  the  public 
welfare.  Mr.  Town's  death  occurred  within 
a  few  years  after  his  arrival  here,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1839  ^^^  paper  passed  into  the 
possession  of  W.  H.  and  J.  J.  Chandler, 
both  men  of  large  attainments  and  influence. 
The  paper  on  going  into  their  hands  was 
known  as  the  Evansville  yoiirnal  and  Van- 
derburgh Advertiser,  but  the  latter  part  of 
the  name  was  soon  dropped.  Under  the 
efficient  management  of  its  new  editors  and 
proprietors  a  decided  improvement  was 
made  in  the  mechanical  execution  of  the 
paper,  as  well  as  in  the  character  of  the 
matter  that  tilled  its  columns.  After  sev- 
enteen months,  John  J.  Chandler,  on  account 
of  the  pressure  of  his  legal  business,  retired 
from  the  firm,  leaving  William  H.  Chandler 
sole  proprietor.  In  1846  the  latter  started 
the  Tri-iceekly  yotiriial,  and  two  years 
later,  the  daily.  Capt.  Chandler,  in  the 
publication  of  this  pioneer  daily,  did  the  duty 
of  the  entire  editorial  and  news  department, 
and  in  addition,  took  upon  himself  not  a  little 
of  the  mechanical  work,  with  his  office  hours 

{558) 


EVANSVILLE  PRESS. 


559 


from  4  o'clock  in  the  morning  till  midnight. 
He  was  a  man  of  heroic  mold,  and  had  led 
an  eventful  life.  He  was  born  in  New  York 
cit}',  March  26,  1814,  son  of  a  Vermonter, 
who  had  commanded  a  ship  in  the  ocean 
trafTic,  and  later  was  a  merchant  in  the  city. 
In  1S18  they  came  west  and  settled  at 
Evansville,  where  the  father  died  from  the 
"  milk  sickness  "  in  the  following  autumn. 
In  1822,  his  mother  married  Maj.  James 
Cutler,  and  the  family  moved  to  New 
Orleans  by  flat  boat,  going  from  there,  in 
1823,  to  New  York,  where  William  had  the 
advantage  of  the  first  free  school  of  the  cit}'. 
In  1824  they  again  came  west  to  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  where  William  introduced  himself 
to  the  printing  business  by  entering 
the  office  of  the  Nashville  Republican  as  an 
apprentice,  where  he  remained  five  years, 
becoming  foreman  of  the  book  department 
and  saving  $2,000.  At  twenty  years  of  age 
he  joined  the  militia  and  became  a  captain 
soon  afterward.  In  1836,  news  came  that 
Santa  Anna  was  marching  into  Texas,  and 
$2,000  being  tendered  for  the  expenses  of 
the  company  if  they  would  join  the  Texas 
forces,  Mr.  Chandler  also  offered  $2,000, 
and  he  soon  was  on  his  way  with  a  command 
of  fifty-four  men.  They  endeavored  to  join 
Gen.  Houston,  but  although  accomplishing 
a  wonderful  amount  of  marching  they  were 
unable  to  do  this  until  after  the  close 
of  hostilities.  Eeturning  home,  Capt.  Chan- 
dler established  a  whig  paper  at  Lexington, 
Ky.,  the  Gazette,  which  did  not  survive  the 
state  campaign.  His  next  venture  was  at 
Evansville,  where  he  became  a  permanent 
resident.  In  1847  he  married  Miss  Rebecca 
Hugg.  In  1848  he  was  appointed  post- 
master by  President  Taylor,  and  sold  the 
younialio  Gen.  Add  H.  Sanders.  His  ten- 
ure of  the  postoffice  ended  with  the  admin- 
istration of  President  Pierce,  and  for  four 
years  afterward  he  was  disabled  b}-  rheum- 


atism. After  that  he  started  a  book  and 
job  office,  and  published  the  first  city  direc- 
tory.    He  retired  from  active  life  in  1862. 

Gen.  Add.  H.  Sanders  retained  possession 
of  the  yoiinia!  for  six  years.  He  was  an 
accomplished  journalist,  and  made  the  paper 
very  popular.  His  editorials  were  clean- 
cut  and  incisive.  Naturally  witty  and 
abounding  in  humor,  he  gave  to  his  local 
paragraphs  a  flavor  which  made  them  gen- 
erally attractive.  Seeing  the  importance  of 
a  well-edited  city  department  in  a  daily 
paper,  he  gave  much  of  his  personal  atten- 
tion to  that  portion  of  his  journal.  His  gen- 
eral activit}'  and  \igor  of  thought  imbued 
the  paper  with  a  spirit  which  caused  its  cir- 
culation to  extend  throughout  the  whole  of 
southwestern  Indiana.  Gen.  Sanders  was 
an  influential  and  consistent  advocate  of 
whig  principles,  until  the  disastrous  cam- 
paign of  1 85 2.  Afterward  he  continued  to 
oppose  vigorously  the  democratic  organiza- 
tion, and,  in  1854,  went  with  the  know-noth- 
ing party.  Two  years  later  he  supported 
Millard  Fillmore  for  president,  as  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  American  part}-.  In  Sep- 
tember of  that  year,  while  the  political  con- 
test was  at  its  height,  the  journal 
passed  into  the  hands  of  F.  Y.  Carlile,  a 
profound  thinker  and  scholar  of  large  liter- 
ary and  scientific  attainments.  His  pen  was 
ready,  graceful  and  sarcastic,  and  the  paper 
in  certain  departments  was  much  improved 
by  its  work.  In  the  dis^-ussion  of  scientific, 
financial  and  economic  questions,  he  ex- 
hibited rare  ability  and  sound  judgment,  but 
his  political  editorials  were  not  worthy  of 
high  commendation.  Mr.  Carlile  found  the 
management  of  the  oHice  irksome,  and  de- 
siring to  be  associated  with  practical  printers, 
admitted  F.  M.  Thayer  and  John  H. 
McNeely  to  a  partnership.  The  new 
partners,  in  April,  1858,  assumed  control  of 
its   financial    and    mechanical   departments 


560 


EVANSVILLE  PBESS. 


At  that  lime  the  yoitrvaJ  office  was  lo- 
cated in  the  second  and  third  stories  of  the 
old  Lewis  building,  at  the  corner  of  Main 
and  Water  streets.  The  paper  and  all  the 
job  work  was  printed  on  two  hand  presses. 
The  assortment  of  tjpe  was  what  could  be 
called  fair  for  a  country  office.  The  weekly 
bills  for  labor,  including  compositors,  press- 
men and  foreman,  amounted  to  about  $60. 
The  new  proprietors  at  once  went  to  work 
to  put  the  office  in  accord  with  the  progres- 
sive spirit  of  the  time  and  the  growing  im- 
portance of  the  city.  A  steam  engine,  power 
press,  job  press  and  a  good  assortment  of 
job  type  were  added  to  the  outfit.  Other 
improvements  were  in  contemplation,  but 
before  being  made,  the  office  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  Immediately  steps  to  re- 
pair the  loss  were  taken,  and  publication 
was  suspended  for  one  day.  In  a  short  time 
the  paper  appeared  in  an  entirel3'new  dress, 
and  was  pronounced  by  competent  critics  to 
be  one  of  the  handsomest  in  the  state.  In 
the  fall  of  1858,  the  proprietors  purchased 
the  lot  on  which  the  Journal  building  at 
present  stands.  It  was  at  that  time  occu- 
pied by  a  two-story  frame  building,  fifty  feet 
deep,  with  a  basement  which  was  fitted  out 
for  a  press  room.  This  building  was  re- 
garded at  the  time  as  ample  for  manj'  years 
to  come.  In  the  spring  of  1865,  one  section 
of  the  present  commodious  building  was 
elected.  It  was  a  three-story  brick,  fift}- 
feet  deep.  In  November,  1867,  the  build- 
ing now  in  use  was  completed  and  ready  for 
occupancy.  The  establishment,  at  the 
present  time,  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best 
arranged  offices  in  this  part  of  the  state, 
comprising  all  the  departments  of  news- 
paper work,  of  job  and  book  printing  and 
binding,  each  complete  in  itself.  In  addition 
to  his  duties  as  business  manager,  Mr. 
Thayer  generally  assumed  much  of  the 
labor  of  the   editorial  department.      In  the 


fall  of  1859,  ^^''-  Carlile  sold  his  interests 
to  James  H.  McNeely,  who  became  asso- 
ciated with  Mr.  Thayer  in  the  editorial  work. 
Mr.  Carlile  had  supported  the  candi- 
dates of  the  American  party  through 
1856,  and  in  1858,  had  advocated  the 
election  of  Gen.  Hovey  on  the  anti-Ne- 
braska issue.  He  had  given  the  republican 
party  no  aid  or  encouragement,  preferring, 
as  he  said,  as  the  least  of  two  evils,  the  demo- 
cratic party.  With  the  retirement  of  Mr. 
Carlile,  the  new  proprietors,  who  were,  in- 
dividually, republicans,  in  1856,  determined 
upon  joining  the  fortunes  of  their  paper 
with  the  new  political  organization.  When 
Abraham  Lincoln  was  nominated  at  Chicago, 
the  yuitnial  advocated  his  election. 
Throughout  the  memorable  campaign  of 
i860,  it  boldly,  with  great  zeal,  courage  and 
ability,  championed  the  cause  of  the  republi- 
can candidate.  It  was  the  chief  instrument 
in  securing  a  signal  triumph,  for  the  vote  of 
Vanderburgh  county  was  given  to  the  party 
whose  principles  it  had  been  advocating. 
Shortly  after  Mr.  Lincoln's  inauguration, 
James  H.  McNeely  was  appointed  post- 
master, and  thenceforth  devoted  all  his  atten- 
tion to  that  office,  leaving  the  editorial 
management  of  the  y^///-;/.?/ in  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Tha3'er,  where  it  mainly  rested  for  more 
than  twenty  years.  During  the  civil  war 
period  the  'Journal  was  unflagging  in  its 
loyalty  to  the  Union.  Despite  threatened 
destruction  and  efforts  to  intimidate  its  pro- 
prietors it  was  true  to  the  nation,  and  re- 
ceived the  .hearty  endorsement  of  the 
people  among  whom  it  circulated.  In  1864 
it  supported  Mr.  Lincoln  for  re-election,  and 
was  one  of  the  first  papers  in  the  country  to 
suggest  the  name  of  Andrew  Johnson  for 
vice-president.  Yet,  when  the  latter  aban- 
doned his  party,  the  Journal  was  among 
the  first  to  denounce  him.  In  July,  1866, 
Col.      John     W.      Foster      bought       the 


EVANSVILLE  PRESS. 


561 


interest  of  James  H.  McNeely,  and  became 
connected  with  the  paper  as  one  of  its  edi- 
tors and  proprietors.  In  January,  1867, 
Edward  Tabor,  who  had  for  some  time  been 
connected  with  the  office  as  book-keeper, 
was  admitted  as  a  partner  and  took  the 
position  of  business  manager.  In  1868  Col. 
Foster  was  appointed  postmaster  by  Gen. 
Grant,  and  in  November,  1872,  disposed  of 
his  interest  in  the  office  to  Claude  G. 
DeBruler,  an  enterprising  and  able  editor, 
who  for  many  years  was  associated  with 
Mr.  Thayer  in  the  editorial  control.  Later, 
Mr.  Thayer's  connection  with  the  paper 
was  terminated;  he  removed  to  the  west, 
and  but  a  short  time  since  died.  Subsequent 
to  the  departure  of  Mr.  Thayer,  the  death 
of  Mr.  Tabor  occurred,  and  the  paper 
was  thus  left  in  the  possession  of  John  H. 
McNeely  and  Claude  G.  DeBruler.  The 
interest  of  the  latter  was  purchased  b}-  James 
H.  McNeely,  who  again  assumed  control  of 
the  editorial  rooms.  Since  passing  into  the 
possession  of  the  McNeely  brothers  the 
partnership  has  been  converted  into  a  stock 
company,  a  controlling  interest  in  the  shares 
of  which  is  owned  by  the  Messrs.  McNeely. 
The  staff  of  the  "Journal  is  now  as  follows: 
James  H.  McNeely,  editor  in  chief;  John  H. 
McNeely,  river  editor;  Netter  Worthington, 
city  editor;  W.  W.  Ross,  foreman  of  the 
news  room,  and  Edward  McNeely,  business 
manager. 

This  pioneer  paper  has  maintained  a  high 
standing  among  the  respectable  journals  of 
the  state,  and  b}-  contempories  throughout 
this  part  of  Indiana  is  quoted  as  authority 
on  all  political  questions.  Its  loyalty  to  the 
republican  party  is  unquestioned,  and  its 
clear,  forcible  and  candid  discussion  of  pub- 
lic ([uestions  has  contributed  largel}'  to 
republican  successes  throughout  the  district 
and  the  state.  At  the  same  time  it  is  not 
unmindful  of  local  interests  and  champions 


every  proper  effort  to  build  up  Evans- 
ville,  endeavoring  to  gam  for  it  the  recogni- 
tion which  its  importance  as  a  city  deserves. 
James  Henderson  McNeely,  whose 
life  has  been  so  intimately  connected  with 
that  of  the  yotirmil,  to  which  his  talents  and 
energ}'-  have  been  so  zealously  devoted,  is  a 
native  of  this  state,  born  at  Lawrenceburgh, 
July  2,  1828.  His  father  and  mother, 
Elisha  and  Catherine  D.  McNeelv,  re- 
moved from  western  Pennsylvania  in  the 
early  period  of  the  settlement  of  Indiana. 
Their  immediate  ancestors  bore  an  active 
part  in  the  Indian  troubles  of  their  time. 
Two  of  the  family  names,  Hamilton  and 
Laughery,  were  famous  in  the  earl}-  history 
of  Penns^'lvania  and  the  west.  Laughery 
creek,  in  southeastern  Indiana,  was  named 
in  honor  of  Col.  Archibald  Laughery,  who, 
with  a  detachment  of  troops,  was  massacred 
by  the  Indians,  near  that  stream,  while  on 
his  way  to  reinforce  Gen.  George  Rogers 
Clarke,  in  the  year  1781.  The  primary 
education  of  Mr.  McNeel}'  was  in  the 
common  schools,  his  college  training  in  the 
university  of  the  printing  office.  In  1846 
he  began  to  learn  the  typographical  art  in 
the  office  of  the  Jres/cni  Republican  at 
Lawrenceburgh,  and  next  year  went  to 
Cincinnati,  where  he  found  employment  in 
the  ofHces  of  the  Gazette,  Commercial  and 
other  papers,  until  i849,_  when,  on  account 
of  the  prevalence  of  cholera,  he  returned  to 
his  native  town.  During  the  summer  and 
fall  of  tliat  year,  he,  with  two  other  printers, 
published  the  Journal,  the  first  daily  in 
that  place.  He  then  went  to  Indianapolis, 
and  spent  a  year  in  telegraphing,  being  en- 
gaged in  the  O'Reilly  office,  a  pioneer  es- 
tablishment, and  other  pursuits,  after  which 
he  entered  the  office  of  the  Indi.tnafolis 
Journal,  where  he  acted  as  local  editor, 
proof-reader  and  "general  utility  man,"  until 
1854.     During  his  last  year  in  that  office  he 


562 


EVANSVILLE  PRESS. 


was  one  of  five  interested  with  the  pro- 
prietor, John  D.  Defrees,  in  the  profits  of 
the  estabhshment.  In  April  of  the  year 
named,  he  and  William  S.  Cameron  started 
the  Capital  Book  and  Job  printing  office, 
the  first  of  the  kind  in  that  city,  a  business 
which  occupied  him  for  five  years,  during 
which  period  he  was  also  one  of  the  pub- 
lishers and  editors  of  the  Indiana  Republican, 
daily  and  weekly,  and  principal  editor  of  the 
C7//>f«,  an  evening  daily.  In  November,  1859, 
he  came  to  Evansville,  of  which  he  has  now 
been  a  valued  citizen  for  nearly  thirty  j-ears. 
After  becoming  an  owner  of  the  journal, 
he  was  appointed  postmaster  in  May,  1861, 
was  reappointed  in  1865,  and  held  the  office 
until  Mav,  1867.  After  selling  his  interest  in 
the  yoiirnal  to  Col.  Foster,  he  was  occupied 
as  a  real  estate  agent,  was  assignee  in  a 
number  of  bankruptcy  cases,  and  in  INIay, 
1869,  was  appointed  assessor  of  internal 
revenue  for  the  First  Indiana  district,  which 
office  he  held  from  the  following  Jul}'  until 
May,  1873,  when  the  office  ceased  by  act  of 
congress,  serving  the  government  and  the 
public  efficiently  and  honestly.  Subse- 
quently he  was  appointed  and  acted  as  su- 
perintendent of  construction  of  the  United 
States  building  at  Evansville.  He  was  mar- 
ried on  Christmas  eve,  1853,  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet Park,  of  Avon,  Lorain  county,  Ohio, 
and  they  have  had  four  children.  The  onl\' 
son  died  in  1856,  and  one  of  the  daughters 
was  lost  in  the  year  following.  He  is  a  vet- 
eran Odd  Fellow,  having  been  a  member 
since  January,  185 1,  and  having  passed  all 
the  chairs  in  the  lodge  and  encampment,  and 
served  in  the  grand  bodies  of  both. 

The  Evansville  Com-ier. —  The  Courier, 
after  encountering  many  vicissitudes  in  its 
early  career,  long  since  obtained  an  endur- 
ing support,  and  is  now  upon  a  secure  basis. 
Before  attempting  to  record  the  facts  which 
make  up  its  history,  some  mention  of  previ- 


ous but  unsuccessful  efforts  to  maintain  a 
democratic  newspaper  in  Evansville  may  be 
properl}'  made  in  this  connection. 

The  South-  Western  Sentinel,  edited  and 
published  by  Jacob  Page  Chapman,  was  the 
first  democratic  newspaper  in  this  city. 
Started  in  1839,  ^'•^^  publication  was  contin- 
ued through  the  campaign  of  1840,  and 
went  out  of  existence  with  the  defeat  of 
Martin  Van  Buren.  Mr.  Chapman,  a  man 
of  ability,  was  afterward  one  of  the  pro- 
prietors, and  for  many  years  managing 
editor  of  the  Indianapolis  Sentinel.  In  the 
winter  of  1847-8,  H.  C.  Huntington  began 
the  publication  of  the  ]'ainlerburgh  Demo- 
erat.  Being  vigorous  and  influential,  it  ob- 
tained a  widespread  weekl}-  circulation,  but 
in  1S50,  because  of  divisions  between  local 
political  leaders,  it  lost  its  prestige,  and  in 
the  next  year  ceased  to  exist.  Before 
its  publication  stopped,  Ben  Stinson,  Esq., 
established  the  Evansville  Advertiser,  the  first 
democratic  daily  in  the  city,  with  Col.  C. 
W.  Hutchen,  a  vigorous  political  writer,  as 
editor.  The  paper  was  soon  sold  to  Col. 
C.  K.  Drew  and  Calvin  Frary,  who  changed 
its  name  to  the  Republican,  and  later  trans- 
ferred it  to  Messrs  Clark  &  McDonald,  who 
continued  the  publication  about  one  year. 
They  disposed  of  their  interests  to  William 
B.  Baker,  under  whose  auspices  the  paper 
died  in  1S51,  again  leaving  the  democracy  of 
Evansville  without  a  local  organ.  In  the 
presidential  campaign  of  the  next  3ear 
Charles  P.  Baymiller  and  J.  W.  Brewer 
commenced  the  publication  of  a  tri-weekly 
sheet  called  the  Times,  which  was  managed 
with  some  spirit  until  the  election  was  over, 
when  it  ceased  publication  for  want  of  sup- 
port. 

In  1S53  Capt.  John  B.  Hall  purchased  the 
office  of  the  Independent  Pocket,  a  neutral 
paper,  and  began  the  publication  of  the 
Evansville  Daily   Enquirer.     Col.   Charles 


EVANSVILLE  PRESS. 


56.5 


Denby  was  the  first  political  editor  of  the 
paper,  and  conducted  it  during  the  stormy 
times  of  Knownothingism.  Under  his  man- 
agement the  fame  of  the  paper  was  widely 
extended.  As  a  writer,  Col.  Denby  was 
forcible  and  scholarly,  and  his  productions 
commanded  the  respect  of  his  most  violent 
political  adversaries.  After  six  years  Col. 
A.  T.  Whittlesey  purchased  the  Enquirer., 
conducted  it  about  one  year,  and  then  sold  it 
to  Capt.  Nathan  Willard  and  S.  S.  White- 
head. When,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  in  1861,  Capt  Willard 
joined  the  federal  arm}',  the  newspaper  sus- 
pended publication,  and  was  never  revived. 
During  the  summer  of  1862,  John  H.  Scott 
published  a  small  weekl}'  paper  called  the 
Gazette,  but  it  soon  abandoned  the  poHtical 
field,  and,  for  a  time,  was  conducted  as  an 
independent  newspaper,  and  afterward  as  an 
advertising  sheet. 

The  political  campaign  of  1862  resulted 
in  complete  success  for  Vanderburgh  county 
democracy,  and  before  another  general  elec- 
tion came  on,  the  leaders  of  the  party  were 
encouraged  to  begin  the  publication  of  a 
daily  paper  devoted  to  the  principles  upon 
which  the  recent  victory  had  been  obtained. 
To  this  end  a  subscription  of  about  $4,000 
was  raised;  the  office  of  the  Vollsblati,  a 
German  republican  paper,  was  purchased, 
and  Robert  S.  Sproule  was  engaged  as 
editor.  The  paper  was  called  the  EvansvtUe 
Times,  and  began  its  existence  under 
favorable  auspices.  Mr.  Sproule  pos- 
sessed an  extensive  acquaintance  with  the 
leading  men  of  Indiana,  a  perfect  knowl- 
edge of  the  political  history  of  the  state, 
and  a  thorough  conversance  with  the  feel- 
ings of  the  democracy  throughout  the  Union. 
He  was  assisted  by  Ben  Stinson,  an  ex- 
perienced and  excellent  business  manager, 
and  J.  B.  Maynard,  an  erudite  and  finished 
newspaper  contributor,  but  their  united 
33 


efforts  could  not  make  the  new  venture  a 
success.  Its  demise  occurred  soon  after  the 
election  of  1864,  leaving  the  democracv 
with  a  printing  office  but  no  newspaper.  In 
the  following  winter  George  W.  Shanklin 
took  hold  of  the  office,  and  for  a  few  weeks 
conducted  a  sprightly  little  sheet  called  the 
Evansville  Dispatch,  which  was  not  a  suc- 
cess financially.  It  made  its  last  appearance 
dressed  in  mourning  for  the  martyred  Lin- 
coln. 

The  Evansville  Daily  and  Weekly  Courier 
came  into,  existence  January  7,  1865.  The 
printing  office  was  held  by  five  trustees  for 
the  benefit  of  the  subscribers  to  the  fund 
with  which  it  was  originally  purchased.  The 
trustees  were  Hon.  John  A.  Reitz,  Judge 
William  F.  Parrett,  Hon.  Thomas  E.  Gar- 
vin, Hon.  Charles  Denby  and  Richard 
Raleigh,  Esq.  They  were  empowered  to 
make  any  disposition  of  the  presses  and 
material  that  would  secure  the  establish- 
ment of  a  democratic  newspaper  in  Evans- 
ville. Alfred  S.  Kierolf,  William  M. 
Holeman,  J.  B.  Cavins  and  H.  H.  Homes, 
four  practical  printers,  were  permitted  to 
begin  the  publication  of  a  newspaper,  and 
so  faithfully  did  they  prosecute  the  enter- 
prise that  in  a  short  time  they  became  the 
owners  of  the  old  Times  establishment. 
Mr.  Homes  retired  from  the  Courier  very 
early  in  its  career,  and  Mr.  Cavins  soon 
transferred  his  interest  to  S.  R.  Matthews, 
who  continued  but  a  little  time  as  a  partner. 
Messrs.  Kierolf  and  Holeman  formed  a 
partnership  with  Albert  C.  Isaacs,  who  also 
soon  withdrew,  being  speedily  followed  by 
Mr.  Kierolf,  who  up  to  this  time  had  acted 
as  editor,  leaving  Mr.  Holeman  sole 
proprietor.  Robert  S.  Sproule  was  then 
engaged  to  manage  the  editorial  department. 
With  characteristic  zeal  and  brilliancy  he 
entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties, 
and  it  marked  improvement  was  the  imme- 


566 


EVANSVILLE  PRESS. 


diate  result.  Bright  expectations  were 
indulged  in,  but  the  establishment  had 
contracted  pecuniary  obligations  which  pre- 
vented its  further  publication  without  an- 
other change,  and  a  sale  of  the  concern  was 
made  to  George  W.  Shanklin.  A  strong 
effort  was  made  to  induce  the  retention  of 
Mr.  Sproule  as  political  editor,  but  the  new 
proprietor  had  already  made  arrangements 
with  W.  T.  Pickett,  of  Maysville,  Ky.,  to 
do  the  editorial  work.  Mr.  Pickett  was  not 
an  unworthy  successor  to  his  talented  pre- 
decessor. He  was  a  fluent  writer,  and  pos- 
sessed a  vast  fund  of  information,  upon 
which  he  drew  with  ease  and  skill.  During 
his  control,  Mr.  John  Gilbert  Shanklin  re- 
turned from  Europe,  where  he  had  spent 
three  3'ears  as  a  student,  and  became  con- 
nected with  the  management  of  the  paper. 
In  March,  1869,  C.  &  F.  Lauenstein, 
owners  of  the  Evniisville  Dcniokraf,  pur- 
chased the  Courier,  and  under  their  man- 
agement it  rapidh^  became  valuable  property. 
Thev  bought  the  paper  for  $6,000,  and 
after  an  ownership  of  less  than  five  years 
sold  it  for  $  1 8, 000.  When  they  took  pos- 
session Col.  A.  T.  Whittlesey  was  engaged 
as  editor  and  continued  in  charge  until  late 
in  1872.  His  editorials  evidenced  ability, 
good  judgment,  and  the  positive  character 
of  his  mind,  and  were  extensiveh^  quoted. 
A  disagreement  with  the  proprietors  on  a 
question  of  policy  severed  his  connection 
with  the  paper.  In  1873  the  Courier  was 
sold  to  S.  D.  Terry  &  Co.,  who,  in  March, 
1874,  transferred  it  to  Messrs.  J.  G.  «&  G.  W. 
Shanklin.  In  December,  1876,  the  property 
passed  into  the  possession  of  its  present 
owner,  Mr.  J.  S.  Reilly,  an  experienced 
and  able  business  manager,  and  has  since 
been  published  under  the  name  of  the 
Courier  company.  The  Messrs.  Shanklin 
have  remained  in  chargre  of  the  editorial 
department  since  1874. 


Hon.  J.  G.  Shanklin  was  elected  in  1878 
as  secretary  of  state,  receiving  the  largest 
majority  ever  given  up  to  that  time  to  any 
candidate  for  that  important  office,  and  dur- 
ing the  two  years  of  his  official  life  resided 
at  the  state  capital.  A  few  years  later  Mr. 
G.  W.  Shanklin  resided  in  the  east  for  one 
year,  being  the  Washington  correspondent 
of  the  Cincinnati  JVezvs,  and  managing 
editor  of  that  paper  during  one  of  the  Ohio 
state  campaigns.  Notwithstanding  these 
temporary  absences  the  editorial  columns  of 
the  Courier  have  remained  under  their 
supervision  during  the  past  fourteen  years. 
Their  able,  dignified,  and  forcible  treatment 
of  all  political  questions,  has  made  the 
Courier  one  of  the  leading  democratic 
papers  in  the  west.  Being  a  sound  expon- 
ent and  true  champion  of  democratic  prin- 
ciples, it  is  extensively  quoted  as  authority 
by  contemporary  journals.  Its  influence  is 
deservedly  great,  ever}'  department  being 
conducted  with  candor,  dignified  manliness, 
and  good  judgment.  For  the  past  six  years 
the  paper  has  been  widely  noted'  as  a 
steadfast  adherent  to  President  Cleve- 
land. On  the  morning  following  his  election 
as  governor  of  New  York  it  named  him 
as  its  choice  for  the  democratic  presidential 
nomination  of  1884.  After  his  inauguration 
as  president,  it  was  the  first  paper  of  note 
to  endorse  his  administration;  and  even  while 
such  papers  as  the  Indianapolis  Sentinel  and 
others  of  equal  prominence  were  opposing 
his  policy,  it  ably  defended  and  supported 
him.  It  was  the  first  of  the  leading  papers 
of  the  country  to  name  him  for  a  second 
term,  and  throughout  the  campaign  of  1888 
gave  him  a  most  cordial  support,  its  editors 
discussing  with  great  ability  and  clearness 
the  abstruse  questions  of  the  times.  The 
paper  is  earnestly  devoted  to  the  interests 
of  Evansville,  and  while  it  fearlessly  wages 
war  upon  every  scheme  to   unjusth'  enrich 


EVANSVILLE  PRESS. 


567 


the  few  at  the  cost  of  the  many,  its  friendly 
aid  is  extended  to  eveiy  effort  designed  to 
advance  the  pubHc  good.  Progressive,  and 
always  advocating  improvement,  it  has  been 
for  some  time  a  most  influential  instrument 
in  building  up  the  city. 

The  Public,  an  afternoon  daily,  was  es- 
tablished March  i8,  1885.  It  is  owned  and 
published  b_v  the  Courier  company,  and  is 
marked  by  the  enterprising  spirit  which 
characterizes  the  Courier. 

The  Evansville  Detnokrat. —  The  leading 
German  democratic  paper  in  the  lower  Ohio 
valley,  and  the  onl\-  German  democratic  daily 
paper  in  the  state  of  Indiana,  is  the  Evansz'ille 
Demokrat.  It  was  established  in  1864,  by 
Peter  Maier,  Esq.,  now  a  prominent  and 
well-known  attorney  at  law,  who  conducted 
it  successfull}'  until  1866,  when  he  sold  out 
to  Peter  Gfroerer.  In  March,  1867,  Messrs. 
C.  &  F.  Lauenstein  purchased  the  Demo- 
krat, and  for  six  years  conducted  it  with 
spirit  and  ability,  placing  it  on  a  firm  and 
paying  basis,  and  commanding  a  broad 
influence  with  the  large  German  population 
of  this  section,  numbering  many  of  its  most 
intelligent  citizens  among  their  firm  and  un- 
flinching adherents.  In  October,  1873,  Dr. 
Charles  Lauenstein  disposed  of  his  interest 
to  his  brother,  Mr.  Frederick  Lauenstein, 
and  left  the  city  of  Evansville  for  a  three 
years'  sojourn  in  Germany,  the  land  of  his 
birth.  Mr.  F.  Lauenstein,  by  strict  energy 
and  an  eye  to  business,  determined  to  en- 
large and  improve  his  journal;  and  having 
secured  neat  and  convenient  quarters  at  No. 
306  Upper  Second  street,  increased  his 
facilities  and  re-entered  the  lists  for  popular 
favor.  In  the  month  of  October,  1876,  Dr. 
Charles  Lauenstein  returned  from  Europe, 
and  re-entered  into  co-partnership  with  his 
brother,  taking  charge  of  the  editorial  col- 
umns, and  both  continuing  the  publication 
of  the  Demokrat   until  the   demise   of   Dr. 


Charles  Lauenstein,  which  occurred  on  the 
i6th  day  of  July,  1879,  at  the  age  of  forty- 
two  years.  Mr.  Fred  Lauenstein  then 
resumed  the  publication  of  the  Demokrat 
alone,  having  bought  out  the  interest  of  his 
late  brother.  From  January,  18S3,  to  July, 
1884,  Herman  Determan  and  Hans  Scheller 
possessed  interests  in  the  paper,  which  were 
disposed  of  to  Mr.  F.  Lauenstein,  who  has 
since  conducted  the  paper  under  the  firm 
name  of  F.  Lauenstein  &  Co.  The  Demo- 
krat is  published  daily  and  weekl}-.  The 
weekly,  containing  fifty-six  columns,  claims 
to  be  one  of  the  best  German  family  news- 
papers printed  in  the  west.  Mr.  Lorenz 
Rohr,  an  editor  of  acknowledged  ability  and 
sagacity,  is  now  the  chief  editor  of  the 
Demokrat.  The  staff  is  further  composed 
of  the  following  able  gentlemen:  Mr.  Hans 
Scheller,  assistant  editor;  Mr.  Gustav 
Schauer,  city  editor;  Mr.  Wilhelm  Keilman, 
telegraphic  editor,  and  Mr.  F.  A.  Grunder, 
solicitor  and  traveling  agent.  Mr.  Lauen- 
stein, the  proprietor,  came  from  Hanover, 
German}-,  his  native  place,  in  1866,  and  for 
a  time  traveled  in  the  interests  of  the  Dem- 
okrat. His  first  newspaper  connection  was 
with  this  paper.  His  abilities  have  been 
proved  by  the  wonderful  success,  which, 
under  his  management,  the  paper  has 
achieved. 

The  Evening  Tribune. —  On  the  nth  day 
of  October,  1873,  W.  T.  King  established 
the  Evening  Herald,  the  first  afternoon  daily 
newspaper  published  in  Evansville.  Its 
publication  was  commenced  at  a  most  in- 
auspicious time,  and  its  existence  was  of 
short  duration.  Its  successor  as  a  vender 
of  afternoon  news  was  the  Tribune,  estab- 
lished October  15,  1877,  by  Frank  J.  Ryan 
and  Jacob  Covert.  By  wise  management 
this  new  venture  soon  won  its  way  into 
popular  favor  and  obtained  a  good  circula- 
tion.    Reverses,  however,  came  and  for  a 


568 


EVANSVILLE  PRESS. 


time  it  appeared  that  the  paper  would  be 
unable  to  survive  disaster.  In  October, 
1 88 1,  its  financial  condition  was  somewhat 
strengthened  by  the  accession  to  the  part- 
nership of  Percy  P.  Jones.  Pleasant  rela- 
tions between  the  members  of  the  new  firm 
were  not  long  preserved.  Messrs.  Ryan 
and  Covert  soon  withdrew  and  began  in 
April,  18S3,  the  publication  of  a  paper 
which  they  called  T/ic  A'^ezvs.  The  rivalry 
between  these  two  evening  papers  was 
spirited,  and  for  a  time  the  j"\>:f'5  threatened 
the  existence  of  the  Tribune.  This  state  of 
affairs  persuaded  Mr.  Jones  to  purchase  the 
News,  which  he  did,  merging  the  two  papers 
and  continuing  the  publication  of  the 
Tribune. 

March  5,  1886,  the  Tribune  passed  into 
the  hands  of  its  present  owner  and  manag- 
ing editor,  Mr.  Frank  M.  Gilbert,  who 
about  the  same  time  discontinued  the  publi- 
cation of  the  Saturday  Evening  Argus,  a 
weekly  paper,  which  had  rapidly  worked  its 
way  into  popular  favor.  The  Argus  was 
started  by  Thomas  Collins,  of  Mt.  Vernon, 
Ind.,  in  November,  1879,  '^"'^  early  in  the 
next  )-ear  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Gilbert 
and  Hon.  J.  J.  Kleiner.  Mr.  Gilbert  was 
then  a  newspaper  man  of  long  experience, 
and  had  gained  a  wide-spread  reputation  as 
a  humorous  writer.  The  paper  was  con- 
ducted as  a  society  journal,  independent  in 
all  things,  strikingh"  original  and  full  of 
bright  and  interesting  matter.  Unfor- 
tunately  Mr.  Gilbert  was  stricken  down 
with  pneumonia  on  the  very  day  he  took 
charge  of  the  Tribune,  and  for  ten  weeks 
was  unable  to  give  it  any  personal  attention. 
During  his  convalescence  he  was  absent  on 
a  trip  of  recreation,  which  extended  through 
the  summer.  Mr.  A.  J.  Miller  had  been 
chosen  as  chief  editor  of  the  paper.  The 
selection  proved  to  be  a  good  one.  He  pos- 
sessed no  experience  in  journalism,  but  his 


efforts  gave  to  the  paper  a  phenomena 
growth,  by  which,  in  a  short  time,  it  reached 
a  standard  of  subscription  which  closely  ap- 
proached that  of  the  present  time.  His 
racy  pen  attracted  much  attention  to  its  col- 
umns and  it  soon  wielded  an  enviable  influ- 
ence. The  efficient  management  and  able 
work  of  the  proprietor,  the  chief  editor  and 
their  assistants,  have  continued  the  growth  of 
the  paper  in  public  favor,  until  now  its  cir- 
culation is  exceeded  b\'  that  of  no  paper  in 
the  city.  It  has  been  ably  edited  in  all  its 
departments,  and  has  deserved  the  high 
degree  of  success  attained.  It  is  a  progres- 
sive, wide  awake  journal,  and  keeps  its 
readers  well  informed  on  all  topics  of  gen- 
eral and  local  news.  It  deals  boldly  and 
fearlessly  with  all  public  measures,  and 
allows  itself  to  be  influenced  by  no  unworthy 
motives.  In  religion  and  politics  it  has  gen- 
erally stood  on  neutral  ground,  but  through- 
out the  campaign  of  1888  it  worked  with 
great  ability  for  the  re-election  of  President 
Cleveland.  It  now  occupies  commodious 
quarters  on  First  street,  above  Main.  Its 
present  staff  is  composed  of  the  following 
gentlemen:  F.  M.  Gilbert,  proprietor  and 
manager;  A.  J.  Miller,  editor;  Charles  G. 
Covert,  city  editor,  and  G.  W.  Dannettell, 
river  editor  and  solicitor. 

Frank  M.  Gilbert  was  born  at  Mobile, 
Ala.,  July  I,  1846.  With  his  parents, 
Samuel  E.  and  Cordeha  (Manson)  Gilbert,  he 
came  to  Evansville  in  1852.  He  has  resided 
in  this  city  most  of  the  time  since  that  date, 
and  consequently  enjoys  an  extensive  ac- 
quaintance. His  education  was  obtained  in 
the  public  schools,  where  he  was  graduated 
when  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  then  be- 
came a  traveling  salesman  and  gave  nine 
years  of  his  life  to  that  vocation.  While  "on 
the  road  "  the  natural  vein  of  humor  with 
which  he  was  endowed  was  a  constant 
source  of    entertainment    to  his  friends  and 


EVANSriLLE  PRESS. 


569 


associates.  Its  development,  no  doubt,  was 
largely  due  to  his  associations,  for  the 
"  drummer,"  the  world  over,  is  recognized 
as  the  personification  of  wit.  He  began 
writing  humor  for  the  Saturday  Herald, 
of  this  cit}',  in  1874,  and  three  years  later 
was  employed  as  river  editor  on  the  Courier. 
Following  the  advice  of  Greel}',  he  went 
west  in  1877,  during  the  excitement  attend- 
ing the  rich  mineral  discoveries  in  Colorado, 
and  did  city  work  on  the  Leadville  Chron- 
icle, Denver  Tribune  and  Rocky  Mountain 
News.  Returning  to  tlie  east  in  the  next 
year,  he  established  the  Evansville  Argus, 
and  soon  had  his  paper  in  high  repute.  His 
varied  accomplishments  gave  it  a  wide  cir- 
culation, but  it  was  chiefly  as  a  humorist 
that  his  work  was  admired  and  appreciated. 
He  had  entered  a  new  field  in  this  part 
of  the  state,  and  occupied  it  well. 
Everywhere  the  bright  paragraphs  in 
his  paper  were  quoted  and  commented 
upon  until  _  his  reputation  was  widely 
extended.  His  genius  was  acknowledged 
bv  the  famous  humorists  of  the  countr}'. 
Thev  recognized  him  as  belonging  to  their 
species  of  the  genus  homo.  They  wel- 
comed him  among  them,  and  he  became  one 
of  the  "club  of  13",  with  Bill  Nye,  George 
Peck,  Bob  Burdette,  George  Salisbury  and 
others.  Besides  his  work  on  the  Argus,  he 
wrote  a  humorous  book  and  composed  many 
poems,  which  exhibited  the  brillianc)'  of  his 
intellect  and  the  richness  of  his  wit.  March 
3,  1885,  he  purchased  the  ^zr«/;/o-  Tribune, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  its  proprietor  and 
managing  editor,  and  displa\'ed  unusual  abil- 
ity as  a  business  manager.  The  social  qual- 
ities of  Mr.  Gilbert  have  been  sucli  as  might 
be  expected  in  one  who  has  gained  so  envi- 
able a  position  as  a  literary  worker.  lie  has 
been  a  delightful  companion  aUvavs,  inter- 
esting in  conversation,  quick  in  thought, 
droll  in  expression,    generous-hearted    and 


sympathetic.  Fond  of  his  gun  and  his 
dogs,  he  has  spent  much  time  in  the 
woods  and  on  the  prairies,  and  is  a 
recognized  leader  in  all  manly  sports  and 
exercises.  Scarcely  an  organization  for  the 
advancement  of  social,  dramatic,  ath- 
letic or  humane  interests,  has  been  formed 
without  seeking  his  aid,  and  finding  in  him 
a  cheerful  and  ever-ready  assistant.  He  is 
a  member  of  Ben  Hur  lodge,  and  a  major  in 
the  uniform  rank,  K.  of  P.  He  is  past 
master  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  a  Knight  of 
Honor.  Pie  is  now  game  warden  First 
district  of  Indiana;  was  the  first  president  of 
the  Southern  Indiana  Poultr}'  association; 
first  president  of  the  Evansville  gun  club, 
and  first  president  of  the  humane  society, 
and  has  had  numberless  connections  with 
social,  operatic,  base-ball  and  other  organ- 
izations. In  October,  1880,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Annie  Hudspeth,  an  accomplished 
and  estimable  lady,  daughter  of  J.  M.  Hud- 
speth, formerly  of  Boonville,  Ind. 

Andrew  James  Miller  was  born  at  La 
Grange,  Troup  county,  Ga.,  September  4, 
1854,  of  Scotch-Irish  parents,  his  father 
being  one  of  the  "pioneer  settlers  of  his  na- 
tive country,  and  prominently  identified  with 
its  development.  He  received  a  common 
school  education  in  his  native  city,  complet- 
ing a  collegiate  course  at  the  University  of 
Georgia,  at  Athens,  in  1874.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  court 
of  ordinary  (probate)  of  his  native  county, 
serving  in  that  capacit}'  about  two  years, 
when  he  was  selected  by  a  company  of  At- 
lanta gentlemen  to  go  upon  a  mission  to 
Central  and  South  America.  From  Febru- 
ary, 1877,  to  July,  1878,  he  was  employed 
upon  this  task,  visiting,  in  the  meantime, 
the  capitals  of  the  five  republics  of  Central 
America,  also  Panama,  Colombia,  Equador, 
Peru  and  Chili.  The  result  of  his  observa- 
tions in  these  equatorial  countries  was  sub- 


5t0 


EVANSriLLE  PBESS. 


sequently  published  in  a  pamphlet  entitled 
"  Life  in  the  Tropics,"  and  again  revised 
and  published,  in  serial  form,  in  the  United 
States  Magazine.  Mr.  Miller  reiurned  to 
the  states  and  entered  the  employ  of  the 
mercantile  agency  of  R.  G.  Dun  Sn 
Co.,  at  Atlanta,  and  in  May,  1880, 
was  appointed  to  the  management  of 
the  branch  of  that  company  in  Evansville. 
He  resigned  this  post  in  1882,  to  go  into 
the  manufacturing  business,  but  the  follow- 
ing year  was  induced  to  accept  again  the 
management  of  one  of  Dun  &  Co.'s  branches 
at  Minneapolis,  Minn.  In  March,  1886, 
when  the  Evening  Tribune  passed  into  the 
hands  of  its  present  management,  he  was 
tendered  and  accepted  the  editorship,  which 
position  he  has  since  occupied.  Mr.  Miller's 
parents  were  Thomas  C.  and  Elizabeth  B. 
(Ashford)  Miller,  natives  of  Belfast,  Ireland, 
and  Ayr,  Scotland,  respectively,  the  father 
born  in  1814  and  the  mother  in  1828.  Both 
died  at  La  Grange,  Ga.,  the  former  when 
si.xty-two  years  of  age,  the  latter  at  the  age 
of  fift3--seven  j^ears.  October  5,  1881,  Mr. 
Miller  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ella 
Stephens,  a  native  of  Evansville,  born 
June  27,  i860,  and  daughter  of  Robert  E. 
and  Mary  (Trible)  Stephens.  Her  grand- 
father was  Judge  Silas  Stephens,  and  her 
great  grandfather.  Gen.  Robert  M.  Evans, 
both  historical  characters  in  southwestern 
Indiana. 

The  Evansville  Bulletin  was  established 
as  a  weeklj'  newspaper  in  1S80,  by  Charles 
F.  Gould,  who,  in  its  management,  has  shown 
himself  an  energetic  and  accomplished 
journalist.  In  1S84  it  began  to  be  issued 
daily,  and  has  since  maintained  a  creditable 
position  among  the  afternoon  dailies  of  the 
city.  In  the  political  campaign  of  the  latter 
year,  the  Bulletin  gave  a  cordial  support  to 
Blaine  and  Logan,  and  has  since  been  a  valu- 
able exponent  of  republican  principles.     Its 


circulation  is  particularly  large  among  the 
working  people,  of  whose  interests  it  is  a 
sturdy  and  notable  champion.  It  is  a  ready 
and  influential  defender  of  the  working 
classes  against  the  oppressions  of  monopo- 
lies, trusts,  and  all  wrongful  combinations. 
On  the  liquor  question  it  has  always  taken 
liberal  grounds  and  has  opposed  unreason- 
able measures.  Charles  F.  Gould,  editor  and 
publisher  of  the  Bulletin,  was  born  in  the  city 
of  London,  in  1847,  and  came  to  Evansville 
from  his  native  country  in  1871.  He  fitted 
himself  for  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  a  few 
vears  later  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  Durinrr 
his  residence  here  he  has  been  occupied 
both  as  a  lawyer  and  as  an  editor. 

The  Indiana  Post,  a  German  weekly  in- 
dependent republican  newspaper,  was  estab- 
lished April  27,  1879,  by  Ernst  Wilkom,  its 
present  editor  and  proprietor.  The  paper 
is  the  official  organ  of  the  Saengerbund  glee 
clubs  of  the  state  of  Indiana.  Its  circulation 
verified  is  1,600.  It  goes  to  the  homes 
and  business  houses  of  all  classes  of  citizens, 
being  in  political,  scientific,  social  and  re- 
ligious matters,  liberal  and  progressive, 
clinging  blindly  to  no  party,  school  or  sect. 
During  its  existence  five  papers  have  been 
started  in  opposition  to  this  journal,  but  one 
by  one  they  have  gone  down.  Mr.  Wilkom, 
the  sole  proprietor  and  editor,  was  born  at 
Prague,  Bohemia,  in  1832,  and  came  to 
America  when  twenty  jears  old.  Stopping 
for  a  time  in  New  York,  he  at  length  re- 
moved to  St.  Louis,  where  he  acted  as  editor 
of  the  Westlichc  Post  a.nd  l^olksblatt  oiihaX 
cit}'.  Coming  to  Evansville  he  did  editorial 
work  on  the  Union  until  his  own  paper  was 
established.  In  politics  he  has  always  been 
a  republican,  and  as  an  editor  and  orator  has 
rendered  that  party  efficient  aid. 

The  Saturday  Call  was  established  March 
17,  1888,  by  Isaac  Herr,  editor,  and  was  first 
published  at  the  printing  house  of  Keller  & 


EVANSVILLE  PRESS. 


571 


Paine.  The  paper  was  designed  to  satisfy 
the  demand  for  a  local  and  society  journal, 
devoting  especial  attention  to  matters  of  in- 
terest to  the  members  of  secret  orders.  Its 
literary  contributions  have  been  of  a  high 
order,  the  best  writers  in  the  city  (partic- 
ularly among  the  ladies)  furnishing  material 
■  for  its  columns.  Its  circulation  grew  rapidly 
from  the  outset  and  is  now  (juite  extensive. 
The  venture  was  shown  to  be  profitable 
even  sooner  than  was  anticipated  by  its  pro- 
jectors, clearing  expenses  and  pa3'ing  a  profit 
in  the  third  week  of  its  existence.  It  has 
taken  a  high  rank  among  papers  of  its  kind 
and  receives  a  cordial  support  from  the  public. 
Mr.  Herr  was  formerly  known  to  citizens 
of  this  city  through  his  connection  with 
the  Daily  yournal.  After  an  absence  of 
twelve  or  fifteen  j-ears  in  Chicago,  111., 
where  he  was  connected  with  the  editorial 
department  of  the  yournal  of  that  city,  he 
returned  to  this  place  for  the  purpose  of 
establishingf  the  Call.  Because  of  ill  health, 
he  was  forced  to  dispose  of  his  interests  and 
return  to  the  north.  The  paper  is  now  the 
property  of  W.  C.  Paine  and  C.  V.  Worth- 
ington,  and  is  published  weekly  at  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  Keller  Printing  company, 
mcorporated.  Messrs.  Paine  &  Worthing- 
ton  are  progressive,  able  and  enterprising 
newspaper  men.  Of  the  Keller  Printing  Co., 
Capt.  W.  H.  Keller,  who  came  to  this  city 
from  Wayne  county  about  fifteen  years 
ago,  is  the  president,  and  Capt.  C.  H. 
McCarer,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and 
best  known  )-oung  men  in  the  cit}',  is  secre- 
tary and  treasurer. 

The  Advance,  published  by  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
for  the  promotion  of  the  association  interests, 
has  a  circulation  of  i,ooo  copies,  and  is  now 
in  the  third  volume  of  its  publication.  It  is 
ably  edited,  and  does  valuable  work. 


Indiana  A.  O.  U.  W'^. /P^cor^CT',  published 
monthly  by  George  E.  Clarke,  editor  and 
publisher,  for  the  diffusion  of  the  principles 
of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  the  extension  of 
the  order,  has  a  large  circulation  in  fraternal 
circles.  It  was  established  in  May,  18S3, 
and  has  proved  a  successful  venture.  The 
Labor  Advocate  is  also  published  by  Mr. 
Clarke,  and  has  a  fair  circulation. 

The  Pilot,  a  democratic  journal,  devoted 
to  the  interests  of  the  colored  people,  was 
estabHshed  October  11,  1888,  by  John  H. 
Carter. 

In  the  past  many  papers  have  come  into 
existence  to  serve  various  purposes,  and 
after  a  time  have  ceased  pubhcation.  Most 
of  these  hav^  been  mentioned  in  connection 
with  the  papers  still  existing,  while  others  of 
less  importance  are  passed  without  a  partic- 
ular notice.  The  population  of  Evansville  is 
made  up  of  such  widely  differing  classes 
that  a  newspaper  cannot  have  the  extensive 
support  which  might  be  obtained  under 
more  favorable  circumstances.  The  ex- 
penditures of  a  newspaper  conducted  on 
business  principles  must  be  governed  by  the 
amount  of  its  patronage.  For  these  reasons 
the  triumphs  achieved  in  journalism  by  the 
metropolitan  dailies  elsewhere  can  hardly  be 
expected  here.  Therefore,  while  it  is  not 
intended  to  accord  to  any  paper  or  enter- 
prise a  higher  standing  than  it  has  actually 
attained,  nevertheless  justice  demands  the 
statement  that  the  newspapers  of  this  city 
equal,  in  their  enterprising  spirit  and  skill  of 
management,  those  of  any  other  place  of 
equal  size  and  with  Hke  conditions.  On  the 
whole,  the  news  offices  are  ably  and  intelli- 
gently conducted,  and  those  connected  with 
this  class  of  work  are  among  the  most  affa- 
ble and  courteous  gentlemen  to  be  found  in 
the  cit}-. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


Early  Settlement  —  Character  of  the  Pioneers  —  Hardships  of  the  New- 
Country —  Public  Lands  —  First  Election  —  Wild  Animals  —  Hunting  — 
Pioneer  Dress — Amusements — Scott  Township — Center  Township  —  Knight 
Township — Union  Township — Perry  Township  —  German  Township  —  Arm- 
strong Township. 


.f^HE  sturdy  character  of  the  pioneer 
attracts  a  peculiar  interest;  and  a 
fascinating  charm  gathers  about  the 
manners  and  customs  of  his  time.  The  sub- 
duers  of  a  new  and  wild  country  have  ever 
been  accorded  heroic  rank.  Such  were  the 
pioneers  of  the  American  west.  They 
braved  the  terrors,  suffered  the  privations 
and  dangers  of  life  in  the  woods  on  the  out- 
skirts of  civilization,  with  determined  wills 
and  brawny  arms  to  clear  and  plant  for  them- 
selves and  their  children  homes  in  the  un- 
broken wilderness.  They  shrank  not  from 
hunger,  exposure,  disease,  or  broken  at- 
tachments of  old  homes  and  ties  of 
kindred,  but  with  an  unfaltering  determin- 
ation launched  forth  to  meet  their 
destiny.  It  is  difficult  for  one  whose 
memory  bears  no  trace  of  early  days  to  rea- 
lize the  severity  of  the  hardships  and  trials 
endured  by  the  pioneer,  and  to  appreciate 
and  measure  the  delights  that  came  into  his 
life  from  the  modest  triumph  which  his  envir- 
onments permitted  him  to  achieve. 

It  was  not  until  1804  that  a  treaty  was 
made  with  the  Indians  b}^  which  the  lands 
within  the  borders  of  what  is  now  Vander- 
burgh county  were  made  accessible  to  the 
white  settler.  Individual  pioneers  gradu- 
ally possessed  the  lands,  and  individual  effort 
developed  the  country.  No  colonies  were 
led  here  by  peculiar  religious,  political  or 
economic  ideas,  for  a   field  of  experiment; 


nor  did  the  wealthy  seek  large  grants  of 
land  to  be  improved  as  great  estates,  and 
peopled  by  a  class  willing  to  surrender  a 
portion  of  their  independence  and  manhood. 
Many  settlers  were  driven  back  from  the 
land  of  their  choice  by  the  unfriendliness  of 
the  Indians,  but  with  undaunted  zeal  and 
characteristic  courage,  they  returned  repeat- 
edly until  they  were  allowed  to  remain  in 
peace. 

The  first  concern  of  the  pioneer,  after 
finding  a  spot  that  pleased  his  fancy,  and 
which  he  thought  to  be  a  good  place  for  the 
establishment  of  his  home,  was  the  erection 
of  a  cabin.  This  was  simple  enough,  for  in 
its  construction  he  used  no  tool  save  his  ax, 
and  no  material  save  the  rough  timber  fur- 
nished by  the  forests.  Trees  of  a  proper 
size  were  felled,  notched  at  the  ends  and  so 
laid,  one  upon  the  other,  as  to  make  a  sub- 
stantial inclosure.  The  spaces  between 
these  logs  were  chinked  with  smaller  sticks 
and  chips  and  daubed  with  clay.  A  roof  of 
boards  held  to  their  places  by  poles  laid 
upon  them  as  weights,  was  provided,  a  door 
was  cut  at  one  side,  and  a  huge  fire-place 
at  one  end,  over  which  was  raised,  on  the 
same  principle  that  governed  the  building  of 
the  house,  a  stick  chimney,  and  then,  with 
its  dirt  floor,  the  cabin  was  ready  for  occu- 
pancy. The  size  and  appearance  of  some 
of  these  early  homes  maj'  be  imagined  when 
it  is  known   that  often  the}'  were  raised  by 

(572) 


PUBLIC  LANDS. 


the  unaided  hands  of  the  hardy  pioneer  and 
his  faithful  wife.  As  settlers  became  nu- 
merous there  were  friendly  hands  to  assist 
in  erectinj''  more  substantial  and  commodi- 
ous  cabins,  but  the  style  of  architecture  was 
not  changed  until  the  double  cabin  with  its 
two  large  rooms  separated  by  a  wide,  open 
space  or  hall,  extending  through  the  centre, 
was  brought  into  use  by  the  more  prosperous. 

The  earliest  pioneers  had  great  difficulty 
in  securing  those  commodities  which  were 
essential  to  the  satisfaction  of  their  daily 
wants.  But  the  rich  soil  needed  but 
little  cultivation,  when  once  the  timber  was 
removed,  to  produce  a  bountiful  harvest. 
As  soon  as  a  small  clearing  was  made  in  the 
woods  and  a  few  domestic  animals  were 
possessed,  it  was  an  easy  task  to  supplj-  the 
demands  of  his  own  famil}'.  As  the  number 
of  acres  increased  the  surplus  for  disposal 
grew  in  like  proportion,  and  the  settler 
started  out  on  the  broad  highway  of  pros- 
perity. 

The  Public  Lands.  —  The  lands  in  the 
state  originally  belonged  to  various  Indian 
tribes  from  whom  the  title  was  procured  by 
treaty  with  the  general  government.  The 
treaty  extinquishing  the  title  of  the  abor- 
igines to  lands  in  Vanderburgh  and  adjoin- 
ing counties  was  made  at  Vincennes,  Au- 
gust iS  and  27,  1S04.  From  the  general 
government  the  title  passed  to  individuals 
b}'  purchase  To  this  rule  there  were  but  two 
exceptions  in  the  state.  The  French  grants 
near  Vincennes  were  confirmed  to  the  des- 
cendents  of  the  early  settlers  there,  and  the 
grants  near  the  falls  of  the  Ohio  river 
made  by  the  state  of  Virginia  to  the  regi- 
ment of  Gen.  George  Rogers  Clarke,  for 
their  valiant  services  in  Indian  campaigns 
during  the  revolutionary  war.  In  all  parts 
of  the  country,  lands  owned  bj^  the  general 
government  were,  surveyed  and  sold  under 
one  general    system.       In  the  surveys,    nic- 


ridian  lines  were  first  established,  running 
due  nort'i  from  arbitrarily  fixed  but  un- 
changing points.  Base  lines  intersecting  these 
were  made  to  run  due  east  and  west.  The  first 
principal  meridian  runs  due  north  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Miami  river  and  is,  in  fact, 
the  east  line  of  the  state.  The  second 
meridian  line,  the  one  from  which  surveys 
were  made  in  Vanderburgh  county,  is 
eighty-nine  miles  west  of  the  first,  and 
runs  due  north  from  Little  Blue  river.  The 
onl}-  base  line  running  through  the  state 
crosses  it  from  east  to  west  in  latitude 
38'  and  30',  leaving  the  Ohio  river  twenty- 
five  miles  above  Louisville  and  striking  the 
Wabash  four  miles  above  the  mouth  of 
White  river.  Congressional  townships  are 
six  miles  square,  and  are  divided  into  thirty- 
six  sections  of  640  acres  each.  They  are 
numbered  north  and  south  from  the 
base  line;  and  east  and  west  from  the 
meridian  lines,  in  ranges.  In  V^anderburgh 
county,  therefore,  all  congressional  town- 
ships are  south  and  all  ranges  are  west. 
Fractional  sections  are  those  intersected  by 
streams,  or  confirmed  grants.  A  section 
'  sometimes  contains  more  or  less  than  the 
established  number  of  acres — 640.  In 
every  land  district  there  was  a  land 
office,  where  all  the  public  lands  were  sold. 
A  register  and  receiver,  appointed  by 
the  president,  and  confirmed  by  the  senate, 
were  the  officers  in  charge.  For  the 
lands  in  this  part  of  the  state  the  office 
was  at  Vincennes.  From  1816  to  1819  the 
price  of  land  was  $2.00  per  acre,  of  which 
one-fourth  was  required  to  be  paid  in  hand 
and  the  balance  in  three  e(jual  annual  pay- 
ments, a  year  of  grace  after  the  last  install- 
ment became  due  being  allowed  before  a 
forfeiture  was  exacted.  If  paid  at  the  end 
of  four  3-ears,  interest  was  required.  About 
this  time,  owing  to  the  increase  of  immigra- 
tion  followinof   the  state's  admission  to  the 


574 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


union,  lands  rose  rapidly  in  price  so  that 
vast  quantities  were  purchased  of  the  gov- 
ernment by  pa3-ing  only  the  entrance  money, 
or  fifty  cents  per  acre.  The  scarcity  of 
money  and  the  wildness  of  the  county  ren- 
dered it  impossible  for  bu}-ers  to  meet  their 
obligations.  About  i8iS  congress  com- 
menced passing  laws  to  relieve  against  for- 
feitures by  extending  the  time  of  payment,  [ 
requiring  interest,  however,  for  the  delay. 
Similar  laws  were  enacted  in  1S19  and  1S20.  1 
By  the  next  year,  1S21,  the  debt  to  the 
United  States  for  public  lands  was  altogether 
beyond  the  control  of  legislation,  because 
of  its  large  amount,  the  numbers  from 
whom  it  was  due,  and  the  impossibility 
of  paying  it.  Congress  then  released  all 
interest  (then  about  one-third  of  the  whole 
debt),  allowed  lands  entered  to  be  rehn- 
quished  and  part  payments  thereon  to  be 
applied  to  pa}-  in  full  for  other  lands,  re(|uired 
all  lands  thereafter  to  be  sold  for  cash  in 
hand  and  fixed  the  price  at  $1.25  per  acre. 
The  immediate  effect  of  this  legislation  was 
to  reduce  the  value  of  lands  already  pur- 
chased and  paid  for  in  about  the  same  pro- 
portion. The  large  amount  of  lands  thrown 
into  market  by  the  government  would  have 
done  this  alone  without  a  reduction  of  price, 
but  the  results  to  land  owners  was  still  more 
disastrous  when  only  three-fifths  of  former 
prices  were  demanded. 

On  May  19,  1807,  Gen.  W.  Johnston  en- 
tered all  of  fractional  section  25,  township  6 
south,   range    1 1   west,  being   that    part    of 
the    present   city    of  Evansville    which    lies  ' 
about  and  below  the  mouth  of  Pigeon  creek,  j 
On  the  same  day  William  Anthony  entered  I 
fractional    sections    i    and     12,  township    8 
south,  range    11  west,  in   the    township   of! 
Union   opposite  to  the   city  of    Henderson. 
These   were  the    first   entries    made    within 
the  present  limits  of  the  county  of  Vander- 
burgh. Gen.  Johnston,  a  native  of  Virginia, 


located  in  Vincennes  in  the  year  1793,  and 
remained  there  continuously  in  the  active 
practice  of  the  law  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  October  26,  1833.  He  was  one  of 
the  most  prominent  members  of  the  bar 
during  his  da}',  was  called  h\  his  fellow  cit- 
izens to  fill  many  offices  of  trust  and  profit 
under  the  territorial  government,  was  presi- 
dent judge  of  the  circuit  court,  was  fre- 
quently a  member  of  the  legislature  from 
his  county,  and  made  the  first  compilation  of 
the  laws  of  the  territory.  He  never  became 
a  resident  of  Vanderburgh  count}-.  William 
Anthony  was  a  sturdy  pioneer  of  the 
rougher  sort  known  in  the  early  days  of  the 
new  west,  yet  with  those  pure  ringing  qual- 
ties  of  genuine  manhood  which  made  his 
influence  felt  in  molding  the  events  of  his 
day.  He  was  the  progenitor  of  the  well- 
known  Anthony  family  in  Union  township, 
and  for  many  years  lived  on  the  land  en- 
tered in  1807,  farming  and  operating  the 
widely-known  Anthony  ferry. 

T/ie  First  Election. — As  soon  as  the  new 
countv  of  Vanderburgh  had  been  established 
by  the  legislature,  an  election  for  the  purpose 
of  choosing  county  officers  was  held  on 
Monday,  February  16,  1818.  After  the 
lapse  of  seventy  years  the  original  tally 
sheets  and  poll  books  of  that  election,  though 
yellow  with  age,  are  well  preserved.  There 
were  three  polling  places  in  the  county,  one 
at  the  house  of  Hugh  McGary,  in  Evans- 
ville, another  at  "  the  forks  of  Big  creek," 
at  the  house  of  Zadoc  McNew,  in  what  is 
now  Armstrong  township,  and  the  third  at 
the  house  of  James  Johnson,  in  "  Wagnon 
township,"  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the 
county.  At  this  election  Hugh  McGary 
was  the  only  candidate  for  clerk  and  re- 
corder, John  McCrary,  William  Wagnon, 
and  Elisha  Harrison  were  candidates  for 
associate  judge,  and  George  Sirkle,  J.  An- 
thony,   David    Brumfield,  James  Johnson, 


FIRST  ELECTION. 


575 


J.  Robertson,  and  II.  Bugg,  were  candidates 
for  county  commissioner.  Messrs  McGary, 
McCrar}-,  Wagnon,  Sirkle,  Anthony,  and 
Brumtield  were  elected. 

Those  whose  ballots  were  taken  at  the  polls 
in  Evansville  were:  Benjamin  Grindel, 
George  Edmore,  J.  Anthony,  Edward  Hill, 
Alexander  Warren,  Evans  Vaughn,  Isaac 
Allen,  George  Linxweiler,  jr.,  Berry  An- 
thony, John  Johnson,  John  Harrison,  Bayless 
Harrison,  John  ]5urket,  Peter  Linxweiler, 
Henry  Bugg,  George  Linxweiler,  James 
Asa,  William  Blevans,  sr.,  James  Russell, 
Parker  Aydelott,  Matthias  Whetstone, 
David  Whetstone,  Nathan  Young,  Henry 
Whetstone,  John  Withrow,  James  Robinson, 
Jonathan  Robinson,  Samuel  Scott,  John 
McCann,  Richard  Carlisle,  Matthew  War- 
ren, David  Henson,  Hugh  McGary,  Isaac 
Knight,  Joseph  Robinson,  Jesse  HoUoway, 
Lewis  Jackett,  James  Slover,  Jesse  Henson, 
Jesse  McCaUister,  William  Fitzgerald,  Ar- 
chibald McCallister,  Clark  McCallister, 
Joseph  McCallister,  William  Wagnon, 
Edward  Allen,  Green  B.  Smith,  Laban  Hol- 
loway,  John  Stoner,  John  Neil,  William 
Johnson,  Julius  Gibson,  William  Blevans 
and  Zephaniah  Harrison.  The  voters 
at  James  Johnson's  were:  Randolph 
Rogers,  John  Melton,  George  Sirkle, 
Benjamin  Davis,  Henry  Mills,  James  J. 
Saunders,  William  Carson,  Lewis  Sirkle, 
Andrew  Sirkle,  Isaac  Farmer,  Lewis  F. 
Ragar,  Reuben  Long,  John  Swango,  John 
Patterson,  Nicholas  Long,  William  Great- 
house,  John  Marrs,  James  Johnson,  Thomas 
Hooker,  Robert  Gibbs,  Jonathan  Jones, 
Daniel  Miller,  Thomas  Litton,  Ezekiel 
Saunders  and  Jeffrey  Saunders.  The  voters 
at  the  forks  of  Big  creek  were:  William 
Houchens,  James  Martin,  David  Brumfield, 
James  Patten,  Thomas  Martin,  Charles 
Martin,  Elisha  Harrison,  Major  Selser,  Ben- 
jamin McNevv,  John  McCrary,  Moses  Pru- 


itt,  Joseph  Cater,  William  Briant,  David 
Rhoads,  John  Bowling,  Thomas  Saulsbur\', 
John  Armstrong,  sr.,  John  Livingston, 
John  Kitchens,  John  Boyer,  Zadok  McNew, 
Patrick  Calvert  and  John  Armstrong,  jr. 
The  three  last  named  in  each  of  the  forego- 
ing lists  were  the  officers  of  the  election'. 

Amative  Animals  and  Their  Hunters. — 
Among  the  wild  animals  found  in  the 
count}'  by  the  early  settlers  were  the  deer, 
wolf,  bear,  panther,  wild-cat,  fox,  otter,  rac- 
coon, ground-hog,  skunk,  mink,  weasel, 
muskrat,  opossum,  rabbit,  squirrel  and  per- 
haps others.  Many  of  these  animals,  some 
because  of  their  fierce  natures,  and  some 
because  of  their  destructive  foraging  upon 
growing  crops,  were  a  source  of  great  an- 
noyance to  the  pioneers.  Others  of  them 
supplied  meat  for  his  family,  the  deer  being 
used  most  abundantl}".  Wild  turkeys  were 
as  plentiful  as  the  deer,  and  the  two  were 
the  game  mostU'  sought  after  by  the 
hunter.  All  of  the  settlers  had  guns  as  a 
necessary  part  of  their  equipment  for  the  life 
which  their  circumstances  forced  them  to 
lead,  and  most  of  the  old  settlers  were  good 
hunters.  Their  guns  were  generall}'^  home 
made,  every  village  having  its  gunsmith. 
The  implements  were  made  to  suit  the  par- 
ticular wishes  of  each  patron — to  run  so 
many  bullets  to  the  pound  of  lead,  that  is 
to  say,  of  a  certain  calibre;  some  were 
especially  adapted  for  the  hunting  of 
S(^uirrel,  others  for  deer,  turkeys,  shoot- 
ing matches,  etc.  Shot-guns  were  con- 
sidered an  abomination,  and  derisively 
called  "  scatter  guns,"  fit  onl\-  for  the 
amusement  of  small  boys  and  old  do- 
tards whose  defective  vision  prevented 
them  from  taking  aim  through  the  "sights" 
of  a  rifle.  Flint  locks  prevailed  until  the 
introduction  of  percussion  caps,  and 
many  a  deer  was  allowed  to  escape 
and      roam      the     woods     because     of     a 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


"  flash  in  the  pan,"  and  while  the  hunter 
was  "  picking  his  flint "  before  trying  it 
again.  The  breech  of  the  old  fashioned 
rifle  contained  a  small  cavity  closed  with  a 
brass  or  iron  lid  on  a  hinge,  for  a  bit  of  tal- 
low—  to  grease  the  "patching,"  which  was 
a  thin  piece  of  cloth  about  three-fourths  of 
an  inch  in  diameter,  usually  for  convenience 
in  carrying  strung  in  quantities  on  a  string 
and  attached  to  the  shot-pouch  strap.  The 
powder,  guaged  in  a  primer  or  buck-horn 
charger  holding  the  proper  quantity,  was 
emptied  into  the  barrel  of  the  gun,  then  the 
greased  piece  of  patching  was  placed  over 
the  bore,  the  bullet  laid  thereon  and 
rammed  home,  the  greased  cloth  pre- 
venting the  ball  from  sticking  on  the 
way  or  fouling  in  the  rifle  groove. 
A  shot-pouch  made  of  dressed  buck-skin, 
with  the  hair  on,  contained  bullets, 
flints,  wipers,  etc.,  which,  with  powder- 
horn,  completed  the  outfit.  A  man  usually 
knew  just  about  what  he  could  do  with  his 
gun,  and  if  the  implement  was  reliable  and 
accurate,  it  was  petted  as  affectionately  as  a 
favorite  child,  and  often  given  a  pet  name. 
Off-hand  aim  was  the  general  rule;  to  shoot 
with  a  rest  was  boyish,  and  beneath  the  dig- 
nity of  a  hunter. 

Wolves  were  at  first  probably  the  most 
troublesome  brutes,  making  frequent  attacks 
upon  the  settler's  domestic  animals,  and, 
with  most  incessant  and  terrifying  howls, 
rendering  the  nights  hideous.  The  woods 
seemed  to  be  full  of  them.  Bears  and  pan- 
thers were  not  numerous,  but  were  occa- 
sionall}'  encountered  b}-  the  earl}'  pioneers. 
Later,  squirrels  became  most  destructive 
pests,  and  their  .slaughter  became  a  matter 
of  business. 

Later,  at  times,  the  country  swarmed 
with  pigeons.  Great  numbers  of  them  were 
killed  by  hunters,  and  "  pigeon  pie  "  became 
a  very  common   dish.     In  some  places  the 


farmers  turned  out  and  waged  a  war  of 
destruction  against  them,  for  the  reason 
that  they  consumed  great  quantities  of  the 
mast  they  were  counting  on  as  food  fortheir 
hogs.  The  wild  bees  that  swarmed  in  the 
woods  gave  to  the  early  settlers  a  rich  sup- 
ply of  honey.  Andrew  Sirkle  was  one  of 
the  most  famous  bee-hunters.  It  is  said 
that  he  found  as  many  as  sixty  or  eighty 
trees  in  a  single  season. 

Pioneer  Dress. —  Any  information  as  to 
the  dress  of  a  people  throws  light  upon  their 
conditions  and  limitations.  The  head  dress 
of  the  pioneer  for  the  male  sex  was  either  a 
coonskin  cap  or  a  home-made  wool  hat. 
The  feet  were  covered  with  moccasins  made 
of  deer  skins  and  shoe  packs  of  tanned 
leather,  but  shoes  were  worn  by  most  of  the 
pioneers  of  this  county,  except  in  summer, 
when  old  and  young,  male  and  female,  went 
barefooted.  The  blue  linsey  hunting  shirt 
was  almost  universalh'  worn  by  men  and 
boys.  Pantaloons  were  made  at  a  very 
early  day  of  deer  skin  and  linsey,  but  to  the 
settlers  of  this  county  cotton  and  jeans  early 
became  most  common.  Women's  dresses 
were  simple,  substantial  and  well-made.  As 
a  rule  settlers  raised  their  own  flax,  cotton 
and  wool,  and  made  their  own  garments. 
Good  weavers  were  then  the  accomplished 
young  ladies,  and  the  spinning-wheel  filled 
the  little  cabin  with  sweet  music  as  it  sang 
its  song  of  thrift  and  industry.  They  raised 
their  cotton,  picked  it,  carded  it,  wove  it, 
and  then  wore  it.  At  the  proper  season  the 
flax  brake  was  brought  into  use,  and 
the  product  was  "hackled"  and  spun 
into  skein;  the  wool  card  was  then  pre- 
pared for  the  filling;  and  with  different 
kinds  of  bark  various  colors  were  given  to 
the  raw  material,  and  made  it  ready  for  the 
loom,  which,  with  its  shuttle  flying  noisily 
back  and  forth  soon  brought  out  its  yards 
of  linsey  striped  and  beautiful. 


AMUSEMENTS. 


577 


The  head  dress  of  the  women  was  a  sim- 
ple cotton  handkerchief  or  sun  bonnet;  and 
they  were  not  ashamed  to  walk  a  mile  or 
two  to  church  on  Sunday,  carrying  their 
shoes  and  stockings  in  their  hands  until 
with'n  a  few  yards  of  the  place  of  worship, 
when  they  would  put  them  on  their  feet. 
Indeed,  at  early  meetings,  it  was  quite  com- 
mon for  nine-tenths  of  the  people,  male  and 
female,  to  be  barefooted.  These  modes  of 
dress  long  prevailed  in  the  country  settle- 
ments, varied,  of  course,  and  improved  by 
those  who  came  from  beyond  the  seas,  but 
in  the  town  of  Evansville  the  merchants  who 
carried  rather  large  and  complete  stocks  of 
goods,  encouraged  the  cultivation  of  what 
they  considered  higher  tastes  in  the  matter 
of  dress. 

Amusements.  —  Pioneer  social  gatherings 
usually  had  in  view  two  objects  —  work  and 
sport.  The  log  rollings,  house  and  barn 
raisings,  wood  choppings,  corn  huskings, 
bean  pickings,  wool  pickings,  quiltings, 
and  apple  parings,  while  attended  with 
much  labor  were  replete  with  enjoyment. 
During  the  early  settlement  of  this 
county  occasions  of  amusement  were 
preceded  b}'  work — every  good  time  was 
earned.  No  man  undertook  alone  to  roll 
his  logs;  all  joined  together  and  went  from 
place  to  place,  rolling.  All  houses  were 
raised  by  neighborly  hands.  When  the 
crops  were  gathered  the  corn  was  put  in  a 
long  pile  and  neighbors  were  invited  in  to 
husk  it,  usually  after  night.  Log  rollings 
and  huskings  were  followed  by  a  dance, 
from  which  the  young  folks  got  their  great- 
est enjoyment.  In  the  huskings  both  sexes 
took  part,  the  workers  being  divided  into 
two  parties,  each  with  a  leader.  The  lucky 
tinder  of  a  red  ear  reaped  a  rich  harvest  of 
kisses  from  those  of  the  other  sex,  the  rules 
governing  the  quantity  of  such  rewards 
varying  in  different  sections. 


Besides  the  more  violent  sports  in  which 
the  men  sought  diversion,  it  might  be  inter- 
esting and  instructive  to  mention  others  of  a 
different  character  among  them,  the  quilting 
party  where  the  good  women  of  the  neigh- 
borhood came  together  with  kind  hearts  and 
willing  hands  to  enjoy  some  hours  of  work 
and  conversation,  and  departing  leave  per- 
manent and  valuable  results  of  their  toil. 
There  were  few  distinctions  of  birth  or 
wealth  or  circumstance.  All  alike  were 
simple  in  their  dress  and  habits,  and  no  ex- 
acting demands  were  made  by  social  forms. 
At  the  quilting  nimble  fingers  plied  indus- 
triously until  the  work  was  done,  when 
songs  were  sung,  games  played  and  dancing 
indulged  in;  indeed,  the  merriment  was  co- 
extensive with  the  jovial  natures  of  the 
young  folks  assembled.  Spelling  matches 
and  debating  societies  furnished  amusement 
which  some  considered  of  a  higher  sort. 
Here  the  training  of  the  intellect  was  the 
paramount  ostensible  object,  but  boys  and 
girls  not  belonging  to  the  same  familj-  often 
came  riding  one  horse.  The  young  folks 
were  generally  paired,  and  to  bring  about 
this  natural  sclcrtioii  was  perhaps  as  worthy 
an  object  as  these  intellectual  entertainments 
could  have  had. 

In  the  main  early  days  in  Vanderburgh 
county  were  not  unlike  those  about  which 
the  pens  of  Eggleston  and  Rile}',  with  felic- 
ity and  beauty,  have  told  the  world.  A  few 
have  lived  to  note  the  principal  changes  and 
improvements  made  since  the  early  settlers, 
men  of  iron  hearts  and  iron  nerves,  pitched 
their  tents  on  these  fertile  lands  now  over 
eighty  years  ago.  More  in  detail  the  set- 
tlement of  the  various  townships  is  referred 
to  in  subsequent  chapters.  The  limits  of 
Pigeon  township  as  originally  laid  out  have 
been  much  contracted.  In  its  southern  part 
a  village  was  early  located  and  commenced 
a  career,  elsewhere  described  in  the  history 


578 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


of  the  city  of  Evansville.  Able  and  courage- 
ous'men  who  were  instrumental  in  developing 
the  country's  interests  are  named  as  fully  as 
possible  in  other  connections. 

Scott  Toil' II ship  was  organized  August 
13,  1821,  comprising  its  present  territory 
and  three  tiers  of  sections  off  the  north  side 
of  Center.  Previously  it  had  formed  a  part 
of  Armstrong  township.  It  was  reduced 
to  its  present  size  by  the  organization  of 
Center  township,  September  6,  1S43.  Ly- 
ing in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county, 
it  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Gibson  count}', 
on  the  east  b}-  Warrick  county,  on  the  south 
by  Center  township,  and  on  the  west  by 
German  and  Armstrong  townships.  Its  sur- 
face is  generally  hill}',  and  while  the  soil 
does  not  equal  in  richness  that  found  in  other 
parts  of  the  county,  yet  by  proper  care  and 
cultivation  abundant  harvests  are  secured. 
Originally  the  township  was  densely  tim- 
bered. The  memory  of  the  oldest  inhabit- 
ant does  not  go  back  to  that  time  when 
there  were  no  cabins  of  the  white  man  in 
the  forests  of  Scott  township.  Long  before 
Indiana  assumed  the  dignity  of  statehood, 
pioneers  had  pushed  their  way  into  the  vast 
wilderness,  and  had  planted  here  the  seeds 
of  civilization. 

Well  known  in  later  vears  as  being 
among  the  first  of  these  in  Scott  township 
were  Jesse  McGary  and  John  Withrow. 
Their  cabins  were  in  the  northwest  part  of 
the  township,  near  the  Gibson  county  line. 
Jesse  McGary  was  a  brother  of  Hugh 
McGary,  whose  name  is  closely  woven  into 
the  early  history  of  Evansville.  He  was  a 
fair  representative  of  the  rough,  uncouth, 
drinking,  rowdying  set,  and  yet  withal  pos- 
sessing some  traits  of  character  worthy  of 
admiration.  He  was  the  author  of  one  of 
the  earliest  tragedies  in  the  annals  of  the 
county.  Domestic  trouble  of  some  sort  had 
invaded  his  cabin,  and  one   day  as  his   wife 


came  into  the  door,  he  sent  a  ball  from  his 
rifle  through  her  heart.  His  trial  engaged 
public  attention  for  some  time,  but  he  was 
finally  acquitted,  on  the  ground  that  the 
death  was  the  result  of  an  accident,  it  being 
claimed  that  he  shot  at  a  dog,  not  knowing 
that  the  woman  was  about  to  enter  the  door. 
John  Withrow  represented  a  different  sort 
of  roughness.  In  his  dress,  his  speech  and 
his  manners,  he  was  always  a  genuine  back- 
woodsman, but  his  heart  was  certainly  in 
the  right  place.  Always  honorable,  he 
dealt  fairly  with  his  fellow-men,  and  when 
his  life  was  drawing  to  its  close,  he  had  the 
delightful  consciousness  that  all  who  knew 
him  gave  him  their  respect.  Another  rough 
but  industrious  pioneer  in  this  same  neigh- 
borhood was  Kenneth  Compton.  He  raised 
a  family  that  did  him  honor. 

The  township  was  named  in  honor  of  a 
hardy  pioneer  who  settled  and  lived  for  some 
time  about  one  mile  south  of  the  site  of 
Inglefield,  Samuel  Scott.  All  of  the  early 
settlers,  those  who  came  prior  to  1S18, 
were,  so  far  as  known,  emigrants  from  Ken- 
tucky, who  had  previously  drifted  into  that 
state  from  Virginia,  the  Carolinas,  and  Ten- 
nessee. The  names  of  some  of  them  are 
forever  lost.  Throughout  the  entire  eastern 
part  of  the  township  there  was  "  not  a  stick 
amiss"  as  late  as  1811,  and  along  the 
Princeton  road  there  were  but  four  cabins 
between  the  Ohio  river  and  the  present  site 
of  Princeton,  in  Gibson  county.  Nor  was 
there  any  considerable  increase  in  immigra- 
tion for  several  years  after  this  time. 

About  the  time  the  new  county  of  Van- 
derburgh was  organized,  Scott  township 
began  to  attract  a  class  of  immigrants  differ- 
ing essentially  from  any  who  had  previously 
located  within  its  borders.  The  sturdy  in- 
dependence and  industry  which  led  the 
English  farmers  to  leave  their  homes  across 
the  sea,  to   undertake   a   long  and    trying 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


579 


journey  to  the  interior  of  the  American  con- 
tinent, and  then  to  cast  their  lots  in  life  in 
the  wildernesses  of  Indiana,  were  the  quali- 
ties which  animated  these  people.  In  the 
summer  of  iSi8,  one  of  the  earliest  of  this 
class,  John  Ingle,  a  native  of  Huntingdon- 
shire, England,  then  thirty  years  of  age, 
came  to  Evansville,  and  very  soon  thereafter 
settled  permanently  in  Scott  township,  near 
the  present  Inglefield.  He  was  a  farmer  of 
sterling  character,  quiet  habits  and  winning 
ways.  His  popularity  was  such  that  it  may 
be    said    that    he    was    without    an    enemy. 

Mr.  Ingle  was  soon  followed  by  his 
countrymen,  Edward  and  Spencer  Maidlow, 
who  settled  in  the  same  neighborhood. 
These  were  intelligent  men,  who  wielded  an 
influence  for  good  in  shaping  the  events  of 
their  day.  They  were  model  farmers,  neat 
and  thrifty,  and  in  ever}'  respect  good  citi- 
zens. Edward  Maidlow  attained  local 
prominence  as  a  man  of  affairs  and  was 
called  by  his  fellow  citizens  to  serve  them  in 
places  of  trust  and  profit.  The  Maidlows 
became  freeholders  soon  after  their  arrival, 
and  passed  their  holdings  to  their  descend- 
ants, who,  as  honorable  people  and  valuable 
citizens,  hold  a  high  place  in  popular 
esteem. 

About  the  same  time  came  Saunders 
Hornbrook,  much  like  the  Maidlows  in 
character  and  worth,  and  a  valuable  acqui- 
sition to  the  little  settlement  in  the  woods. 
He  had  been  a  woolen  manufacturer  in 
Devonshire,  England,  was  an  educated  gen- 
tleman, and  did  much  to  advance  the  develop- 
ment of  the  new  country.  His  wife  was  a 
lady  of  character  and  superior  mental  attain- 
ments, and  thus  well  equipped  to  bring 
about  a  betterment  in  the  social  condi- 
tions of  the  eariier  and  rougher  pio- 
neers. Their  sons,  Saunders,  John, 
Thomas  and  William,  each  achieved 
for  himself   an   honorable  place  in  the  com- 


munity, one  rising  to  the  bench,  and  all  be- 
ing prominent  citizens.  The  daughters  of 
the  household  contracted  fortunate  mar- 
riages with  gentlemen  of  their  own  station. 
The  famil}'  was  enterprising  and  pro- 
gressive, and  from  the  first  was  well  known. 
Mr.  Hcirnbrook  built  the  first  cotton  gin  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  and  had  in  satisfactory 
operation  a  carding  machine.  In  a  very 
short  time  this  industrious  farmer  and  me- 
chanic had  enough  buildings  erected  in  the 
yard  about  the  gin-house  to  give  it  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  Httle  village.  Here  settlers 
came  with  their  cotton  from  all  directions 
within  a  radius  of  ten  or  fifteen  miles.  He 
established  a  countrj'  store,  to  supply  the 
wants  of  the  people,  and  accumulated  much 
property,  at  one  time  owning  over  two  thou- 
sand acres  of  land  in  Scott  township.  Soon 
after  his  death,  in  1839,  these  early  enter- 
prises were  abandoned  by  his  sons,  who  saw 
and  acted  on  the  greater  opportunities  of- 
fered in  the  neighboring  city. 

About  a  mile  north  of  Inglefield  on  the 
Princeton  road,  was  the  clearing  of  James 
Cawson,  now  the  Ritchey  homestead.  This 
Princeton  road  was  a  public  highway  estab- 
lished by  authority  of  the  state,  but  at  the 
time  these  settlers  came  in  it  winded  its  way 
about  through  the  forest  and  had  only  the 
smaller  trees  and  underbrush  cut  out.  Huge 
forest  trees  stood  in  its  centre  alon<r  its  en- 
tire  course.  Ingle's  was  said  to  be  the  first 
place  on  the  road  where  a  traveler  could  get 
a  breakfast  or  a  dinner;  Cawson 's  was  the 
next,  and  then  there  was  none  till  Gibson 
county  was  reached.  Cawson  was  a  man  of 
some  means  and  always  of  good  repute. 
On  his  place  was  the  Lockyear  blacksmith 
shop,  a  few  years  later,  which  was  about 
the  earliest  smithy  in  the  township. 

In  those  days  when  every  man  extended 
a  helping  hand  to  a  brother  in  every  time  of 
need,  people  were  neighbors   though    they 


580 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


lived  widel}'  apart.     In  the  same  neighbor- 
hood,   giving    the     word    its    rich,    broad 
meaning,   lived   Jerry  Wyatt,   a    grand    old 
man,     very     illiterate,     but     with     sterling 
qualities    of    heart    that    endeared    him    to 
all.    IVIuch  of  his  life  was  spent  here  and  he 
was  permitted  to  fill  out  four   score   years 
and  ten  before  death  took  him  away.  There, 
too,  lived  Daniel    Stinchfield,  a    good    man, 
honest.  God-fearing,  and  ready  in  every  con- 
versation   with  apt  words  from  Holy    Writ; 
and  William  Peck  —  "  Old  Father    Peck," 
as    he  was  called  —  a  sturdy  character,  up- 
right, honorable  and  much   beloved,    spend- 
ing a  useful  life,  and    rearing   an    honorable 
family,  whose  descendants  are    yet    in    the 
township,  occupying  a  high  position    in    the 
esteem  of  the  community,  and  preserving  in 
honor  the  ancestral   name.     A  young  man, 
for  many  years  a  farm  laborer  in  this  settle- 
ment, and  always  a  welcome  guest  at  every 
house,  was  William  Warren,  who  afterward 
moved  to  Evansville  and   for    years    served 
as    assessor    of    Pigeon    township.      He    is 
remembered  b}-  a  younger  generation    as    a 
fine  old  man,  with  a    gruff   manner,    but    of 
good    heart    and    generous    impulses.     His 
descendants  have  acted  a   conspicuous    part 
in  the  later  development  of  the  county. 

One  of  the  earliest  Germans  in  Scott 
township  was  Frederick  Staser,  who,  upon 
reaching  the  county,  worked  among  the 
Sirkles  in  Union  township,  in  1819,  and 
soon  thereafter  moved  to  what  afterward 
became  the  well-known  Staser  homestead. 
He  was  an  interesting  talker,  could  tell  a 
story  well,  and  soon  became  popular  with 
the  pioneers.  Coming  here  early,  he 
acquainted  himself  with  the  congress  lands 
and  the  English  tongue.  When  the  great 
influx  of  Germans  occurred  in  later  years  he 
was  thrifty  and  sagacious  enough  to  mold 
their  settlement  with  great  pecuniary  benefit 
to  himself.     His  sons,  John  C.  and  Conrad, 


were  ver\f  hospitable,  and  were  men  of 
more  than  ordinary  business  ability.  Both 
grew  to  be  wealthy,  the  estate  of  John  C. 
being  worth  at  least  $150,000.  Each  gen- 
eration of  the  Staser  family  has  been  promi- 
nent in  its  da}'. 

Probably  the  earliest  settlement  east  of 
the  Princeton  road  was  that  made  by  the 
Wheelers,  Mark,  Joseph  and  Richard, 
which  was  about  two  miles  northeast  of 
Inglefield.  These  were  English  people  who 
became  widely  known  as  a  worth}',  respect- 
able familv.  Mark  was  a  prosperous  farmer, 
and  his  two  brothers  were  best  known  by 
their  devoted  labors  in  spreading  the  gospel 
among  tlie  pioneers.  They  labored  zeal- 
ously, accomplished  much  good,  and  forever 
fixed  their  names  in  the  grateful  remem- 
brance of  the  people.  Their  descendants 
have  been  eminently  respectable  always; 
as  citizens  there  are  none  better. 
Among  the  industries  engaged  in  by  the 
farmers  of  early  days  with  good  profit  was 
hog-raising.  A  well-known  and  successful 
farmer  who  grew  wealthy  chieflv  through 
ihis  means  was  David  Powell.  He  com- 
menced with  little  capital,  and  bv  industry, 
economy  and  wise  management,  accumulated 
a  valuable  property.  He  had  quite  a  large 
family,  all  of  whom  were  good  citizens,  but 
attained  no  particular  prominence.  In  very 
early  days,  probably  about  1820,  Hiram 
Nelson  settled  near  the  present  site  of  Darm- 
stadt. He  was  a  farmer,  and  later  opened 
a  small  store.  Afterward  he  moved  to 
Evansville,  and  was  engaged  as  an  auction- 
eer. He  died  in  Evansville,  leaving  a  widow, 
who  still  survives. 

The  Hilliards  came  from  Ireland  in  1S19, 
and  about  two  years  later  formed  a  settle- 
ment in  Scott  township,  which  to  the  present 
time  is  known  as  the  Hilliard  neighborhood. 
Afterward  the  Hornbys,  a  prominent  fam- 
ily,   became    a   part  of    this  neighborhood. 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


581 


For  about  twenty  years  there  were  no  other 
settlements  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town- 
ship, and  but  few  additions  in  numbers 
were  made  to  those  already  established.  In 
1822  Samuel  Miller  came  and  stayed  but  one 
year.  He  was  chief  among  the  deer  hun- 
ters; tall,  lithe  and  as  active  as  the  animal  he 
pursued.  Arnold  Henning  was  known 
among  the  pioneers  as  "a  handy  man  to 
make  a  cradle  or  an  ax-handle;"  although 
his  trade  was  that  of  a  shoemaker,  he  was 
too  fond  of  drink  to  accomplish  much,  and  is 
remembered  by  the  present  generation  as  a 
good  and  honest,  but  unfortunate  man. 

Emery  Cook  lived  and  died  near  Ingle- 
field.  He  was  a  good  hunter,  but  an  un- 
skillful farmer.  He  won  the  long-continued 
gratitude  of  the  pioneers  for  killing  a  par- 
ticularly troublesome  wolf,  that  was  known 
to  have  done  great  damage  to  the  stock. 

Another  interesting  character  of  early 
days  was  John  McCann,  who,  with  his  fid- 
dle, traversed  the  entire  country,  attending 
all  the  old-time  frolics,  the  huskings,  the 
barn-raisings,  thfe  quilting  bees,  and  every 
gathering  that  was  likely  to  end  in  a  dance. 
He  did  much  to  ameliorate  the  hardships  of 
pioneer  life  by  breaking  its  monotony,  and 
bv  encouratrinfif  those  indulgences  which 
rest  the  mind  and  recuperate  the  body. 
McCann  was  a  valuable  worker  in  the  still- 
houses,  and  often  made  whiskey  for  Samuel 
Scott  and  Richard  Carlisle. 

With  the  hard  times  that  commenced  soon 
after  1820,  immigration  was  practically  sus- 
pended. But  from  the  older  states  and 
from  across  the  sea  occasional  acquisitions 
were  made  to  the  settlements  here.  As 
"birds  of  a  feather  flock  together,"  it  was 
fortunate  for  Scott  township  that  in  her 
borders  there  was  so  early  established  an 
intelligent  nucleus  about  which  clustered  a 
very  desirable  class  of  immigrants.  When 
the  state  of  Indiana  brought  herself  into 
U 


prominence  by  the  inauguration  of  the  great 
internal  improvement  system  of  1835,  im- 
migrants over-ran  every  township  in  the 
county,  looking  for  lands  and  homes.  Scott 
township,  to  some  extent,  shared  the  fate  of 
other  townships,  and  before  1840,  the  lands 
were  nearly  all  taken,  and  the  settlement  of 
the  township  was  practically  completed. 

Prominent  among  those  who  came  in 
later,  though  in  the  pioneer  era,  and  who 
became  closely  identified  with  the  township 
history  were:  Richard  Browning,  John 
Sansom,  George  and  Alexander  McCutchan, 
Thomas  Bower,  the  Rockett  family,  the 
Rustons  and  many  other  industrious,  honor- 
able and  worthy  people.  The  Germans, 
who  came  in  afterward  were,  as  a  class, 
good  citizens,  industrious,  frugal  and  im- 
proved the  country  very  much. 

An  O/ti  M/7/.— The  first  mill  in  the  town- 
ship was  erected,  by  Richard  Browning, 
about  1S32.  Prior  to  this  settlers  patronized 
the  Anthony  or  Negley  mill  on  Pigeon  creek, 
erected  in  18 14.  Mr.  John  Sansom  thus 
tells  of  the  first  work  of  this  mill:  "I 
assisted  in  getting  out  the  timbers  for 
Browning's  mill — a  tread-mill  at  first.  I 
remember  very  well  the  day  we  first  at- 
tempted to  run  that  mill.  All  things  being 
ready  we  thought  we  would  grind  our 
grist.  The  grain  was  put  in  the  hopper, 
the  team  started,  the  mill  went  round,  but 
not  the  smallest  particle  of  meal  made  its 
appearance.  We  were  puzzled.  x\fter 
trying  in  vain  to  discover  the  reason  why, 
we  acknowledged  ourselves  beat,  and  Mr. 
Browning  concluded  to  send  for  George 
Linxweiler,  who  was  then,  or  had  been,  in 
charge  of  Negley's  water  mill,  and  let  him, 
if  possible,  unravel  the  mystery.  In  a  few 
hours  Linxweiler  put  in  an  appearance. 
Imagine  our  amazement  when  he  looked  at 
the  arrangement  and  quietly  informed  us,  in 
his  German  idiom,  that  we  had  been  trying 


582 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


to  grind  flour  by  running  the  mill  backward! 
A  more  foolish,  stupid-looking  lot  of  lads 
probably  never  existed  than  that  set  of  mill 
hands  for  a  little  while,  when  convinced  of 
our  mistake." 

Towns. —  On  April  26,    1819,  John  Ingle 
laid  out  Sandersville.     The  plat  covered  160 
acres  of  land:  and  a  public  square  266  feet 
each   way,    was    provided.     An  effort  was 
made  to  build  a  town,  but  the   project  did 
not   succeed.     A   number  of  small    houses 
were  put  up,  a  store,  a  blacksmith  shop,  and 
such  other  conveniences  as  a  farming  com- 
munity might  demand  were  located  there, 
and  a  postoffice    was  established.     In  a  few 
years  its  projectors  abandoned  their  hopes, 
and  their  supporters  went  to   more   promis- 
ing localities.     By  1830  the   houses  had  all 
fallen     into     decay    except     the    postoffice, 
which  remained  as  a  monument  of  departed 
glory.     Inglefield,  a  station  on  the  E.  &  T. 
H.  R.  R.,  is  on  the  site  of  the  ancient  Sand- 
ersville.   Darmstadt.,    a   small    place  in    the 
southwest   corner    of  the  township,  has  not 
been    platted   or   incorporated,    though  for 
thirty  years  it  has  been  in  existence.     It  has 
a  few  country  stores,  a  doctor,  is  the  head- 
quarters   of  the    German    churches    in    the 
neighborhood,  and  enjoys  considerable  busi- 
ness as  a  trading  point.     EarJe.,  on  the  Pe- 
tersburg road,  near   the   southern  township 
line,  is  without  importance  except  as  a  sup- 
ply depot  for  a  limited   agricultural   district. 
Christ  Stock  is  the  onty  merchant.    A  small 
store  was  established  here  by  John  Grant, 
as  early  as  1850,  which  he  subsequently  sold 
to  John  Earle  (an  English  settler  who  came 
about  182S),  for  whom  the  town  was  named. 
Chttrchcs. — The  pioneer  preachers  early 
pushed  their  way  into  the  new  west  and,  re- 
gardless   of    all    hardships    and    difficulties, 
with  untiring  zeal  and  devotion,   worked   in 
the    Master's  cause.       Often  on  foot,  clad  in 
the  plain   garments  of  the  huntsman,   with 


rifle  or  gun  on  his  shoulder,  the  preacher 
sought  the  hospitable  roof  of  some  lowly 
cabin  and  there  with  a  thrilling  description 
of  the  ineffable  joys  that  awaited  the  saved, 
or  a  vivid  picture  of  the  never-ending  tor- 
ments of  a  literal  hell,  which  would  be  the 
sure  portion  of  the  damned,  sought  to  per- 
suade or  frighten  his  few  hearers  to  flee 
from  the  wrath  to  come.  All  denomina- 
tions sought  for  supremacy,  and  in 
many  cases  the  war  waged  between  the 
advocates  of  different  Christian  sects 
over  theological  dogmas  and  doctrines, 
was  fiercer  and  far  more  bitter  than  that 
waged  against  the  common  enemy.  The 
Baptists,  Presbyterians  and  Methodists  all 
struggled  for  a  foothold.  The  house  of  John 
Ingle  was  an  early  preaching  place  for  all 
denominations.  The  doctrines  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church  were  more  generally 
accepted  and  became  more  firmly  rooted  in 
the  minds  of  the  people  of  this  township 
than  those  of  any  other  sect.  The  eloquent 
John  Schraeder  was  the  first  to  lift  up  his 
voice  in  behalf  of  Methodism.  The  first  or- 
ganized class  of  Methodists  in  this  township 
was  probably  that  made  in  the  Milliard 
neighborhood,  under  the  leadership  of  John 
and  William  Hilliard,  and  those  beloved  men, 
Joseph  and  Mark  Wheeler,  in  1824,  which 
flourishes  to  this  day,  having  now  about  sixty 
members.  At  first  the  little  confrre<ration 
assembled  for  the  purpose  of  worship  at  the 
humble  houses  of  its  members,  and  at  length 
raising  a  log  cabin,  set  it  apart  and  conse- 
crated it  as  a  house  of  God.  About  fifty 
years  ago  this  little  structure  gave  wa}'  to 
a  commodious  frame  building,  more  suitable 
to  the  demands  of  the  growing  congrega- 
tion, which  remains  in  use.  In  early  times 
among  the  preachers  here,  were:  Revs. 
Joseph  Wheeler,  Mark  Wheeler,  Robert 
Parrett,  Enoch  G.  Ward,  Ravenscroff, 
Hensler,  and  Tower.    The  church  is  on  the 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


583 


Blue  Grass  circuit,  now  in  charge  of  Rev. 
Samuel  McNaughten.  The  Sunday  school, 
superintended  by  Mr.  Arad  McCutchan,  is 
one  of  the  best  in  the  district. 

Centenary  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
located  near  Inglefield,  was  bulk  in  1867  at 
a  cost  of  about  $1,800.00,  chiefly  through 
the  instrumentality  of  John  Ingle,  WiUiam 
Ingle,  Joseph  Shaw,  and  George  Browning. 
This  church  is  also  on  the  Blue  Grass  cir- 
cuit. The  membership  is  now  small,  having 
been  reduced  by  deaths  and  removals  from 
the  neighborhood,  but  regular  services  are 
held. 

Noble's  chapel,  on  the  Petersburgh  road, 
near  the  township  border,  though  in  Gibson 
county,  which  is  attended  by  man}'  of  the 
citizens  of  this  township,  was  built  in  i860, 
at  a  probable  cost  of  $r,ooo,  chiefly  through 
the  instrumentality  of  Thomas  McCutchan, 
Thomas  Smith  and  Isaac  Murphy.  The  so- 
ciety was  formerU'  in  a  more  prosperous 
condition  than  at  present.  It  is  in  the  Blue 
Grass  circuit. 

In  the  north  part  of  the  township  an  Epis- 
copal mission  was  once  formed  b}'  some  of 
the  best  citizens,  which,  after  flourishing  for 
a  period,  was  abandoned. 

German  Lutheran. —  The  followers  of 
Martin  Luther  organized  a  church,  more 
than  a  <|uarter  of  a  century  ago,  at  the  vil- 
lage of  Darmstadt,  and  erected  a  frame 
house  of  worship.  It  was  chiefly  through 
the  zealous  work  of  Rev.  Wile,  who  served 
the  congregation  as  pastor  for  many  years, 
that  this  church  was  founded  and  built  up. 
The  church  now  has  regular  preaching  and 
a  good  membership.  In  late  years  when 
the  congregation  had  become  too  large  for 
the  old  church,  a  new  edifice,  handsome 
and  commodious,  was  erected. 

German  Bvan<re/ica/. —  On  the  old  Horn- 
brook  farm  stands  a  good  sized,  neat,  frame 
church    built   by  this    denomination,    about 


forty  years  ago.  The  church  has  pros- 
pered, now  has  a  large  membership,  and  is 
doing  good  work  in  the  Master's  cause. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

George  C.  Beierlein,  a  native  of  Bava  • 
ria,     was    born    July    15,   1813.       He   em- 
igrated   to  America    in    1846,   and  in    the 
same   year  came    to  Vanderburgh  county, 
where  he  afterward  resided  during  life.  He 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation.     In  July,  1856, 
he   was   united  in  marriage  with   Elizabeth 
Klousemeier,    nee     Elizabeth  Weihe.     She 
was    born   in    Germany,    April    24,     1822, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  Herman  and  Fred- 
ericka  Weihe.      She    came   to  America  in 
1854,    with     her    first     husband,      Charles 
Klousemeier,    a    native    of   Germany,    who 
wedded  her    in  that  country  in   1847.     He 
was    born    in    1823,    and   died    in    1855,    in 
Newburgh,  Ind.,  where  he  settled  on  com- 
ing    to    America.        By    the     first     mar- 
riage    she     had    the      following    children: 
Louisa,    born    March  6,    1849;    Frederick, 
November    27,    1S50;  Caroline,  December 
12,  1852,  and   Henry,  November  26,  1854. 
The  marriage  of  George  C.  Beierlein  and 
Elizabeth  Klousemeier  resulted  in  the  birth 
of  five  children:      Anna  K.,  born  September 
12,  1857  (deceased);   Herman,  born  Janu- 
ary 27,  1858;   John,  born  January  2,    1861; 
Mar}^  born  November  21,  1862,  and  Philli- 
pine,  born  December  13,  1S64.     The  fathei 
of  these  children  died  June  7,    1882.      The 
mother  survives  and  is  now  beyond  sixty-si.x 
years   of   age.     Her    home  is   Scott  town- 
ship,      this      count}-,      where       she     and 
her    children    own    a   farm    of  sixty  acres. 
Herm.vn  Beierlein,  the  second  of    these 
children,  was  born  and  grew  to  manhood  in 
the  county,  and  is  now  one  of  the  prosperous 
farmers  of  Scott  township,  residing  on  sec- 
tion 18.     He  is  an  influential  member  of  the 
German    Lutheran    church,    and    politically 


58i 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


ranks  himself  with  the  republican  party.  He 
is  one  of  the  highly  respected  people  of  the 
township. 

William  S.  Boha^non  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, January  21,  1828,  and  is  the    son  of 
Booten    and    Nancy     (Claten)     Bohannon. 
Both  parents  were  natives   of    the  Old  Do- 
minion,   where    they   were    married.     This 
union  resulted  in  the   birth  of  the  following 
children:  Martha  Jane    (deceased),  Sarah, 
Eliza      (deceased),      Nanc}',    William     S., 
Henry,   Susan,  James    (deceased),  George 
W.  and  Daniel.     The  first  five  were  born  in 
Virginia,  and  the  last   five  in  Kentucky,  to 
which  state  the  parents  emigrated  in  the  fall 
of    1828,    settling    in    Cumberland    county. 
There   they  lived   for   a   great   many  years, 
later  moving  to  Illinois,  and  still  later  going 
back  to  Caldwell  county,  Ky.,  where  the  fa- 
ther's death    occurred.     Still  later  the  wid- 
owed     mother     returned     to     Cumberland 
county,  and    subsequently  came  to  Warrick 
county,   this    state,    where    her    death    oc- 
curred.    WiUiam   S.  Bohannon    was    about 
ten  months  old  when    his   parents  settled  in 
Cumberland  county.     In  1851  he  was  united 
in    marriage    with     Mary    Ann    Cooksey, 
daughter    of    Samuel    and     Nancy    Cook- 
sey,   both    natives    of    Virginia,  and    in    an 
early  day  removed  to  Kentucky ;  later  they 
came    to    Warrick    county,  this    state,    and 
here  their  deaths  occurred.    Mrs.  Bohannon 
was  born   in  Cumberland  count}-,  Ky.,  No- 
vember 18,   1834.     The  following  children 
have  been  born  unto  their  marriage :    Laura 
J.,  Agnes,  John  H.,  James  L.  and  five  others 
that    are  deceased,  of  whom  three  died  in 
infancy    and    two — Susan    and     Nancy  — 
reached  womanhood.     Mr.   Bohannon    and 
wife  settled  in  Warrick  county,  in  1852,  and 
lived  in  that  county  for  a  period  of   thirteen 
years.     In  March,  1S65,   they  came  to   this 
county,    and    have    since    resided   in    Scott 
township.     They  belong  to  the  Methodist 


Episcopal  church,  and  enjoy  the  esteem  of 
their  neighbors.  In  politics  Mr.  Bohannon 
is  a  republican.  During  the  civil  war  he 
served  as  one  of  the  active  home  guards, 
of  southern  Indiana.  He  started  out  in  life 
a  poor  man  and  has  become  prosperous, 
owning  265  acres  of  well-improved  land. 

William  Bower,  ex-president  of  the 
board  of  count)'  commissioners  of  Vander- 
burgh county,  is  a  prominent  farmer  of  Scott 
township.  He  was  born  near  where  he  now 
resides,  Februar^^  5,  1836,  the  son  of 
Thomas  and  Lucinda  (Lee)  Bower.  The 
parents  were  born  respectively  in  England 
and  Ireland,  the  father  June  15,  1811,  and 
the  mother  June  27,  180S.  Emigrating  to 
America  when  quite  young,  the  parents 
were  married  in  New  York  state,  and  at  an 
early  date  in  the  history  of  Indiana  came 
west,  and  located  in  what  is  now  Scott  town- 
ship, Vanderburgh  county,  where  the  father 
followed  farming.  He  was  quite  prominent 
and  served  as  county  commissioner  for  two 
terms,  and  during  the  late  rebellion  per- 
formed enrolling  and  enlisting  service  for  the 
government.  His  death  occurred  October 
5,  1877,  'incl  that  of  his  wife  September  23, 
1873.  To  these  parents  four  children  were 
born,  three  of  whom  survive.  William 
Bower  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  through- 
out his  manhood  has  been  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  He  owns  a  fine  farm  of 
250  acres,  twelve  miles  north  of  Evansville, 
within  one  mile  of  the  E.  &  T.  H.  railroad, 
on  which  he  raises  stock  principally.  Mr. 
Bower  entered  public  life  about  1868,  when 
he  was  elected  township  assessor,  and  served 
in  that  capacity  for  a  period  of  six  years. 
In  1884  he  was  elected  as  a  democrat  to  the 
office  of  commissioner  of  Vanderburgh 
county,  assuming  the  duties  of  the  office  in 
the  following  year,  and  in  December, 
18S7,  was  chosen  president  of  the  board. 
Fidelity  to  trust  and  an  undeviating  rectitude 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


585 


characterized  his  official  career.  During  his 
term  of  office  much  important  public  work 
was  done.  The  foundations  of  the  new 
court-house  were  laid  when  he  was  a  com- 
missioner. His  good  judgment  and  sagacity 
as  a  man  of  affairs  made  his  conduct  in  this 
matter  a  valuable  contribution  to  the  public, 
and  an  hoiiorable  page  in  his  own  record. 
In  the  construction  of  bridges,  the  improve- 
ment of  the  public  roads  throughout  the 
county,  and  the  dispatch  of  general  business, 
Mr.  Bower  always  acted  wisely  and  with  a 
broad,  liberal  spirit,  such  as  the  wealth  and 
condition  of  the  count}'  justified.  Mr.  Bower 
has  been  thrice  married.  His  first  wife  was 
Martha  J.  Staser,  who  was  born  July  ii, 
1838,  and  died  May  20,  1865.  The  issue  of 
this  marriage  was  three  children,  as  follows : 
Maggie  L.,  born  February  13,  1861,  and 
now  Mrs.  Charles  W.  Vogel:  Clara  B.,  born 
November  8,  1862,  now  Mrs.  E.  D.  Mc- 
Avoy,  and  Frederick  J.,  born  November 
27,  1864,  and  died  May  3,  1866.  His  sec- 
ond wife  was  Charlena  Morrison,  who  was 
born  April  14,  1S39,  and  died  April  7,  1871. 
The  issue  of  this  union  was  Annie  J.,  born 
September  12,  1867,  now  Mrs.  William 
Blankenship,  and  Thomas  S.,  born  Decem- 
ber 21,  1S68,  and  died  June  26,  1888.  His 
third  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married  Novem- 
ber 8,  1871,  is  Annie  Dennison,  who  was 
born  June  5,  1844',  and  to  this  union  the 
following  children  have  been  born:  D.  W., 
born  December  17,  1874;  Martha  E.,  born 
September  11,  1877;  Kate  M.,  born  May  7, 
1880;  John  H.,  born  March  5,  18S2,  and 
James  C,  born  August  17,  1885. 

Richard  Bkowning  was  a  native  of  Lon- 
don, England,  born  February  8,  1791.  He 
was  reared  in  the  city  and  learned  the  opti- 
cian's trade,  which  he  followed  till  he  emi- 
grated to  America.  He  came  to  America 
soon  after  1820,  and  after  residing  in  Massa- 
chusetts and  New  York  for  a  short  time,  he 


came  to  Indiana  and  located  in  Scott  town- 
ship about  1827.  The  lands  he  purchased 
of  the  government,  and  the  deed  to  one  tract 
has  the  signature  of  Pres.  Jackson,  in  1831, 
and  another  the  signature  of  Martin  Van 
Buren.  He  married  in'  his  native  country, 
December  30,  1817,  wedding  Lucy  Wiles, 
a  native  of  Bedford  county,  England,  born 
October  2,  1797.  To  them,  in  England, 
wore  born  Richard  S.,  January  22,  1819, 
and  Lucy  C,  May  16, 182 1,  and  in  America, 
were  born  Mary,  February  10,  1824;  Will- 
iam J.,  June  II,  1826;  Anthony  S.,  March 
25,  1829;  Thomas  Wiles,  Jul}-  3,  1831; 
George  B.,  July  7,  1833;  Annie  E.,  Febru- 
ary 5,  1835;  Ebenezer  E.,  August  9,  1836. 
Of  these,  Richard,  Mary,  Annie  and  Eben- 
ezer are  deceased.  Richard  died  in  Califor- 
nia, Mary  and  Annie  in  this  country,  and 
Ebenezer  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  while  in  the 
federal  service  during  the  rebellion. 
Soon  after  coming  to  this  country  Rich- 
ard Browning  erected  the  first  grist- 
mill in  Scott  township.  This  was  a  tread-  mill, 
and  with  some  changes  has  been  in  operation 
up  to  date.  It  is  now  the  oldest  mill  in  the 
county,  and  has  been  run  by  steam  since 
about  1833.  It  is  now  owned  and  controlled 
by  Geo.  B.  Browning,  the  son  of  the  founder. 
Richard  Browning  continued  in  the  county 
till  his  death,  dying  on  the  same  tract  of 
land  he  settled  upon  June  26,  1874;  ^^^  ^'\i^ 
died  in  this  county,  August  26,  1872. 
George  B.  Browning  was  born  and  reared 
in  this  country,  and  has  followed  farming 
and  milling  for  his  occupation,  his  vocation 
being  milling.  He  has  made  his  home  in 
the  county  during  life,  excepting  a  period 
of  short  duration  spent  in  California.  On 
October  2,  1856,  he  married  Margaret,  the 
daughter  of  George  and  Ellen  Trimble. 
She  was  born  in  County  Longford,  Ireland, 
January  19,  1839.  The  following  are  their 
children:     Mary  E.,  William  A.,  John   T., 


5S6 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Morris  G.,  Joseph  E.,  and  Lucy  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Browning  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
In  politics  he  is  a  democrat. 

Henry  Burggrabe  was  born  in  the 
kingdom  of  Prussia,  German}-,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1829,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  and 
Charlotte  (Kramer)  Burggrabe,  both  na- 
tives of  Germany.  They  reared  five  child- 
ren, of  whom  Henry  is  the  second.  He 
was  reared  in  Germany,  and  received  a 
tliorough  German  education.  •  On  reaching 
his  majority  he  determined  to  emigrate  to 
America,  and  in  1850,  he  came  to  this 
county  and  located  June  27,  at  Evansville, 
where  he. continued  to  live  for  about  thirt}- 
years.  He  came  to  the  city  when  it  was 
but  a  small  place,  and  the  thirty  years  of 
his  life  which  are  identified  with  the  growth 
of  the  city  entitles  him  to  more  than  a  pass- 
ing mention  in  the  history  of  the  county. 
He  came  here  a  poor  man,  and  on  fixing 
the  place  as  his  future  home,  he  set  to  work 
as  a  laborer,  and  by  honest  industry  in  the 
various  occupations  he  has  followed,  as 
gardening,  lumbering  and  railroading,  he 
has  become  a  prosperous  and  well  respected 
citizen.  In  1880  he  removed  from  the  city, 
and  located  on  a  farm  near  Inglefield,  and 
for  the  last  eight  years  he  has  been  engaged 
in  agriculture.  He  owns  and  cultivates  a 
farm  of  120  acres  which  he  has  all  paid  for 
and  well  improved,  with  good  buildings, 
fences,  fruit  trees,  etc.  July  13, 1854,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Mary  Sagar,  born 
in  the  kingdom  of  Hanover,  Germany,  De- 
cember 24,  1833.  They  have  had  eleven 
children,  of  whom  ten  are  living:  Henry, 
Ferdinand,  William,  John,  Charles,  Mollie, 
Fred,  Christian,  Augusta  and  George.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Burggrabe  and  children  belong  to 
the  Lutheran  church,  and  have  a  wide  circle 
of  friends.  During  the  rebellion  Mr.  Burg- 
grabe did    service  as  a  home  guard. 


William  Crisp  was  a  native  of  England 
born  October  12,  181 2.  He  died  in  Van- 
derburgh county,  April  20,  187S.  He  was 
the  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Cranfield) 
Crisp.  Both  parents  were  natives  of  Eng- 
land, and  to  them  were  born  the  following 
children :  William,  Elizabeth,  Mary  Ann  and 
Sarah.  In  1S33,  James  and  Sarah  Crisp 
and  family  emigrated  to  America,  and  in  the 
same  3-ear  settled  in  Vanderburgh  county, 
on  section  10  of  Scott  township,  where 
the  father  and  mother  both  lived  until 
their  deaths.  The  father  died  December  9, 
1863,  aged  seventy-six.  The  mother  died 
April  27,  1.863,  aged  seventy-two.  William 
Crisp  was  twenty-one  years  old  when  his 
parents  came  to  America,  and  up  to  that 
time  his  work  was  that  of  a  shepherd's  son. 
His  life  in  this  county  was  devoted  to  the 
cultivation  of  a  nursery.  On  September  14, 
1837,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Avis 
Earl,  daughter  of  John  and  Mar\'  (Cran- 
field) Earl,  both  natives  of  England,  who 
emigrated  to  America  in  1820,  and  in  1822, 
came  to  the  city  of  Evansville,  and  in  1828, 
settled  in  Scott  township.  Earl  was  named  in 
honor  of  John  Earl.  He  was  an  early  set- 
tler of  the  township,  and  was  identified  with 
the  history  of  the  county  for  a  number  of 
years.  Avis  (Earl)  Crisp  was  born  in  En- 
gland, January  8,  1S19,  and  died  in  this 
county,  April  2,  1886-  There  were  born  to 
William  and  Avis  Crisp,  the  following  chil- 
dren: John  (deceased), James B.  (deceased), 
Mary  Ellen  (deceased),  R.  Fletcher,  E. 
Wesley,  Daniel  N.,  Sarah  E.  and  Mary  A. 
(deceased).  The  surviving  sons  are  farm- 
ers by  occupation,  and  reside  in  Scott  town- 
ship. The  surviving  daughter  is  the  wife  of 
Isaac  Wood,  of  Evansville.  R.  F.  Crisp, 
the  eldest  surviving  son,  was  born  in  Scott 
township,  August  6,  1845.  February  27, 
1878,  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Henr}^, 
daughter  of  Robert    and    Mary   (Laheed) 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


587 


Henry.  She  was  born  in  this  county, 
Jul}'  19,  1850.  The  children  born  to 
this  marriage  are:  Mary  Avis  and 
Edith.  Mrs.  Crisp's  iirst  husband  was 
Robert  Stinson,  by  whom  she  became  the 
mother  of  one  child,  Annie  Leona,  by  name. 
Daniel  N.  Crisp,  the  youngest  son  of  Will- 
iam, was  born  in  Scott  township,  March  15, 
1850,  and  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  com- 
pleted his  education  at  the  Asbury  Uni- 
versity. He  was  married  March  24,  1880, 
to  Sarah  Ruston,  daugliter  of  Richard  and 
Jane  (Law)  Ruston,  born  January  29,  1855. 
Two  children,  John  Wesley  and  Ada  Belle, 
have  been  born  of  their  marriage. 

Thomas  Elliott  was  born  in  County 
Longford,  Ireland,  in  the  j'ear  1809,  and 
was  the  son  of  Edward  Elliott,  of  Irish 
lineage.  Thomas  was  reared  on  the  farm, 
and  throughout  his  life  made  farming  his 
occupation.  He  was  united  in  marriage  in 
the  year  1837,  with  Jane  Foster,  daughter 
of  John  Foster,  of  Irish  descent.  Jane  was 
born  in  County  Cavin,  Ireland.,  in  1820. 
Unto  the  marriage  two  sons  were  born  in 
Ireland,  William  and  John.  In  1842 
Thomas  and  Jane  Elliott  and  their  son  Will- 
iam emigrated  to  America,  and  in  the  same 
year  settled  in  Scott  township,  Vanderburgh 
count}'.  Here  the  father  purchased  a  tract 
of  120  acres  of  land  and  began  to  till  the 
soil  in  America.  He  was  a  practical  and 
successful  farmer,  and  though  he  never  as- 
pired to  public  life  or  took  to  politics  except 
as  a  faithful  adherent  of  the  republican 
party,  he  was  a  man  well  known.  He  was 
faithful  as  a  friend,  kind  as  a  father, 
and  progressive  as  a  citizen.  Dur- 
ing the  time  of  his  residence  in  this 
county,  he  was  engaged  in  auctioneering  a 
great  deal  in  this  and  Warrick  counties,  and 
thus  formed  a  wide  acquaintance,  by  which 
he  was  highl}'  respected.  His  death  oc- 
curred   in    Vanderburgh    county    in    1876. 


His  wife  survives  and  resides  with  a  son  in 
Scott  township.  After  coming  to  this 
country  the  following  children  were  born  to 
them:  Edward,  Margaret,  James,  Mary 
(deceased),  Sarah,  Jane  and  Thomas.  It 
has  been  noted  that  two  sons,  William  and 
John,  were  born  in  Ireland.  John  was  left 
with  an  uncle  in  Ireland,  by  whom  he  was 
made  a  foster-son,  and  now  he  is  a  citizen  of 
Wales.  The  various  homes  of  all  the  other 
children,  now  living,  are  in  Vanderburgh 
count}'.  William  Elliott  was  born  in  County 
Longford,  Ireland,  February  2,  1838,  and  was 
four  years  old  when  he  came  with  his  par- 
ents to  America.  His  youth  was  spent  on  a 
farm,  and  he  gained  a  common  school  edu- 
cation in  the  country  schools  of  Vanderburgh 
county,  where  his  home  has  continuously 
been.  He  followed  farming  in  this  country 
up  to  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war,  and  then 
enlisted  October  8,  1861,  in  Company  A, 
Forty-second  Indiana  Volunteer  infantry  as 
a  private,  with  William  Atchison  as  captain. 
The  first  regular  engagement  in  which  he 
took  part,  was  at  Perryville,  Ky.,  where 
with  others  of  his  company  he  was  taken 
prisoner  by  the  enemy,  and  later  was  ex- 
changed. Among  some  of  the  important 
engagements  in  which  Mr.  Elliott  took  part 
were:  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge, 
and  the  battles  of  the  campaign  to  Atlanta. 
About  this  time  the  three  years'  term  of 
service  for  which  Mr.  Elliott  enlisted,  ex- 
pired, and  at  Rome,  Ga.,  he  was,  October  8, 
1864,  discharged  by  reason  of  the  expiration 
of  term  of  service.  He  returned  to  his  home 
in  Vanderburgh  county,  and  has  since  lived 
in  the  county.  He  purchased  from  his  father 
the  farm  he  now  owns,  and  subsequently 
leased  it  for  three  years,  during  which 
time  he  went  to  Evansville  and  followed 
the  carpenter  trade.  May  10,  1868,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Annie  M.  McCut- 
chan,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah    Mc- 


588 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Cutchan,  old  settlers  of  the  county.  Mrs. 
Elliott  was  born  in  Scott  township,  this 
county,  March  25, 1838.  By  their  marriage 
have  been  born:  Morris  Leslie,  deceased, 
Minnie  B.  and  James  E.  In  1869  Mr.  El- 
liott removed  to  the  above  mentioned  farm, 
and  has  since  been  doing  well  at  farming. 
Since  the  construction  of  the  Straight  Line 
railway,  he  has  been  ticket  and  freight  agent 
at  Elliott  station.  In  politics  he  is  a  repub- 
lican. He  is  not  a  member  of  any  church, 
but  has  given  his  aid  to  churches,  especially 
to  the  Methodist. 

Robert  Gray  is  a  native  of  England, 
born  in  Cambridgeshire,  November  24, 
1822,  the  son  of  Owen  and  Elizabeth 
(Beard)  Gray.  Both  of  the  parents  were 
natives  of  England;  the  father  was  born  in 
Cambridgeshire,  and  the  mother  in  Hunt- 
ingdonshire, and  both  died  in  their  native 
country.  Their  mairiagc  resulted  in  the 
birth  of  the  following  children :  Mary  Ann, 
Betsy,  Robert,  Jane,  William.  Of  these 
children  Betsy,  Robert,  and  William  emi- 
grated to  America.  In  1838  Betsy  and 
Robert  set  sail  for  this  country,  and  in  Jan- 
uary of  the  following  year  landed  and  settled 
in  Vanderburgh  count}-,  where  they  have 
since  continued  to  make  their  homes.  In 
1844  Robert  returned  to  his  native  country, 
but  remained  there  only  a  few  months. 
Subsequently  his  brother  William  came  out 
to  this  country,  and  is  now  a  citizen  of  this 
count}-.  At  the  time  Robert  made  his  visit 
to  his  native  country,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage, in  1844,  with  Lydia  Low,  a  native  of 
Cambridgeshire,  England,  born  in  1823. 
Her  death  occurred  in  this  country  in  the 
fall  of  1886.  This  marriage  has  been 
favored  with  the  birth  of  the  following 
children:  Owen,  George,  Sarah  Jane, 
Joseph,  Mattie,  and  Lewis.  In  the 
same  year  that  Robert  Gray  came  to 
Vanderburgh  county,  he  settled  on  section 


10,  Scott  township,  and  since  his  marriage  in 
England,  and  his  return  to  America,  he  has 
continued  to  Hve  there,  excepting  a  period 
of  five  months  spent  in  a  second  visit  to 
England,  in  1868.  He  has  followed  agri- 
culture for  an  occupation,  and  having  been 
practical,  has  been  successful.  In  politics 
he  is  decidedly  a  republican.  He  is  a  friend 
to  schools,  churches  and  public  improve- 
ment, and  is  a  progressive  and  much  re- 
spected citizen. 

James  G.  Grimwood  was  born  in  Cam- 
bridgeshire, England,  February  29,  1812, 
the  son  of  Thomas  Grimwood.  He  was 
reared  in  England,  where  he  learned  the 
blacksmith's  trade.  On  reaching  his  major- 
ity he  came  to  America,  landing  in  1833, 
and  repaired  to  Columbus,  Ohio.  Here  he 
followed  his  trade  for  four  years,  and  in 
1837  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  sec- 
tion 3,  Scott  township,  where  he  purchased 
land  of  the  government.  The  year  1837 
was  an  early,  though  not  the  earliest  year  in 
the  settlement  of  Scott  township,  and  as 
James  G.  Grimwood,  after  his  settlement, 
continued  in  the  township  till  his  death, 
which  occurred  April  23,  1882,  he  was  iden- 
tified with  the  history  of  the  county  for  over 
forty-five  years.  He  was  a  farmer  all  his 
days,  and  was  successful  in  the  calling. 
Though  beginning  without  capital  he  be- 
came one  of  the  most  extensive  land-holders 
of  the  county,  and  at  one  time  owned  over 
500  acres  of  land  lying  in  this  and  Warrick 
counties,  a  portion  of  which  he  sold  before 
his  death.  He  also  owned  valuable  real 
estate  in  the  city  of  Evansville.  He 
was  reserved  in  nature,  faithful  as  a 
neighbor,  kind  as  a  father  and  husband,  and 
enterprising  as  a  citizen.  In  1838  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Hannah  Grant,  born 
in  Cambridgeshire,  England,  1814.  She  died 
in  this  county  in  1865.  She  gave  birth  to  the 
following  children,  who  survive  her:     Har- 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


589 


i-iet,  Samuel  N.,  Joseph,  John  F.  and  James 
G.,  and  four  that  died  in  early  life. 

Samuel  N.  Grimwood  was  born  June 
15,  1846,  in  this  county,  and  remained  un- 
der the  parental  roof  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  twenty,  and  then  set  out  for  himself. 
Fourteen  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in 
Evansxilie,  where  he  was  engaged  in  dray- 
ing.  Since  then  he  has  been  farming.  In 
1S67  he  married  Hattie  Clark,  who  was 
born  in  England,  August  20,  1843.  They 
have  had  the  following  children :  Adrian  E., 
William  Henry  and  Carl  Mark. 

John  F.  Grimwood  was  born  in  this 
county  February  3,  1852;  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  has  devoted  his  life  to  agriculture. 
In  1872  he  married  Laura  J.  Bohannon,  born 
in  Warrick  count}-,  June  15,  1854,  and  they 
have  had  these  children:  William,  James, 
Hattie,  Mary  and  Herbert  F. 

Henry  H.  Hooker,  M.  D.,  was  born  in 
Center  township,  Vanderburgh  county,  Ind., 
in    the     year    1836.     He    is    the    son    of 
Thomas  Hooker,  jr.,  a  native  of  Tennessee, 
he  the  son  of  Thomas  Hooker,  sr.,  a  native 
of    Virginia.     He    was    a    son    of    William 
Hooker,     a    native     of    England.     William 
Hooker  was  a  son  of  an  earh-  immigrant  to 
America,  who  came  over  some  time  prior 
to  the  French  and  Indian  wars,  in   which  he 
was  a  soldier.     William  Hooker  was  a  rev- 
olutionary   soldier,    and    his    son,    Thomas 
Hooker,  sr.,  was  a  soldier  of   the    war  of 
181 2.     Thomas  Hooker,  sr.,  was  an   early 
settler    of    middle     Tennessee,    and    there 
reared  most  of  his  children,  of  whom  there 
were  seven.    He  and  famil}'  came  to  Indiana 
in  18 1 5,  and  settled  in  what   is  now   Center 
township.     Thomas  Hooker,  jr.,  was  but  a 
small  bov  when  this  settlement  was  made. 
He  was  raised  to  farming  as   an  occupation. 
He    was    married    in    this    county   to    Miss 
Mariette  Eaton,  and  five  children  were  born 
to  them,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and 


four  still  live,  by  names:  Ophelia,  Henry  H.' 
Madison  and  Monroe.     Henry  H.   Hooker 
was  but  a  small  boy  when  his  parents   were 
called  away  in  death,  and  since  early  life  he 
has  been  left  to  fight  his  own  battle.     He 
was    homeless    and    drifted    from   place    to 
place,  working  at  whatever  farm  work  he 
could  secure.     Meanwhile   he  attended  the 
country    schools,    supporting     himself  with 
the  earnintrs  srained  in  the  summer  seasons. 
By  close  application  to  his  studies,  he  gained 
a  fair  common  school  education,  and  at  the 
age  of  nineteen  years  began  the  profession 
of  school  teaching,  and  for  six  years  contin- 
ued to  teach  in  the   schools  of  Vanderburgh 
and  Warrick    counties.      Subsequently    he 
took    up   the   study  of    medicine,    reading 
with  Thomas  Runcie,  M.  D.,  once  a  promi- 
nent   physician    of     Vanderburgh     county. 
Later  he  entered  the  Rush  Medical  College 
at  Chicago,  and  attended   two   full   courses. 
In    1864    he    located    at  Pleasantville,  Ind., 
and  began    the   practice   of  the  profession. 
Here   he    continued    to    practice   for    about 
three  years,  and  then  removed  to  Elberfield, 
Ind.,    and    had  there  an  active   practice   for 
a  period  of  about  sixteen  years,  afterward 
locating  where    he    now    resides,    in    Scott 
township.       He  has  throughout  life   had  a 
large    practice    and    has   been    remarkably 
successful.       In    1864    he    was     united    in 
marriage  with  Miss  Mary  H.  Headen,  born 
in  Ireland  in  1843.     The  marriage  occurred 
in  Vanderburgh  county  whither  Mrs.  Hooker 
and  parents  came  in  1846.      Their  children 
are :  Brainard,  Sherry,  Maggie,  Mabel,  Kit- 
tie,  DeKress,  Ross  and  Annie.  Mr.  Hooker 
is  in  the  best   sense  self-made,    and    is    re- 
garded as  a  representative  citizen.     He  is  a 
master  Mason  of  Evansville  lodge,  Xo.  64. 
In  politics  he  is  a  republican. 

J.  W.  Know'les  was  born  in  Scott  town- 
ship, Vanderburgh  county,  Ind.,  December 
26,  1832,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Mary  Ann 


590 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Knowles.  The  father  was  born  in  Kent 
county,  Encrland,  December  14,  1802,  and 
died  in  Vanderburgh  county,  Januar}'  27, 
1873.  The  mother  was  born  in  Hampshire, 
England,  on  November  16,  1794,  and  died 
in  Vanderburgh  county,  October  6,  1868. 
Her  marriage  with  Charles  Knowles  oc- 
curred about  1825.  She  was  at  the  time 
the  widow  of  George  Potts,  with  whom  she 
had  been  united  in  marriage  some  six  years 
previous,  and  whose  death  occurred  in  1824. 
The  father  of  our  subject  came  to  Vander- 
burgh county,  in  1822,  and  thereafter  con- 
tinued in  the  county,  residing  in  Scott  town- 
ship, following  farming  for  an  occupation. 
His  marriage  resulted  in  the  birth  of  Charles, 
Eliza,  Jame;  Edward,  Joseph  W.,  Ellen  J. 
and  Edmond  M.  All  are  living  except  the 
youngest,  who  lost  his  life  in  the  late  rebel- 
lion, in  which  he  was  serving  as  a  captain  in 
the  Union  army.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  educated  in  the 
country  schools.  He  has  devoted  his  life  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  in  which  he  has  been 
successful.  January  r,  1857,  he  wedded : 
Mary  Ann  Peck,  daughter  of  John  and  Es- 
ther Peck.  Mrs.  Knowles  was  born  in 
Scott  township,  July  31,  1835.  This  mar- 
riage has  been  blessed  by  five  children,  of 
whom  four  are  living:  Clara,  born  Novem- 
ber 18,  1857:  Charles  A.,  born  August  18, 
1859;  John  R.,  August  12,  1861;  Ger- 
trude, October  20,  1863.  Mr.  Knowles  is 
in  politics  a  warm  republican.  During  the 
civil  war  he  served  as  a  home  guard. 

James  and  Mary  (Lockyear)  Maid- 
low  were  both  natives  of  England,  and 
came  to  America  and  located  in  Scott  town- 
ship in  181S.  Unto  their  marriage  were 
born  the  following  offspring:  James,  Henry, 
George,  Mar}'  Ann,  William,  Salina,  Ed- 
mond, John  Spencer  and  Emma.  The  fa- 
ther was  called  away  in  1S51,  aged  eighty- 
seven  3'ears,  and  the   mother  died  in  1822, 


aged  sixty-two  years.     John  Spencer  Maid- 
low  was  born  in  Hampshire,  England,  April 
7,  1803,   and    died   in    this    count}'   April  7, 
1852.     He  came    with    his    parents    to   this 
county  in    1818,  and  in    1824  was   united  in 
marriage  with   Barbara  Hornbrook,  born  in 
Devonshire,     England,  June    6,    1803,    and 
died  in  this  county  August  26,  1865.    Their 
marriage  gave    to  them  the  foUowmg  chil- 
dren:   Mary,    Henry,    Sarah    Ann,    Phillip, 
Edward,    Elizabeth,   James,    Emma  Salina, 
Anne,  Alice,   Edmond,   Alfred  Spencer  and 
Charles  W.     Henry  Maidlow  was  born  in 
Scott  township,  January  28,  1827,  and  is  the 
oldest  son    among    the  above   named    chil- 
dren.    He  was   reared  on   a   farm,  and  re- 
ceived a  fair   education    for  his    day.     His 
life      has      been      devoted      to      farming, 
in      which      he      has      achieved      success.' 
January    11,    1849,    '^'^    wedded     Elizabeth 
Earl,  daughter  of    John  and   Mary    (Cran- 
fiekl)    Earl,    born    in    this    county  Septem- 
ber 10,  1830.     They  have  had  the  following 
children:      John     Earl    (deceased);    Leslie 
James,  born  January  15,  1852;  Eliza  Alice, 
born     December    9,    1853;    William    Earl, 
born  December    16,   1855;   Sarah  Mariah, 
born  January      31,    1858;     Emma    Salina, 
born  March     16,     i860;  Mary   Ann,   born 
April  24,  1863;  Kate    Ellen,    born  June    8, 
1866;    Fannie    Avis,    born   April  6,    1869; 
Richard   Henry,    born    October    26,    1872, 
and  Elizabeth  Susan,  born  January  18,  1S75; 
Edward  Maidlow,  the  third    son  of  John 
Spencer  and  Barbara  Maidlow,  was  born  in 
Scott    township,    November    12,   1S31,   and 
was  reared  and   educated  on  the   farm,  and 
his  entire  life  has  been  devoted  to  agriculture. 
In  1870,  June  12,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Matilda  Jane  Ruston,  daughter  of  Ed- 
win Ruston,  a  native  of  England.     She  was 
born  in  this  count\-,  January  21,   1851.     The 
fruit  of  their  marriage  has  been  the  follow- 
ing:      Sarah    Ellen,    born    May    14,    1871; 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


S91 


Thomas  Edward,  born  January  22,  1875; 
Florence,  born  March  27,  1877,  and  Irene 
Bertha,  born  December  23,  1879. 
Charles  W.  Maidlow,  the  ^-oungest  son 
of  John  Spencer  Maidlow,  was  born 
in  this  county  November  10,  1851,  and 
was  also  reared  on  the  farm.  His  early 
schooling  was  received  in  the  country 
schools,  and  at  Racine  College,  Wiscon- 
sin, he  completed  a  practical  education. 
Farming  has  been  his  chosen  occupation. 
November  25,  1873,  he  wedded  Eugenia 
Jarred,  born  in  this  county,  July  7)  1853. 
B}^  her  he  had  two  children:  Charles  E., 
born  October  31,  1S74,  and  Dora  E.,  born 
October  13,  1876.  Their  mother  died  Maj- 
6,  1879,  and  on  November  21,  1880,  their 
father  married  Martha  E.  Short,  daughter 
of  Lewis  W.  and  Lucinda  (Kirkpatrick) 
Short.  Martha  E.  was  born  in  Illinois,  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1859.  This  second  marriage  has 
resulted  in  the  birth  of  three  children;  Wil- 
bern,  born  September  6,  1881;  Clarence, 
born  March  23,  1884,  and  Lucinda,  born 
October  6,   1885. 

William  D.  Miller  was  born  in  Gibson 
county,  Ind.,  May  5,  i860,  the  son  of  Jacob 
and  Margaret  (Winkleman)  Miller.  The 
parents  were  born  in  Germany,  the  father  in 
1813  and  the  mother  in  1826;  both  died  in 
Gibson  county,  Ind.,  he  in  1867,  she  in  1873. 
The  father  came  to  America  about  1830, 
the  mother  in  1847.  Shorth-  after  their 
coming  to  America,  they  settled  in  Vander- 
burgh count}-,  where  their  marriage  took 
place.  This  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  the 
following  children:  Mar}-,  Carrie  (deceased), 
Annie,  Lizzie  and  William  D.  (twins).  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  youngest  of 
these  children,  and  when  he  was  but  seven 
years  old  his  father  was  called  away  in 
death.  His  father  was  a  tailor  by  trade,  and 
up  to  one  yciw  prior  to  his  death  lived  in 
town;    thus  the  childhood  of  William    was 


spent  in  town.  When  his  father  left  town 
he  removed  to  a  farm  in  Gibson  county, 
and  thereafter  his  home  was  on  a  farm  up 
to  the  age  of  twenty  years.  He  received  a 
common  school  education  in  the  country 
schools.  When  he  was  thirteen  years  old 
his  mother  died  and  he  was  left  to  the  mer- 
cies of  the  world;  his  home  was  here  and 
there,  and  up  to  the  age  of  twenty  years  he 
worked  by  the  day  at  farm  work.  On 
reaching  the  above  age,  he  obtained  em- 
plo3ment  in  the  railroad  office  at  Patoka, 
Ind.;  and  here  he  assisted  eighteen 
months,  becoming  actjuainted  with  the  office 
work,  and  learning  telegraph}'.  In  July, 
1882,  he  was  made  depot  agent  and  tele- 
graph operator  at  Inglefield  for  the  E.  &  T. 
H.  R.  R.  Co.,  which  position  he  has  since 
held.  He  is  also  the  agent  for  the  Adams 
express  company  at  that  point.  In  1884  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  Joseph  Ruston, 
and  began  merchandising  at  Inglefield.  Sub- 
sequently he  purchased  Ruston's  interest, 
and  is  now  the  only  merchant  at  Inglefield. 
He  is  also  engaged  in  the  buying  of 
grain.  In  March,  1884,  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  at  Inglefield,  and  holds  the  posi- 
tion now.  He  is  a  practical  business  man, 
shrewd,  energetic  and  prosperous.  In 
October,  1886,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Mattie  Rowland,  born  July  27,  1866, 
daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Laura  Rowland. 
Her  father  was  born  in  Cumberland  county, 
Ky.,  May  4,  1833,  the  son  of  Wade  and 
Winnie  (Murphy)  Rowland.  Mr.  Rowland 
was  reared  in  Kentucky.  Soon  after  reach- 
ing his  majority  he  removed  to  Warrick 
county,  and  there  married  Laura  Bush, 
March  12,  1856.  She  was  born  in  Illinois, 
November  14,  1839,  the  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Sally  (Simmerman)  Bush.  Mr. 
Rowland  and  wife  have  had  the  following 
children:  Dora,  Wade,  William,  Grant  and 
Mattie.     Mr.  and    Mrs.   Rowland  came    to 


592 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


this  township  in  1865,  where  he  has  followed 
farming'. 

William  Peck  was  a  native  of  England, 
and  emigrated  to  America  in  1820,  and 
settled  at  Evansville.  He  was  the  father  of 
the  following  children :  Elizabeth,  Sarah, 
Martha  and  John.  John  Peck  was  born  in 
England  in  1800,  and  died  in  this  county  in 
1845.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  In 
1832  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Esther 
Marshall,  and  the  marriage  was  blessed  by 
the  birth  of  Mary  Ann,  John  W.  and 
Nancy  C.  (deceased).  John  W.  Peck  was 
born  in  this  county  September  7,  1837. 
He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in 
the  district  schools.  He  began  farming  at  an 
early  age  and  devoted  his  life  to  the  calling, 
excepting  a  period  of  three  years'  service  in 
the  United  States  army.  In  August,  1862, 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  F, 
Fourth  Indiana  cavalry,  and  was  mustered 
out  of  the  service  in  July,  1865.  After 
the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  his  na- 
tive county,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
In  1870  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Ann  Bower,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Lu- 
cinda  Bower.  Mrs.  Peck  was  born  in 
Scott  township  in  1842.  Her  marriage  has 
been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  the  following: 
Thomas  William,  Gertrude,  John  F.,  Rob- 
ert and  Albert  (deceased).  In  politics  Mr. 
Peck  is  a  decided  republican.  In  the  spring 
of  1872  he  was  elected  as  trustee  of  Scott 
township,  and  afterward  served  four  terms 
of  two  years  each.  He  is  not  a  member  of 
any  church,  but  is  of  Methodist  inclination. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  a 
representative  citizen. 

John  G.  Potts,  one  of  the  best  known 
farmers  and  citizens  of  V^anderburgh  county, 
was  born  in  Scott  township,  October  14, 
1824,  the  son  of  George  and  Mary  Ann 
(Maidlow)  Potts.  The  father  was  born  in 
Lancashire,  England,  came   to    America   in 


181 7,  and  located  in  this  county,  purchasing 
the  homestead  on  which  the  son  resides. 
He  was  married  in  this  county  in  1820,  to 
Mary  Ann  Maidlow,  born  in  Hampshire, 
England.  She  came  to  this  county  in  1819. 
She  had  by  this  marriage  three  children; 
Ellen  (deceased),  Emma  (deceased),  and 
John  G.  Mr.  Potts  was  born  shortly  after 
the  death  of  his  father,  but  the  widowed 
mother  continued  on  the  old  homestead 
where  the  son  was  reared.  The  mother  was 
wedded  later  by  Charles  Knowles.  Subse- 
quently and  after  John  G.  had  reached  his 
majorit}',  he  took  possession  of  the  home- 
stead in  the  main,  and  here  has  since  en- 
gaged in  farming.  In  this  he  has  been 
successful,  due  to  his  untiring  energy  and 
perseverance.  In  the  fall  of  185 1,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Susan  Stephens, 
daughter  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth  Stephens. 
She  was  born  in  Dartmouth,  England, 
March  22,  1S22.  She  and  a  brother 
emigrated  to  America  in  1849,  and 
located  in  this  county,  where  their  uncle  and 
aunt,  James  and  Esther  (Weeks)  Cawson, 
had  settled  in  1818.  The  latter  emigrated 
to  America  the  year  previous,  and  were  de- 
tained in  Pennsylvania  during  the  winter  of 
1817-18  by  being  ice-bound.  In  the  spring 
the  ice  broke  up,  and  an  ice  gorge  destroyed 
their  boat,  and,  in  consequence,  much  of 
their  effects  were  lost.  A  second  boat  was 
constructed  and  then  set  afloat.  In  the 
same  year  they  landed  at  Evansville,  and 
made  their  settlement  in  Scott  township, 
where  they  continued  for  a  number  of  years, 
dying  in  this  county-  eventually.  Yet  they 
made  several  removals,  visiting  their  native 
country  (England)  in  later  life.  A  short 
time  after  Miss  Stephens  and  her  brother 
came  to  this  countr}-,  she  was  married  to 
Mr.  Potts.  To  them  have  been  born  four 
children:  Esther,  Edith,  John  and  Cawson. 
Only  the  first  and  last  are  livmg.     In  politics 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


593 


Mr.  Potts  is  a  republican.  For  twelve 
j-ears  he  has  served  as  trustee  of  Scott 
township. 

Simpson  Ritchey  was  born  in  North 
Carolina,  the  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth 
(Simpson)  Ritchey,  natives  of  Ireland,  who 
emiiirated  to  America  some  time  prior  to 
the  American  revolution,  in  which  struggle 
James  Ritchey  was  a  soldier  from  the  begin- 
ning to  the  end.  To  James  and  Elizabeth 
Ritchey  were  born  the  following:  Adam, 
James,  Simpson,  John,  William,  and  Mary 
and  Isabella.  On  coming  to  America  these 
parents  made  their  first  settlement  in  North 
Carolina,  but  after  peace  had  been  declared, 
the  family  removed  to  east  Tennessee  and 
settled  at  Knoxville,  where  they  remained  a 
short  time;  later,  they  went  into  Kentucky, 
and  finally  the  parents  removed  to  Arkansas, 
where  thej'  died.  The  third  son,  Simpson 
Ritchey,  was  married  in  Livingston  county, 
Ky.,  to  Mary  Bowling,  a  native  of  Maryland. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Alexander  and 
Patsie  (Williams)  Bowling,  he  a  native  of 
Scotland  and  she  of  Wales.  They  emi- 
grated to  America  a  short  time  pre\'ious  to 
the  revolution  and  settled  on  the  frontier  of 
Maryland,  where  their  daughter  Mary  was 
born.  Later  this  family  came  to  Kentuck}-, 
and  here  Simpson  Ritchey  and  Mary 
were  married.  This  union  gave  them 
the  following  children:  Simpson,  William, 
Wesley,  Orilla,  Franklin  and  James,  all  of 
whom  are  dead  but  William.  Simpson 
Ritchey  and  wife,  and  the  first  two  children, 
removed,  from  Kentucky  to  Indiana,  Octo- 
ber 14,  1812.  The  family  joined  the  Mc- 
Callister  settlement,  above  the  present  site 
of  Evansville.  Subsequently  removals  were 
made,  and  eventually  the  father  and  mother 
became  citizens  of  Gibson  count}-,  where 
their  deaths  occurred.  William  Ritchey 
was  born  in  Livingston  county,  Ky.,  in 
1810,  July  3,  and  was  but  a  little  over  two 


3'ears  old  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
this  county.  April  18,  1840,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Nancy  Rodgers,  daughter 
of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Marquess)  Rodg- 
ers; he  was  of  Irish  descent  and  she  of 
French.  Mrs.  Ritchey  was  born  in  this 
county  March  18,  1820,  and  died  in  the 
count}^  March  17,  1SS3.  She  gave  birth  to 
the  following  children:  Orilla,  James  S., 
Elizabeth  (deceased),  Mary  (deceased), 
Newton,  Lucian,  Matilda,  Martha,  Nancy, 
Alice,  William,  Robert,  Anne,  Thomas, 
Julia  Ann  (deceased),  and  two  oth- 
ers who  died  early.  William  Ritchey 
has  followed  farming  for  an  occupation,  and 
his  life  has  been  one  of  industry  and  hon- 
esty. He  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  re- 
spected citizens  of  Vanderburgh  county. 
He  has  always  been  active  in  politics,  first 
as  a  whig,  then  as  a  republican.  Jame.s  S. 
Ritchey,  a  son  of  William  R.,  was  born  in 
Armstrong  township,  April  4,  1841.  March 
19,  1863,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Mary  Dale}',  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Phoebe  Dale}-,  both  of  Kentucky  origin. 
Mrs.  Ritchey  was  born  in  Daviess  county, 
Ind.,  January  i,  1844.  To  tJiem  has  been 
born  one  child,  Charles  Lincoln,  born  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1864.  Soon  after  his  marriage, 
Mr.  Ritchey  settled  on  his  present  home- 
stead, in  section  4,  of  Scott  township,  and 
here  has  been  a  successful  farmer.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ritchie  are  members  of  the  Free 
Methodist  church.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican. 

Richard  Ruston  was  born  in  Cam- 
bridgeshire, England,  in  1820,  where  in  1840, 
he  wedded  Jane  Laws,  also  a  native  of  that 
shire,  born  in  1820.  While  they  remained 
in  England,  they  had  ^w^  children:  George, 
Emma,  Ann,  Jane  and  Elizabeth.  In  1852 
the  family  emigrated  to  the  United  States, 
and  on  January  7  of  the  next  year  landed  at 
Evansville.     They  went  into  Scott  township 


5H 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


in  the  same  year  and  made  a  settlement. 
After  remaining  one  year,  they  moved  to 
Warrick  county,  where  they  stayed  four 
years,  and  then  returned  to  Scott  township, 
since  when  the  homes  of  the  family  have 
been  in  this  county.  Five  other  children 
were  born  to  them  in  this  country:  Susan, 
Sarah,  Thomas,  Joseph  (deceased),  and 
Hannah.  The  mother  lived  to  see  all  her 
children  grown,  and  was  laid  to  rest,  her 
death  occurring  in  the  fall  of  1878.  The 
father  survives,  a  respected  resident  of 
Evansville.  His  active  da3's  were  spent  so 
wisely  and  prudently,  that  although  unaided 
by  anything  but  his  own  industrious  habits, 
he  is  able  to  spend  old  age  in  comfort,  con- 
gratulating himself  on  having  raised  to  man- 
hood and  womanhood  a  family  worthy  of 
and  holding  the  esteem  and  neighborly  affec- 
tion of  a  wide  circle  of  friends.  George 
RusTiN,  who  was  born  in  Cambridgeshire, 
England,  October  17,  1843,  was  but  nine 
years  old  when  his  parents  set  sail  for  Amer- 
ica. Consequently  much  of  his  childhood 
was  spent  in  this  state,  and  much  of  his  edu- 
cation received  in  our  common  schools.  He 
chose  agriculture  as  his  occupation  and  has 
followed  it  very  successfully.  In  1875  he 
was  married  to  Caroline  Emma  Peck, 
daughter  of  Richard  and  Mary  Ann  Peck, 
born  in  this  count}'  February  3,  1847.  The}' 
have  three  children,  Percival  Edgerton,  and 
Albert  Leroy  and  Alfred  Lambert,  the  lat- 
ter twins. 

John  Ruston,  one  of  the  best-known 
farmers  of  this  township,  is  a  son  of  John 
Ruston,  who  was  born  in  Cambridgeshire, 
England,  March  5,  1814.  The  latter. was 
the  son  of  Richard  and  Mary  (Farmer) 
Ruston,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1853, 
and  afterward  passed  their  lives  in  Scott 
township.  The  husband  died  April  i,  1857, 
and  the  wife  April  21st  of  the  same  year, 
and  both  lie  at  rest  in  the  Hornby  grave- 


yard. Their  children's  names  were  Robert, 
John,  Elizabeth,  Edward,  Richard,  Daniel, 
Farmer,  and  Mary  C.  The  senior  John 
Ruston  was  raised  on  the  farm  in  England 
and  followed  the  occupation  to  which  he  was 
bred.  In  1838  he  was  married  in  England 
to  Mary  Svvanson,  also  a  native  of  Cam- 
bridgeshire, born  September,  181 4.  In 
1840  they  emigrated  to  America  with  the 
child  they  then  had,  Emma,  and  arrived  at 
Evansville  January  i,  1841.  In  the  same 
year  they  settled  in  Scott  township.  In  this 
country  the  following  children  were  born 
to  them:  John,  Cliarles,  Harriet,  Ann,  and 
James.  All  the  children  are  deceased  but 
John,  Emma,  and  Harriet.  The  daughters 
live  in  Kansas.  The  mother  died  September 
29,  1877,  and  the  father  February  17,  1886, 
and  both  are  buried  in  Oak  cemetery. 
John  Ruston,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  July  7, 
1841.  He  was  married  January  17,  1866,  to 
Ann,  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Catherine 
Park,  born  December  10,  1844.  They  have 
two  children,  Charles  Alfred,  born  January 
28,  1867,  and  Maggie,  born  February  10, 
1869. 

John  Sansom  was  born  in  Huntingdon- 
shire, England,  March  4,  i8io,  and  is  the 
son  of  William  and  Elinor  (Saunders)  San- 
som. Mr.  Sansom  was  reared  in  his  native 
country,  where  he  received  a  limited  educa- 
tion by  attending  night  school.  At  the  age 
of  twenty  years  he  determined  on  emigrat- 
ing to  America,  and  accordingly  came  to 
the  United  States  in  the  year  1830,  locating 
in  the  same  year  in  Vanderburgh  county. 
Subsequently  he  purchased  at  different 
times,  two  tracts  of  government  land  which 
he  still  owns.  He  has  become  an  extensive 
landholder  and  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous 
men  of  the  county.  May  4,  1832,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Eliza  Elliott,  a 
native  of  England,  born  in  181 1.  This 
marriage  resulted  in    the    birth    of  fourteen 


SCOTT  TOWNSHIP. 


595 


children,  and  the  mother  was  called  away 
in  death.  In  1853  Mr.  Sansom  paid  his  na- 
tive land  a  visit  of  some  si.\  months'  dura- 
tion and  then  returned  to  this  country  and 
since  has  continued  on  his  farm  in  Scott 
township.  In  1874  Mr.  Sansom  married  for 
a  second  wife  Sarah  Pickett,  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, born  in  1821.  Mr.  Sansom  throughout 
life  has  been  a  democrat.  In  the  early  history 
of  Scott  township  he  served  as  a  school 
trustee  for  several  3'ears.  He  is  not  a  mem- 
ber of  an\-  church,  yet  is  of  the  "  Hard- 
Shell"  Baptist  persuasion.  He  has  ever 
taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  preservation  of 
the  history  of  his  community,  and  relates 
some  interesting  reminiscences.  He  has  a 
bureau  made  of  lumber  from  walnut  trees 
which  grew  from  nuts  he  planted  himself. 
Mr.  Sansom  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  best 
known  citizens  of  Scott  township. 

Samuel  Scott  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  was  married  in  that  state.  In  an  earh- 
day  he  came  west  and  settled  in  Kentucky, 
and  as  early  as  1817,  came  to  Vanderburgh 
county  and  settled  in  section  17,  of  what  is 
now  called  Scott  township,  which  township 
was  so  named  in  his  honor.  He  was  the 
father  of  the  following  children:  Mary, 
Eliza,  Lizzie,  Grandville,  Maria,  Jane  and 
Washington,  all  of  whom  are  deceased. 
Samuel  Scott  was  the  builder  of  the  first 
house  in  Scott  township.  He  lived  to  be 
quite  aged,  and  lost  his  life  while  making  a 
"fiat-boat  trip"  to  New  Orleans.  Grand- 
\TLLE  Scott,  the  elder  of  his  sons,  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  October  20,  1813,  and 
was  but  a  boy  when  his  parents  came  to  this 
county.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  fol- 
lowed farming  for  an  occupation.  He  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Ann  Farr,  Mav  14, 
1836.  She  was  a  native  of  Pennsjlvania,  born 
September  5,  181 4,  the  daughter  of  George 
Farr,  an  early  settler  of  Vanderburgh  county. 
Her    marriage    with    Grandville    Scott   was 


blessed  by  the  birth  of  the  following  child- 
ren: Lavina,  Lizzie,  Edward  (deceased), 
Washington  (deceased), Samuel  (deceased), 
Richard,  Winfield,  Abbie,  Cornelia  (de- 
ceased). The  only  children  now  living  in 
the  countv  arc  Richard  and  Abbie.  Their 
mother  was  called  away  in  death,  Septem- 
ber 3,  1861,  and  their  father  July  11,  1867. 
Richard  Scott,  who  occupies,  with  his 
sister  Abbie,  the  old  homestead,  is  one  of 
the  representative  farmers  of  the  township. 
He  was  born  in  the  township  September 
26,  1848.  He  owns  over  200  acres  of 
land,  of  which  about  100  are  under  culti- 
vation. In  politics  he  is  a  democrat. 
Washington  Jackson  Scott  was  born  in 
this  county,  February  12,  1820,  the  younger 
of  the  sons  of  Samuel  Scott.  He  died  May 
19,  1886,  in  Scott  township,  his  birth  place. 
He  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  that  was  his 
vocation  during  life.  He  was  married 
February  15,  1848,  to  Delia  Ann  Jarred, 
born  August  21,  1829,  died  November  21, 
1854,  daughter  of  Samuel  Jarred,  an  early 
settler  of  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scott 
had  the  following  children:  James  Wash- 
ington (died),  Mary  Ann,  Eliza  Jane,  Delia 
Ann,  and  Sarah  Elizabeth. 

John  C.  Staser,  at  one  time  one  of  the 
most  prominent  farmers  in  Vanderburgh 
county,  was  born  in  Baden,  German}',  No- 
vember 6,  i8i2.  His  father,  John  Fred- 
erick Staser,  was  a  farmer,  and  in  the  year 
181 7,  with  his  wife  and  two  sons,  Conrad 
and  John  C,  came  to  Indiana.  They  were 
Germans,  and  could  not  understand  the 
Englisii  tongue.  In  Evansville,  then  a  very 
small  village,  they  found  but  one  person  who 
could  talk  in  their  native  language.  They 
remained  but  a  short  time  in  Vanderburjih 
county,  and  decided  to  move  to  Harmony, 
in  Posey  county,  there  to  join  the  German 
socialists.  This  action  was  necessitated 
by    the    fact    that    they    found    themselves 


506 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


nearly  destitute  of  means  and  out  of  employ- 
ment. In  1818  the  family  returned  to  this 
count}^  and  after  a  residence  of  nine  years 
in  Union  township,  the  elder  Staser  settled 
upon  a  tract  of  land  he  had  entered  in  Scott 
township,  about  nine  miles  north  of  E%-ans- 
ville,  where  he  remained  until  about  1850. 
He  was  a  successful  pioneer  farmer  and  a 
fine  t^vpe  of  the  German  citizen  of  that  day, 
industrious,  thrifty,  cordial  and  hospitable. 
His  death  occurred  in  1863.  Conrad  Staser 
was  a  prominent  man,  well  known  through- 
out the  county,  and  for  a  time  occupied  the 
office  of  county  judge.  John  C.  Staser, 
the  younger  of  the  two  brothers,  grew  to 
manhood  amid  the  stern  hardships  of  life  in 
the  woods  in  pioneer  days.  He  was  with- 
out the  simplest  educational  advantages,  his 
entire  youth  being  spent  in  the  various  forms 
of  hard  labor  incident  to  clearin<r  and 
cultivating  the  fields.  In  1837,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Margaret  Clinton,  daughter 
of  Jonathan  Clinton,  of  Warrick  county,  and 
after  his  marriage  his  wife  taught  him  to 
read.  He  possessed  considerable  natural 
ability,  a  retentive  memory,  and  quick  per- 
ceptions. By  dint  of  his  own  persistent 
efforts  he  became  well  informed.  He  had 
a  special  fondness  for  legal  learning,  and 
unaided  became  sufficiently  versed  in  law  to 
try  cases  in  the  county  and  justice's  courts. 
As  a  farmer  he  was  thrifty  and  successful. 
At  one  time  he  owned  about  1,500 
acres  of  land.  He  was  always  ener- 
getic, watchful  and  shrewd.  He  was  tli5r- 
oughly  familiar  with  the  lands  in  Scott  and 
adjoining  townships,  and  when  the  great 
influx  of  German  immigrants  occurred  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  thirties,  he  did  much  to 
mold  their  settlement.  Many  sought  his 
advice  and  assistance,  on  account  of  which 
he  became  an  acknowledged  leader  among 
the  German  population  of  that  section  of 
the  county.     His  life  was  comparatively  un- 


eventful, his  energies  being  devoted  to  the 
development  of  his  estate,  which  at  his 
death  amounted  to  at  least  $150,000.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Staser  had  ten  children — four 
boys  and  six  girls.  The  sons  are  all  living; 
three  of  the  daughters  are  deceased.  His 
death  occurred  March  10,  1886;  that  of  his 
wife  nearly  twent}- years  earlier,  April,  1866. 
John  C.  Staser,  a  prominent  j'oung 
farmer  of  Scott  township,  was  born  in  Van- 
derburgh county,  November  8,  1857,  and  is 
the  son  of  John  and  Margaret  Staser,  above 
mentioned.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  country  schools.  He  chose 
agriculture  as  his  vocation,  and  remained 
with  his  father  until  the  latter  was  called 
away  by  death,  and  then  he  received  posses- 
sion of  the  homestead.  October  19,  1885, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Margaret 
Major,  who  was  born  in  this  county,  June  i, 
i867-  ^^-  Staser  is  an  enterprising  and 
progressive  young  man,  and  much  respected. 
In  politics  he  is  an  ardent  democrat. 

William  Schomburg,  the  present  trustee 
of  Scott  township,  was  born  in  that  town- 
ship October  18,  1858,  the  son  of  Christian 
and  Charlotte  (Lipking)  Schomburg.  The 
father  was  born  in  Germany  in  1824,  and 
died  in  Vanderburgh  county  in  1882,  com- 
ing to  this  county  about  1850.  He  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation.  In  this  countv  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Charlotte  Lip- 
king,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in 
1826,  and  yet  living.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  six  children,  of  whom  four  are  living : 
Henry,  Christian,  William  and  Ferdinand. 
The  mother,  when  wedded  by  Christian 
Schomburg,  was  the  widow  of  Florence 
Buchenfield,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, and  who,  by  his  marriage  with  the 
mother  of  our  subject,  became  the  father  of 
two  children:  Frederick  and  Lewis.  Will- 
iam Schomburg  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
where  he  worked  as  a  youth,  and  where  the 


''^^-''^-^^-*-«--2-'-''J^  cC_-e_^_^  <i.^--?^ 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


599 


honest  and  industrious  efforts  of  his  man- 
hood have  been  successful  in  gaining  him  a 
support  in  life,  and  established  for  himself  a 
good  name  and  character.  He  was  married 
November  2,  1882,  wedding  Louisa  Froli- 
bieter,  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Ingel 
Frohbieter,  both  natives  of  German^'. 
She  was  born  in  Scott  township,  August  16, 
1859.  To  this  marriage  have  been  born 
two  children,  John,  born  September  20, 
1883,  and  Ola,  born  September  13,  1885. 
At  the  time  of  his  marriage  Mr.  Schomburg 
settled  down  where  he  now  lives  and  began 
farming  for  a  life  occupation.  He  began 
life  with  a  limited  capital,  and  now  owns 
eighty-one  acres  of  good  land.  In  the 
summer  of  1887,  by  accident  he  lost  his 
right  arm,  and  was  thus  disqualified  for 
farm  labor.  In  the  spring  election  of  1888, 
his  fellow-citizens  called  upon  him  to  till  the 
important  position  of  township  trustee,  and 
to  this  position  he  was  elected  in  April  of 
the  same  year.  He  is  a  man  of  clear  judg- 
ment, and  is  able  to  fill  the  office  with  credit. 
He  has  a  fair  German  education,  and 
although  he  attended  the  English  schools 
but  little,  he  reads  and  writes  the  English 
language,  and  is  generally  well  informed. 
He  is  a  warm  friend  to  education 
and  educational  interests,  as  all  in- 
telligent citizens  should  be.  In  politics 
he  is  a  democrat.  He  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church. 
Center  Township  was  organized  Septem- 
ber 6,  1843.  Originall}'  its  territory  was 
divided  between  the  ancient  townships  of 
Pigeon  and  Armstrong,  and  later  its  north- 
ern part  belonged  to  Scott  township,  and  for 
three  years  its  southern  part  to  Knight 
township,  as  at  first  constructed.  It  is  now 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Scott  township,  on 
the  east  by  Warrick  county,  on  the  south 
by  Knight  and  Pigeon  townships,  and  on  the 
west  by  Perry  and  German  townships.  Its 
35 


surface  is  hilly  and  the  soil  thin,  though,  by 
proper  cultivation,  productive.  The  south- 
ern border  is  swept  by  Pigeon  creek,  the 
largest  stream  traversing  the  interior  of  the 
count}'  of  Vanderburgh.  Other  smaller 
streams  are  found  among  its  hills,  chief  of 
them  being  Blue  Grass  creek,  so  named  by 
the  earliest  settlers,  who  found  blue  grass 
growing  about  its  vicinity.  To  this  da}'  a 
considerable  part  of  the  township  is  called 
"blue  grass  country."  Originally  the  entire 
township  was  heavily  timbered. 

Early  Settlers. —  In  the  spring  of  1808, 
the  progressive  pioneer,  James  Anthony, 
while  exploring  Pigeon  creek,  discovered 
what  he  considered  a  good  mill-seat,  and 
believing  in  the  early  and  rapid  settlement 
of  the  country,  proceeded  to  Vincennes, 
where,  on  July  28,  he  made  the  first  entry 
of  land  in  the  township.  His  mill  was  not 
built  until  1814,  and  whether  or  not  he  took 
up  his  residence  here  at  an  earlier  date  can 
not  be  determined.  It  was  not  until  iSio  or 
181 1,  that  settlers  came  in  with  the  intention 
of  making  this  new  country  their  homes  or 
becoming  freeholders,  and  of  establishing  a 
civilized  community  in  forests  where  still 
lingered  the  smoke  from  the  savage's  wig- 
wam, and  the  constant  howl  of  the  wolf. 

Among  the  first,  came  John  Sharer, 
Matthias  Whetstone,  George  Linxweiler, 
Absalom  Vann  and  Nathan  Young.  John 
Sharer,  with  rare  good  luck,  discovered 
what  was  later  known  as  the  Ingle  spring, 
and  near  there  raised  his  rude  cabin.  He 
at  once  cleared  a  garden  spot  and  cornfield, 
and  planted  a  peach  orchard,  which  in  a  few 
years  bore  e.xcellent  fruit.  He  was  a  "good 
citizen,  for  some  time  a  magistrate,  and  in  the 
later  years  of  his  life  a  part  owner 
of  the  Negley  grist-mill.  The  Matthias 
Whetstone  farm  on  the  old  Princeton  road 
a  short  distance  north  of  Mechanicsville,  in 
section    32,   wa§  a  w'ell   known   locality   in 


600 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


early  times.  For  many  years  the  residence 
there  was  kept  as  a  public-house  or  tavern- 
stand  and  became  justly  celebrated.  There 
were  three  brothers  of  the  elder  Whet- 
stones, David,  Matthias  and  Henr^^  The 
Vanns  and  Youngs  formed  a  part  of  the 
Whetstone  settlement.  They  were  all  Ken- 
tuckians,  and  valuable  pioneer  citizens. 
Peter,  a  son  of  David  Whetstone,  fell  into 
disgrace.  He  stole  a  horse,  was  appre- 
hended, examined  and  held  to  bail,  his  father 
becoming  his  suret}^.  When  court  met  Peter 
did  not  appear,  and  the  bond  was  forfeited. 
The  payment  of  the  forfeiture  completely 
ruined  David  Whetstone. 

George  Linxweiler,  the  progenitor  of  the 
large  and  well-known  family  of  that  name, 
and  one  of  the  first  Germans  to  migrate  to 
this  part  of  the  great  west,  who  landed  in 
Indiana  territory  opposite  the  mouth  of  Green 
river,  in  March,  1806,  and  for  a  time  lived 
on  the  widely  known  J.  B.  Stinson  farm  in 
Perr}-  township,  came  to  the  Whetstone 
settlement  in  iSii  and  there  founded  his 
home.  Industrious,  economical,  and  honor- 
able, he  at  once  gained  the  respect  of  the 
settlers  and  through  a  long  life  of  useful- 
ness  maintained  a  high  position  in  popular 
esteem.  His  sons,  William,  Christ,  and 
Isaac,  and  their  descendants,  have  been  con- 
spicuous in  developing  the  township  and 
county. 

To  the  south  of  this  settlement,  on  the 
high  hills  near  Pigeon  creek,  a  few  years 
later,  Thomas  Skelhorn  settled;  and  soon 
afterward  came  Jonathan  Goss.  This  place 
was  long  known  as  the  Skelhorn  hill.  Be- 
tween Skelhorn's  and  Whetstone's,  Ashley 
Stanfield  entered  land  and  built  his  humble 
home.  For  some  time  his  cabin  stood  soli- 
tary and  alone  in  all  that  section.  Then 
George  France  pushed  his  way  into  the 
wilderness  and  became  Stanfield's  neighbor. 
A    dozen  years  or  more  passed,  however, 


before  this  locality  struck  the  fancy  of  any 
other  settlers. 

From  the  oldest  states,  and  from  across 
the  sea,  came  enterprising  and  intelli- 
gent men  and  women.  Among  the  first 
of  these  were  D.  F.  Goldsmith  and 
Everton  Kennerly,  both  useful  and 
prominent  men  in  their  da}'^,  each  serv- 
ing as  county  commissioner  at  different 
times,  and  being  closely  connected  with  the 
public  affairs  of  the  county.  The  former 
built  the  first  court-house  in  Evansville,  and 
the  latter  was  well  known  as  a  faithful 
guardian  of  the  public  interests.  In  1S18, 
Judge  William  Olmstead  emigrated  from 
New  York,  and  David  Negley  from  Penn- 
sylvania. These  men  were  intelligent 
citizens,  and  did  nmch  to  give  tone  and  senti- 
ment to  society.  Judge  Olmstead  was  early 
called  to  the  bench  as  an  associate  justice, 
served  acceptably  as  county  commissioner, 
and  by  his  pure  and  wise  private  and  public 
life  rose  to  a  lofty  place  in  the  esteem  of 
his  countrymen.  Deacon  Negley,  as  he  was 
called,  soon  became  the  proprietor  of  the 
well-known  mill  site  on  Pi<reon  creek. 
Here  with  apparent  fitness,  a  few  words  of 
description  maj-  be  devoted  to  this  useful  in- 
stitution of  the  olden  times.  The  first  mill 
was  erected  by  James  Anthony,  as  early  as 
1S14.  This  was  a  rude  log  structure  about 
twent\-four  feet  square,  with  a  clapboard 
roof,  the  boards  being  pinned  on  with  wooden 
pegs  —  not  a  bit  of  iron  being  used  in  its 
construction.  One  side  of  the  house  rested 
on  posts  set  far  out  in  the  stream,  and  the 
other  on  the  edge  of  the  bank.  There  was 
one  run  of  buhrs  driven  by  an  undershot 
wheel  of  small  dimensions,  against  which  the 

water  was  turned  bv  a  little  los.  dam  vener- 
es & 

ally  in  bad  repair.  The  meal  produced  by 
this  mill  was  of  a  very  inferior  quality. 
Deacon  Negley  paid  $5,000  for  the  mill 
property,  the    favorable    location  being   the 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


601 


onlv  valuable  part  of  the  purchase.  Joel 
Lambert,  of  Henderson,  Ky.,  a  man  of 
means,  associated  himself  with  Mr.  Negley, 
and  they  soon  added  improvements  which 
became  a  great  help  to  the  surrounding 
countrv.  The  mill  was  the  centre  of  attrac- 
tion for  all  the  settlers  within  a  radius  of 
forty  miles.  Previous  to  its  operation,  set- 
tlers had  their  grinding  done  at  Red  Banks, 
or  resorted  to  the  old-fashioned  pestle  and 
mortar  to  pulverize  their  corn.  The  Neg- 
ley  mill  stood  for  many  years,  being  at  length 
destroyed  by  fire. 

Most  of  those  who  came  from  the  shires 
of  England  passed  on  to  Scott  township,  but 
the  good  influence  of  their  integrity  and  in- 
telligence spread  through  all  the  settlements. 
For  convenience  sake  most  of  the  settlers 
occupied  lands  along  the  state  road,  running 
from  Evansville  to  Princeton,  then  an  estab- 
lished highwav,  though  but  partially  c\it 
out.  The  first  to  push  to  the  eastward  and 
open  up  the  forests  away  from  the  road  was 
Charles  Mcjohnston,  the  elder,  a  progressive 
Irishman,  who,  in  1S19,  floated  his  boat  up 
Pigeon  creek,  and  landed  at  the  Skelhorn 
hill.  There  he  unloaded  his  household 
goods  and  farm  implements,  among  which 
were  two  wagons,  the  first  brought  to  this 
part  of  the  countrv.  After  looking  about 
for  a  desirable  location  he  settled  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  township, 
and  very  soon  thereafter  became  a  free- 
holder. He  acted  an  honorable  part  in  the 
early  history  of  the  county,  and  his  children 
and  his  children's  children  have  preserved  in 
honor  the  ancestral  name.  Charles  Mc- 
johnston, who  as  a  boy,  nine  years  of  age, 
came  with  his  father,  still  lives  on  the  lands 
which  in  those  early  days,  with  many  a 
sturdy  blow,  he  helped  to  rescue  from  their 
wild  state.  Near  Mcjohnston's,  to  the  south- 
ward, was  the  honie  of  William  Erskine, 
who  reached    the    countv  about  Christmas, 


1819,  with  his    three    sons,  John,  Andrew 
and  William,  and  one  daughter. 

About  this  time  came  Joshua  Stephens, 
a  tanner  by  trade,  who  afterward  be- 
came well  known  in  all  parts  of  the 
county.  In  about  two  years  thereafter  a 
brother  of  this  man,  Silas  Stephens,  a  sad- 
dler who  had  learned  his  trade  as  an  appren- 
ticed lad,  also  came  into  the  neighborhood, 
and  afterward  the  two  were  joined  by  their 
father,  David.  These  were  as  honorable 
and  clever  men  as  could  be  found.  They 
were  men  of  principle,  of  integrity,  and  of 
considerable  natural  ability,  but  without  the 
adornments  of  polite  education.  By  indus- 
try and  economy  they  rose  rapidly;  Silas  to 
the  bench  as  an  associate  justice,  and  Joshua 
to  a  high  place  in  the  affections  of  the  peo- 
ple. At  first  Joshua  conducted  a  tannery,, 
and  Silas  a  saddlery,  both  on  a  small  scale; 
they  enlarged  their  business  as  the  country 
grew  and  became  leading  citizens  and 
wealthy  men  for  their  day.  While  working 
at  his  bench  in  a  small  shop,  Silas  won  the 
affections  of  JuHa,  the  daughter  of  Gen. 
Evans,  whom  all  were  wont  to  praise  as  a 
sweet  character.  The  marriage  was  sol- 
emnized in  the  good  old-fashioned  way,  and 
the  "infair"  was  attended  by  all  the  leading 
people  of  the  day. 

The  first  settlers  in  Blue  Grass  were 
Alanson  Baldwin,  William  Patterson,  Cyrus 
Paul,  Gen.  Ramsey,  and  others  who  came 
in  about  1819.  They  were  all  from  New 
England,  and  composed  what  was  known  as 
the  Yankee  settlement.  They  were  intelli- 
gent, industrious  people,  all  of  them;  knew 
how  to  make  ax-handles,  cradles,  shingles, 
and  all  sorts  of  devices  to  add  to  the  com- 
fort of  frontier  life.  The  backwoodsmen 
had  not  been  used  to  the  many  contrivances 
devised  by  these  ingenious  Yankees  and 
looked  with  amazement  at  the  results  of 
their  work.     William  Blevans,  an   old-time 


602 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


shoemaker,  Davis  Bullock,  a  grand  rail- 
splitter,  Julius  Gibson,  a  successful  hunter, 
Parker  Aydelotte,  James  Russell,  Porter 
Fuller,  Sylvester  Boardman,  W.  C.  Osborn, 
Benjamin  F.  Barker,  Henry  Wagoner, 
Daniel  and  Zera  Fairchild,  Thomas  Ward, 
James  Collins,  E.  Waters,  S.  M.  Ross, 
Thomas  Hooker,  and  Eli  Higens  were 
among  the  pioneers  not  elsewhere  men- 
tioned, who  came  in  prior  to  1825. 
What  here  appears  shows  that  there  was 
quite  an  influx  of  people,  which  reached  its 
climax  about  1819,  and  then  subsided. 
There  was  a  great  run  after  land,  and  in  a 
year  or  two  buyers  regretted  their  pur- 
chases. Hard  times  followed,  and  the  era 
of  cut  money  came  on  with  that  distress 
which  forms  a  part  of  the  general  history  of 
the  county.  Settlers  poured  in  rapidly  from 
all  quarters  soon  after  the  general  improve- 
ment plans  of  1835-6.  Land  speculators 
bought  large  bodies  of  land,  chief  of  these 
being  Robert  Barnes  and  Francis  Amor}-. 
This  inrushing  of  people  was  the  final  act  in 
the  complete  settlement  of  Center  township. 
Among  those  who  came  at  an  earl}-  day, 
and  yet  not  among  the  first,  who  have 
wielded  an  influence  for  good,  and  have  oc- 
cupied an  honorable  place  in  the  community, 
are  the  McCutchans,  Knowlses,  Brodies, 
Mofflts  and  many  others. 

Early  Industries,  Gciiiics,  etc.  —  Depart- 
ures from  primitive  methods  of  husbandry 
were  very  slowly  made  during  the  first 
years  of  the  new  west's  history.  Up  to 
1830  the  farmers  of  Center  township  sent 
to  New  Harmony  to  procure  plows  to  break 
their  lands.  The  establishment  of  Presley 
Pritchett's  blacksmith  shop  in  Evansville, 
and  of  Col.  Seth  Fairchild's  in  Mechanics- 
ville,  were  great  improvements  in  the 
county,  but  it  was  some  time  before  all 
wants  of  this  kind  were  conveniently  sup- 
pHed.     New  Harmony  was  also  the  favor- 


ite resort  for  those  who  had  wool  to  be 
carded.  The  German  socialists  there  were 
progressive  and  ingenious  enough  to  have 
these  valuable  improvements.  There  were 
no  cotton  gins  in  the  country  until  Nicholas 
Robinson,  of  Big  Creek  in  Gibson  county, 
put  up  one.  That  of  Saunders  Hornbrook, 
in  Scott  township,  w-as  the  first  and  perhaps 
the  only  one  in  this  immediate  vicinity.  The 
first  horse-mill  was  built  by  Charles 
Mcjohnston  some  time  prior  to  1830.  In 
this  township  in  early  days  there  were  no 
industries  pursued  aside  from  farming  ex- 
cept a  tannery,  the  Negley  mill  already  de- 
scribed, and  some  still  houses.  The  making 
of  whiskey  became  quite  an  industry.  The 
market  for  corn  was  limited,  and  the  distil- 
lers offered  better  prices  than  the  mer- 
chants and  traders.  Up  to  1825  the  woods 
of  Center  township  were  full  of  all  kinds  of 
game. 

Chitrches. —  In  the  early  days  the  settlers 
of  Center  township  attended  divine  worship  in 
the  log  cabins  of  pioneers,  or  at  the  school- 
houses  whenever  a  minister  of  the  gospel 
pushed  his  way  into  the  wilderness  and 
announced  his  readiness  to  expound  the' 
word  of  God.  Annually  they  went  to  the 
camp-meetings  held  by  the  Presbyterians 
and  Baptists.  In  early  days  the  Baptists 
predominated  in  this  locaHty.  The  Wheelers 
were  about  the  first  to  preach  the  doctrines 
of  Methodism  in  the  township,  though  the 
gifted  John  Schraeder  preceded  them  in  the 
county.  For  a  long  time  the  house  of  John 
Ingle  was  the  regular  place  for  the  assem- 
blage of  Methodists  throughout  the  sur- 
rounding country. 

Blue  Grass  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
—  In  his  will,  the  pioneer,  Charles 
Mcjohnston,  made  a  valuable  bequest 
"  to  help  to  build  a  house  to  worship 
God  in."  Mr.  Mcjohnston  was  a 
Methodist   in  Ireland;  there  at  his  father's 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


60S 


house  he  had  seen  John  Wesley,  and  had 
heard  the  great  man  preach,  but  by  the 
terms  of  his  will  this  house  was  to  be  free 
to  all  Christian  denominations.  It  has,  how- 
ever, been  a  distinctively  Methodist  church, 
because  the  church-going  portion  of  this 
community  is  so  largely  of  that  denomina- 
tion. The  church  was  erected  under  the 
supervision  of  Charles  Mcjohnston,  the  now 
aged  son  of  the  benefactor,  in  1846.  It 
was  a  neat  frame  structure,  and  when 
finished  was  dedicated  by  that  illustrious 
pioneer  preacher,  Rev.  Robert  Parrett.  The 
first  preacher  was  Rev.  Charles  C.  Danks, 
and  the  first  class  was  composed  of  about 
tvvent}^  members.  In  1882,  on  the  site  of 
the  old  church,  a  handsome,  commodious 
brick  edifice  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  $6,000, 
and  was  dedicated  by  that  powerful  and 
learned  man.  Rev.  Joseph  Wood.  Charles 
Mcjohnston  has  ever  been  a  devoted,  faith- 
ful member,  and  much  of  the  church's 
prosperity  has  been  due  to  his  great  liberal- 
ity. The  church  is  now  exceedingly  pros- 
perous, having  about  eighty  active  mem- 
bers. It  has  always  been  on  the  Blue 
Grass  circuit.  Rev.  Samuel  McNaughton 
is  the  pastor  now  in  charge. 

Gcnmin  Methodist  Church. —  This  de- 
nomination began  to  hold  services  about 
1843,  first  at  the  houses  of  members,  then  at 
the  Richter  school-house,  a  rude  log  build- 
ing, when  finally  in  1849  ^  church  building 
was  erected.  This  stood  on  the  edge  of 
German  township;  was  a  frame  structure, 
all  the  material,  e.xxept  the  flooring,  being 
sawed  by  hand.  In  1859  another  building, 
also  a  frame,  was  erected  near  the  site  of 
the  present  church,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000, 
which  served  the  congregation  until  April 
29,  1 888,  when  a  handsome  new  brick 
church,  costing  $3,000,  was  dedicated  to  the 
service  of  God.  Among  the  early  ministers 
were  Revs.  Muth,  Smoker  and  Wittenbach, 


and  of  later  times  Revs.  Koerniger,  Beer, 
Baker,  Bruening,  Lukenmeir  and  Speck- 
man,  now  in  charge.  The  first  class  was 
composed  of  but  four  families,  the  Gott- 
schalks.  Millers,  Molls  and  Karts.  The 
membership  now  numbers  about  seventy- 
five.  Since  1847  Rev.  Ulrich  Schraeter,  a 
local  preacher,  has  been  a  true  and  faithful 
friend  to  the  church,  and  by  his  many  good 
deeds  has  won  the  love  of  all  its  people. 
The  Sunda}^  school  is  very  prosperous,  with 
about  eighty  regular  attendants.  There  is 
another  church  of  the  same  denomination  in 
the  township  near  the  Hooker  school-house. 
It  was  built  in  18S6,  is  a  comfortable  brick 
structure,  and  cost  about  $1,700.  It  has  a 
good  membership,  is  prosperous  and  belongs 
to  the  same  circuit  as  the  church  last  men- 
tioned. 

German  Evangelical  Church.  —  In  late 
years  this  denomination  has  built  a  small, 
neat  frame  church  on  the  Petersburgh  road 
near  Mechanicsville.  The  congregation  is 
weak  in  numbers,  but  composed  of  highly 
respectable  citizens.  Among  its  early  lead- 
ing members  were  Jacob  Kunz,  Nicholas 
Keil,  and  Mrs.  Rech. 

Kratzville  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — - 
At  least  fifty  years  ago  the  Methodists  had 
a  preaching  place  at  Samuel  Kirkpatrick's, 
in  German  township,  and  frequently  used 
for  the  purpose  of  divine  service  the  Kirk- 
patrick  school-house.  When  the  Germans 
came  in  and  changed  the  social  aspect  of  that 
neighborhood,  the  preaching  place  was 
moved  to  the  Kratzville  road,  and  then, 
j  about  fifteen  years  ago,  a  neat  church  was 
I  built  and  has  been  known  generally  as  "  the 
Ridge  church."  A  class  was  organized  in 
very  earh-  times.  Among  its  members  were 
Mother  Grimes,  Mrs.  Robert  Smith,  Mother 
Short,  and  Henry  Morgan.  Among  the  old- 
time  preachers  were  Revs.  J.  N.  Ryan, 
William     Ingle,    Isaac    Owen,     and    some 


eol^ 


EAELY  SETTLEMENT. 


others.  Among  the  earl}'  members  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  new  church  were: 
Lewis  Short,  Webster  Goldsmith,  Oliver 
Goldsmith  and  Jackson  Reed.  The  congre- 
gation is  prosperous  at  present,  though  not 
large. 

nine  Grass  Catholic  Church. —  Among 
the  Irish  settlers  in  the  central  part  of  the 
township  were  a  few  faithful  followers  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  church.  Under  the  leader- 
ship of  Richard  Raleigh,  these  people  suc- 
ceeded, about  1846,  in  building  a  frame 
church  of  comfortable  size  and  neat  appear- 
ance. The  membership  has  always  been 
small.  Priests  from  Evansville  occasionally 
hold  service  here. 

Tozvns. —  The  principal  village  in  the 
township  is  Mechanicsville,  commonly  called 
Stringtown,  because  its  houses  are  strung 
along  the  road,  and  known  officially  as 
Zipp's  postoffice.  At  a  very  early  date, 
the  point  where  the  Petersburgh  road  left 
the  State  road  was  selected  as  a  good  place 
for  a  smithy  and  wagon  shop.  It  was  a 
busy  place  in  early  times,  and  when  a  post- 
office  was  established,  old  man  Zipp,  then  a 
resident  of  the  town,  was  appointed  post- 
master, and  thus  gave  the  place  its  present 
official  designation.  At  present  there  is  a 
small  general  store,  several  blacksmith, 
wagon  and  carriage  shops,  but  beyond  this 
the  place  is  unimportant.  Mr.  Ira  Fairchild, 
a  son  of  Col.  Seth  Fairchild,  and  grandson 
of  Jonathan  Fairchild,  who  came  with  his 
family  from  New  York  to  Indiana  in  1818, 
thus  pictures  the  early  days  of  this  village: 
"  In  1829  my  father  removed  to  Mechanics- 
ville and  opened  a  blacksmith's  shop,  which 
he  carried  on  two  or  three  years,  when  he 
purchased  the  old  Hutson  distillery,  removed 
it  to  the  State  road  and  converted  it  into  a 
smithy,  which  was  a  famous  institution 
in  its  day.  This  house  was  built  of 
heavy    hewed     logs,    30x40    feet    square, 


had  five  forges  and  worked  a  force  of  seven 
or  eight  hands.  All  the  livery  horses  of 
Evansville  were  brought  there  to  be  shod, 
and  all  sorts  of  iron  work  was  done.  At  this 
time  Mechanicsville  seemed  in  a  fair  way  to 
outstrip  Evansville  in  the  race  for  position. 
Thomas  Smith  had  built  a  saw-mill  on  Pigeon 
creek,  and  on  the  hill  where  he  afterward 
kept  tavern  he  carried  on  a  cabinet  shop, 
working  several  hands,  and  supplied  the  de- 
mand for  furniture  for  miles  around.  It  was 
in  this  shop  that  that  the  distinguished  John 
Ingle,  jr.,  learned  his  trade,  which  he  plied 
for  several  3'ears  industriously  before  he  be- 
came an  attorney  at  law.  The  village  also 
boasted  of  a  well-kept  hotel,  a  wagon  shop, 
and  country  store,  and  was  withal  a  place  of 
very  considerable  local  importance." 

JllcCiitchaiivillc,  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  township,  was  brought  into  existence 
about  1845  by  the  establishment  of  a  post- 
office  and  the  appointment  of  Mr.  McCut- 
chan  as  postmaster.  It  is  without  present 
importance. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

John  Alleon,  of  Center  township,  was 
born  in  Germany,  February'  24,  1826.  He 
is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Seeman) 
Alleon,  who  were  both  natives  of  Germany. 
They  came  to  America  about  1832,  and  set- 
tled in  Marion  county,  Ohio,  where  they  re- 
mained about  nine  3'ears,  after  which  the}' 
removed  to  Vanderburgh  county,  Ind.,  and 
settled  on  the  farm  where  John  Alleon  now 
resides.  The  father  died  soon  after  reach- 
ing this  county,  but  his  wife  survived  until 
the  fall  of  1880.  Our  subject  is  the  oldest 
son,  and  when  the  family  came  to  this  coun- 
try was  only  a  little  over  fifteen  years  of  age. 
He  has  devoted  his  entire  life  to  the 
farm  and  now  owns  140  acres  of  good 
land.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Caro- 
line      Becker,      who       was       born      about 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


605 


1839,  in  Germany,  the  daughter  of  John 
and  Emma  Becker.  She  died  May  31, 
1S80.  Of  their  three  children,  two  died 
when  quite  young.  The  other,  John,  was 
born  February  14,  i860,  and  married  Miss 
CaroHne  Ahles,  daughter  of  John  and  The- 
resa Ahles,  December  13,  1883.  lie  and 
wife  Hve  with  his  father.  The}'  have  one 
child,  Edwin,  born  October  25,  1SS4.  Mr. 
Alleon  is  a  member  of  the  German  Metho- 
dist church.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican. 
Gottlieb  W.  Baumann,  a  citizen  of 
Center  township,  was  born  in  Switzerland, 
May  18,  1849,  the  son  of  Rudolph  and 
Susannah  Baumann.  They  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  in  1853.  They  proceeded 
at  once  to  Evansville,  Ind.,  where  the 
father  became  engaged  at  work  as  a  car- 
penter. He  remained  but  a  few  years  in 
Evansville,  and  then  removed  to  Posey 
county,  Ind.,  where  he  continued  until  his 
death,  about  1880,  his  wife  dying  about 
1854.  Gottlieb  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Evansville,  both  in  English  and  German. 
At  nineteen  years  of  age  he  determined  to 
learn  a  trade,  and  accordingly  began  life 
for  himself  in  Posey  county.  He  lirst 
worked  on  a  farm  for  a  time,  and  then 
learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  in  St.  Philips, 
that  county.  He  worked  there  nearly  three 
years,  and  then  went  to  Henderson  county, 
Ky.,  where  he  spent  four  years.  He  then 
removed  to  Evansville,  and  after  ten  years' 
work  in  Blount's  plow  factory,  he  came  to 
his  present  home  in  Center  township,  where 
he  has  since  been  engaged  in  general  black- 
smithing.  He  was  married  January  i,  1873, ,' 
to  Miss  Amelia  Riechelt,  who  was  born  in 
Warrick  county,  Ind.,  April  16,  1852,  the 
daughter  of  Gottlieb  and  Philipina  Riechelt. 
Her  father  is  still  living  in  Evansville,  and 
her  mother  died  April  i,  18S8.  They  are 
the  parents  of  four  children,  viz. :  William, 
born  October   7,  1873;  Julia,  born   October 


27,  1875;  Virginia,  born  July  7,  1880;  Allan, 
born  December  2,  1882.  Mr.  Baumann 
and  famil}-  are  members  of  the  German 
Methodist  church. 

Frederick;  Brandenbergkr,  a  farmer 
of  Center  township,  was  born  in  Switzer- 
land, October  3,  1846.  He  is  the  son  of 
Ilenrjr  and  Magdalena  (Schorri)  Branden- 
berger.  They  came  to  Vanderburgh 
county  in  October,  1848,  remained  one  year 
in  the  city  of  Evansville  and  then  settled  on 
a  farm  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Center 
township,  and  remained  until  1S65,  when 
they  removed  to  another  farm,  which  the 
father  occupied  until  his  death,  March  22, 
1880.  His  wife  survived  him  about  two 
years,  her  death  occurring  November  16, 
1882.  Frederick  attended  the  common 
schools  and  was  emploj'ed  chiefly  in  farm 
work  until  November  27,  1864,  when  he 
enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  K,  Tsven- 
ty-second  Indiana  Volunteer  infantry,  and 
served  until  August  4,  1865.  During  his 
term  of  service  the  only  hard  battle  in 
which  he  participated  was  that  of  Benton- 
ville,  N.  C.  He  wUs  mustered  out  at 
Louisville,  and  received  his  discharge  at 
Indianapolis.  After  returning  home  he  went 
into  the  saw-mill  and  threshing-machine  busi- 
ness, but  was  engaged  in  farming  at  the 
same  time.  This  he  followed  for  about  ten 
years,  since  which  time  he  has  devoted  his 
entire  attention  to  farming.  He  was 
married  November  7,  1867,  to  Miss  Mary 
Schwartz,  who  was  born  in  Scott  township, 
this  county,  February  14, 1848,  the  daughter 
of  Henry  Schwartz.  He  owns  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres.  He  and  his  wife  Mary  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children:  Amelia  (de- 
ceased), Louisa,  Martha,  William  W.,  Mary 
E.,  Bertha,  John  II.  and  Minnie  M.  Mrs. 
Brandenberger  died  August  14,  1885.  He 
was  married  August  17,  1886,  to  Miss 
Mary  Newmaster,  who  was  bom  in  Louis- 


606 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


ville,  Ky.,  in  November,  1854,  the  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Dorothy  (Loudonberg) 
Newmaster.  Mr.  Brandenberger  and  part  of 
of  his  family  are  members  of  the  German 
Methodist  church.  In  politics  he  is  a  re- 
publican. 

Henry  Brandenberger,  farmer  and 
dairyman  in  Center  township,  was  born  in 
this  county  December  7,  1848.  He  is  the 
son  of  Henry  and  Magdalena  Brandenber- 
ger, who  are  noticed  in  this  volume  in 
connection  with  Frederick  Brandenberger. 
When  he  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age 
his  father  removed  to  the  farm,  on  a  part 
of  which  he  now  resides.  Here  he  and  his 
brother  John  own  160  acres  of  good  land, 
nearly  all  of  which  is  in  cultivation,  and  is 
well  improved,  and  supplied  with  buildings 
for  carrying  on  the  dairy  business.  With 
the  exception  of  a  few  summers  spent  in 
threshing  wheat,  he  has  given  his  entire 
attention  to  the  farm  and  the  dairy.  He 
and  his  brother  have  built  up  a  very  exten- 
sive trade  in  the  latter  business,  and  supply 
their  customers  twice  a  day  with  the  pro- 
ducts of  the  dairy.  Mr.  Brandenberger  was 
married  October  24,  1875,  to  Miss  Sarah 
Strobel,  who  was  born  in  Center  township, 
June  27,  1S55.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Catherine  Strobel,  who  were 
both  natives  of  Germany,  and  are  still  livmg 
in  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Branden- 
berger are  the  parents  of  three  children: 
William  H.,  George  S.,  and  Edward  G. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Ger- 
man Methodist  church.  In  politics  Mr. 
Brandenberger  is  a  republican. 

John  Brandenberger,  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  Center  township,  was  born  in  this 
county  February  9,  1858.  He  is  the  son  of 
Henry  and  Magdelena  Brandenberger,  else- 
where noticed  in  this  volume.  Our  subject  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Center 
township,  where  he  obtained  a  good  common 


school  education.  He  has  devoted  his  en- 
tire life  to  the  dairy  and  farming.  He  and 
his  brother  Henry  own  160  acres  of  good 
land,  and  are  well  established  for  carrying 
on  the  dair}'  business  on  an  extensive  scale. 
He  was  married  January  4,  1880,  to  Miss 
Rose  Miller,  w'ho  was  born  in  Switzerland, 
November  5,  1859.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  Miller,  who  were  both 
natives  of  Switzerland,  and  are  now  living 
in  this  county.  They  began  married  life  at 
their  present  abode,  the  old  Brandenberger 
homestead,  and  their  happy  home  circle  now 
includes  six  little  ones,  as  follows:  Charles, 
Rosalie,  Frederick,  John,  Flora  and  an  in- 
fant. Mr.  Brandenberger  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  church,  his  wife  of  the  Re- 
formed Protestant  church.  In  politics  Mr. 
Brandenberger  is  a  republican.  He  is  a 
young  man  of  energy  and  enterprise,  and 
bids  fair  to  b&come  one  of  Center  township's 
most  substantial  citizens. 

Joseph  Bultmann,  a  worthy  and  pros- 
perous farmer  of  this  township,  was  born  in 
Prussia,  December  15,  1817,  the  son  of 
Adam  and  Francisca  (Kruz)  Bultmann. 
He  spent  his  time  from  six  to  fourteen  years 
of  age  in  school,  and  after  this  time  he 
learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  at  which  he 
worked  until  he  was  about  eighteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  accompanied  his  parents 
to  this  county  and  settled  on  the  farm  where 
he  still  resides.  The  father  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land  and  settled  down  in  the 
woods.  Soon  after  settling  on  the  farm 
Joseph  went  to  New  Orleans,  where  he 
spent  about  ten  years  in  the  boot  and  shoe 
business.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  came 
back  to  this  county,  and  here  met  Elizabeth 
Osterman,  whom  he  married  July  13,  1847. 
His  wife  was  born  in  Germany,  January  24, 
1827,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Adam  and 
Elizabeth  (Floehr)  Osterman.  Mr.  Bultmann 
owns  250  acres  of  good  land,  most  of  which 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


607 


is  in  cultivation  and  is  well  improved.  He 
has  risen  from  a  small  beginning  to  be  one 
of  the  most  prosperous  and  substantial  men 
in  this  township.  He  is  the  father  of  si.x 
living  children:  Joseph,  John,  Elizabeth, 
Henry,  Josephine,  Frank.  Mr.  Bultmann 
and  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
church.  In  politics  Mr.  Bultmann  is  a  liberal 
democrat. 

James  F.  Crane  was  born  in  the  state  of 
New  York,  May  6,  1831,  the  son  of  Arza 
Lucy  (Boynton)  Crane,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York, 
in  1800,  and  the  latter  in  Vermont,  in  about 
1803.  When  three  years  of  age  his 
parents  removed  to  the  state  of  Ohio.  Here 
he  attended  school  principall}'  at  Steuben- 
ville,  and  acquired  a  good  common  school 
education.  At  about  twelve  years  of  age  he 
began  river  life  as  cabin  boy,  and  since  that 
time  has  served  as  cook,  mate,  pilot,  and 
captain,  almost  continually  to  the  present 
time.  He  has  navigated  the  Ohio  and  Mis- 
sissippi  rivers  and  all  their  principal  tribu- 
taries. He  was  married  October  20,  1856, 
to  Miss  Urania  A.  Blake,  who  was  born  in 
the  state  of  Ohio,  September  17,  1834,  the 
daughter  of  Simon  and  Hannah  (Cun- 
ningham) Blake,  both  of  whom  were  na- 
tives of  Maine.  Since  1865  or  1866  they 
have  resided  in  this  county,  and  for  nearly 
four  years  have  occupied  their  present  com- 
fortable home  in  Center  township.  Mr. 
Crane  was  steamboating  during  the  war, 
and  was  in  the  service  of  the  government 
the  greater  portion  of  the  time,  serving  on 
the  transports,  and  was  frequently  in  greater 
danger  than  if  he  had  been  serving  on  the 
field,  it  being  a  frequent  occurrence  for  the 
guerillas  to  fire  upon  them  while  navigat- 
ing the  Green  and  Cumberland  rivers. 
Mr.  Crane  and  wife  are  both  members  of 
Grace  Presbyterian  church  of  Evansville. 
Mr.  Crane  is  a  member  of  Crescent  lodge, 


I.  O.  O.  F.,  at  Evansville,  and  in  politics  is 
a  republican. 

Henry  Eissler,  a  farmer  of  Center 
township,  was  born  in  Evansville,  October 
12,  1854,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Anna 
Maria  (Steiger)  Eissler.  His  parents  were 
born  in  Germany,  and  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  more  than  fort}'  years  ago, 
settling  in  Evansville.  After  spending  sev- 
eral years  in  the  city,  the  father  began  on 
rented  land  until  he  was  able  to  buy  the 
sixty-six  acres  where  he  still  lives.  He  has 
risen  to  be  a  prosperous  and  substantial 
farmer  by  reason  of  his  energy  and  enter- 
prise. His  wife  died  January  13,  1888. 
Henry  is  their  oldest  living  child.  He 
secured  a  good  common  school  education, 
and  also  received  instruction  in  German 
in  the  city  of  Evansville.  He  has  de- 
voted his  entire  life  to  farm  work,  and 
now  owns  105  acres  of  good  land,  about 
seventy-five  acres  of  which  is  in  cultivation. 
Mr.  Eissler  has  obtained  this  farm  by  his 
own  industry  and  economy.  He  was  mar- 
ried May  6,  1879,  to  Miss  Johanna  Happel, 
who  was  born  in  German  township,  this 
county,  June  8,  1857,  the  daughter  of  John 
and  Magdalena  (Damm)  Happel.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Eissler  have  only  one  child,  Harry, 
born  March  23,  1888.  They  are  members 
of  the  St.  John's  Reformed  church  in  Evans- 
ville. Politically  Mr.  Eissler  is  independent, 
voting  with  whichever  party  best  suits  him, 
and  taking  but  little  interest  in  politics. 

Levi  Erskine,  son  of  John  Erskme,  was 
born  January  21,  1833,  on  the  farm  where 
his  father  first  settled.  His  life,  until  he  was 
twent}'  years  of  age,  was  spent  on  the  farm, 
where  he  worked  during  the  summer,  and 
then  in  the  winter  attended  school.  In  this 
way  he  obtained  a  good  knowledge  of  the 
common  branches,  and  an  introduction  to 
some  of  the  higher  ones.  At  the  ajje  of 
twenty    he   entered  college  at  Greencastle, 


608 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Ind.,  where  he  remained  about  two  years. 
After  leaving  college  he  divided  his  atten- 
tion between  farming  and  school-teachinnf, 
working  the  farm  in  summer  and  teaching 
school  in  winter,  until  he  had  tauirht  six 
terms.  In  1868  he  busied  himself  as  a  rail- 
road contractor  and  bridge  builder,  which 
he  followed  for  five  years.  The  latter  part 
of  1S72,  he  became  engaged  in  work  for 
the  count3%  graveling  and  macadamizing 
the  roads,  which  he  followed  for  two  or 
three  years,  during  which  time  more  than 
100  miles  of  roads  were  thus  improved  in 
V^anderburgh  county.  Since  then  he  has  been 
in  the  employment  of  George  P.  Heilman 
as  general  sliipper  and  manager  of  the  erec- 
tion of  buildings.  He  was  married  Febru- 
ary- 22,  i860,  to  Miss  Sallie  L.  Benjamin, 
daughter  of  Elijah  and  Sarah  (Waters') 
Benjamin,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Connecticut.  Mrs.  Erskine  was  born  De- 
cember 31,  1838,  in  the  city  of  Evansville. 
B\'  this  marriage  were  born  five  children : 
Lottie,  born  December  19,  i860,  died  March 
12,  18S3;  Wilbur,  born  January  8,  1863; 
Erwin  F.,  born  October  5,  died  December 
22,  1872;  Annie  L.,  born  September  14, 
1874,  and  Levi,  born  August  9,  1876.  Mr. 
Erskine  is  a  liberal  republican,  but  has  never 
sought  nor  held  office,  except  one  or  two 
terms  as  township  trustee.  Mr.  Erskine 
and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  are  highl}'  respected 
citizens  of  Center  township. 

Jacob  Euler,  jr.,  was  born  March  9, 
1845.  He  is  the  son  of  Henry  Euler  and 
his  wife,  Mary  Ann  Stein metz,  both  natives 
of  Germany.  They  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1836,  and  settled  on  land  in  Center 
township.  .Henry  Euler  died  in  January, 
i860,  his  wife  surviving  until  December, 
1871.  Our  subject  spent  his  early  life  on 
his  father's  farm,  and  attended  school  a  few 
months   each   winter.     In   August,  1862,  he 


enlisted  as  a  private  in  Companv  F,  Fourth 
Indiana  cavalry,  and  was  mustered  out  July 
9,  1865.  During  his  term  of  service  he  was 
in  the  battles  ot  Chickamauga,  Fayetteville, 
Mossy  Creek,  Talbot's,  Dandridge,  Fair 
Garden,  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  Wil- 
son's campaign  in  Alabama  and  Georgia. 
He  was  married  December  22,  1871,  to 
Miss  Louisa  Korb,  who  was  born  in  this 
county,  October  18,  1846,  daughter  of  Adam 
and  Catharine  (Schmidt)  Korb.  Her  pa- 
rents were  natives  of  Wachenheim-on-the- 
Hardt,  Germany.  Thev  are  the  parents  of 
six  living  children,  viz.:  Frank  A.,  Ella  N., 
Oscar,  Florence,  Louisa,  and  George  J.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Euler  are  miembers  of  St.  Peter's 
Presbyterian  church.  In  politics  Mr.  Euler 
is  a  republican,  and  is  a  member  of  Farragut 
Post,  No.  27,  G.  A.  R. 

Oliver  Goldsmith. —  The  ancestry  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  as  far  as  can  be 
determined,  is  as  follows:  Zaccheus  Gold- 
smith, of  Wenham,  Mass.,  was  the  father  of 
Richard  Goldsmith,  who  married  Hannah 
Dodge.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children,  born  between  the  years 
1732  and  1747:  Hannah,  Abigail,  Mary, 
Thomas,  Richard,  Lucy,  Josiah,  our  sub- 
ject's grandfather,  born  September  9,  1744, 
and  Jeremiah.  Josiah  Goldsmith  married 
Sarah  Fox.  They  were  the  parents  of  the 
following  children,  born  between  the  years 
1768  and  1786:  Thomas,  Sally,  Hannah, 
John,  Luc}%  Betsy,  Daniel  F.,  born  May  22, 
1784,  and  Roxanna.  Daniel  F.  came  to 
Vanderburgh  county,  Ind.,  locating  at 
Evansville  about  the  j'ear  1S18.  Here  he 
went  to  work  at  his  trade,  that  of  a  mason, 
and  was  one  of  the  contractors  who  built  the 
first  court-house  in  1820,  and  afterward 
erected  many  other  buildings  of  more  or  less 
importance.  He  was  married  March  27, 
1823,  to  Miss  Melissa  Hopkins,  of  this 
countv,  who  was   born   in   the  state  of  Ver- 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


000 


mont  February  3,  1804,  the  daughter  of 
Stephen  Hopkins  and  wife,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  about  1766  and  died  in  tliis 
county  May  17,  1849.  After  their  marriage 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goldsmith  made  their  home 
on  the  farm  in  Center  township,  but  his  en- 
gagements as  a  contractor  claimed  the 
greater  portion  of  his  attention.  They  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children:  Mary  Ann, 
Cordelia,  Electa,  Daniel  Webster,  Oliver, 
Elmira,  Hester,  Lucy  Roxanna,  Chaunce}', 
and  John  Henry.  Mr.  Goldsmith  died 
December  5,  1855.  His  wife  had  preceded 
him  a  number  of  years,  her  death  occurring 
April  27,  1844.  Oliver  Goldsmith  was  born 
on  the  old  homestead  April  8,  1834,  and 
with  the  exception  of  fifteen  months  in  Cal- 
ifornia, has  devoted  his  entire  attention  to 
farming.  He  was  married  November  18, 
1858,  to  Miss  Mary  Smith,  who  was  born  in 
this  county  January  18,  1839,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Mary  (Skinner),  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  England.  They 
are  the  parents  of  eight  children,  as  follows : 
Moses  R.,  Hester,  Katie,  Walter  C,  Jessie 
Elmer,  Cora,  Bertha,  and  Oliver,  all  of 
whom  are  living  except  Hester  and  Oliver. 
Mr.  Goldsmith  and  family  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  is  one 
of  the  most  substantial  citizens  of  the  town- 
ship, and  he  and  family  are  highly  respected. 
Moses  Russell  Goldsmith,  the  oldest 
son  of  Oliver  Goldsmith  above  mentioned, 
was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  this  town- 
ship September  18,  1859.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools.  He  has 
devoted  his  entire  attention  to  agriculture, 
and,  having  been  raised  to  the  business,  is 
([uitc  a  successful  J'oung  farmer.  He  was 
married,  December  18,  1883,  to  Miss  Lena 
Hanning,  who  w'as  born  in  Spencer  county, 
Ind.,  June  29,  1859.  ^^e  is  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Susan  Hanning.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Goldsmith  spent  the  first  few  years  of  their 


married  life  on  the  Goldsmith  homestead. 
In  June,  1886,  he  bought  a  farm  adjoining 
his  father's,  on  which  he  erected  a  comfort- 
able house,  and  has  resided  there  since. 
Mr.  Goldsmith  is  the  father  of  two  children : 
EmmaEstella,  born  December  20,  1884,  and 
Fletcher  Webster,  March  6,  18S7.  Mr. 
Goldsmith  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  his  wife  of  the  Ger- 
man Methodist  church. 

Theodore  Hanninc;,  of  Center  township, 
was  born  in  Germantown,  Ohio,  June  22, 
1841.  He  is  the  son  of  John  D.  and  Dora 
Hanning,  the  former  of  whom  was  born 
near  Bremen,  Germany,  on  August  26, 
1S06,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  married, 
and  in  1839  came  to  the  United  States.  He 
removed  to  Spencer  count}-  in  1S47,  and 
now  resides  with  Theodore,  the  only  child 
living.  Our  subject  has  spent  the  greater 
portion  of  his  life  in  farming,  but  in  connec- 
tion with  this  has  at  times  been  encTfifed  in 
commercial  pursuits  and  milling,  and  since 
coming  to  Vanderburgh  county  has  been  in 
the  dairy  business.  He  was  married  De- 
cember 24,  1866,  to  Mrs.  Susan  Hanning, 
his  brother's  widow.  She  is  the  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Susan  Frj-hofer,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Germany.  Mrs.  Hanning 
is  a  native  of  Jackson  county,  Ind.,  where 
she  was  born  March  19,  1838.  Mrs.  Han- 
ning had  two  children  by  her  first  husband, 
John  and  Lena.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanning  are 
the  parents  of  seven  children,  viz. :  Albert, 
May,  Dania,  Wesley,  Addie,  Edwin  and 
Oscar  W.,  all  of  whom  arc  living  and  un- 
married. Mr.  Hanning  and  family  are 
members  of  the  German  Methodist  church, 
and  are  as  highl}-  respected  as  an}'  one  in 
the  county. 

James  Henry,  of  Center  township,  was 
born  about  the  year  1S20,  in  Johnston, 
Scotland.  He  is  the  son  of  Robert  and 
Margaret    (Fyfe)     Henrj-.      He   spent    his 


610 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


early  life  in  a  cotton  factory  of  his  native 
country.  About  the  year  1850  Mr.  Henry 
came  to  America  and  settled  in  Center 
township.  Two  years  after  this  he  returned 
to  Glasgow,  and  in  July,  1854,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Margaret  Brodie,  daughter  of 
David  and  Janet  (Anderson)  Brodie.  After 
their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  re- 
mained five  years  in  Glasgow,  and  then  re- 
turned to  America,  about  1859,  and  settled 
on  the  farm  where  they  now  reside.  From 
that  time  until  the  present  he  has  given  his 
entire  attention  to  farming.  He  owns  more 
than  eighty  acres  of  good  land,  nearly  all  of 
which  is  in  cultivation.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Henry  are  the  parents  of  twelve  children. 
They  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  He  and  his  family  have  a 
large  circle  of  acquaintances,  b}'  whom  they 
are  held  in  high  esteem. 

Robert  R.  Henry,  a  well-known  school 
teacher  and  farmer  of  Center  township,  was 
born  in  Scotland,  October  27,  1855,  son 
of  James  and  Margaret  Henry,  an  account 
of  whom  is  given  above.  Mr.  Henry  was 
reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Center  town- 
ship, where  he  worked  each  summer  and  in 
the  winter  attended  the  schools  of  this  town- 
ship and  gained  a  good  education.  He 
began  teaching  about  1876,  and  has  con- 
tinued in  the  same  profession  during  the 
winter  of  each  3-ear  until  the  present  time, 
and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful teachers  of  the  count}'.  During  the  sum- 
mer he  devotes  his  attention  to  farming. 
He  was  married  September  15,  1886,  to 
Miss  Sarah  McCutchan,  who  was  born  in 
this  county,  March  2,  1857.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Isabella  (Brown) 
McCutchan.  His  wife  was  also  a  school 
teacher,  she  having  taught  for  seven  or  eight 
years  before  her  marriage.  They  are  the 
parents  of  one  child,  Isabella,  born  August 
4,  1887.     Mr.  Henry  and  wife  are  members 


of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  are 
highly  respected  citizens. 

Peter  Heubner,  deceased,  was  born  in 
Germany,  June  8,  1824,  son  of  John  G.  and 
Anna  Margaret  Heubner.  At  fourteen 
}-ears  of  age  he  accompanied  his  parents  to 
America,  locating  first  in  Posey  county,  Ind., 
and  after  a  few  years  they  came  to 
Vanderburgh  county,  settling  in  Center 
township,  on  the  farm  where  his  widow  now 
resides.  He  was  married,  June  16,  1847,  to 
Miss  Harriet  H.  In  wood,  who  was  born  in 
this  township  October  20,  1828,  the  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Hannah  (Chester)  In- 
wood,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
England.  Mrs.  Heubner's  parents  emi- 
grated to  America,  arriving  at  Evansville  in 
August,  1819.  Here  Mrs.  Heubner  was 
born.  They  are  the  parents  of  ten  children, 
whose  names  are  as  follows:  Hannah  M., 
Annie  E.,  George  M.,  Sarah  R.,  William 
W.,  Edward  R.,  Lawrence,  David,  John  H. 
and  James  C.  Mr.  Huebner  died  July  31, 
1882,  and  in  his  death  Center  township  lost 
one  of  its  oldest  and  most  highly  respected 
citizens.  His  widow  resides  with  her  young- 
est son  at  the  old  homestead.  Mrs.  Huebner 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  of  which  her  husband  was  also  a  mem- 
ber, and  is  loved  and  honored  by  all  who 
know  her. 

William  H.  Hornby. — The  great-grand- 
.  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
William  Hornby,  sr.,  a  native  of  the  north 
of  England,  and  by  occupation  a  sea  cap- 
tain. His  grandfather,  William  Hornby,  jr., 
was  a  native  of  Cerne,  Dorsetshire,  England, 
and  married  Sarah  K.  Ridout.  Their  family 
consisted  of  three  sons:  William,  Charles, 
and  Henry  F.  The  latter,  the  father  of 
William  H.  was  born  in  Chickerell,  near 
Weymouth,  Dorchester,  England,  March  17, 
1811.  When  he  was  eight  years  of  age, 
he    accompanied  his    parents    to    America, 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


611 


landing  at  Philadelphia,  in  April  or  Maj-, 
1819.  Thence  they  made  their  way  to 
Pittsburgh,  b}'  wagon,  and  from  the  latter 
place  by  flat-boat  down  the  Ohio  river  to 
Evansville,  Ind.  From  Evansville  they 
came  to  what  is  now  Scott  township,  this 
county,  where  they  settled  on  a  farm  and 
where  their  family  grew  to  manhood.  Here 
Henry  F.  Hornby  was  married  March  10, 
1 83 1,  to  Miss  Caroline  Mansell,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Mansell,  of  Vanderburgh  county. 
Her  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Sarah 
Bellamy,  was  born  in  London,  England, 
December  29,  18 13,  and  came  with  her 
parents  to  Evansville,  in  1819.  Henry  F. 
and  wife  had  three  sons  and  three  daughters, 
of  whom  the  sons  only  are  living:  William 
H.,  Charles  J.  and  George  W.  William 
H.  is  the  eldest  son  and  was  born  April  10, 
1836.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  his 
father's  farm  in  Scott  township,  where  he 
worked  and  attended  school,  attaining  both  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  farming  and  a  com- 
mon school  education.  He  was  married 
October  29,  1863  to  Mary  J.,  daughter  of 
James  Hayhurst,  a  pioneer  of  Vanderburgh 
who  has  lived  in  the  count}^  since  1820. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hornby  have  only  three 
children  living:  Oliver  W.,  Cicero  G.,  and 
Herbert  F.  Mr.  Hornby  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace  from  1882  to  1886,  giving  en- 
tire satisfaction.  He  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Episcopal  church. 

Charles  Kellaway  Hornby  was  born 
in  Dorsetshire,  England,  March  4,  1829.  He 
is  the  son  of  WilHam  and  Mary  (Burgh  or 
Burch)  Hornby,  natives  of  the  same  county, 
the  father  born  in  1800,  and  the  mother 
about  five  vears  later.  At  the  ajre  of  nine 
or  ten,  Charles  accompanied  his  parents  to 
America,  and  came  at  once  to  Scott  town- 
ship. They  settled  on  the  farm  where  his 
father  resided  until  his  death.  Here  he 
passed  his  youth  on  his  father's  farm  assist- 


ing in  its  culture.  The  opportunities  for 
school  being  somewhat  limited,  he  only  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  such  essential  instruc- 
tion as  was  sufficient  for  transacting  his 
own  business.  He  was  married  February, 
1863,  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Paul,  daughter  of 
Cyrus  and  Ann  (Hayhurst)  Paul.  They 
had  four  children:  Charles  E.,  Margaret, 
Anna  E.  and  Martha  E.,  the  first  two  dying 
when  quite  3-oung.  When  the  youngest 
child  was  only  two  years  of  age  Mrs.  Hornby 
died.  August  29,  1881,  he  was  married  a  sec- 
ond time  to  Mrs.  Harriet  (Burtis)  Brown, 
who  had  one  daughter,  Ada.  He  has  re- 
sided in  this  township  continuously,  and 
three  or  four  years  on  the  farm  where  he 
now  lives  and  owns  about  200  acres  of  good 
land.  Mr.  Hornby  is  an  Episcopalian  in 
belief,  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Philip  Kaiser,  ex-soldier  and  well-known 
citizen  of  Center  township,  was  born  near 
Frankfort,  Germany,  May  8,  1845,  and  is 
the  son  of  Frederick  and  Mary  (Binghe- 
mer)  Kaiser.  He  remained  in  his  native 
country-  until  he  was  nine  years  of  age,  and 
then  accompanied  his  parents  to  the  United 
States.  They  made  their  way  at  once  to 
Vanderburgh  county,  and  settled  on  the  farm 
where  the  son  now  resides.  Here  the  par- 
ents continued  to  reside.  Mr.  Kaiser  pro- 
cured the  greater  portion  of  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  Center  township.  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company 
H,  Thirty-second  volunteer  infantry,  and 
served  until  Februar}'  14,  1865,  when 
he  was  mustered  out  as  captain  at 
Chattanooga,  Tenn.  While  in  the  ser- 
vice, he  was  in  the  following  battles:  Per- 
ryville.  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Mission 
Ridge,  and  in  the  Athuita  campaign,  and 
then  did  guard  duty  mostly  in  the  vicinity  of 
Atlanta  and  Chattanooga  until  March  21, 
1873,  when  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  ser- 


612 


EARLY  SETTLE3IENT. 


vice.  In  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  he  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  leg.  Since  coming 
home,  he  has  devoted  his  attention  to  the 
farm.  He  was  married  April  21,  1872,  to 
Miss  Mary  J.  Linxwiler,  who  was  born  in  this 
county,  May  25,  1845,  the  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Jane  Linxwiler.  They  are  the  par- 
ents of  six  children:  William,  Elizabeth, 
Letitia  J.,  Erma,  Clinton  DeWitt,  and  Katie. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kaiser  are  members  of  the 
German  Methodist  church. 

William  H.  Kirkpatrick  is  a  native  of 
Center  township,  born  January  21,  184S. 
He  is  the  son  of  Alfred  and  Hannah  (Smith) 
Kirkpatrick.  His  mother's  pareits  were 
natives  of  England,  coming  to  the  United 
States  and  settling  at  Evansville  in  1832. 
Our  subject  was  raised  in  this  county,  and 
obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools. 
He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Companv  F,  One 
Hundred  and  Thirtv-sixth  Indiana,  under 
Capt.  Hollingsworth,  and  served  three 
months.  He  was  engatjed  mostlv  in  doinsr 
guard  duty  in  the  vicinity'  of  Murfreesboro, 
TuUahoma  and  other  places.  After  remain- 
ing at  home  a  short  time,  he  re-enlisted  as 
a  private  in  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and 
Forty-third  Indiana,  under  command  of 
Capt.  Kellogg.  He  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  a  corporal,  which  position  he  held 
imtil  he  was  mustered  out.  He  was  mar- 
ried March  14,  1S67,  to  Miss  Mary  Jane 
Niehous,  who  was  born  in  Allegheny,  Penn., 
December  17,  1S47,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
John  H.  and  Catharine  (Muntz)  Niehous, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  German}'. 
They  are  the  parents  of  eight  children: 
Ella  S.,  Edward,  Katie  S.,  Emma  A., 
Mary  J.,  Charles,  William  H.,  and  Harry  W., 
all  of  whom  are  living  except  Edward  and 
William  H.,  who  both  died  in  infancy.  In 
March,  1871,  he  was  employed  as  sexton  of 
Locust  Hill  cemetery,  which  position  he 
still  holds.     Mr.  Kirkpatrick   and   wife   are 


members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Mr.  Kirkpatrick  is  a  member  of  Farragut 
post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the  Order  of  the 
Iron  Hall. 

John  K.  Knight  was  born  in  Center 
township,  this  count}',  September  8,  1846. 
He  is  the  son  of  William  G.  and  Caroline 
(AUeon)  Knight,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  in  this  count}',  November  18,  1822, 
and  the  latter  in  Germany,  November  24, 
1828.  They  were  the  parents  of  si.x  child- 
ren: John  H.,  Elizabeth  J.,  William  L., 
Mary  B.,  Caroline  A.  and  Charles  A.,  only 
two  of  whom  are  hving,  John  H.  and  Will- 
iam L.  John  H.  Knight  spent  his  early 
life  on  his  father's  farm.  He  managed  to 
acquire  a  good  education,  and  taught  school 
from  the  time  he  w'as  twenty  until  he  was 
twenty-three.  With  this  exception  he  has 
devoted  his  entire  life  to  farm  work.  He 
was  married  February  25,  1875,  to  Lucy  S. 
Troup,  who  was  born  in  Vanderburgh 
county,  February  19,  1854,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  William  and  Jessie  (Jarvis) 
Troup,  both  natives  of  Aberdeen,  Scotland. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knight  have  three  children 
living  and  have  lost  two.  Their  names  are: 
John  W.  (deceased),  James  O.,  Jessie  May, 
Charles  Ira  (deceased)  and  John  H.  Mr. 
Knight  resides  on  the  old  homestead,  forty 
acres  of  which  he  now  owns. 

John  R.  Kr.\tz,  son  of  John  and  Louisa 
(Beauchle)  Kratz,  was  born  in  this  town- 
ship July  I,  i860.  He  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Center  township,  and  was  occu- 
pied on  the  farm  for  a  few  years  afterward, 
and  then  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  in 
his  father's  shop  in  Kratzville.  In  October, 
1S83,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his  bro- 
ther, and  the  following  spring  the  two  bought 
their  father's  shop  and  have  since  continued 
in  partnership.  He  was  married  October 
13,  18S6,  to  Miss  Hannah  Rhine,  a  native  of 
this  county,  but  who,  when  young,  removed 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


em 


with  her  parents  to  Louisville,  where  she 
resided  when  married.  She  was. the  daugh- 
ter of  Frederick  and  Frederica  Rhine,  both 
natives  of  Germany.  Her  father  is  de- 
ceased, but  her  mother  still  resides  in  Louis- 
ville. Mr.  Kratz  and  wife  went  to  housekeep- 
ing in  Kratzville,where  they  still  reside.  They 
have  one  child,  Viola,  born  July  26,  1S87. 
Mr.  Kratz  is  an  honest,  industrious  young 
man,  and  he  and  wife  are  highly  respected. 
They  are  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  In  politics  Mr.  Kratz  is  a  republican. 
Christian  W.  Kratz,  trustee  of  Center 
township,  was  born  in  this  county,  Jul}'  2, 
1S55.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Louisa 
(Beauchle)  Kratz,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  May  31,  1S30,  the  latter  July  3,  1S31, 
both  natives  of  Germany-  They  came  to 
the  United  States  when  quite  young  with 
their  parents.  Our  subject's  grandfather 
Kratz,  settled  first  at  Pittsburgii  about  1S34. 
where  he  remained  about  four  years,  and 
then  moved  to  this  county.  He  settled  in 
German  township  in  the  first  place,  and 
then  in  Center  township  in  1857  oriS58.  The 
grandfather  Beauchle  came  to  this  county 
about  1 84 1.  Here  the  father  and  mother  of 
Christian  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood, 
and  were  married  August  10,  1854.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Chris- 
tian W.,  Elizabeth,  Louisa,  John  R.,  Peter, 
Christiana,  Karl  and  Martha,  all  of  whom 
are  living  except  Louisa  and  Peter,  the  for- 
mer of  whom  died  from  the  effects  of  a 
burn  after  she  was  about  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  and  the  latter  died  in  childhood. 
Christian  W.  spent  his  early  life,  in  good 
part,  in  school,  and  thus  acquired  a  very 
good  common  school  education.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen  he  entered  his  father's 
blacksmith  shop,  which  was  established  in 
1854,  and  learned  that  trade,  and  continued 
to  work  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty- 
three  years  of  age,  when  he  went  into  part- 


nership with  him.  They  remained  in  part- 
nership until  October,  1883,  when  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  his  brother,  John  R.,  in 
the  same  business.  In  the  following  spring 
the  two  sons  bought  the  shop  from  their 
father,  and  have  continued  the  business  to 
the  present  time.  Christian  W.  Kratz  was 
married  November  3,  18S0,  to  Miss  Minnie 
Schemet,  who  was  born  in  this  township 
January  14,  i860,  and  is  the  daughter 
of  Louis  and  Caroline  (Stahl)  Schemet. 
In  April,  1888,  Mr.  Kratz  was  elected  trustee 
of  Center  town.ship,  and  is  filling  the  office 
to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  constituents. 
The  Kratz  family  is  one  quite  prominent  in 
V^anderburgh  count\',  and  is  noted  for  its  in- 
dustry and  enterprise.  The  late  Christian 
Kratz,  of  Evansville,  is  an  uncle  of  this  sub- 
ject. Mr.  Kratz  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican. 

Jacob  Laubscher  was  born  in  Switzer- 
land, November  4,  1832.  He  is  the  son  of 
Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Gygi)  Laubscher, 
both  of  whom  died  in  Switzerland,  the  year 
of  his  father's  decease  being  1836.  He  was 
educated  in  his  native  countr}-,  where  he 
attended  school  until  he  was  fourteen  years 
of  age.  He  then  learned  the  watch-maker's 
trade,  at  which  business  he  worked  until  he 
was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  and  then  he 
emigrated  to  the  L^nited  States,  arriving  in 
Pennsylvania  in  1855.  There  he  did  farm 
work  for  about  one  )-ear.  He  then  spent 
six  months  in  traveling,  and  settled  down  in 
Hamilton  countv,  Ind.,  where  another  year 
was  spent  in  farm  work.  From  there  he 
came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1857-8. 
Here  he  did  farm  work  for  about  two 
vears,  then  went  to  Spencer  countv,  Ind., 
and  worked  on  a  farm  for  another  year. 
On  July  21,  1861,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in 
Company  F,  First  Indiana  cavalry,  and 
served   until   September  12,  1864,  when  he 


6U 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


was  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis.  During 
his  term  of  service  he  was  in  the  following 
battles:  Farmington,  Mo.,  iS6i;  Cotton 
Plant,  in  1862;  Yazoo  Pass;  Augusta,  Ark., 
July  4,  1862,  where  he  was  struck  in  the 
left  leg  above  the  knee  by  a  spent  ball, 
causing  a  wound  which  though  somewhat 
painful  did  not  disable  him  from  duty; 
Helena,  Ark.,  July  4,  1863;  Little  Rock; 
Pine  Bluff,  and  numerous  other  smaller  en- 
gagements. At  March's  Mill,  Ark.,  April 
8,  1864,  his  command  had  a  desperate 
encounter  with  an  overwhelming  force 
of  the  enemy,  and  he  was  severely 
wounded  by  being  shot  through  the 
fleshy  part  of  the  left  arm,  also  in 
the  left  elbow,  his  left  thumb  shot  off, 
and  he  also  received  a  scalp  wound,  which 
rendered  him  unconscious.  He  was  taken 
prisoner,  and  was  held  until  Jul}'  of  the  same 
year,  when  he  was  paroled.  He  then  re- 
turned to  his  regiment,  but  did  not  engage 
in  any  other  battles  until  he  was  mustered 
out.  Mr.  Laubscher  is  grievously  disabled 
by  his  wounds  and  exposure,  and  yet  the 
pension  he  draws  is  only  $12  per  month. 
After  the  war  he  returned  to  Spencer  county, 
where  he  remained  until  about  1876,  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  then  came  to  Center 
township,  where  he  has  since  remained,  with 
the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in  Knight 
township.  He  was  married  in  1876,  to  Mrs. 
Emily  Schide,  who  was  born  in  French 
Switzerland,  May  18,  1832.  She  was  the 
mother  of  two  daughters,  Ida  and  Caroline, 
who  still  make  their  home  with  their  step- 
father. Mr.  Laubscher  is  a  member  of 
Farragut  post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  politically  is  a 
staunch  republican.  He  was  a  brave  and 
gallant  soldier,  who  never  faltered  from  duty, 
and  is  in  civil  life  an  upright  and  indus- 
trious man,  and  his  family  are  highly 
thought  of. 
John  W.  Laubscher,  one  of  the  leading 


men  of  Center  township,  was  born  March 
31,  1838.  He  is  the  son  of  Christian  and 
Mary  Ann  (Swahlen)  Laubscher.  The\' 
were  both  born  in  Canton  Berne,  Switzer- 
land, in  181 2,  and  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  late  in  the  year  1837.  Thej'  remained 
a  short  time  in  Pennsylvania,  where  John 
was  born,  and  then  settled  in  Ripley  county, 
Ind.,  where  they  lived  seven  years,  working 
on  a  farm.  Coming  to  German  township, 
this  county,  the  father  worked  on  a  farm  for 
two  years,  and  then  settled  on  the  farm 
where  his  son  now  resides.  The}'  reached 
Evansville  in  1846,  and  settled  finally  in 
1848.  Christian  Laubscher  died  December 
2,  18S5.  His  wife  survives  and  resides 
with  her  daughter  on  a  part  of  the  old 
homestead.  Mr.  Laubscher's  early  life  was 
spent  on  the  farm,  while  in  Center  town- 
ship. After  coming  to  German  township, 
he  assisted  in  clearing  the  farm  and  burning 
lime  for  ten  years.  In  about  1863  he  and 
his  father  formed  a  partnership  in  the  steam  ■ 
machine  business,  owning  a  threshing 
machine,  saw-mill,  etc.  This  partnership 
lasted  until  about  1867  or  1S68,  when 
Christian  S.,  another  son,  bought  his  father's 
interest,  and  the  two  brothers  formed  a 
partnership  that  has  lasted  to  the  present 
time.  In  1876  they  founded  a  grist-miU, 
with  a  saw-mill  attached,  and  have 
since  built  up  a  splendid  trade.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  gnst-miil,  the  brothers 
still  run  a  threshing  machine  every  year, 
and  each  owns  a  small  farm.  The  Laub- 
scher brothers  are  among  the  most  substan- 
tial citizens  of  Center  township,  and  are 
known  far  and  wide  for  their  industry,  enter- 
prise and  fair  dealing  with  every  one.  John  W. 
Laubscher  was  married  October  6,  1861,  to 
Miss  Anna  Kisling,  who  was  born  in  Switzer- 
land, June  10,  1834.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Laub- 
scher are  the  parents  of  seven  children: 
Simon  J.,  born  July  22,    1863;  William    F., 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


(115 


August  29,  1864;  Edward  C,  July  6,  1866; 
Adolph,  November,  1868,  died  when  sixteen 
months  old;  Adolph  L.,  April  26,  1S71; 
Andrew  C,  March  11,  1873;  Samuel  R., 
June  16,  1875,  all  of  whom  are  engaged  with 
their  father  in  the  business.  Mr.  Laub- 
scher  and  family  are  members  of  the  Ger- 
man Methodist  church.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican.  He  was  elected  township  trus- 
tee in  April,  1884,  and  that  he  served  the  peo- 
ple well  was  proven  by  the  fact  that  he  was 
re-elected  by  a  largely  increased  majority  to 
the  same  office  in  1886. 

George  Linxwiler,  grandfather  of 
Isaac  W.  Linxwiler,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Two  Bridges,  Germany,  April,  1768, 
and  attended  school  in  his  native  country 
from  six  to  fourteen  years  of  age,  receiving 
a  good  common  school  education.  Me  then 
served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years, 
learning  the  miller's  trade.  lie  emigrated 
to  the  United  States,  landing  at  New  York 
in  1785,  and  going  from  there  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  married  in  1790,  to  Miss 
Catherine  Stull,  a  native  of  the  same  place 
in  Germany,  born  June  5,  1767.  After 
coming  to  New  York  in  1785,  she  worked 
three  years  in  the  citj'  to  pay  her  passage 
to  America.  They  probably  resided  in 
Pennsylvania  foi  several  years  after  their 
marriage,  removing  to  Vanderburgh  county 
previous  to  1809.  George  Linxwiler  died 
February  22,  1857,  his  wife  early  in  No- 
vember, 1858.  William  Linxwiler,  father 
of  Isaac,  was  born  in  this  county  February 
12,  1809,  being  the  third  white  child,  and 
Xhejirst  male  white  child  born  in  the  county. 
He  was  the  j'oungest  of  thirteen  children, 
one  of  his  older  brothers  having  been  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  181 2,  and  wounded 
during  that  war.  William  Linxwiler  was  a 
farmer,  his  father  having  been  the  first  to 
locate  a  number  of  farms  in  different  places 
in  the  county.  He  was  married  February 
36 


10,  1833,  to  Jane  Clinton,  who  was  born  in 
Warren,  Ohio,  Januar\'  20, 18 15,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Jonathan  and  Letitia  (McAlree)  Clin- 
ton, both  natives  of  Ireland,  who  came  from 
that  countrj'  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Trum- 
bull county.  Thence  they  came  to  this 
county  in  1S31.  Mrs.  Clinton  died  August 
24,  1874,  aged  eighty-seven.  They  were 
the  parents  of  seven  children :  Henderson, 
born  March  12,  1835,  died  January  22,  1839; 
John  D.,  born  July  11,  1837;  Margaret  E., 
born  September  10,  1839;  George  H.,  born 
Januar}-  21,  1842,  died  September  5,  1858; 
Mary  J.,  born  May  25,  1845;  Isaac  W., 
born  September  14,  1847;  Benjamin  L., 
born  October  7,  1849,  died  January  8,  1867. 
William  Linxwiler  died  February  10,  1882, 
his  wife  March  13,  1888.  WiUiam  Linx- 
wiler settled  on  the  farm  where  his  son 
resides,  in  1833.  Isaac  W.  Linxwiler  was 
born  and  reared  on  this  farm,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  of  this  township.  He 
has  devoted  his  entire  life  to  farming,  and 
now  owns  sixty-two  acres  of  land,  a  part  of 
the  old  homestead,  nearly  all  in  cultivation. 
He  was  married  October  31,  1872,  to  Miss 
Cidney  W.  Hanson,  who  was  born  in  Ohio, 
Januarj^  20,  1S52,  daughter  of  William  and 
Joanna  Hanson,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Ohio,  and  came  to  this  count}'  in  1865. 
They  went  to  housekeeping  on  the  farm 
where  they  still  reside.  They  are  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children  living  and  one  dead: 
Emma  E.,  born  Jul}-  25,  1874;  D^i'sy  L., 
June  28,  1876,  died  October  9,  1876; 
Charles  E.,  March  14,  1878;  James  C,  Feb- 
ruary 13,  18S0;  William  H.,  Jul}'  5,  1881; 
Laura  B.,  July  17,  1S83;  Jane  J.,  April  28, 
18S5;  Isaac  L.,  August  11,  1887.  Mr. 
Linxwiler  is  a  republican  in  politics.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  Vanderburgh 
lodge.  No.  34.  He  is  an  honest,  industrious 
man,  and  represents  one  of  the  oldest,  if  not 
the  very  oldest,  families  in  the  county. 


616 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Samuel  C  Longbine,  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  Center  township,  was  born  in  this 
township,  December  lo,  1849.  He  is  the 
son  of  George  and  Catherine  (Severe) 
Longbine.  .  The  former  is  a  native  of  Saxe- 
Coburg,  Germany,  and  the  latter  of  Vir- 
ginia. After  their  marriage  they  resided  in 
Vanderburgh  county,  where  Mr.  Longbine 
gave  his  attention  to  farming  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  August  24,  1880,  his  wife 
having  preceded  him  about  twenty-five 
years,  October  11,  1855.  Samuel  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  of  Center  township,  and 
worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  he 
was  fourteen,  and  the  greater  portion  of  the 
time  until  he  w-as  twenty-three.  He  was 
married  May  24,  1873,  to  Miss  Clarissa 
Brown,  who  was  born  in  this  township, 
November  20,  1849.  '^^^  ^^^  ^^^  daughter 
of  John  M.  and  Clarissa  (Linxwiler)  Broun, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  the  state 
of  New  York,  and  the  latter  on  the  farm 
where  she  and  her  husband  now  reside. 
After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Long- 
bine settled  down  to  farm  life,  and  have  oc- 
cupied their  present  home  for  seven  years. 
He  has  devoted  his  time  entirely  to  agricul- 
ture, except  the  time  spent  in  filling  various 
township  offices,  such  as  constable  for  six 
years,  tax  collector  two  years,  and  road  su- 
pervisor, as  which  he  is  now  serving  his 
second  term.  They  have  no  children  of 
their  own,  but  have  an  adopted  daughter, 
Ida  (Willis)  Longbine,  who  was  born  Janu- 
ar}^  10,  1877.  Mrs.  Longbine  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  church.  In  politics  Mr. 
Longbine  is  a  republican.  He  and  wife 
own  a  farm  of  fort}'  acres,  nearly  all  of 
which  is  in  cultivation.  He  is  an  honest, 
industrious  gentleman,  and  he  and  family 
are  well-known  and  highl}-  respected. 

Charles  F.  McJohnston,  a  native  of 
County  Longford,  Ireland,  was  born  Sep- 
tember 30,  1810.     He  is  the  son  of  Charles 


Mcjohnson,  sr.,  who  wa^  a  native  of  the 
same  county  in  Ireland,  and  was  born  in 
17S1.  He  married  and  lived  in  his  native 
country  until  he  had  seven  children,  three 
sons  and  four  daughters,  when  his  wife 
died.  He  then  took  his  children  and  emi- 
grated to  America,  and  landed  at  Philadel- 
phia in  August,  1818.  Here  he  left  his 
children  while  he  spent  some  time  in  look- 
ing for  a  location  in  New  York  and  else- 
where. Failing  in  this  he  procured  wagons 
and  made  the  journey  across  the  mountains 
to  Pittsburgh,  where  he  arrived  at  the  end  of 
four  weeks.  He  then  built  a  flat-boat  and 
started  with  his  family  down  the  Ohio  river, 
but,  after  reaching  Beaver  Dam,  a  short 
distance  below  Pittsburgh,  he  landed,  sold 
his  boat  and  spent  the  winter  at  that  place. 
In  the  next  spring,  however,  he  built  two 
other  boats,  on  one  of  which  he  placed  his 
family,  and  on  the  other  his  horses,  and  con- 
tinued his  journey  down  the  Ohio  to  Evans- 
ville,  which  place  was  reached  about  March 
25,  1819.  Here  he  left  his  children  on  the 
boat,  and  went  out  into  what  is  now  Center 
township,  this  county,  and  entered  1,000 
or  more  acres  of  land,  his  being  the  first 
land  ever  entered  in  that  vicinit}-.  He  re- 
turned for  his  family,  and  took  them  onto 
his  land,  where  he  settled  down  in  the  wil- 
derness. He,  with  the  help  of  his  sons,  at 
once  began  to  clear  the  land  for  farming. 
The  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent  here, 
and  his  home  soon  became  known  as  one  from 
which  no  wayfarer  would  be  turned  away. 
In  August,  1827,  he  was  elected  to  rep- 
resent the  counties  of  Vanderburgh  and 
Warrick,  in  the  state  legislature,  but  did 
not  live  to  serve  his  term  out.  Nothing 
shows  his  popularitv  at  home  more  than  the 
fact  that  in  this  election  onl}-  two  votes  were 
cast  against  him  in  his  own  township.  He 
died  May  3,  1828.  Charles  F.  McJohnston 
spent  but  eight  years  of  his  life  in  Ireland,  a 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


617 


part  of  which  he  attended  school  and  then 
he  accompanied  his  father  to  this  county, 
where  he  assisted  his  father  in  clearingf  the 
land,  and  he  has  lived  up  to  the  present 
time  on  some  one  of  the  farms  he  helped  to 
make.  He  was  married  February  14,  1833, 
to  Miss  Mary  Wasson,  of  Gibson  county, 
who  was  born  September  15,  1815,  and  was 
the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Jane  (Adams) 
Wasson.  Mr.  Wasson  was  a  Unitarian 
minister,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were 
natives  of  South  Carolina.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Mcjohnston  are  the  parents  of  nine  children, 
viz.:  Catherine,  born  February'  6,  1834; 
Arthur  F.,  born  February  19,  1837;  Joseph 
W.,  born  February  18,  1839;  ^^laria  J.,  born 
February  24,  1841 ;  James  W.,  born  May 
30,  1843;  Melissa,  born  October  16,  1S45; 
William  H.,  born  June  14,  1S48;  Levi  I., 
born  April  5,  185 1,  and  Katie,  born  Febru- 
ary 21,  1854.  -^^  ^^^  living  except  the  first 
two,  Catherine,  who  died  in  her  seventh 
year,  and  Arthur  F.,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
fifty,  from  the  effects  of  exposure  in  the 
civil  war,  he  having  been  a  member  of 
Company  K,  Sixty-fifth  Indiana  volunteers. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mcjohnston  are  now  among 
the  most  venerable  citizens  of  the  county, 
and  it  is  very  interesting  to  hear  them  relate 
the  many  things  of  importance  that  have 
taken  place  within  their  recollection.  They 
live  all  alone  on  the  farm  where  they  have 
been  continuously  for  about  forty  j-ears,  but 
Mr.  Mcjohnston  has  divided  the  estate 
among  his  children,  and  four  of  them  live 
in  sight  of  their  parents.  For  their  ad- 
vanced age  thev  are  hale  and  heart}',  and 
seem  to  bid  fair  to  remain  some  time  yet. 
They  were  present  at  the  birth  of  the 
county,  and  have  witnessed  its  growth  and 
advancement  through  all  its  stages  of  pro- 
gress, and  have  taken  no  small  share  in 
making  their  portion  of  the  county  what  it 
is.     Mr.  Mcjohnston's  father  was  a  Wes- 


leyan  Methodist,  and  he  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  church  for  more  than  si.xty 
years,  and  his  wife  for  nearly  as  long.  In 
politics  he  was  a  whig,  and  is  now  a  repub- 
lican. 

John  F.  Moffett  was  born  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  resides,  October  31,  1840, 
son  of  James  and  Wilhelmina  (Mcjohnston) 
Moffett.  The  father  was  born  in  County 
Armagh,  Ireland,  March  10,  1805;  the 
mother  was  born  in  Longford  county,  Ire- 
land, June  14,  1814.  Mr.  Moffett's  father 
settled  on  the  farm  where  his  son  now  re- 
sides, entering  the  land  from  the  govern- 
ment. Here  he  lived  until  his  death  Sep- 
tember 5,  1869.  His  wife  survived  until 
February  2,  1885.  On  this  farm  John  Mof- 
fett passed  his  early  life.  In  August,  1862, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Sixty-fifth  Indi- 
ana regiment,  served  three  years,  and  was 
mustered  out  a  corporal  in  July,  1865. 
While  in  the  service  he  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Resaca,  Nashville,  of  the  At- 
lanta campaign,  and  various  other  engage- 
ments. March  19,  1868,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Janet  Brodie,  who  was  born  April  3, 
1844,  in  the  city  of  Mexico,  daughter  of 
Andrew  and  Janet  (Henry)  Brodie,  both 
natives  of  Scodand.  The  first  seven  years 
of  their  married  life  were  spent  at  the  home 
of  Mr.  Brodie  in  this  township.  They  next 
removed  to  the  farm  where  they  now  reside. 
He  owns  eighty  acres  of  good  land  nearly 
all  in  cultivation.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moffett  are 
the  parents  of  two  children :  James  B.,  born 
January  i,  1869,  and  Mamie,  born  May  16, 
1871;  the  latter  died  July  25,  1872.  Mr. 
Moffett  is  a  member  of  Farragut  post.  No. 
27,  G.  A.  R.,  and  he  and  his  entire  family 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.     In  politics  he  is  a  republican. 

Rachel  H.  Purdue.  —  Daniel  Williams, 
a  native  of  Wales,  immigrated  to  the 
United    States     before     the   revolutionary 


618 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


war,  and  made  his  home  in  Virginia. 
Here  he  was  married  to  a  Miss  Den- 
ton. They  raised  a  family  of  eleven 
children,  ten  sons  and  one  daughter.  One 
of  these  sons,  WiUiam  D.,  was  born  March 
30,  1760.  He  worked  on  a  farm  until  he 
was  sixteen  j-ears  of  age,  when  he  entered 
the  revolutionary  war,  and  served  until  in- 
dependence was  achieved.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Virginia,  and  afterward  emi- 
grated to  Tennessee,  where  he  was  married 
to  a  Miss  Shelton.  They  were  the  parents 
of  twelve  children;  subsequently,  this  wife 
having  died,  he  married  in  1816,  Mrs. 
Susanah  Hudson,  a  widow  with  eight  child- 
ren. She  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina, 
born  March  12,  1781,  daughter  of  "William 
and  Amelia  (Retherford)  McDonald.  To 
this  marriage  these  children  were  born: 
Calvin  McDonald,  born  1817;  James  L., 
born  July  i,  1819;  Henry  M.,born  April  26, 
1821;  Rachel  H.  born  September  16,  1823, 
and  Isabel  P.,  born  January  29,  1826. 
Rachel  H.,  was  born  in  Butler  county, 
Ky.,  and  when  four  years  of  age  she 
accompanied  her  parents  to  Warrick 
county,  Ind.  They  settled  in  the  vicinity  of 
Boonville,  in  the  fall  of  1827.  What  litde 
schooling  she  obtained  was  in  that  count}', 
being  often  compelled  to  walk  three  miles 
or  more  to  find  a  school  of  any  kind.  She 
was  married  in  Warrick  county  to  Rich- 
ard Robeson  Purdue,  July  18,  1841. 
Prior  to  the  revolutionary  war,  Richard 
Robeson  Purdue,  Louis  Gregory  Purdue, 
and  another  brother  emigrated  from  France 
and  settled  in  South  Carolina.  When  the 
war  broke  out  one  of  the  brothers  went  with 
Washington  and  the  other  with  Marion,  and 
both  fought  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
Richard  was  married  before  he  entered  the 
army  and  had  three  children.  In  all,  he  was 
the  father  of  twent^'-two  sons,  when  his  wife 
die<i..     He  was  married  the  second  time  and 


had  one  son,  Howell  Gregory  Purdue.  His 
second  wife  d3ing,  he  was  married  again 
and  had  another  son,  Jarrett  Purdue.  He 
then  died,  and  his  widow  married  a  French- 
man, Gabriel  Visor.  Howell  Gregory, 
Richard  Purdue's  only  son  by  his  second 
wife,  was  married  August  25,  1814,  to  Miss 
Nancy  Jane  Dixon,  whose  mother  was  Ellen 
(Evans)  Dixon.  She  and  her  husband  were 
both  natives  of  South  Carolina,  where  he 
was  born  October  21, 1790,  and  she  Decem- 
ber 30,  1795.  They  were  married  in  Ken- 
tucky, but  made  their  home  in  Tennessee. 
They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children, 
viz. :  Richard  Robeson,  born  February  3, 
1816,  Jarrett  G.,  Ellen  E.,  William  D.,  An- 
drew v.,  Howell  G.,  Basil  B.,  Susan,  Oliver 
L.,  and  Nancy  J.  They  were  born  in  Mont- 
gomery count}',  Tenn.,  except  the  last  four, 
natives  of  Warrick  county.  The  parents 
emigrated  from  Tennessee  to  Kentucky  in 
December,  1829,  and  the  next  fall  reaching 
Warrick  county.  His  death  occurred  July 
5,  1850,  and  she  passed  away  February  4, 
1868.  After  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Richard  R.  Purdue  resided  in  different  parts 
of  Warrick  and  Spencer  counties  until 
1853,  when  they  removed  to  Marion 
county.  111.,  in  which  place  they  resided  until 
his  death,  October  2,  1858.  They  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children :  Jarrett  G.,  born 
June  10,  1842,  who  enlisted  in  1861  as  a 
private  in  the  Twenty-fifth  Indiana  volunteer 
infantry,  and  after  participating  in  the  battle 
of  Shiloh,  died  near  Corinth,  Miss.,  June  10, 
1862;  Susan  M.,  born  September  5,  1843, 
died  November  2,  1844;  William  H.,  born 
August  30,  1846;  Orrin  C,  born  June  24, 
1848;  Richard  H.,  born  April  9,  1853;  Sam- 
uel  D.,  born  March  13,  1856,  and  James  B., 
born  February  6,  1858.  After  her  husband's 
death,  she  returned  to  Warrick  county, 
where  she  was  married  to  Rufus  Roberts, 
the   marriage  taking  place  in  April,   1S59. 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


619 


Two  sons  resulted  from  this  union :  Rufus 
J.,  born  October  12,  i860,  died  in  infancy, 
and  Union  B.,  born  April  14,  1S62.  When 
the  latter  was  only  a  few  weeks  old,  she  and 
Mr.  Roberts  separated,  since  which  time 
she  has  remained  a  widow,  and  made  her 
home  in  Warrick  county,  until  the  summer 
of  1886,  when  she  removed  to  the  city  of 
Evansville,  where  she  still  resides  with  her 
youngest  child. 

Dr.  S.  Ruark,  an  old  and  prominent 
physician  of  Center  township,  was  born  in 
Richland  county.  111.,  July  17,  1825.  He  is 
the  son  of  Reason  and  Mary  J.  (Banks) 
Ruark.  The  former  was  born  in  Maryland 
about  1800,  and  the  latter  in  the  south  a 
few  years  later.  In  1844  he  left  the  farm 
and  came  to  Evansville,  where  he  remained 
a  short  time,  and  then  went  to  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  and  spent  the  winter.  In  the  spring 
of  1845,  he  returned  to  Evansville,  and 
entered  upon  the  study  of  medicine,  reading 
with  Drs.  Wilcox  and  Lane  for  two  years, 
and  then  with  Dr.  Casselberry  for  one  year. 
He  graduated  from  the  old  Evansville  Med- 
ical College  about  1850,  having  practiced 
for  two  years  before  graduating.  After 
graduating,  he  continued  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  Evansville  for  two  years,  in 
Henderson  county,  Ky.,  for  six  years,  m 
New  Harmony  for  six  years.  He  then 
returned  to  Evansville,  and  has  remained  in 
that  city  and  vicinity  until  the  present  time. 
At  present  he  resides  four  miles  north  of 
the  city  on  the  Fulton  avenue  road,  where 
he  owns  a  farm  of  over  sixty  acres  of  land, 
on  which  he  has  a  pleasant,  comfortable 
home,  and  an  orchard  containing  a  large 
variety  of  fruit  grown  in  this  vicinity.  Dr. 
Ruark  was  married  November  6,  1849,  to 
Julia  Ann  Rogers,  a  native  of  this  county, 
daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Mar- 
quess) Rogers.  Mrs.  Ruark  died  May  3, 
1869,  aged    fort}-   years,   nine    months   and 


eighteen  days.  On  April  6,  1870,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Sophia  Blakey,  who  was 
born  in  Virginia  about  1848.  They  are  the 
parents  of  a  son,  born  May  19,  1888.  They 
are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church.  In  politics  the  doctor  is  a 
republican. 

Robert  Ruston,  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Center  township,  was  born  in  Chatteris, 
Cambridgeshire,  England,  April  6,  181 2, 
the  son  of  Richard  and  Mary  (Farmor) 
Ruston.  He  was  married  October  25,  1835, 
to  Lydia  Grant,  born  May  2,  181 2.  On 
April  6,  1837,  he  left  England,  bringing 
with  him  liis  wife  and  one  son.  He  stopped 
en  route  at  Cleveland,  after  which  he  came 
to  this  county  and  settled  in  Scott  township, 
where  he  enfra<red  in  farmin<j.  Here  he  re- 
mained  about  ten  years  and  then  removed 
to  Campbell  township,  Warrick  county, 
where  he  lived  about  thirty  years,  when  he 
returned  to  Vanderburgh  county,  this  time 
settling  in  Center  township,  where  he  now 
resides.  Mr.  Ruston  is  the  father  of  six 
children  by  his  first  wife:  Matthew,  born 
July  26,  1836;  Mary,  December  30,  1838; 
Daniel,  May  24,  1840;  Henry,  October 
13,  1841;  James  C,  March  10,  1843,  and 
Andrew,  July  22,  1844,  all  born  in  this  county 
except  Matthew,  who  is  a  native  of  Eng- 
land. Three  are  dead,  Ephriam,  Jane  and 
Henrv,  a  member  of  the  Sixty-fifth  Indiana, 
died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  December  14,  1864. 
Mrs.  Ruston  died  February  3,  1846.  Mr. 
Ruston  was  a  second  time  married  August 
26,  1846,  to  Mrs.  Mary  Dodd,  a  widow  with 
three  children.  Mr.  Ruston  was  the  father 
of  one  child  by  his  second  wife,  Ephriam, 
who  was  born  August  31,  1850.  Mr.  Rus- 
ton was  again  left  a  widower  April  29, 
1880.  September  25,  1881,  he  married 
Miss  Maria  Carr,  born  August  11,  1833, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Toland) 
Carr,  natives  of  the  north   of  Ireland.     Mr. 


6S0 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Ruston  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church,  and  Mrs.  Ruston  is  a  devout 
Catholic. 

H.  William  Schnelle  was  born  in 
Brunswick,  German}^  December  2,  1840, 
the  son  of  William  and  Hannah  (Bertram) 
Schnelle.  He  accompanied  his  parents  to 
the  United  States,  landing  at  New  Orleans 
in  the  spring  of  1854.  They  settled  first  in 
German  township  and  then  removed  to  the 
farm  in  Center  township,  where  the  son  now 
resides.  Here  his  father  died  in  March, 
1 88 1,  his  wife  having  preceded  him,  Feb- 
ruary 20,  1879.  I"  August,  1862,  Mr. 
Schnelle  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company 
E,  Thirtj'-second  Indiana  volunteer  infantry, 
the  first  German  regiment  from  Indiana. 
He  was  mustered  out  June,  1865.  During 
his  term  of  service  he  participated  in  some 
of  the  principal  battles  of  the  war.  At 
Perryville  he  was  taken  prisoner,  but  was 
paroled  the  next  day.  At  Chickamauga  he 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  left  side  of  the 
head,  which  gives  him  a  great  deal  of 
trouble  yet,  the  bone  pressing  against  the 
brain.  This  wound  rendered  him  unfit  for 
duty  until  the  spring  of  1864,  when  he  re- 
turned to  his  regiment,  then  in  east  Ten- 
nessee, and  was  with  Sherman  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  after  Sherman  went  on  to  the 
sea  his  regiment  remained  in  the  vicinity  of 
Atlanta  until  he  was  mustered  out.  After 
he  returned  home  he  took  a  course  in  the 
Evansville  Commercial  College,  kept  books 
for  nearly  two  j'ears,  and  was  in  the 
grocery  business  one  year,  and  then  came 
to  the  farm,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He 
was  married  in  the  spring  of  1867  to  Miss 
Margaret  Soesser,  daughter  of  Simon 
Soesser.  He  is  the  father  of  seven  children, 
viz.:  Henry  W.,  William  S.,  Minnie,  Ed- 
ward, August,  Frederick  and  Simon.  Mr. 
Schnelle  and  family  are  members  of  the 
Evangelical   church.      He  is    a   republican 


politically.  He  owns  a  farm  of  about  forty 
acres,  nearh^  all  in  cultivation.  He  and  family 
are  among  the  best  citizens  of  the  township. 
His  wound,  received  at  Chickamauga,  causes 
him  to  be  subject  to  attacks  of  epileps}'. 
He  draws  a  pension  of  $30  per  month  for 
this  injury,  which  but  slightly  compensates 
for  it. 

Jacob  Kunz,  an  old  resident  of  Center 
township,  was  born  in  Germany  May  19, 
1828,  son  of  Conrad  and  Elizabeth  Kunz. 
His  father  died  when  he  was  only  a  few 
months  old,  and  his  mother  ten  years  later. 
He  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1850, 
arriving  at  New  York  in  January  of  that 
year,  and  in  May  reached  Evansville.  Jan- 
uary 27,  1857,  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Car- 
oline L.  Schlag,  the  widow  of  John  Schlag. 
She  was  born  in  Germany  Februarj'  2, 1822, 
daughter  of  John  Haberer.  Her  parents 
both  died  in  Germany.  After  their  mar- 
riage Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kunz  settled  on  the 
farm  where  he  still  resides,  where  at  first 
there  was  but  little  cleared  land  on  the  place 
of  ninety-four  acres.  Now  it  is  all  cleared 
except  twenty-five  acres.  He  and  his  wife 
are  the  parents  of  three  children :  Elizabeth, 
born  November  11,  1857,  who  died  Septem- 
ber, 1869;  Anna,  born  1864,  who  died  in 
infancy,  and  David  G.,  born  September  16, 
1859.  Mrs.  Kunz  died  October  12,  1884. 
Mr.  Kunz  and  family  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  In  politics  he  is  a  re- 
publican. He  is  one  of  the  well-to-do  farm- 
ers, and  has  always  been  an  honest,  indus- 
trious man. 

Christian  F.  Schlag,  son  of  John 
Schlag  and  his  wife  Caroline  (afterward 
Mrs.  Kunz),  is  now  a  prominent  farmer  of 
this  township,  where  he  was  born  September 
16,  1852.  He  was  married  November  19, 
1879,  ^^  Miss  Anna  Freyling,  who  was  born 
in  Warrick  county,  April  8,  1857,  the 
daughter  of  Stephen    and  Anna  (Pickett) 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


621 


Freyling.  They  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  Louis  S.,  born  June  2,  1S82,  and 
David  G.,  born  February  25,  1884.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.      In  politics  he  is  a  republican. 

Conrad  Schmidt,  a  venerable  farmer  of 
this  township,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  February 
15,  1810,  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Christina 
Schmidt.  When  he  was  fourteen  his 
mother  died  and  his  father  married  again. 
After  leaving  school  he  was  employed  as  a 
shoemaker.  In  1832,  he,  together  with  his 
father,  stepmother,  four  brothers,  one  sister 
and  two  step-sisters  emigrated  to  the  United 
States.  After  two  years  at  New  Orleans 
they  came  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of 
1834,  and  settled  in  the  woods  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  resides.  Conrad's  father  died 
in  1839,  and  his  stepmother  lived  until  about 
ten  years  ago.  Mr.  Schmidt  was  married 
September  10,  1839,  to  Miss  Mary  Schwab, 
who  was  born  in  Switzerland,  July  8,1822, 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Catherine 
Schwab.  When  about  twelve  years  of  age 
she  accompanied  her  parents  from  Switzer- 
land to  this  count}',  spending  four  years  at 
Pittsburgh,  and  arriving  at  Evansville  in  the 
spring  of  1838.  They  remained  about  three 
years  in  Evansville,  and  then  came  to  this 
township,  where  the  father  died  about  1869, 
and  the  mother  a  year  later.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Schmidt  have  spent  nearh"  forty-nine  years 
together  on  this  farm.  They  raised  a  fam- 
ily of  twelve  children,  seven  of  whom  are 
still  living,  and  the  }oungest  to  die  was 
seven  years  of  age.  The  children's  names 
are:  Mary,  deceased;  Christina,  deceased; 
Catherine,  deceased;  Elizabeth,  Philip, 
Henry;  Wilhelmina,  deceased;  Simon, 
deceased;  Louisa,  Margaret,  George  and 
Ida.  Mr.  Schmidt  owns  eighty  acres 
of  land,  all  of  which  he  assisted  in 
clearing  himself.  He  and  familv  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  church.     Politically 


Mr.  Schmidt  is  a  republican.  None  are 
more  highly  respected  than  this  aged  couple. 
Anton  Sciimitt,  an  aged  and  respected 
farmer  of  Center  township,  was  born  in 
Rhenish  Bavaria,  at  Wachenheim-by-the- 
Hardt,  February  14,  1814,  the  son  of 
David  and  Justina  (Hallcr)  Schmitt. 
When  he  was  fourteen,  he  was  engaged  in 
a  vineyard,  which  business  he  thoroughly 
understood.  Mr.  Schmitt  was  married  May 
16,  1838,  to  Miss  Barbara  Kunz,  born  in 
Germany,  December  4,  181 7,  daughter  of 
Conrad  and  Susan  Kunz.  Her  father  died 
in  his  native  country  in  1828,  and  her  mother 
died  when  Mrs.  Schmitt  was  an  infant.  In 
1840,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schmitt,  together  with 
their  oldest  child,  Mr.  Schmitt's  father  and 
mother,  one  brother  and  one  sister,  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States,  reaching  Evans- 
ville in  June.  Anton  and  wife  settled  in  a 
little  loij  cabin  on  the  farm  where  he  still 
lives,  and  his  father  and  mother  on  another 
near  his.  Here  his  father,  who  was  born  in 
1776,  died,  October  9,  1S44,  and  his  mother 
the,n  went  to  Evansville  and  resided  with  her 
daughter  until  her  death,  May  3,  1873,  at  the 
age  of  ninety-four  years.  Mr.  Schmitt  was 
eminently  successful,  and  increased  his  farm 
of  forty  acres  to  one  of  167  acres,  and  the 
eight  or  ten  acres  of  cleared  land  that  he 
found,  to  more  than  100.  The  log  cabin  has 
been  replaced  by  a  substantial  frame  struc- 
ture, which  is  comfortable  and  commo- 
dious. In  addition  to  this  he  has  erected 
quite  a  handsome  two-story  residence  for 
his  son,  which  together  with  fifty  acres  of 
land  he  gave  to  him.  He  and  wife  are  the 
parents  of  five  children:  Margaret,  Eliza- 
beth, David  (deceased),  Catherine,  Charles. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schmitt,  have  passed  a  little 
more  than  fifty  years  together,  forty-eight 
at  their  present  home.  They  are  members 
of  the  United  E\angelical  church.  In  poli- 
tics  Mr.  Schmitt  is  a  republican.     Ch.vrles 


sss 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


ScHMiTT,  son  of  Anton,  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Center  township,  and  studied  Ger- 
man at  Darmstadt.  He  has  devoted  his  entire 
life  to  farm  work,  and  owns  a  farm  of  fifty 
acres,  nearl}^  all  of  which  is  in  cultivation, 
and  is  well  improved.  He  was  married 
August  31,  1874,  to  Miss  Louisa  Kuster, 
who  was  born  in  this  county  January  14, 
1855,  daughter  of  Christopher  and  Louisa 
(Swarz)  Kuster,  natives  of  Germany,  who 
emigrated  some  thirty-five  or  forty  years  ago, 
and  now  resides  in  Scott  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Schmitt  are  the  parents  of  five  child- 
ren: Otto  (deceased),  Clara,  John,  Victor, 
Elizabeth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schmitt  are 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  republican.  He  is  an  honest,  indus- 
trious young  farmer. 

John  Henry  Peter  Schmidt  was  born 
at  Casseburg,  Lauenburg,  Prussia,  July  29, 
1831,  the  son  of  John  Henr^^  and  Mary 
(Ludemann)  Schmidt,  both  of  whom  died 
in  their  native  countr}-,  the  father  about 
1880  and  the  mother  about  1863.  In  the  fall 
of  1856  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States, 
and  from  New  York  went  to  Milwaukee, 
where  he  was  variously  employed,  princi- 
pally in  a  printing  office,  for  a  year  and  a 
half.  From  Milwaukee  he  went  to  Tell 
City,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted 
as  a  private  in  Company  A,  Sixtieth  Indiana 
infantry,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Owen, 
and  served  three  years.  He  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Munfordville,  Arkansas  Post, 
Chickasaw  Bottoms,  Vicksburg,  Black 
River,  and  in  skirmishes  near  Jackson, 
Miss.,  and  at  Carencro,  where  he  was  taken 
prisoner  and  held  for  six  or  seven  weeks. 
After  being  exchanged,  he  was  with  Banks 
on  his  Red  River  expedition.  He  was  dis- 
charged in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  then  re- 
turned to  Tell  City  and  engaged  in  the 
shingle   business    for    one  year.     He    then 


came  to  Evansville,  where  he  followed  the 
wharf-boat  business  for  nine  or  ten  years, 
after  which  he  came  to  Center  township 
and  bought  the  farm  where  he  now  resides. 
He  was  married  April  i,  1875,  to  Mrs. 
Sophia  (Andres)  Bremer,  the  widow  of 
Henry  E.  Bremer.  She  was  born  in  Hol- 
stein,  Germany,  about  1834,  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Catherine  (Bank)  Andres.  Her 
father  died  in  Germany  about  1852,  and  her 
mother  in  Tell  City,  Ind.,  about  ten  years 
later.  Mr.  Schmidt  and  wife  have  one 
child,  Mary  Christina  Francisca,  born  Jan- 
uary 16,  1876.  They  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  In  politics  Mr. 
Schmidt  is  a  republican.  He  was  a  gallant 
soldier,  and  is  now  an  honest,  industrious 
and  successful  farmer. 

Rev.  Ulrich  Schroeter,  an  old  and 
highly  respected  resident  of  Center  town- 
ship, was  born  near  Berne,  Switzerland, 
August,  1826,  the  son  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth Schroeter.  His  maternal  grandfather 
was  John  Swahlen,  who  immigrated  at  the 
age  of  eighty  years,  and  lived  over  nine 
3'ears  after  reaching  this  country.  Ulrich 
Schroeter  acquired  a  good  academic  educa- 
tion, and  some  knowledge  of  the  French 
language.  In  March,  1847,  he,  with  his 
parents,  brother  Christian,  sisters  Anna  and 
Elizabeth,  and  his  grandfather,  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  and  reached  Evansville, 
in  July,  1847.  The  family  settled  on  a  farm 
in  German  township,  nearly  all  of  which 
was  in  the  woods.  The  father  died  about 
five  years  later,  but  the  mother  lived  about 
twenty  years.  Ulrich  made  his  home  prin- 
cipally with  his  uncle,  Christian  Swahlen, 
in  Center  township,  and  was  variously  em- 
ployed. At  about  the  age  of  twenty-six,  he 
made  a  profession  of  religion,  uniting  with 
the  German  Methodist  church.  He  was 
licensed  to  preach,  and  was  a  local  preacher 
for    some    time.     He    became   an  itinerant 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


6SS 


minister,  his  first  circuit  including  Logans- 
port,  Wabash,  Peru,  and  other  places.  In 
this  work  he  remained  about  one  year,  when 
his  health  failed.  A  year  later  he  again  en- 
tered the  itineracy,  visiting  Santa  Claus, 
New  Boston,  Santa  Fe,  Grandview,  and 
other  places  in  Spencer  county.  There  he 
was  married  May  ii,  1858,  to  Miss  Mary 
Fryhofer,  who  was  born  in  Jackson  county, 
Ind.,  May  29,  1840.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
Jacob  Fryhofer,  born  March  11,  1806,  and 
his  wife  Susanna  born  December  18,  1805, 
both  natives  of  Canton  Cirach,  Switzerland. 
They  came  to  the  United  States  about  1835, 
and  settled  first  in  Jackson  county,  then  in 
Spencer  county,  where  Mrs.  Fryhofer  died 
February  12,  1863.  Mr.  Fryhofer  now  re- 
sides in  Riley  county,  Kansas.  Soon  after 
his  marriage,  Mr.  Schroeter  gave  up  his 
circuit  and  returned  to  Vanderburgh  county, 
and  purchased  the  farm  in  Center  town- 
ship, on  which  he  now  resides.  He  has 
cleared  most  of  it,  and  erected  a  substantial 
house  and  two  large  barns.  Durinjj  the 
time  he  has  been  enirafred  in  farmin<r  he 
has  been  a  local  minister  and  a  leading  mem- 
ber of  the  German  Methodist  church.  He 
has  been  in  demand  to  preach  funeral  ser- 
mons, far  and  near,  and  he  was  never  too 
busv  to  respond  to  all  the  demands  of  this 
kind.  At  present  there  is  an  elegant  brick 
church  erected  near  his  farm,  the  successful 
completion  of  which  was  due,  in  great  part, 
to  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Schroeter.  He  and  his 
wife  are  the  parents  of  thirteen  children, 
nine  of  whom  are  livinjj.  Their  names  are: 
Lydia  E.,  John  W.,  Hannah  S.  (deceased), 
Emma  L.  (deceased),  Louis  F.  (deceased), 
Emma  Clara  (deceased),  Wilhelm  Jacob, 
Henr}'  Edward,  Albert  Walter,  Jesse  F., 
Samuel  T.,  Irwin  Benjamin  and  Arthur 
Clemens. 

Charles  F.  W.  Schwartz  was  born  in 
Prussia,  December  26, 1839,  ^^^  ^°"  °^  Ernst 


Henry  and  Louisa  (Redemeir)  Schwartz. 
At  the  age  of  seven  he  accompanied  his  pa- 
rents to  the  United  States,  arriving  at 
Evansville  in  December,  1846.  They  oc- 
cupied a  farm  in  Scott  township  about  eight 
years,  and  then  removed  to  German  town- 
ship, where  Mrs.  Schwartz  died  about  the 
year  1854.  Mr.  Schwartz  survived  her 
until  September,  1874.  October  20,  1862, 
Charles  enlisted  as  a  pri\ate  in  Company 
K,  Twenty-fourth  Indiana  volunteer  infan- 
try, and  served  until  October  19,  1865, 
when  he  was  mustered  out  at  Galveston, 
Te.\'.  Some  of  the  principal  battles  in 
which  he  participated  were  Port  Gibson, 
Champion  Hills,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  siege 
of  Blakely,  Ala.  After  coming  home 
he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  and  then 
resumed    farming.     He   was    married  July 

22,  1869,  to  Miss  Caroline  Schemet,  who 
was  born  at  Wittenberg,  Germany,  May  3, 
1851,  the  daughter  of  Louis  and  Caroline 
Schemet,  who  now  reside  m  this  township. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schwartz  have  had  the  follow- 
ing children:  Caroline  C.  (deceased), 
Wilhelmina  R.  and  Mary  B.,  (deceased); 
Louisa  R.,  Louis  F.,  William  H.,  Anna 
Catherine,  Ella  Augusta,  Christian  Gottlieb, 
and  Edward  Arthur.  Mr.  Schwartz  and 
family  are  members  of  the  German  Metho- 
dist church. 

Ernst  Henry  Schwartz  was  born  in 
Scott  township,  J anuarj'  2,  1850,  the  son  of 
E.  H.  and  Louisa  Schwartz,  above  men- 
tioned. He  was  married  May  5,  1S85,  to 
Miss  Kate  Krieger.  who  was  born  in  this 
county  May  16,  1868,  daughter  of  William 
and  Lizzie  (Stichert)  Krieger,  natives  of 
German}';  he  died  in  this  count)-  December 

23,  18S6,  and  she  December,  1884.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Schwartz  are  the  parents  of  two 
children :  Emma  M.,born  February  15, 1886, 
and  Wesley  W.,  born  August  28,  1887. 
In  religion,  they  are  German  Methodists. 


62i 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Frederick  Steinmetz,  an  old  and  promi- 
nent farmer  of  this  township,  was  born  in 
Wachenheim-b3-the-Hardt,  Germany,  June 
II,  1811,  the  son  of  Bernhard  and  Eliza- 
beth (Koehler)  Steinmetz,  who  died  in 
that  country,  his  father  in  1829,  and  his 
mother  in  1838.  Frederick  attended  school 
until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  becom- 
ing an  exceptionally  good  penman,  and 
afterward  was  engaged  in  his  father's  vine- 
yard until  he  was  about  twenty-seven  years 
old.  March  16,  183 7,  he  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Schmidt,  who  was  born  in  German}', 
April  II,  181 1, daughter  of  David  andjustina 
(Haller)  Schmidt.  Her  parents  afterward 
came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in 
Center  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steinmetz 
emigrated  to  the  United  States,  leaving 
home  April  24,  1837.  They  reached  Evans- 
ville  June  19,  and  on  October  27,  1837,  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Center 
township.  He  worked  there  about  eleven 
years  and  then  bought  his  farm  of  160 
acres,  which  was  then  entirely  wooded. 
Now  there  are  about  100  acres  cleared,  and 
all  the  work  of  opening  this  farm  has  been 
done  by  him  and  his  sons.  They  are  the 
parents  of  seven  children:  Henry,  Anna 
Marie  (deceased),  Justina,  Conrad  (de- 
ceased), Elizabeth,  August  and  Bernhard. 
Mr.  Steinmetz  and  family  are  members  of 
the  Evangelical  church.  Mr.  Steinmetz 
was  for  several  years  secretary  of  the  Home 
Mutual  Fire  Insurance  company  of  Vander- 
burgh county. 

John  Ulrich  was  born  in  Switzerland, 
July  29,  1842,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Anna 
(Schroeter)  Ulrich.  Mr.  Ulrich's  pa- 
rents immigrated  and  landed  at  New 
York,  July  12,  1847,  and  came  at  once 
to  Evansville,  and  settled  in  this  town- 
ship. In  the  spring  of  1862,  Ulrich  took  a 
trip  up  the  Tennessee  river  on  a  govern- 
ment boat,  and  on  the  20th  of  July,  1862, 


enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  H, 
Sixty-fifth  Indiana  volunteer  infantr}',  and 
served  two  years,  ten  months  and  live  days. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Blounts- 
ville,  Tenn.,  where  he  was  painfully 
wounded  in  the  wrist,  Dallas,  Resaca  and 
other  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign. 
Near  Decatur  he  was  shot  through  the 
right  side,  breaking  two  of  his  ribs  and 
producing  a  very  dangerous  wound.  This 
was  so  serious  and  so  long  in  healing  that 
he  was  unable  to  return  to  his  regiment. 
When  he  was  mustered  out  May  25,  1865, 
the  wound  had  not  yet  healed  and  it  still 
disables  him.  He  was  married  October  15, 
1866,  to  Miss  Hannah  M.  Heubner,  who 
was  born  in  this  county,  March  18,  1847, 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Harriet  Heubner. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ulrich  are  members  of  the 
German  Methodist  church,  and  he  belongs 
to  Farragut  post,  G.  A.  R.  They  are  the 
parents  of  nine  children:  Anna  Eliza  (de- 
ceased), William  H.,  Edward  R.  (deceased), 
Harriet  F.,  Walter  W.,  Elizabeth  M.,  Jesse 
Martin,  Sarah  Esther  and  Ada  Belle  (de- 
ceased). 

Karl  Volkmann  was  born  in  German}', 
September  15,  1844.  He  is  the  son  of 
Andrew  and  CaroHne  Volkmann.  When 
Karl  was  about  nineteen  years  old  he  emi- 
grated to  the  United  Slates,  and  reached 
this  county  in  May,  1864.  He  was  vari- 
ously occupied  for  a  time,  and  then  pur- 
chased sixty  acres  of  the  120  acres  which 
he  now  owns.  Since  that  time  he  has  been 
engaged  in  farming,  and  has  been  ver}'  suc- 
cessful. He  was  married  about  1866  to 
Miss  Justina  Meyer,  a  native  of  Germany, 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Charlotte  Meyer. 
They  are  parents  of  eight  living  children : 
Ernest,  Charles,  Frederick,  Mary,  Alvina, 
Gusta,  Otto,  Louisa,  and  two  deceased, 
Carohne  and  August.  Mr.  Volkmann  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 


CENTER  TOWNSHIP. 


6S5 


He  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor  for  two 
years.  Mrs.  Volkmann's  father  was  sheriff 
of  the  court  in  the  old  country,  was  highly 
educated,  and  tilled  that  position  nearly  all 
his  life. 

Michael  Weber  was  born  in  Germany, 
July  2,  1S39.  He  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and 
Catherine  (Hoomel)  Weber,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  Germanj',  August  3, 
1812,  and  the  latter  about  iSoi.  In  1S52, 
the  family,  which  consisted  of  the  parents 
and  four  children :  Nicholas,  Michael,  Mary 
and  Catherine,  landed  at  New  Orleans,  and 
reached  Evansville  June  7.  In  August  of 
the  same  year,  his  father  settled  in  Center 
township.  Here  they  chopped  cord-wood 
out  of  all  the  available  timber,  made  rails, 
and  prepared  thirty  acres  for  agricul- 
ture. In  the  spring  of  1856  they  bought 
fifty-two  acres  of  land,  where  Michael  now 
resides.  They  afterward  bought  eighty 
acres  more  of  woodland.  This  land  is  now 
all  cleared,  e.xcept  about  four  acres,  and  the 
Webers  did  the  greater  portion  of  the  work 
themselves.  Michael's  mother  died  Octo- 
ber 3,  1861,  but  his  father  still  Hves  at 
Evansville.  Michael  Weber  and  Miss  Mary 
Schmidt  were  married  December  10,  1867. 
She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  September 
18,  1850,  the  daughter  of  Michael  and  Chris- 
tina Schmidt.  Her  parents  removed  from 
Pennsylvania  about  1855,  and  settled  in 
Center  township,  where  they  still  reside. 
Mr.  Weber  has  been  frequently  called  upon 
to  act  as  administrator  in  settling  various  es- 
tates, and  he  has  given  entire  satisfaction  in 
this  regard.  He  and  wife  are  tiie  parents 
of  five  children  :  Jacob,  Michael,  John,  Mary 
and  Michael.  The  tirst  named  Michael  was 
killed  by  a  horse  when  only  one  year,  three 
months  and  three  days  old.  In  18S1  Mr. 
Weber's  health  failed,  and  he  took  a  trip  to 
Germany,  where  he  remained  three  months, 


but  after  he  returned  he  suffered  a  relapse, 
and  then  took  a  trip  to  Alabama  and  Flor- 
ida. He  and  family  are  members  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  church.  He  has  been 
a  member  of  Crescent  Lodge,  No.  122, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  for  about  thirteen  years. 

Benj.\min  S.  Young,  ex-count)'  commis- 
sioner, was  born  December  18,  1830,  in 
Chatteris,  Cambridgeshire,  England.  He  is 
the  .son  of  William  and  x\nn  (Briggs)  Young, 
natives  of  England,  who  came  to  America 
about  1835.  They  landed  at  New  Orleans, 
and  at  Vanderburg  county,  in  the  spring  of 
1836,  first  settling  on  the  Kratzville  road  in 
this  township,  thence  moving  to  the  Blue 
Grass  flats.  From  there  they  came  to  the 
farm  where  Benjamin  now  resides,  and  the 
father  purchased  jointly  with  his  brother, 
eighty  acres  of  land  from  Ephriam  Hall,  pay- 
ing $200  for  what  is  now  w'orth  $60  an  acre. 
William  Young  died  a  year  or  two  later, 
from  the  kick  of  a  horse.  In  a  few  years 
Mrs.  Younff  married  William  Skeels.  Mr. 
Skeels  took  a  trip  to  California,  accom- 
panied by  Benjamin,  where  he  remained 
some  five  or  six  years.  On  his  return,  the 
family  removed  to  the  eastern  part  of  Cen- 
ter township.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war,  Mr.  Skeels  enlisted  in  the  sixty-fifth 
regiment,  Indiana  volunteers,  and  was  taken 
prisoner  and  died  in  Andersonville  prison. 
His  widow  died  at  the  home  of  her  son,  in 
1882.  Benjamin  spent  his  early  life  in  work- 
ing on  the  farm,  saw-milling,  and  steamboat- 
ing,  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers. 
In  the  latter  part  of  1854,  he  returned  to 
Evansville,  and  on  April  25,  1855,  wedded 
Miss  Harriet  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Freder- 
ick and  Elizabeth  (Cartwright)  Lawrence, 
natives  of  New  York.  Mr.  Young  bought 
out  the  other  heirs  to  the  old  homestead, 
where  he  and  his  wife  have  since  resided. 
They  have  had  eleven  children,  nine  of 
whom    are    living:  Mary,  Olivia,    Anna  J., 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Charles  S.,  Fletcher,  died  in  infancy,  Robert 
L.,  John  H.  (Francis,  twin  brother  of  John, 
died  in  infancy),  Laura,  Katie,  Emma, 
Esther.  Mr.  Young  was  elected  constable 
about  1863,  and  served  in  that  capacity  for 
about  eight  years.  In  1872  he  was  elected 
county  commissioner,  which  office  he  tilled 
with  honor  and  credit  for  three  3'ears.  Mr. 
Young  and  family  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  politics  he 
is  a  republican.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for 
president  for  Gen.  Scott.  Mr.  Young  is  a 
popular  and  worthy  citizen. 

Knight  tozviskip,  prior  to  1S40  and  after 
the  establishment  of  Vanderburgh  county, 
formed  a  part  of  the  extensive  township  of 
Pigeon.  It  is  now  bounded  on  the  north  by 
Center  township  and  Warrick  county,  on 
the  east  by  Warrick  county,  on  the  south 
by  the  Ohio  river,  and  on  the  west  b}'  Pigeon 
township.  Along  the  river  border  the  sur- 
face is  low  and  subject  to  inundation.  Here 
are  found  the  rich  alluvial  lands  of  the  river 
bottom.  Along  the  old  canal  bed,  or  the 
present  Une  of  the  L.  E.  &  St.  L.  R.  R.  are 
rich  lands,  at  one  time  swampy,  but  now, 
through  modern  S3'stem  of  drainage,  con- 
sidered as  good  as  any  lands  in  the  county. 
In  the  greater  part  of  the  township,  aside 
from  the  localities  named,  the  surface  is 
gently  undulating  and  the  soil  of  a  produc- 
tive character.  In  early  times  the  entire 
township  was  covered  with  dense  forests, 
but  these  have  disappeared.  The  north 
border  of  the  township  is  washed  by  Pigeon 
creek,  but  no  considerable  streams  traverse 
its  interior. 

Earl)'  Settlers. —  Most  of  the  settlers  here 
crossed  over  from  Kentucky;  indeed,  it  may 
be  said  that  all  of  the  earhest  settlers  in  this 
township  came  from  that  state,  to  which 
many  of  them  had  previousl}'  emigrated 
from  Virginia,  the  Carolinas,  Tennessee, 
and  other  states  of  the   south.     About  the 


winter  of  1806  ^Eneas  McCallister,  the  pro- 
genitor of  a  large  family  of  that  name,  made 
a  settlement  opposite  the  mouth  of  Green 
river.  Though  others  may  have  preceded 
him,  he  was  doubtless  the  first  to  settle  in 
the  township  which  afterward  became  identi- 
fied with  the  history  of  its  growth  and 
progress.  He  subsequently  removed  to 
what  was  known  as  the  Knight  settlement 
some  four  miles  from  Evansville  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Newburgh.  His  sons  were,  Jesse, 
Archibald,  and  Joseph,  all  men  of  great 
worth  and  good  standing.  Jesse  McCal- 
lister's  was  a  favorite  place  for  the  early 
religious  workers  to  congregate.  The 
camp  grounds  were  on  his  farm,  and  he 
himself  was  a  devout  worker.  Joseph,  the 
youngest,  was  a  clever  man  and  had  an  in- 
fluence for  good  in  his  day,  but  the  rougher 
traits  of  the  pioneer  were  among  his 
possessions.  Between  1810  and  181 2 
a  number  of  pioneers  braved  the  dangers  of 
life  in  the  woods,  and  came  to  share  the  ex- 
periences of  the  McCallisters.  Daniel  No- 
ble settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Three  Mile 
Island,  and  Daniel  James,  the  uncle  of  Na- 
thaniel and  John  James,  still  below  him. 
Next  came  Samuel  Lewis  and  settled  on  the 
place  afterward  so  well-known  as  the  home- 
stead of  Gen.  Joseph  Lane.  These  people 
claimed  as  their  neighbors,  John  Sprinkle, 
William  Briscoe,  Solomon  Vanoda  and  Julius 
Wiggins,  thoutrh  the  cabins  of  these  settlers 
stood  as  far  away  as  the  present  site  of 
Newburgh,  the  mouth  of  C^'press  creek  and 
beyond.  Among  other  early  settlers  along 
the  river  were:  Henry  James,  David  Aikin 
and  John  Garrett.  Here  also  hved  the 
Lane  family,  Joseph,  Jesse,  Simon  and 
Floyd,  and  their  parents.  These  settlers 
did  not  come  until  1818,  though  for  some 
years  they  had  lived  on  the  opposite  bank 
of  the  river. 

This  little  settlement  in   Knight  township 


KNIGHT  TOWNSHIP. 


6S7 


gave  to  Vanderburgh  county,  to  the  state 
and  to  the  nation  a  man  whose  name  adorns 
the  brightest  pages  of  history.  Gen.  Joseph 
Lane  came  with  his  father  in  1818  and  set- 
tled a  short  distance  below  the  foot  of  Three 
Mile  Island.  In  1S20  he  married  and  be- 
came part  owner  of  his  father's  land  where 
his  ten  children  were  born  and  where  his 
family  resided  until  1853.  When  but 
twenty-one  3'ears  of  age  he  made  the  race 
for  the  legislature  and  won,  though  pitted 
against  such  men  as  Gen.  R.  M.  Evans  and 
Judge  William  Foster.  He  was  five  times 
elected  to  a  seat  in  the  lower  house  of  the 
general  assembly  and  twice  to  the  state  senate. 
In  shaping  the  legislation  of  the  state  he 
acted  a  conspicuous  part,  and  by  his  vote  and 
influence  contributed  largely  to  a  satisfactory 
and  honorable  settlement  of  the  linancial  com- 
plications which  followed  the  downfall  of  the 
great  internal  improvement  system  of  1835. 
When  war  was  declared  against  Mexico  in 
1846,116  vacated  his  seat  in  the  state  senate, 
and  enlisted  to  serve  in  the  ranks  under  that 
gallant  officer  Capt.  Walker.  In  rapid  suc- 
cession he  rose  to  the  rank  of  brigadier 
general,  and  acted  a  military  career  which 
was  without  spot  or  blemish.  In  1848, 
after  his  return  from  the  field  of  battle,  he 
was  appointed  b}-  the  president  governor  of 
Oregon,  and  subsequently  represented  that 
state  in  the  United  States  senate.  At  the 
advanced  age  of  sevent\'-nine  years  he  died 
April  19,  1881,  at  Roseburg,  Ore. 

Another  settlement  was  made  about  1813, 
some  four  miles  above  Evansville  on  the 
Newburgh  road.  There  lived  Isaac  Knight, 
Martin  Miller,  Samuel  Kinion,  John  Fickas, 
Adam  Fickas,  Robert  Gibson,  Humphrey 
Barnett  and  the  McCallisters.  John  Beach 
settled  near  what  is  now  known  as  Howard 
or  Asylum  farm.  Peter  Linxweiler  lived 
north  of  the  Knight  settlement  and  near 
Pigeon    creek;   Ambrose    Kelsey   was    be- 


tween the  settlement  and  the  city.  Isaac 
Knight  received  the  honor  of  having  his 
name  perpetuated  in  the  christening  of  the 
township.  He  became  a  freeholder  in  the 
township  in  181 5,  and  lived  on  the  lands 
bought  from  the  government  until  his  death. 
His  family  was  among  the  most  respected 
in  the  township.  The  other  pioneers  named 
as  residing  in  this  settlement  were  sturdy 
men,  skillful  hunters  and  good  citizens. 

After  the  first  settlements  were  made  the 
growth  and  development  of  the  township 
was  for  many  j^ears  ver}-  slow.  North  of 
the  Knight  farm,  out  toward  Pigeon  creek, 
and  especiall}'  through  the  lowlands,  after- 
ward traversed  by  the  Wabash  &  Erie 
canal,  there  was  not  a  stick  amiss.  Indeed, 
it  was  not  until  1S30,  and  even  later,  that 
the  land  in  this  locality  began  to  be  cleared 
up  and  settled  upon.  Nor  were  there  any 
settlements  whatever  in  very  early  times 
east  of  Isaac  Knight's  and  west  of  the 
county  line,  except  that  now  and  then  along 
the  Newburgh  road  a  patch  was  cut  out  in 
the  forests  and  a  cabin  was  raised.  With 
the  great  increase  of  population  that  was 
ushered  in  about  1835,  Knight  township  re- 
ceived a  very  small  proportion  of  the 
foreigners  that  came  into  the  county.  It, 
however,  filled  up  with  a  good  class  of  citi- 
zens. A  considerable  portion  of  the  lands 
were  entered  b}'  non-residents,  the  chief  of 
these  being  the  well-known  Robert  Barnes, 
who  made  the  last  entry  of  land  made  in  the 
township.  This  outline  of  the  condition 
of  the  township  during  its  early  existence  is, 
of  necessity,  imperfect. 

lioii/nisrcnces.  —  Adam  and  Eve  Fickas 
settled  near  Race  creek,  in  Henderson 
county,  Ky.,  in  the  winter  of  1806,  and 
thence  removed  to  the  Kentucky  bank  of 
the  Ohio  river,  opposite  Three  Mile  Island, 
in  1808,  where  they  remained  until  1S17,  at 
which  tmie  they  removed  to  a  farm  in  War- 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


rick  count}',  in  recent  years  known  as  the 
Simon  Lane  farm,  now  owned  by  Frank 
Staser.  Jacob  B.  Fickas  was  one  of  nine 
children  born  to  these  pioneers.  From  an 
account  of  his  recollections  of  early  times  in 
Knight  township,  the  following  brief  extract 
is  made:  "I  have  vivid  recollections  of  the 
earthquake  which,  in  iSii,  upset  the  town 
of  New  Madrid,  Mo.,  and  caused  the  earth 
to  sink  to  such  an  extent  that  a  lake  ap- 
peared where  before  the  town  had  stood. 
The  shaking  up  reached  even  this  part  of 
the  country;  the  shock  was  sensibl)'  felt  all 
along  our  river  settlement.  In  consequence 
a  religious  furore  seized  upon  the  minds  of 
the  people  and  the}-  thought  of  little  else 
than  attending  religious  worship.  About 
this  time  James  McGrady,  who  was  the 
founder  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church,  appeared  in  this  section  and 
preached  to  the  people.  Phineas  Ewing 
and  Hiram  A.  Hunter  followed  McGrady, 
and  under  their  inspiration  the  camp  meet- 
ing system  sprang  into  existence.  A  camp 
ground  was  opened  on  the  farm  of  Jesse 
McCallister  in  1815  or  1816.  In  about 
two  years  it  was  removed  to  the  farm  of 
Isaac  Knight  in  the  same  neighborhood. 
The  next  season  the  Baptists  had  a  camp 
meeting  in  the  upper  bayou  settlement  on 
the  farm  of  Jesse  Lane.  This  system  of 
religious  worship  was  kept  up  year  after 
year  for  a  period  of  thirty  or  forty  years. 
Churches. —  The  Cumberland  Presbyte- 
rians from  the  earliest  times  have  been 
strong  in  Knight  township.  But  at  the  pres- 
ent time  there  is  but  one  organized  class  of 
this  denomination  in  the  township,  that  on 
the  Newburgh  road  called  Hebron.  The 
church  was  first  called  Nebo,  the  name  being 
changed  after  the  erection  of  a  house  of 
worship.  The  church  edifice  is  a  small, 
neat,  frame  structure,  built  about  1S58, 
mainly  through  the  instrumentality  of  Rev. 


John  T.  Bates,  then  pastor  of  the  church. 
The  class  had  been  organized  about  ten 
years  prior  to  this  time,  probably  by  Rev. 
William  Lynn.  The  early  meetings  were 
held  at  what  was  afterward  known  as  the 
Terry  school-house.  Among  the  ministers 
to  this  charge,  besides  those  named,  have 
been: Revs.  Ritchie,  White,  Bowden,  Cleve- 
land, Darby  and  Miller,  the  present  pastor. 
Prominent  among  the  early  members  were: 
Mrs.  Julia  Terry,  John  Hall,  Sqiure  Vann, 
John  Fickas  and  Isaac  Knight.  The  con- 
gregation is  now  in  a  prosperous  condition, 
though  its  membership  is  numerically  small. 

Christian  Order. —  Through  that  part  of 
the  township  called  in  early  times  the  upper 
bayou  settlement,  or  along  the  river  near 
the  Three  Mile  Island,  there  has  grown  up 
a  strong  society  of  those  who  worship  ac- 
cording to  the  faith  of  the  Christian  Order. 
This  sect  is  an  offshoot  from  the  Christian 
church  as  established  by  Alexander  Camp- 
bell, and  was  founded  by  John  McCrary, 
Joseph  Wasson  and  John  Boren.  The  Rev. 
George  Grimm  first  came  preaching  in  this 
neighborhood.  He  was  succeeded  b}'  Rev. 
Tibbetts,  and  he  in  turn  by  Rev.  John  T. 
Phillips,  who  for  several  years  has  been  the 
faithful  pastor  in  charge.  Preaching  was 
first  held  in  the  district  school-house,  but  in 
1868  a  neat  frame  church  was  erected. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Aikin  is  recognized  b\'  all  as 
probably  the  most  devoted  and  earnest  sup- 
porter of  this  church.  The  congregation  is 
very  large,  and  the  Sunday  school  is  in  a 
prosperous  condition. 

Little  Sisters  of  the  Poor. —  A  branch  of 
this  order  was  established  in  Evansville  in 
1887,  through  the  kindness  and  charity  of 
Mr.  John  A.  Reitz,  the  generous  millionaire, 
and  thoroughly  practical  Catholic.  He 
donated  seventeen  acres  of  land  on  Lincoln 
avenue,  in  Knight  township,  one  half  mile 
from  the  city  limits,  whereon  was  erected  a 


KNIGHT  TOWNSHIP. 


629 


splendid  and  spacious  building,  fitted  with 
all  modern  improvements,  to  be  the  home 
for  the  aged  poor  in  charge  of  the  Sisters. 
The  land  and  building  are  worth  more  than 
$^o,ooo.  The  building  is  of  brick,  three- 
stories,  225x75  feet  in  dimensions,  with  two 
wings  half  the  size  of  the  main  building. 
A  statue  of  St.  Joseph,  the  gift  of  Mrs. 
John  A.  Reitz,  ornaments  the  front  of  the 
structure.  Sister  Albertine  is  the  Superior, 
and  has  eight  assistants.  At  present  there 
are  forty-seven  inmates  (male  and  female), 
of  all  nationalities,  ranging  from  sixty  to 
ninety  years  of  age.  No  needy  person  who 
conforms  to  the  mild  rules  of  the  institution 
is  excluded,  regardless  of  color,  condition, 
or  religious  belief. 

Hospital  Jar  t lie  Insane. —  This  state  in- 
stitution is  located  in  Knight  township,  on 
what  was  formerly  known  as  the  Howard 
farm,  on  the  Newburgh  road,  about  three 
miles  from  the  city  of  Evansville.  The 
county  records  show  that  in  1882,  Mr.  Sam- 
uel Barker,  then  count}-  commissioner,  pre- 
sented resolutions  to  the  board  of  commis- 
sioners setting  forth  the  needs  of  additional 
accommodations  for  the  insane  in  the  state 
of  Indiana.  Through  the  efforts  of  Hon. 
William  Rahm,  jr.,  state  senator,  Hons.  John 
F.  Pruitt  and  J.  W.  Spain,  representatives, 
the  county  and  city  otlicers  and  a  committee 
of  citizens  composed  of  Capt.  H.  C.  Good- 
ing, Hon.  J.  A.  Lemcke,  Dr.  M.  Muhl- 
hausen,  and  Mr.  Thomas  P.  Byrnes,  the 
state  legislature  was  induced  to  visit  Evans- 
ville with  a  view  of  selecting  a  site  for  such 
an  as^'luni  as  the  needs  of  the  state  de- 
manded. The  legislature  was  handsomely 
entertained  by  the  citizens  of  the  city,  and 
the  advantages  of  the  location  were  so 
clearly  presented  that  favorable  action  was 
secured.  A  handsome  edifice,  built  of  brick, 
at  a  cost  of  about  $250,000,  and  capable  of 
accommodating  1,000  inmates,  was  erected 


in  1886,  by  P.  H.  McCormick,  of  Columbus, 
Ind.,  contractor,  under  the  supervision  of  the 
hospital  commissioners,  and  after  a  design 
prepared  by  E.  H.  Ketcham,  of  Indianapolis, 
Ind.,  architect.  The  asylum  farm  cost 
$20,000. 

Tozrns. —  On  April  i,  1S37,  William 
Walker  laid  out  .a  town  in  the  southeast 
quarter  of  section  13,  township  6  south,  range 
10  west,  and  called  it  Smyrna.  The  Wabash 
&  Erie  canal  was  expected  to  lift  the  place 
to  greatness,  but  with  the  decay  of  that 
waterway,  Smyrna  was  abandoned.  At 
present  there  are  no  towns  of  importance  in 
the  township.  Smythe's  station  on  the 
L.,  E.  &  St.  L.  railroad  is  the  site  of  Mr. 
Henry  Sm^-the's  extensive  tile  factory, 
which  has  been  in  successful  operation  for 
several  years. 

Henry  H.  Barnett,  ex-trustee  of  Knight 
township,  was  born  in  this  township  Decem- 
ber 31,  1846,  the  son  of  Humphrey  and 
Emily  R.  (Caldwell)  Barnett.  His  father 
was  born  April  5,  181 1,  in  this  township,  and 
was  married  to  Emily  R-  Caldwell,  April  12, 
1838.  He  and  two  other  men  were  killed 
by  a  stroke  of  lightning,  in  Knight  town- 
ship, while  moving  a  threshing  machine, 
August  19,  1850.  The  mother  was  born  in 
Kentuck}',  March  2,  1820.  She  was  mar- 
ried to  Nathaniel  J.  James,  July  12,  1853, 
and  died  in  1866.  The  early  life  of  Henry 
H.  Barnett  was  spent  in  his  native  township, 
and  in  early  manhood  he  adopted  the  voca- 
tion of  a  farmer.  He  has  in  connection 
with  farming,  dealt  in  live  stock  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  past.  He  was  married  Oc- 
tober 8,  1872,  to  Victoria  Harper,  a  native 
of  Knight  township,  born  about  1853,  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Fields)  Harper. 
She  died  January  18,  1S77,  and  on  May  21, 
1878,  Mr.  Barnett  was  married  to  Nellie  E. 
Harper,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife,  born  in 
Knight  township,    April,   1859.     She    died 


630 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


September  23,  1887.  Mr.  Barnett  is  the 
father  of  five  children:  Harry  D.  (de- 
ceased), Ivy  M.,  Charles  H.,  NelHe,  and  Rus- 
sell, of  whom  the  last  four  are  the  children 
of  his  second  wife.  In  1882,  he  was  elected 
assessor,  which  position  he  resigned  in  1884, 
to  accept  the  office  of  township  trustee.  He 
was  re-elected  to  this  latter  office  in  1886, 
and  has  lately  retired  from  six  years' 
creditable  service. 

George  D.  Bowen,  proprietor  of  the 
Crescent  City  Nursery,  was  born  in  county 
of  Norfolk,  England,  October  6,  1837,  the 
son  of  John  and  Harriet  (Burton)  Bowen, 
who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  that  country. 
As  early  as  twelve  years  of  age  he  became 
employed  in  a  nursery,  and  he  has  made  the 
nursery  work  the  vocation  of  his  life.  When 
seventeen  years  old  he  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica, and  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  worked  in  a 
nurserj'  from  two  to  three  j'ears.  He  then 
went  to  Eaton  Rapids,  Mich.,  and  was  a 
partner  in  a  nursery  about  two  years.  In 
the  fall  of  1858  he  returned  to  Rochester, 
where  he  entered  into  a  contract  with  ex- 
Mayor  William  Baker  and  his  brother,  Con- 
rad Baker,  in  pursuance  of  which  in  Novem- 
ber, 1858,  he  came  to  this  county  and 
established  a  nursery,  which  he  conducted 
until  1863.  It  was  styled  the  Crescent"  City 
Nursery  by  Gov.  Baker  in  the  spring  of 
1859.  In  1863  Mr.  Bowen  became  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  nursery  himself,  and  he  has 
developed  it  into  one  of  the  best  nurseries 
in  the  state,  and  his  reputation  is  not  con- 
fined to  Vanderburgh  county.  He  was 
married  February  16,  1S59,  to  Elizabeth 
Jackson,  who  was  born  in  Daviess  county, 
this  state.  Their  marriage  has  resulted  in 
the  birth  of  one  child,  William  C.  Bowen, 
now  ten  years  of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowen 
are  members  of  the  Presb^'terian  church. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  in 
politics  is  a  republican.    Mr.  Bowen  has  the 


respect  and  confidence  of  his  feUowmen,  and 
all  of  his  dealings  have  been  characterized 
by  integrity. 

John  J.  Byrne,  trustee  of  Knight  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Beaver  county,  Penn.,  March 
2,  1832.  He  is  the  son  of  Michael  and 
Eleanor  (O'Brien)  Byrne,  both  natives  of 
Count}^  Kerry,  Ireland.  His  father  was 
born  in  1800,  and  was  the  son  of  Daniel  and 
Mary  Byrne.  The  father  and  mother 
emigrated  to  America  in  1824,  and  located 
in  Beaver  county,  Penn.,  but  when  John  was 
about  twelve  years  old,  they  removed  to 
Allegheny  county.  He  was  married  in  Al- 
legheny county,  Penn.,  March  13,  1862,  to 
Margaret  Riddle.  She  was  born  in  that 
county  July  12,  1837,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Jane  (Turner)  Riddle.  Her  fa- 
ther was  born  May  4,  1794,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Jane  Riddle.  Her  mother  was  the 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Anna  (Ewing) 
Turner,  who  came  across  the  Allegheny 
mountains  on  horseback  in  a  very  early  da}\ 
A  pair  of  baskets  was  suspended  across  the 
horse's  back  in  the  form  of  saddle-bags,  and 
in  these  baskets  the  children  found  a  place 
to  ride.  For  one  year  after  their  marriage 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Byrne  resided  on  a  farm  in 
Allegheny  county.  In  1863  they  emigrated 
to  Vanderburgh  county.  They  moved  to 
their  present  home  on  the  Washington  av- 
enue road,  section  35,  in  November,  1887. 
Mr.  Byrne  owns  in  all  140  acres  of  land, 
100  of  which  lie  in  Knight  township,  and 
the  remainder  in  Warrick  county.  The 
wife  of  Mr.  B^rne  is  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian church,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Catholic  church.  In  1888  he  was  elected 
trustee,  raising  his  party's  majority  from 
thirty-six  to  seventj'-three. 

G.  W.  Clark  was  born  in  Pose}-  county, 
this  state,  August  16,  1S55,  the  son  of 
Erastus  A.  and  Sallie  A.  (Grant)  Clark, 
the  latter  of  whom   was  a  second  cousin  of 


KNIGHT  TOWNSHIP. 


ess 


Gen.  U.  S.  Grant.  In  1861  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Gibson  county,  and  a  jear  later 
located  in  Evansville,  where,  until  he  was  a 
man,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  remained. 
During  his  bo^'hood  and  youth  he  was 
variously  employed.  At  twenty  3-ears  of 
age,  on  August  15,  1875,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Ann  D.  Knapp.  She  was  born  on  the 
farm  where  she  and  her  husband  now  re- 
side, November  12,  1858,  the  daughter  of 
William  D.  and  Margaret  A.  (Housley) 
Knapp,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in 
Natchez,  Miss.,  and  the  latter  in  Warrick 
county.  Her  father  was  the  son  of  Artemus 
Knapp,  once  a  prominent  business  man  of 
Natchez,  who  died  there  of  yellow  fever 
prior  to  the  war.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  began 
housekeeping  on  the  farm  they  now  occupj'. 
In  November,  1884,  they  removed  to 
Evansville,  where  for  about  two  years  he 
was  engaged  in  the  grocery  trade.  In  18S6 
they  returned  to  their  farm  of  liftv-three  and 
one-third  acres.  They  have  four  children : 
Vashti  L.,  Lizzie  A.  (deceased),  William  A. 
and  Rosa  A.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  are 
members  of  the  Christian  church. 

M.\j.  Francis  M.  Ewixg  was  born  in 
Knox  county,  this  state,  November  6,  1836, 
the  son  of  Robert  W.  and  Temperance  M. 
(Cook)  Ewing,  who  were  respectively  na- 
tives of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  His 
father  was  born  February  22,  1808,  the  son 
of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Booker)  Ewing, 
both  natives  of  Virginia.  Robert  Ewing 
was  the  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Edwards) 
Ewing.  The  Ewing  family,  of  which  the 
major  is  a  descendant,  fled  from  Scotland 
during  the  time  of  the  persecution  of  the 
Protestants  by  the  Catholics.  The}'  settled 
on  the  Foj'le  in  Ireland,  near  Londonderry, 
where  they  suffered  in  common  with  others, 
all  the  horrors  of  the  famous  siege  of  that 
city  some  ten  or  twelve  years  prior  to  the 
American  revolution.  Three  brothers, 
37 


named  James,  Alexander  and  Samuel,  emi- 
grated and  settled  in  Virginia.  Francis  M. 
Ewing  is  a  descendant  of  the  first-named 
James  Ewing,  who  is  his  great-grandfather. 
His  mother  was  born  October  10,  1808,  the 
daughter  of  Joshua  Cook.  She  was  married 
to  Robert  W.  Ewing  May  20,  1827.  When 
Francis  was  eight  years  old  his  parents  re- 
moved from  Knox  to  Sullivan  county,  this 
state,  and  at  fifteen  years  of  age  he  accom- 
panied his  parents  to  Edgar  county.  111.,  and 
located  in  the  town  of  Paris.  Shortly  after- 
ward the  family  removed  to  Wapello 
county,  Iowa,  where  his  mother  died.  His 
father  then  returned  with  his  children  to 
Paris,  III,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  Francis 
remained  until  the  year  1861.  In  addition 
to  a  district  school  education,  he  was  a  stu- 
dent in  an  academy  at  Paris,  111.,  two  years. 
In  April,  1861,  he  became  a  volunteer 
soldier  and  was  mustered  as  a  private  in 
Company  E,  Twelfth  Illinois  infantry,  with 
which  he  served  until  July  20,  1863,  when 
he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain  and 
was  placed  in  command  of  Company  B,  Fifty- 
fifth  United  States  colored  infantry.  Sep- 
tember 19, 1865,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  major.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  October  12,  1865.  He 
performed  faithful  service  at  Fort  Henry, 
Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh  and  the  siege  and 
battle  of  Corinth.  In  the  engagement  at 
Guntown,  Miss.,  June  10,  1864,  he  re- 
ceived a  painful,  though  not  dangerous,  gun- 
shot wound  in  the  left  lower  limb.  The 
ball  lodged  between  the  tibia  and  fibula 
bones,  from  which  place  it  has  never  been 
extracted.  For  two  years  after  the  war  he 
was  engaged  in  the  cotton  business  at  Vicks- 
burg.  Late  in  1867,  he  went  to  Kansas, 
where  he  resided  for  five  y-ears,  the  greater 
part  of  the  time  in  Neosho  count}',  where 
he  conducted  farming  interests.  In  July, 
1872,  he  came  to  Evansville.     During  three 


634 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


years  he  was  traveling  salesman  for  a 
wholesale  grocery  house,  and  during  two 
years  he  conducted  a  retail  grocery  store. 
In  January,  1877,  he  removed  to  his  present 
home  in  Knight  township.  His  attention 
since  1877  has  been  given  to  farming  and  the 
dairy  business.  December  16,  1869,  Mr. 
Ewing  was  married  to  Mrs.  Nancy  Caroline 
Phar.  She  was  born  in  this  countj^,  Octo- 
ber 25,  1841,  the  daughter  of  Humphrey 
and  Emily  R.  Barnett.  She  was  married 
to  Jonathan  Phar  January  28,  i86j.  He 
died  September  16,  1S67.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ewing  have  had  six  children:  Estella  M., 
Nettie  E.,  Charlotte  T.,  Grace  (deceased), 
Walter  L.,  Carrie  and  Bessie.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ewing  are  members  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist church,  of  which  their  children,  Estella, 
Nettie  and  Charlotte  are  also  members. 
Mr.  Ewing  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
and  G.  A.  R.  lodges. 

Samuel  R.  Fickas  was  born  on  the 
farm  he  now  occupies  December  11,  1828, 
son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Barnett)  Fickas, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  the  latter  in  this  count3\  His 
father  was  born  about  1795,  and  was  the 
son  of  Adam  and  Eve  Fickas.  His  mother 
was  bom  in  the  year  1800,  daughter  of 
Humphre}'  and  Nancy  Barnett,  the  former 
of  whom  was  a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary 
war,  and  afterward  became  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  in  this  part  of  Indiana. 
John  Fickas  served  in  the  war  of  181 2,  and 
was  present  at  the  battle  of  New  Orleans. 
He  died  in  Knight  township  August  4,  1862. 
His  wife  survived  him  until  the  2d  of  the 
following  November.  The  early  life  of 
Samuel  was  spent  on  the  old  homestead.  In 
1849  he  went  to  California,  where  for  two 
years  he  worked  at  mining.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Knight  township,  but  in  1853, 
went  to  Oregon.  In  the  fall  of  1854  he  re- 
moved from  Oregon  to  California.     During 


his  residence  in  those  states  his  chief  occu- 
pation was  mining.  In  January,  1858,  he 
again  returned  to  Knight  township.  After 
185S  his  undivided  attention  was  given  to 
farming,  and  in  this  connection  he  has  been 
very  successful.  He  owns  320  acres  of 
good  land  in  Knight  townsliip,  about  250  of 
which  are  in  cultivation.  In  October,  1852, 
Mr.  Fickas  was  married  to  Nancy  E.  James, 
also  a  native  of  this  township,  the  daughter 
of  William  and  Winnie  (Lane)  James.  She 
died  in  Oregon  City,  Ore.,  June  3,  1853. 
His  second  marriage  was  June  3,  1859,  to 
Miss  Sarah  James,  a  cousin  of  his  first  wife, 
and  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Ruth 
(Parker)  James.  She  died  September  8, 
1873,  and  on  the  6th  day  of  October,  1877, 
Mr.  Fickas  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Ann  Schofield.  She  was  born  in  Vin- 
cennes,  Knox  county,  January  20,  1837,  and 
is  the  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mar)'  Mills 
Schofield.  Her  father  was  born  in  Roch- 
dale, England,  August  22,  1810,  son  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Clegg)  Schofield.  Her 
mother  was  born  in  Unsworth,  England, 
May  2,  1814,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Han- 
nah (Woods)  Mills.  Her  father  came  to 
America  at  seventeen  vears  of  age,  and  her 
mother  came  in  1819.  When  Mrs.  Fickas 
was  born  her  father  was  manager  of  Bon- 
ner's Cotton  factory  at  Vincennes.  In  1861 
her  parents  came  to  Vanderburgh  county, 
and  located  in  Knight  township.  Her  mother 
died  June  12,  1865,  and  her  father,  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1878.  By  his  second  wife  Mr. 
Fickas  became  the  father  of  five  children: 
John  (deceased),  Ruth  J.,  Sarah  E.,  Edna 
and  Clara  (twins),  Clara  (deceased).  By 
his  present  wife  Mr.  Fickas  was  the  father 
of  one  child,  Russell  O.  (deceased).  Mrs. 
Fickas  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  is  an  Odd  Fellow. 
John  Peter  Graf  was  born  in  Germany, 


KNIGHT  TOWNSHIP. 


635. 


August  7,  1S30,  the  son  of  Phillip  David 
and  Margaret  (Bittinger)  Graf.  He  came 
with  his  parents  to  America  in  1837.  The 
family  landed  at  New  Orleans,  where  they 
remained  nearly  a  year.  They  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Cincinnati,  where  they  lived  three 
or  four  years.  Afterward  they  settled  on  a 
farm  in  Clark  county,  about  1841.  There 
Mr.  Graf  was  married,  November  15,  i860, 
to  Mary  Catharine  Kramb.  She  is  a  native 
of  German)',  born  March  15,  1842,  daughter 
of  Phillip  Henry  and  Mary  Catharine 
(Webber)  Kramb,  the  former  of  whom  died 
when  Catharine  was  but  four  jears  old. 
Her  mother  came  with  her  children  to 
America  in  1858.  For  about  three  years 
after  his  marriage  Mr.  Graf  worked  at 
coopering  in  Clark  county.  In  about  1865 
he  became  the  proprietor  of  an  eating 
saloon  in  Jeffersonville.  In  October,  1866,  he 
removed  with  his  family  to  Evansville  and 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  to  which 
he  gave  his  attention  for  about  thirteen 
years.  In  November,  187S,  he  and  familv 
removed  to  their  present  beautiful  home,  one 
mile  east  of  the  city.  He  and  wife  have 
had  nine  children:  David  (deceased), 
George  (deceased),  Philip  (deceased), 
Emma  M.,  John  (deceased),  Katie  V., 
Ida  C,  Lutie  M.  and  Henry  C.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Graf  are  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church. 

Samuel  Grainger  was  born  on  a  farm 
three  miles  east  of  Evansville,  April  6,  1835, 
son  of  Ira  P.  and  Phoebe  J.  (Brumfield) 
Grainger,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in 
Sumner  county,  Tenn.,  in  1809,  and  the 
latter  is  a  native  of  Kentucky.  He  grew  to 
manhood  on  the  old  homestead  in  Kni<rht 
township.  In  Februar}',  1S57,  he  was  mar- 
rried  to  Jennie  Gibson,  the  daughter  of 
Robert  Gibson.  She  died  March  i,  1858. 
August  26,  i860,  Mr.  Grainger  was  married 
to  Frances  M.  Barnett.     She  is  also  a  native 


of  Knight  township,  who  was  born  on  the 
farm  where  she  now  lives,  October  14,  1845. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Abigail 
(Gillett)  Barnett.  Mr.  Grainger  has  spent 
his  entire  life  in  Knight  township,  with  the 
exception  of  two  years, —  from  the  spring  of 
1884  to  1 886 — during  which  he  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Evansville.  He  has  been  exten- 
sively engaged  in  the  growing  of  pota- 
toes, having  crops  as  great  as  16,000 
bushels  in  a  single  year.  He  is  the  father 
of  eleven  children:  Jennie  F.,  Mary  (de- 
ceased), Ira  P.,  James  W.,  Charles  (de- 
ceased), Henry  H.  (deceased),  Carlos  (de- 
ceased), Samuel  R.,  Esther,  George  C,  and 
Maggie  O.  Mr.  Grainger  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  lodses.  He 
has  served  his  township  as  constable  one 
year,  as  assessor  fourteen  years,  and  as 
trustee  seven  and  on?-half  years;  in  all 
capacities  in  a  faithful  manner.  The  pa- 
rents of  Mrs.  Grainger  were  both  born  in 
Knight  township.  Mrs.  Grainger  owns  a 
farm  of  loi  1-2  acres,  all  of  which  is  in  culti- 
vation. She  is  a  good  manager  and  a 
worth}-  and  esteemed  lady. 

John  James  was  born  near  his  present 
home.  May  26, 1S26.  He  is  the  son  of  Henry 
and  Nancy  (Barnett)  James,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  Virginia.  His  father  and 
mother  were  married  in  this  county  and  settled 
on  the  farm  where  he  was  born  in  a  very 
early  day.     His  mother  died  there  May  28, 

1830.  His  father  afterward  married  Mrs. 
Cynthia  Shultz,  with  whom  he  moved  to 
Henry  county,  Iowa.  In  the  spring  of  1846 
he  returned  on  a  visit  to  this  county  and 
died  at  the  home  of  his  son,  Hon.  Nathaniel 
J.  James,  on  April  2.  John  James  was  mar- 
ried to  Martha  J.  Ringer,  August  8,  1S50. 
She    was    born    in  Kentucky-,  January    11, 

183 1,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Martha 
Ringer.  The  sole  occupation  of  his  life 
has  been  farming,  and  he  is  now  one  of  the 


636 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


wealthiest  farmers  and  most  extensive  free- 
holders in  Vanderburgh  count}'.  He  owns 
619  acres  of  good  land  in  Knight  town- 
ship. His  home  farm  contains  300 
acres,  about  all  of  which  is  in  cultivation. 
The  first  wife  of  Mr.  James  died  April  23, 
1878.  On  the  5th  day  of  September,  1878, 
Mr.  James  was  married  to  Mary  Frances 
Dewees.  She  was  born  in  Jackson  county, 
W.  Va.,  July  3,  1858,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Sarah  (Davault)  Dewees,  both 
natives  of  West  Virginia.  The  first  mar- 
riage of  Mr.  James  resulted  in  the  birth  of 
three  children:  John  J.,  Henr}'  and  Frances 
M.  (deceased).  Mr.  James  and  his  present 
wife  have  had  two  children:  Arthur  and 
Winnie.  Mr.  and  Mrs  James  are  members 
of  the  Christian  church. 

Alexander  Maddux  was  born  in  Meade 
county,  Ky.,  May  7,  1820,  the  son  of 
Thomas  Maddux,  who  was  a  native  of  Green 
Brier  county,  Va.  The  mother  died  when 
he  was  but  seven  weeks  old.  His  father 
afterward  married  Elizabeth  Boesinger. 
When  he  was  fourteen  j'ears  old  he  accom- 
panied his  father  and  stepmother  to  Perry 
county,  Ind.,  where  his  stepmother  died 
about  six  years  later.  Shortly  after  the 
death  of  Mrs.  Maddux,  her  husband  returned 
with  his  children  to  Kentucky,  and  located 
at  Cloverport,  where  he  died  within  a  year 
or  so.  For  a  year  or  two  after  his  father's 
death,  Mr.  Maddux  farmed  in  Perry  county, 
this  state.  About  1845  he  went  to  Clay 
county.  Mo.,  where,  during  the  winter  of 
1845-6,  he  taught  school,  then  he  returned 
to  Kentucky,  and  attended  school  at  Har- 
densburg.  He  was  then  a  clerk  in  a  gen- 
eral store  at  Stevensport  about  one  year,  and 
in  1847  entered  the  employ  of  Dr.  James 
Graves,  of  Louisville,  with  whom  he  was 
engaged  as  traveling  salesman  three  years. 
February  14,  1850,  he  was  married  to 
Susan  Edmond;  she  was  born  in  this  countv, 


May  9,  1822,  the  daughter  of  John  Edmond, 
who  was  a  native  of  Somerset  count}',  Penn., 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maddux  lived  on  a  farm  in 
Union  township,  this  county,  for  a  period  of 
fourteen  j^ears,  and  during  the  first  seven 
3'ears  he  was  extensively  engaged  in  supply- 
ing wood  to  the  Ohio  river  steamboats.  In 
March,  1863,  Mr.  Maddux  removed  to 
Evansville,  where  he  resided  about  twenty 
years.  His  attention  during  that  time  was 
given  to  his  farming  interests,  which  were 
very  extensive,  and  to  the  renting  of  varipus 
properties  which  he  owned  in  the  city.  In 
January,  1882,  he  removed  to  his  present 
elegant  home,  one  mile  east  of  the  ciiy.  He 
owns  at  this  time  about  500  acres  of  farm 
land  in  Vanderburgh  county.  He  is  also  the 
owner  of  a  number  of  valuable  properties 
in  Evansville,  the  rentals  of  which  bring  him 
a  considerable  income.  Mr.  Maddux  and 
wife  have  an  only  child,  whose  name  is  Tal- 
itha  J.  She  was  born  December  20,  1852, 
and  was  married  September  23,  1872,  to 
John  J.  Brose,  bj'  whom  she  is  the  mother 
of  two  children:  Susie  B.  and  Effie  M. 
Mr.  Brose  was  born  April  7,  1844,  and  died 
July  I,  1878.  Mr.  Maddux  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
Besides  serving  as  justice  of  the  peace  he 
has  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of 
county  commissioners  one  term. 

Robert  A.  Pollock  was  born  in  Scot- 
land, April  2,  1840,  the  son  of  James  and 
Elizabeth  (Gray)  Pollock,  with  whom  he 
came  to  America  when  he  was  between  two 
and  three  j'ears  old.  His  father  was  born 
near  Glasgow,  Scotland.  They  found  a 
home  in  the  province  of  Ontario,  where 
Robert  grew  to  manhood.  His  father  was 
a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  also  owned  a 
farm.  In  addition  to  a  good  common  school 
education,  he  completed  a  course  in  a  com- 
mercial college  at  Toronto.  About  1863 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  and   after  a 


KNIGHT  TOWNSHIP. 


637 


few  weeks  at  Pithole  City,  Pa.,  came  to 
Vevay,  Ind.,  where  for  three  years  he  had 
charge  of  the  wharf-boat.  He  was  then  in 
the  empio}-,  first,  of  John  and  William 
Charlton,  and  afterward  of  W.  B.  Owen, 
and  it  was  his  duty  to  attend  to  the  business 
of  the  American  Express  company.  Du- 
ring this  time,  however,  he  spent  the  winter 
of  1865-6,  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans.  In 
the  spring  of  1S67,  he  left  Vevay  and  passed 
the  following  summer  in  Cincinnati.  In  the 
fall  of  1867  he  went  back  to  Northumberland 
count}-,  Ontario,  and  in  1S68  visited  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.,  Cincinnati,  O.,  Vevay,  Ind.,  and 
Hamilton,  O.  In  November,  1868,  he  came  ! 
from  Vevay  to  V^anderburgh  count}-,  and  ' 
soon  afterward  purchased  a  farm  in  Knight 
township.  Here  he  settled,  and  he  has 
since  civen  his  attention  to  farniin<r.  Mr. 
Pollock  was  married  on  New  Year's  day, 
187 1,  to  Elizabeth  H.  Aiken.  She  was 
born  in  Knight  township,  March  7)  185 1, 
the  daughter  of  Moses  and  Nancy  J. 
(Fickas)  Aiken.  Their  marriage  has  re- 
sulted in  the  birth  of  seven  children:  Ma- 
mie J.,  Ella  M.,  deceased.  Mora  D.,  Cicero 
D.,  and  Cora  A.  Mrs.  Pollock  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  church;  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Presb^'terian  church. 

Henry  B.  Smyth  was  born  in  Evans- 
ville,  March  21,  1849,  the  son  of  Thomas  D. 
and  Mary  L.  (Rowley)  Smyth,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  the  County  Mona- 
ghan,  Ireland,  in  1824,  and  the  latter  in  the 
city  of  Evansville.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he 
became  a  student  in  Behme's  Commercial 
College,  of  Evansville,  in  which  he  obtained 
a  good  knowledge  of  book-keeping.  In 
March,  1864,  his  parents  removed  to  Knight 
township,  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he 
now  resides,  in  section  24.  This  has  been 
his  home  ever  since.  He  helped  to  clear  and 
cultivate  the  farm  until  1871,  and  in  connec- 
tion with   his  father,  engaged  in  the  manu- 


facture of  tile.  The  firm  continued  under 
the  name  of  Thomas  D.  Smyth  &  Son,  un- 
til it  was  dissolved  by  the  death  of  his  father 
on  the  14th  of  May,  1880.  Since  then 
Henry  B.  has  conducted  the  business  alone. 
He  has  also  in  connection  with  the  manu- 
facture of  tile,  controlled  extensive  farming 
interests.  His  farm  of  176  acres  contains  a 
handsome  residence  and  other  substantial 
improvements.  There  is  probably  not  an- 
other farm  in  Vanderburgh  county  upon 
which  so  much  work  has  been  done  in  the 
way  of  under-drainage.  It  now  has  be- 
tween six  and  seven  miles  of  tile  drainage, 
to  which  additional  lines  are  added  each 
year.  Mr.  Smyth  was  married  March  13, 
1872,  to  Emma  J.  Stroud.  She  was  born  in 
Union  township,  this  county,  March  16, 
1854,  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  Franklin 
and  Sarah  J.  (Cloud)  Stroud.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Smyth  have  had  five  children:  Harry  B., 
Richard  G.,  Helen  M.  (deceased ), Mabel  C, 
and  Clarence  B.  Mrs.  Smyth  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church. 
In  1880  he  was  elected  trustee  of  Knight 
township.  He  served  one  term  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  the  public. 

Hon.  Jesse  M.  Stone,  born  in  Genesee 
(now  Wyoming)  county,  N.  Y.,  August  3, 
1825,  is  the  son  of  Bela  and  Sarah  M. 
(Heacox)  Stone,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  at  Greenville,  on  the  Hudson  river,  and 
the  latter  near  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.  When 
he  was  three  years  old  his  parents  removed 
to  Rochester,  N.  Y.  His  father  was  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  which  vocation  he  pur- 
sued in  various  places  in  the  western  part  of 
the  state  of  New  York.  At  nineteen  years 
of  age  Jesse  M.  Stone  became  employed  with 
an  older  brother  in  Rochester,  who  was  a 
manufacturer  of  steel  springs.  He  entered 
upon  a  course  in  the  commercial  college  of 
George  W.  Eastman,  and  after  he  attained 
a  high  degree   of  proficiency  with   the   pen 


638 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


he  became  the  assistant  of  Mr.  Eastman,  and 
for  some  time  thereafter  he  was  engaged  at 
teaching  writing  at  different  places  in  New 
York;  also  studied  in  an  academy  at  Canan- 
daigua.  In  1S47  he  came  to  Illinois  by  way 
of  the  lakes  and  reached  Waukegan  on 
Jvjly  4.  He  joined  his  father's  family  in  Mc- 
Henry  county,  111.,  but  during  the  winter 
taught  a  writing  school  in  Racine,  Wis.  He 
then  returned  to  Woodstock,  McHenry 
county,  and  for  some  time  acted  as  deputj' 
county  recorder,  afterward  taking  a  position 
as  clerk  in  a  store,  beincj  so  entrafred  until 
the' fall  of  1851,  when  he  went  to  St.  Paul, 
Minn.  There  he  was  employed  in  the 
recorder's  office,  and  afterward  as  book- 
keeper and  clerk  for  John  R.  Irvine.  He 
became  the  partner  of  Mr.  Irvine  and  with 
him  was  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and 
banking  business  until  the  latter  part  of 
1858.  In  the  summer  of  1859  he  went  to 
Fort  Abercrombie,  on  the  Red  River  of  the 
North,  where  he  was  afterward  appointed 
sutler.  In  June,  1862,  he  purchased  a  stock 
of  goods  in  St.  Louis  and  went  to  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  where  he  had  intended  to  retail 
them.  He  soon  disposed  of  the  stock,  how- 
ever,  but  remained  in  Memphis,  where  he 
conducted  a  bakery-  until  the  fall  of  1863. 
In  December,  1863,  he  leased  a  plantation 
of  4,000  acres,  2,500  of  which  were  under 
cultivation,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Missis- 
sippi river  in  northern  Louisiana.  He  after- 
ward leased  two  other  plantations  in  Concor- 
dia parish.  La.,  and  during  the  season  of 
1864  he  controlled  the  three.  His  cotton  crop 
during  that  year  covered  over  2,000  acres 
and  he  had  over  700  acres  of  corn.  Early 
in  1865  he  became  a  controlling  partner  in 
a  wholesale  grocery  store  in  New  Orleans, 
in  which  he  retained  an  interest  until  186S, 
when  he  sold  to  one  of  his  partners  and  pur- 
chased a  plantation  in  Madison  county, 
Miss.,  upon  which  he  resided  until  1875.    I" 


the  fall  of  1869  he  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  Mississippi  legislature  and  served  three 
consecutive  terms.  In  the  fall  of  1875  he 
came  to  Vanderburgh  county.  His  chief 
attention  for  a  number  of  years  past  has 
been  given  to  the  lumber  business.  Mr. 
Stone  was  married  September  10,  1851,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Stone,  who  was  born  in 
Rome,  N.  Y.,  May  30,  1833,  the  daughter 
of  Jesse  M.  and  Mary  Stone.  Their  mar- 
riage has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  seven 
children:  Dakota  H.  (deceased),  Lizzie  M., 
Jesse  M.  (deceased),  Harry  B.,  Lulu,  Frank- 
lin B.,  and  Charles  H.  Mrs.  Stone  is  a 
member  of  the  Cumberland  church. 

William  R.  Vann  was  born  in  Center 
township,  July  28,  1830,  the  son  of  Absalom 
and  Delight  (Comstock)  Vann,  who  were 
respectively  natives  of  South  Carolina  and 
Connecticut.  Mrs.  Vann  had  been  previ- 
ously the  wife  of  Oliver  H.  Williams,  to 
whom  she  was  married  in  Connecticut. 
Absalom  Vann  settled  in  Henderson  county, 
Ky.,  opposite,  and  a  little  above,  Evansville, 
in  the  year  1806.  He  served  in  the  war  of 
I  Si  2,  after  which  he  came  to  Vanderburgh 
county,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life. 
Mr.  Vann  died  January  8,  1845,  and  his  wife 
on  the  5th  of  March  of  the  same  year. 
She  had  been  a  church  member  over  forty 
years.  When  Absalom  was  between  one 
and  two  years  old,  his  parents  removed  from 
Center  to  Knight  township,  and  located  on 
the  farm  he  now  occupies.  He  was  married 
March  22, 1855,  to  Mrs.  Ellen  Carney,  born 
in  Washington  count}',  Ohio,  October  3, 
1832,  the  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Mary 
(Racer)  Middleswart.  She  was  married 
September  j5,  1849,  to  Andrew  J.  Carnej', 
who  died  in  February,  1854.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Vann  have  had  three  children:  Olive  S., 
George  L.  and  Ernest  E.  (deceased).  By 
her  first  husband  Mrs.  Vann  had  two  chil- 
dren :  Eugene  M.   (deceased),  and  Mary  F., 


UNION  TOWNSHIP. 


6S9 


who  was  accidentally  shot  by  a  man  w  ho 
was  firing  at  a  hawk.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vann 
are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian church.  He  has  served  his  township 
as  justice  of  the  peace  for  twenty-five  years. 
He  became  a  member  of  a  temperance  so- 
ciety in  1847,  and  has  ever  since  been  a  total 
abstainer. 

Union  township  was  organized  May  10, 
1S19.  It  lies  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
county,  and  is  really  at  times  an  island, 
being  surrounded  b}'  the  bayou  and  the 
Ohio  river.  Here  the  river  makes  a  bend 
like  a  horseshoe,  there  being  one  place 
where  it  js  scarcely  three  miles  across  the 
township.  Its  surface  is  very  low,  being 
almost  entirely  composed  of  "  river  bottom  " 
lands.  In  18S4  the  entire  township  was 
submerged,  with  the  exception  of  two  or 
three  very  small  spots  of  land.  The  soil 
in  the  lower  part  of  the  township  is  sand}' 
and  very  productive.  Its  yield  of  corn, 
tobacco  and  potatoes  is  exceeding!}-  great. 
In  the  northern  part  there  is  more  of  a  clay 
soil,  and  wheat,  hay,  and  clover  are  more 
generally  grown.  Its  surface,  as  is  usual 
in  the  alluvial  lands  along  the  river,  is  much 
cut  up  by  ponds  and  sloughs.  When  cleared 
and  drained,  the  beds  of  these  water  reser- 
voirs furnish  the  richest  and  most  productive 
soil  to  be  found. 

Early  Settlers. —  Being  on  the  river 
border,  and  thus  easy  of  access.  Union  town- 
ship was  one  of  the  first  to  invite  the  ad- 
venturous pioneer.  As  early  as  1806  or 
1807,  a  number  of  settlers  had  invaded  its 
limits.  The  settlement  most  widely  known 
in  early  times,  and  probably  among  the  first 
in  the  township,  was  that  of  William 
Anthony,  opposite  Henderson  or  Red  Banks, 
as  it  was  then  called.  William  Anthony 
was  a  sturdy,  independent,  manly  character, 
a  farmer,  hunter  and  ferrj-man.  For  years 
his  place  was    known  as   Anthony's   ferry. 


His  sons,  James  and  Frank,  were  honorable 
men.  James  went  to  the  front  with  the 
Union  armies  in  1861,  rose  to  the  rank  of 
captain,  made  a  bright  record,  and  died  in 
the  service.  The  Anthonys  were  Kentuck- 
ians,  possessed  some  means,  and  became 
influential  in  local  political  matters. 

Another  of  the  earlier  settlements  was 
that  made  in  section  15  and  thereabouts, 
some  five  miles  below  Evansville,  by  George 
Sirkle,  Nicholas  Long,  Jonathan  Jones,  and 
others.  George  Edmond  and  John  Stoner 
afterward,  but  in  early  times,  came  into 
this  neighborhood  from  the  adjoining  town- 
ship of  Perry.  George  Sirkle,  a  Virginian, 
was  a  man  of  character  and  influence.  He 
had  proved  his  patriotism  in  the  country's 
early  wars,  and  became  a  valuable  citizen. 
He  served  on  the  first  board  of  commission- 
ers for  Vanderburgh  count}',  and  occupied 
other  positions  of  trust  and  honor  in  the 
community,  always  with  credit  to  himself 
and  profit  to  the  public,  whose  confidence  he 
had  won.  His  sons,  Lewis  and  Andrew,  were 
useful  citizens  in  their  day.  Nicholas  Long 
was  a  German,  who  came  to  the  west  from 
Virginia.  He  was  industrious  and  thrifty,  and 
accumulated  considerable  property,  consid- 
ering the  limited  advantages  of  his  times. 
His  family,  large  in  numbers,  was  eminently 
respectable,  and  his  sons  attained  local 
prominence.  Jonathan  Jones,  an  upright, 
sterling  character,  was  the  father  of  Judge 
James  G.  Jones,  a  brilliant  lawyer  and  prom- 
inent man  in  his  day.  George  Edmond  was 
a  sturdy  pioneer,  who  raised  a  respectable 
family,  one  of  whom,  Michael,  still  lives  in 
Union  township,  and  is,  perhaps,  the  oldest 
resident  native  born  citizen  in   the  county. 

Between  the  Sirkle  and  Anthony  settle- 
ments there  were  many  cabins.  Along  the 
old  Red  Bank  trail  many  favorite  spots  for 
the  building  of  a  cabin  presented  themselves 
to    the    pioneers.     The    Kings,  Neals,  and 


6^0 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Chapmans  were  tolerably  early  settlers, 
though  not  among  the  first.  Subsequently 
these  names  represented  large  and  influen- 
tial families.  Jacob  Sprinkle  came  into  the 
township  before  1817,  and  afterward  be- 
came well-known. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  and  most 
widely  known  of  the  earh'  settlers  in  this 
neighborhood  was  Joseph  M.  McDowell. 
He  lived  about  four  miles  above  Henderson, 
and  his  house  early  became  a  favorite  stop- 
ping place  for  the  wear\-  hunter  or  traveler. 
It  became  a  public  tavern,  and  the  genuine 
hospitality  found  there  gave  the  host  an 
enviable  reputation  in  all  the  country  round. 
His  sons,  Joseph  P.  and  William  G.,  became 
well-known  and  useful  citizens. 

Below  Henderson  ferr\-,  the  Strouds, 
Damons,  Gerards,  Aliens,  Chisenhalls, 
Wrights,  and  Williamsons  were  among  the 
early  settlers.  These  people  of  simple  hab- 
its and  manners  were  never  drawn  aside 
from  the  pioneer  customs.  They  dealt 
fairly  with  their  fellow  men,  lived  unevent- 
ful lives,  but  were  good  and  valuable  citi- 
zens. In  this  same  strip  of  territory  lived 
in  early  times,  Fred  Ensle}',  of  German  de- 
scent, a  thrifty,  economical,  God-Iearing 
man,  who  gave  to  the  communit}'  a  good 
famiU^,  supporters  of  the  church  and  one 
a  Baptist  minister.  By  great  industry  this 
pioneer  cleared  a  farm,  and  accumulated  a 
very  comfortable  estate.  Still  further  up  on 
the  western  side  of  the  township,  following 
the  river  in  its  curve,  in  or  near  section  20, 
lived  William  Greathouse,  whose  name  was 
well-known  in  early  days  though  now,  his 
descendants  having  gone  to  other  lands,  it  is 
unknown  in  these  parts. 

The  farmers  of  Union  and  other  town- 
ships immediately  on  the  river  had  a  better 
source  of  revenue  than  the  ordinary  work 
of  the  farmer.  The  as  yet  almost  unbroken 
forests  were  in  demand   for  the  fuel  of    the 


steamers  then   passing  up  and  down  at  fre- 
quent intervals.     The  use   of  coal  had  not 
then  been  commenced.     Manv  farmers   en- 
gaged   in    chopping    w'ood,    and    the    wood 
yards  established  along  the  river  were  well- 
known   points.      That  of    William    Great- 
house  was  the  chief  factor  in   his  property 
accumulations.     Another   industry  common 
among  the  farmers  of  that  day,  and  engaged 
in    prominently    by   Mr.   Greathouse,    was 
;  pork-raising.     The  mast  furnished  excellent 
:  food,  and  at  times   the  woods  were   full  of 
hogs.     Many  of  the  Union  township  farmers 
!  got  their  start  on  the  road  to  wealth  by  the 
!  prosecution  of  these  industries,  and  not  by  a 
strict  application  to  tilling  the  soil. 

Among  the  first  settlers  in  the  interior  of 
'  the  township  were  Chapman  Carter,  Lewis 
F.  Ragar,  and  the  Chapmans.  Owing  to 
;  the  low  and  at  times  inundated  nature  of 
this  localit}',  there  were  no  particularly  large 
settlements.  A  single  cabin  on  some  high 
point  was  generally  surrounded  for  miles  by 
an  unbroken  forest.  This  condition  re- 
mained until  long  after  the  entire  settlement 
of  the  other  more  favorable  parts  of  the 
township.  A  sturdy  settler  who  came  as 
early  as  1818  or  1819,  was  John  Shaffner, 
a  hardworking,  honest  German,  who  was 
not  known  out  of  his  township,  but  was  re- 
spected by  all  his  neighbors  as  a  quiet,  good 
man.  He  was  industrious  enough  to  buy 
his  land;  there  he  lived  and  died;  his  sons, 
worthy  people,  grew  to  manhood,  lived  and 
died  on  the  same  place;  but  there  are  now 
no  survivors  of  the  name  in  the  township. 
Among  the  early  settlers  not  elsewhere 
mentioned,  were  Lewis  Rouse,  the  head  of 
a  large  family  of  eleven  people,  the  Dar- 
nels, Asas,  Slovers,  and  Harmons.  James 
J.  Sanders  was  an  old  settler,  a  farmer  and 
blacksmith.  He  had  a  shop  in  early  times 
about  a  mile  from  the  Henderson  road  and 
three  miles  from   Henderson,  which  was  a 


UNION  TOWNSHIP. 


641 


well-known  smithy  and  one    of  the  first    in 
the  township. 

The  early  settlers  used  the  mortar  and 
pestle  for  crushing  corn,  and  later  went  to 
mill  at  Red  Banks,  or  that  favorite  place, 
Neglej-'s,  on  Pigeon  creek.  Andrew  Sirkle 
built  a  horse-mill  about  1830,  and  operated 
it  for  ten  or  twelve  years.  William  Gray- 
son, of  Kentuckj',  bought  the  mill  and 
moved  it  over  the  river.  There  were  no 
saw-mills  in  the  township  until  thirty  or  thir- 
ty-five years  ago.  Mat  Burns  constructed 
the  first  stationary  mill,  though  previously 
many  portable  mills  had  worked  in  the  town- 
ship, and  in  early  days  many  logs  were 
taken  from  here  to  Audubon's  mill  at  Red 
Banks.  As  late  as  1840,  it  was  common  to 
use  the  whip-saw.  The  logs  were  first 
hewed  to  the  desired  size,  lines  were  struck, 
it  was  elevated  to  a  scaffold  and  with  one 
man  above  and  another  below,  the  saw  was 
slowly  worked  through  it. 

Thus  brief  mention  has  been  made  of  the 
earliest  settlement  of  the  various  parts  of 
the  township.  Tiie  names  of  man}'  of  the 
pioneers,  well  worth}-  of  honorable  mention, 
are  forever  lost.  The  development  of  this 
township — its  growth  following  the  settle- 
ment—  was  very  gradual.  In  1828  there 
were  but  twenty-three  voters  in  the  town- 
ship. There  was  never  an}'  rush  of  foreign- 
ers or  colonists.  The  lands  were  taken  by 
settlers  that  drifted  in  singly,  mostly  from 
Kentucky,  and  by  the  descendants  of  the 
first  settlers.  Much  of  the  land  in  the  town- 
ship is  held  by  non-residents,  who  purchased 
it  from  the  government  or  from  the  unfortu- 
nate or  reckless  descendants  of  the  pioneers. 
Of  those  who  came  in  afterward,  not 
as  earliest  settlers,  but  still  what  may  now 
be  called  an  early  day,  there  were  the  Aster- 
holts,  the  father  and  his  sons  Frank  and  Jo- 
seph, Andrew  Hoppe,  Charles  Kamp, 
Christian     Schneller,    John    Gerloch,  John 


Roth,  and  many  other  well-to-do,  good  citi- 
zens. Carroll  Saunders  and  his  descend- 
ants and  relatives  have  occupied  a  leading 
place  in  the  township.  Samuel  Barker,  one 
of  the  wealthiest  and  most  prominent  men 
of  the  county,  has  been  since  1832  a  resident 
of  the  township.  He  is  a  man  of  great 
worth,  intellect,  character  and  influence.  He 
served  the  public  as  county  commissioner, 
and  in  all  the  walks  of  life  has  commanded 
the  esteem  of  his  cotemporaries. 

A  Squatter. —  One  of  the  most  typical 
representatives  of  that  class  of  easy-going, 
free-from-care  pioneers,  who  rejoiced  in  the 
excitement  of  the  chase,  and  ever  loved  to 
recount  their  exploits,  was  "  old  man  Flat, 
the  yarn-teller,"  as  the  settlers  often  spoke 
of  him.  His  chief  delight  was  to  pass  away 
time  in  spinning  yarns,  many  of  which  had 
not  a  grain  of  truth  in  them.  He  was  a 
hunter  in  the  woods  most  of  the  time,  and 
the  owner  of  a  vivid  imagination.  He  kept 
many  a  fire-side  circle  laughing  with  good 
humor  at  his  unreasonable  stories,  and  thus 
served  a  useful  purpose.  To  this  day  the 
young  folks  of  Union  township  are  amused 
at  the  stories  of  old  Flat,  which  have  lost 
nothing  in  all  these  years,  though  told  so 
often.  Some  of  them  surpass,  in  their  por- 
trayal of  desperate  hunts,  and  the  wonder- 
ful achievements  of  the  narrator,  the  most 
thrilling  recitals  of  Baron  Munchausen. 
There  were  many  of  these  squatters  who 
lived  in  the  woods  and  went  away  when  the 
game  was  thinned  out.  They  lived  for  the 
day,  and  did  nothing  to  perpetuate  their 
names.  A  generation  passed  and  they  were 
forgotten. 

Incidents. —  The  trying  experience  of 
Philip  Cheaney  and  Harvey  Wheeler  during 
the  high  water  of  1884,  was  ecjual  to  any 
which  might  have  beset  the  path  of  the 
pioneer.  In  that  year  the  water  was  higher 
than    it    had   been  since    1S32,  and   caused 


€4^ 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


great  destruction  to  property  and  stock  as 
well  as  much  suffering  among  the  families 
in  the  low  lands.  These  two  men  were  in  a 
house  dangerously  situated,  and  making  up 
their  minds  that  the  house  was  bound  to  be 
swept  from  its  foundation  and  probably 
dashed  to  pieces  by  the  swift  current,  the 
the  wind  and  waves,  they  put  out  in  a  skiff 
in  the  darkness  and  storm,  and  at  length 
reached  a  small  pine  tree  into  which  they 
climbed  for  safety.  Here  they  remained 
all  night  through  intense  suffering.  The 
night  was  so  cold  that  hogs  in  some  parts 
of  the  township  were  frozen  to  death. 
Though  almost  exhausted  they  were  res- 
cued soon  after  the  dawn  of  the  day  follow- 
ing their  terrible  exposure.  Their  miraculous 
escape  was  attributed  in  part  to  the  fact 
that  the  rolling  waves  frequently  dashed  en- 
tirely over  them  and  kept  them  so  activel}' 
engaged  that  freezing  was  avoided.  About 
the  same  time  three  men  saved  themselves 
from  death  by  climbing  into  a  pecan  tree 
near  the  Henderson  ferry,  and  remaining 
over  night. 

Churches. —  In  early  times  the  Baptists 
and  Methodists  predominated  in  this  town- 
ship. Earlj^  meetings  were  held  at  the 
houses  of  members,  and  such  men  as  John 
Schraeder,  Richard  and  Joseph  Wheeler, 
Robert  Parrett,  for  the  Methodists,  and 
Benoni  Stinson,  for  the  Baptists,  preached 
to  the  people.  As  results  of  the  faithful 
labors  of  these  men,  two  churches  were  built. 
Zion  Baptist  church  was  near  the  Henderson 
ferry,  and  flourished  for  a  number  of  3'ears, 
doing  much  good,  being  the  scene  of  many 
large  meetings  and  good  revivals.  It  has 
long  since  passed  away.  Victor  chapel,  a 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  was  a  mile  or 
more  above  Zion.  It  continued  from  early 
times,  until  swept  away  by  the  high  water 
of  1884,  to  be  a  favorite  meeting  place.  It 
was  supported  by  circuit  riders,  had  a  good 


congregation,  among  whom  as  its  chief 
supporters,  perhaps,  were  Samuel  Barker 
and  John  Walden.  About  three  miles  be- 
low the  Henderson  ferry  there  were  a  Bap- 
tist church  and  a  Methodist  church.  The 
high  water  of  1884  swept  both  of  these 
awaj'.  Since  the  disasters  wrought  b)'  this 
high  water,  there  has  not  been  a  church 
kept  up  by  these  old-time  denominations. 
The  people  worship  at  various  places  out- 
side of  the  township. 

About  fifteen  years  ago  a  neat  frame 
church  25x15  feet,  and  comfortably  furnished, 
was  built  on  section  16,  on  the  old  Sirkle 
farm,  by  the  Catholics  of  that  neighborhood. 
There  were  about  fifteen  families  under 
charge  of  Father  Sondermann,  and  services 
were  held  regularly,  though  in  late  years 
the  congregation  has  been  without  a  priest. 
The  membership  is  not  large,  but  efforts  are 
now  being  made  to  have  frequent  service 
and  to  build  up  the  church.  Joseph  Shenck, 
Adam  Shenck,  and  Andrew  Hoppe  have 
been  among  tlie  faithful  and  influential  sup- 
porters of  this  church.  The  church  was 
dedicated  to  the  Sacred  Heart  and  blessed 
in  June,  1874,  ^J  R^v.  P.  McDermott,  of 
Evans  ville. 

The  German  Lutherans  about  ten  years 
ago,  built  a  neat  country  church  on  the  old 
Schaffner  place,  afterward  the  Kamp  farm. 
Leopold  Kamp,  Conrad  Burgdorf,  John  Gar- 
loch,  and  John  Roth,  and  their  wives,  were 
among  the  most  active  in  bringing  the  church 
into  existence.  There  is  a  large  congrega- 
tion now  under  the  charge  of  Rev.  Veay,  of 
Henderson,  Ky.,  and  a  prosperous  Sabbath 
school,  with  Leopold  Kamp,  as  superin- 
tendent. 

Tuzviis. —  There  is  not  a  town  worthy  of 
that  name  in  Union  township.  Cypress  has 
a  postoffice,  a  blacksmith  shop,  and  a  small 
store.  Joseph  Shenck'  is  postmaster  and 
proprietor  of  the  store.     At  two  or  three  of 


UNION  TOWNSHIP. 


64s 


the  road-crossings  there  are  a  few  shops, 
and  places  of  refreshment,  but  none  boast 
of  themselves  as  towns.  On  March  i,  1820, 
Joseph  M.  McDowell  laid  out  a  town  in  the 
southeast  quarter  of  section  21,  township  7 
south,  range  11  west,  and  called  it  Unionville. 
The  village  passed  out  of  existence  before 
the  coming  of  the  present  generation. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Samuel  Barker,  ex-commissioner  of 
Vanderburgh  county,  and  one  among  its 
most  prominent  and  substantial  citizens,  was 
born  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  July  22, 
1820,  the  son  of  William  Rogers  and  Ann 
Maria  (Johnson)  Barker.  His  father  was 
born  in  Newburyport  about  the  3'ear  1790, 
and  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Betsy 
(Rogers)  Barker,  who  settled  in  Massa- 
chusetts about  twenty  years  previous,  and 
served  through  the  revolutionary  war.  Miss 
Betsy  Rogers  was  the  daughter  of  Capt. 
Rogers,  of  the  continental  arm}-,  in  whose 
company  Samuel  Barker  served,  and  at  the 
close  of  'the  war  the  young  soldier  won  the 
hand  of  his  captain's  daughter.  While  in 
the  service,  he  was  one  of  the  sentinels  who 
guarded  Major  Andre,  the  British  spy. 
Samuel  Barker  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, and  spent  nearly  his  entire  life  in  the 
state  of  Massachusetts.  He  died  in  that 
state  in  about  the  year  1828.  William  R. 
Barker,  the  father  of  our  subject,  spent  his 
boyhood  and  youth  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity 
of  Newburyport,  Mass.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  he  left  home  and  went  to  Bos- 
ton, where  for  several  years  he  inspected 
mackerel.  From  Boston  he  went  to 
Charleston,  S.  C,  where  for  some  ten  or 
twelve  j'ears  he  was  successfully  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business.  In  Charleston  he 
formed  the  ac(juaintance  of  Miss  Ann  Maria 
Johnson,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  about 
1816.     She   was  born  in  Georgia,  and  was 


about  four  3'ears  younger  than  her  husband. 
Her  paternal  ancestry  was  Scotch.  In  the 
meantime,  before  going  to  Charleston,  Mr. 
Barker  had  served  his  country  as  a  soldier 
in  the  war  of  181 2.  In  Charleston  he  was 
doing  a  successful  business,  but  after 
a  residence  of  a  few  years,  there 
arose  an  insurrection  which  partly  de- 
termined him  to  remove  from  the 
place.  The  slaves  had  formed  a  conspiracy 
to  murder  all  the  whites,  and  a  night  was 
set  for"  their  bloody  deed.  Fortunately  the 
plot  was  discovered  before  the  night  arrived. 
Twenty-two  of  the  ringleaders  were  convict- 
ed, and  all  were  hanged  on  the  same  gal- 
lows. William  R.  Barker  was  a  member 
of  the  military  company  that  was  detailed  to 
guard  the  convicted  negroes,  and  he  was  a 
witness  to  their  execution.  He  then  enter- 
tained a  belief  which  he  frequently  expressed, 
that  the  slavery  question  would  bring  about 
a  civil  war,  and  he  preferred  to  have  his 
family  without  its  domain.  Accordingly,  in 
the  year  1826,  in  a  two-horse  carriage,  he 
removed  his  wife  and  six  children  across 
the  mountains  to  Cincinnati.  One  of  these 
children,  a  brother  of  Samuel,  afterward  be- 
came the  well-known  Dr.  William  S.  Barker, 
of  Boonville,  for  forty  3-ears  a  practitioner 
there,  and  during  the  war  surgeon  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  Indiana.  For 
four  3'ears  after  liis  arrival,  William  R. 
Barker  was  enjjaoed  in  the  drv  coods 
business.  In  1S30,  he  removed  to  Law- 
renceburg,  Ind.,  w'here  Samuel  Barker 
was  a  school-mate  of  ex-Gov.  Albert 
G.  Porter.  In  November,  1832,  he  removed 
to  this  count}',  and  settled  in  Union  town- 
ship, where  both  he  and  his  wife  spent  the 
rest  of  their  lives.  SliortI}'  after  his  locat- 
ing in  this  countv,  he  was  appointed  one  of 
the  count3'  commissioners.  He  died  in  Juh', 
1837,  and  his  wife  survived  him  until  about 
1852.     Samuel  Barker  spent  but  a  few  years 


6U 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


at   his  native  city  of  Charleston,  but   while 
there,  at  the   age   of  five,  he   saw  General 
Lafayette  at  the  reception  tendered  him  by 
that  city  in  1825.     He  was  twelve    years   of 
age  when  his  parents  came  to   this    county. 
The  first  settlement  was  made  on  the  farm  he 
now  occupies  and  it  has  been  his  residence  for 
fifty-six  years.     In  early  manhood  he  chose 
the  vocation  of   a   farmer,  and    aside  from 
public  service  this  pursuit  has  been  his  sole 
occupation.     His  Hfe  has  been  one  of  indus- 
try, and  he  now  has  a  rank  among  the  most 
wealthy   farmers   of  Vanderburgh    county, 
and  is  one  of  her   most  extensive  free-hold- 
ers.    While  his  long  citizenship  would  natu- 
rally have  given  him   a   wide  acquaintance, 
it  has  been   in  the  capacity  of  a  public  man 
that  he  has  become  so  familiar  to  the  people 
of  Vanderburgh   county.     In    i860  he  was 
elected  treasurer  of  his  township,  and  served 
one  year.     In    1868   he  was  elected   to  the 
office  of  township  trustee,  which  he  resigned 
in  1869  ^'^  accept  an  appointment  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board   of   county  commissioners. 
He  served  out  the  unexpired  term,  and  also 
served  during  the  two  terms  which  followed, 
being  elected  to  the  office   in  1870,  and  re- 
elected   in    1872.     In    1880    he    was   a^ain 
re-elected  and  served  one  term.      During  his 
incumbenc}',  which  covered  a  period  of  nine 
years,  some  of  the  most  important  events  in 
the    history    of    the    county  occurred.     He 
helped  to  build  the  first  gravel  road  in  the 
county,   and  besides    wielding  an   influence 
which  led  to  the  construction   and  improve- 
ment of  many  other   roads   of    this  class,  he 
was  the  originator  of  the  project  which  led 
to  the  removal  of  the  Evansville  and  Hen- 
derson gravel  road  from  the  river  bank  to 
its  present  location.     While   he  was  county 
commissioner,    by     the     authority    of    the 
entire     board,      Mr.      Barker      purchased 
the     present    orphan     asylum,  and     it    was 
while  he  was  a  member  of  the   board   that 


the   site    of   the    old   infirmary  building  was 
sold    and    the    present    new    building    con- 
structed.    Among    the    bridges   built  were 
the   one  at  the   salt  well,  one  over  Pigeon 
creek,  and    the    iron    bridge    on    the    First 
avenue  road.     But  perhaps  by  far  the  most 
important  of  all  his  official  acts  was  the  one 
which  led  to  the  construction    of   the    new 
state  hospital  for  the  insane,  that  is  now  the 
pride    of    every    citizen    of    Vanderburgh 
county.     While  president  of  the  board,  Mr. 
Barker  drafted,  introduced,  'and  secured  the 
adoption  of  a  set  of  resolutions  in  which  he 
eloquently    set   forth  the   great  need  of  an 
institution    for  the   incurably   insane   of   the 
state,  and  setting  forth  reasons  why  Evans- 
ville should  be   selected  as  the  site  of  such 
institution.    While  much  credit  is  due  to  the 
county's  representatives  in  the  state  legisla- 
ture  for  their   diligent   efforts   in  behalf  of 
the  measure  and  to   the   citizens   generally 
for    the    gallant    manner    in    which    they 
strengthened  the   movement,  the   credit  of 
originating  it  belongs  entirely  to  Mr.  Barker. 
On   the    2d  da}'  of  July,  1847,  Mr-.  Barker 
was  married  to  Mary  A.  King,  daughter  of 
James  and  Susan  King.     Her  parents  were 
natives  of  Virginia,  in  which   state  she  was 
born  November  25,  1824.     She  came  with 
her  parents  to  Union   township  in  the  year 
1 83 1.     Their  marriage  has  resulted  in  the 
birth  of  three  children,  William  R.,  Francis 
A.,  and  Ann  Maria,  of  whom  the  eldest  and 
joungest  are  deceased.     Francis  A.  Barker 
was  born  December  2,  1850,  and  is  the  onl}' 
child   living.     The    daughter,    Anna    Maria 
Barker,  was  married  to  Dr.  Henry  S.  Bell, 
at  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  some  four  or 
five  years  later  she  and  her  husband   settled 
at  Paris,  111.     Mrs.  Bell  died  September  20, 
1887,    at  Pasadena,  Cal.,   whither  she  had 
gone    for  her  health.      Her    father,   mother 
and,  brother  Francis,  were   with  her   when 
she    died,   and  her  husband,  who  arrived  a 


UNION  TOWNSHIP. 


045 


few  hours  later,  brought  her  remains  to  this 
county,  and  interred  them  in  Oakhill  ceme- 
tery. She  left  two  children,  Samuel  B.  and 
RobertN.  Mrs.  Barkerjoined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  at  eighteen  years  of  age,  and 
has  been  a  member  ever  since.  Mr.  Barker 
has  been  a  devoted  member  of  the  same 
church  since  the  twent3--seventh  year  of  his 
age.  He  was  formerly  a  whig  in  politics, 
but  since  1856  he  has  ardently  supported 
the  principles  of  the  republican  party. 
Durinjr  the  war  of  the  rebellion  he  was  a 
member  of  the  compan}'  of  home  guards 
that  was  commanded  by  Capt.  B.  F.  Will- 
iamson. Mr.  Barker's  record  for  honesty, 
integrity  and  uprightness  is  one  which  pos- 
terity can  well  emulate  and  admire. 

LEoroLD  A.  Ka.mp  was  born  in  »Pru£sia, 
January  9, 1831,  and  is  the  son  of  Christopher 
L.  and  Renetta  Kamp.  In  jouth  he  was 
employed  in  his  father's  flouring  mill,  and 
was  in  the  service  of  the  government  two 
years,  guarding  the  government's  wood- 
lands. Since  coming  to  the  United  States 
he  has  been  farming,  but  has  also  taught 
German  school  two  years.  He  was  married 
May  2,  1864,  ^*^  Sarah  Lauer,  who  was 
born  in  Perry  township,  December  19,  1845, 
a  sister  of  James  H.  Lauer,  postmaster  at 
Evansville.  She  died  March  10,  1865. 
August  28,  1867,  Mr.  Kamp  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  Bauer.  She  was  born  in  German 
township,  July  10,  1846,  and  died  Januarj' 
13,  187 1.  On  July  29,  1880,  he  married 
Mrs.  Louisa  Gaertner,  who  was  born  in 
Prussia,  March  11,  1840,  the  daughter  of 
Adolph  Pepmiller.  She  immigrated  with 
her  parents  by  way  of  New  Orleans,  and 
while  on  the  Mississippi  river  her  mother 
died  with  cholera.  Her  father  settled  at 
Newburgh.  September  18,  1858,  Miss 
Pepmiller  married  Peter  Gaertner,  a  native 
of  Hesse,  Germany,  who  died  March  31, 
1873.     By  his  wife,  Louisa,  Mr.  Kamp  had 


two  children,  Katie  B.  A.  and  Louis  W. 
(deceased).  B_v  her  first  husband  Mrs. 
Kamp  had  eight  children:  George  (de- 
ceased), John,  Louis,  Caroline  (deceased), 
Louisa  (deceased),  Augusta  E.  (deceased), 
and  Catharine.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kamp  are 
members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  D.  O.  H.  lodge. 
He  was  elected  assessor  in  1876,  and  served 
four  years.  He  was  again  elected  in  1886. 
He.  has  been  an  active  member  of  his 
church,  and  has  labored  with  the  children  in 
the  Sabbath  school  almost  every  Sunday  for 
many  years. 

James  L.  King,  member  of  the  board  of 
countv  commissioners,  was  born  in  this 
township  February  17,  1844,  the  son  of 
John  F.  and  Judith  B.  (Neale)  King.  All 
his  earh-  life  was  spent  on  the  old  King 
homestead,  where  he  was  born.  In  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  in  Com- 
pany H,  Eighth  Kentucky  cavalr}',  with 
which  he  served  nearly  two  months.  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1864,  he  entered  Company  F, 
One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  Indiana,  and 
served  with  this  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  mustered  out  at  Raleigh,  N.  C, 
Januarj^  8,  1866,  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged at  Indianapolis  a  few  days  later. 
He  was  in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Peach 
Tree  Creek  and  the  campaign  of  Atlanta. 
He  was  married  January  29,  1869,  to 
Louisa  L.  Long.  She  is  a  native  of  Union 
township,  born  September  12,  1847,  the 
daughter  of  Simeon  and  Mar}'  W.  (Har- 
rinirton)  Longr.  Thev  have  had  six  children: 
Richard  W.  and  Judith  B.  (twins),  Ida  M., 
Nettie  A.,  Ora  A.  and  Amy  L.,  of  whom 
Richard  W.,  Judith  B.  and  Ora  A.  are  de- 
ceased. Mr.  King  is  a  member  of  the 
K.  of  H.,  the  A.  O.  U.  \V.  and  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  in  politics  he  is  a  republican.  He 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  ten  years, 
and    was    elected   county  commissioner  in 


646 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


November,  i8S6,  and  is  performing  the  du- 
ties of  that  position  in  a  creditable  manner. 
His  friends  are  only  limited  by  his  acquaint- 
ances, and  his  integrity  and  honest}'  of  pur- 
pose are  unquestioned. 

Mrs.  Sophie  Edmond  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, September  20,  1836,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Julius  and  Christina  (Evers) 
Burgdorf.  Her  father  came  to  America  in 
1847,  and  his  family  joined  him  at  Evans- 
ville  in  1850,  after  a  remarkably  prolonged 
voyage.  When  Miss  Sophie  was  fifteen 
years  old  she  spent  several  months  with  an 
aunt  at  New  Orleans,  and  while  she  was 
there  her  father  removed  to  Posey  count}-, 
soon,  however,  returning  to  this  county. 
She  was  married  to  John  Edmond,  October 
10,  1858.  He  was  born  in  Somerset  county, 
Penn.,June8,i799,  and  was  the  son  of  George 
Edmond.  In  180S,  George  Edmond  moved 
with  his  family  to  Kentucky,  and  in  1815  to 
Vanderburgh  county.  They  settled  in 
Union  township,  of  which  John  Edmond  was 
afterward  an  influential  and  honored  citizen. 
He  died  October  12,  1876.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edmond  had  six  children : 
Lula  C  (deceased),  John  P.,  Julia  W.  (de- 
ceased), Augusta  M.,  Ohve  L.,  and  Mineola 
(deceased).  Mrs.  Edmond  is  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  church.  She  owns  108  acres 
of  good  land,  and  resides  in  a  comfortable 
home. 

John  F.  Edmond  was  born  in  this  town- 
ship May  15,  1862,  the  son  of  John  and 
Sophie  (Burgdorf)  Edmond,  above  men- 
tioned. He  was  born  and  grew  to  manhood 
on  the  old  homestead.  In  the  fall  of  1879, 
he  entered  the  Evansville  Commercial  Col- 
lege, in  which  he  completed  a  business 
course  and  a  course  in  penmanship.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-two  he  engaged  in  farming 
on  his  own  account,  and  now  owns  178 
acres  of  good  land  in  Union  township.     He 


was  married  February  10,  1S85,  to  Delia 
Cullin,  who  was  born  m  Hardin  county,  Ky., 
April  I,  1 861,  daughter  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Tabor)  Cullen.  When  she  was  eight 
years  old  her  parents  located  in  Gibson 
county,  and  in  1S75,  came  to  Union  town- 
ship. Her  mother  is  still  living,  in  Missouri. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edmond  have  two  children: 
Bertram,  born  November  12,  1885,  and 
John  O.,  born  October  29,  1887. 

Michael  Edmond,  who  is  probably  the 
oldest  living  native-born  citizen  of  Vander- 
burgh county,  was  born  within  the  present 
limits  of  Perry  township,  near  the  site  of 
Ingle's  coal  mine,  about  the  middle  of 
November,  1815.  He  is  the  son  of  George 
and  Susan  Edmond,  who  were  born,  reared 
and  married  in  Pennsylvania,  but  who  emi- 
grated to  Kentucky  about  1808,  and  in  1815 
came  to  Vanderburgh  county.  Mr.  Ed- 
mond spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in 
Union  township.  He  was  married  July  20, 
1845,  to  Jane  C.  McCorkle;  she  was  born  in 
North  Carolina,  May  4,  1826,  the  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Mclntyre)  McCorkle, 
who,  when  she  was  but  six  weeks  old, 
moved  to  Gibson  county.  Fi\'e  or  six  years 
later  they  came  to  Vanderburgh  county. 
Mr,  and  Mrs.  Edmond  have  had  ten  child- 
ren: Mary  A.  (deceased),  WilHam  H., 
James  A.,  John  F.  (deceased),  Margaret  E., 
Laura  J.,  Michael  L.,  Susan  M.,  Robert  W., 
and  a  daughter  that  died  unnamed. 

Richard  J.  Gerard  was  born  in  this 
township  October  22,  1842,  son  of  Hamil- 
ton and  Arena  (Shook)  Gerard,  both  of 
whom  were  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Law- 
renceburg,  Ind.  He  was  reared  on  the  old 
homestead,  most  of  which  he  now  owns. 
He  was  married  to  Mary  M.  Higgins,  May 
28,  1865.  She  was  born  in  Georgia,  June  6, 
1845,  daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca  (Fain) 
Higgins.  After  his  marriage  his  place  of 
residence  has  been  on  the  old  homestead, 


UNIOX  TOWNSHIP. 


61^7 


except  from  February,  1883,  to  September, 
1887,  when  he  resideH  in  Evansville.  He 
owns  about  160  acres  of  land  in  Union  town- 
ship. He  and  wife  have  had  a  family  of 
nine  children:  Murta  (deceased),  Shelby, 
Minnie  (deceased),  Douglas  M.  (deceased), 
Charles,  John  (deceased),  Mary  (deceased), 
Myrtle  (deceased),  and  Mary.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gerard  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

Andrew  Happe,  a  native  of  Germany, 
was  born  February  7,  1S31,  the  son  of  John 
and  Gertrude  (Braker)  Happe.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-two  he  came  to  America.  A 
brother,  Louis  Happe,  preceded  him  two 
years  before,  and  a  sister,  Theresa,  came 
with  Andrew.  Andrew  came  to  Vander- 
burgh count}^  and  located  in  German  town- 
ship, but  three  years  later  removed  to  Union 
township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He 
owns  430  acres  of  first-class  land,  all  in  this 
township,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial men  of  the  county.  He  was  married 
in  November,  1S58,  to  Gertrude  Dornbush, 
who  died  December  25,  1863.  About  two 
years  later  he  married  Charlotte  Becker, 
who  died  August  25,  1880.  June  13, 
1882,  he  married  Christina  Behr,  now  living. 
Mr.  Happe  has  six  children  living:  Peter, 
Anna,  Lizzie,  Lena,  Diana  and  John.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Happe  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
church.  Mr.  Happe  has  been  elected  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  several  times  but  always 
declined  to  serve. 

Bertiiold  a.  Kamp  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, March  24,  1845,  the  son  of  Chris- 
tophec  and  Renetta  (Schroeder)  Kamp, 
with  whom  he  came  to  America  in  1853. 
In  August,  1861,  Berthold  entered  Company 
K,  Thirty-second  Indiana  volunteers,  and 
served  three  years  and  two  months.  He 
was  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Stone  River, 
Chickamauga,  Mission  Ridge,  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  besides   many  other    smaller    en- 


gagements. He  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Stone  River,  December  31,  1863,  and  was 
confined  for  two  months,  about  half  that 
time  in  Libb}-  prison.  He  was  honorably 
discharged  at  Indianapolis,  October,  1864. 
He  then  returned  to  Union  township,  and 
for  a  number  of  years  managed  portable 
machinery,  including  a  saw-mill.  He  also 
attended  to  his  farming  interests.  As  early 
as  i865)  he  and  his  brother  Louis  con- 
structed from  an  old  separator  a  corn- 
sheller,  and  from  1865  and  1879  several 
other  machines  of  this  kind  were  con- 
structed by  Berthold  Kamp  for  his  own  use. 
In  1879,  he  invented  and  patented  a  new 
corn-sheller,  and  has  since  manufactured 
and  sold  this  machine,  which  is  known  as 
the  Kamp  Corn-Sheller,  and  is  one  of  the 
best.  From  18S4  to  18S8  his  manufactur- 
ing was  carried  on  in  Evansville.  He  also 
attends  to  his  farming  land,  nearly  400 
acres,  all  in  Union  township.  Mr.  Kamp 
was  married  December  17,  1869,  to  Susan 
E.,  daughter  of  James  W.  King.  They 
have  had  five  children:  James  W.,  Mattie, 
Minnie,  Annie,  (deceased),  and  Nellie.  Mr. 
Kamp  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  and 
the  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  one  of  the  influential 
and  notable  men  of  the  count}'. 

Albert  C.  K.vmp  is  a  native  of  Prussia, 
born  June  6,  1S37,  son  of  Christopher  L. 
and  Renetta  Kamp,  above  referred  to.  The 
family  immigrated,  and  reached  New  York 
August  28,  1853,  arrived  at  Evansville  Sep- 
tember 16,  and  on  the  8th  of  October  set- 
tled on  the  farm  Albert  now  occupies,  in 
Union  township.  There  the  father  died  in 
July,  1863,  and  the  mother  in  September,  1878. 
Mr.  Kamp  owns  290  acres  in  Union  town- 
ship, including  the  old  Kamp  homestead,  his 
residence.  Since  1863  Mr.  Kamp  has  been 
all  the  time  interested  in  saw-milling,  more  or 
less.  He  was  married  November  15,  1863, 
to  Anna  Gramm,  born  in  Germany  Septem- 


6J^ 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


ber  20,  1844,  daughter  of  Dr.  William  and 
Harriet  Gramm,  with  whom  she  immigrated 
in  1852,  to  Evansv'ille.  While  in  Evans- 
ville  her  father  practiced  medicine.  In  1863 
they  removed  to  Union  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Kamp  have  had  ten  children :  William 
L.,  Lena  I.,  Annette,  Albert,  Nettie,  Otto, 
Walter,  Romeo  (deceased),JuHa  and  Robert. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  German  Lu- 
theran church.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
D.  O.  H.,  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  the  A.  O.  U.  W., 
and  the  Iron  Hall  lodges.  He  was  elected 
trustee  in  1880,  and  was  re-elected  in  1882. 

Richard  W.  King,  trustee  of  Union 
township,  was  born  in  that  township  near 
where  he  now  resides,  October  31,  1846, 
and  is  the  son  of  John  F.  and  Judith  B. 
(Neal)  King,  both  natives  of  West  Virginia. 
In  early  manhood  he  took  up  the  vocation 
of  a  farmer.  He  was  married  January  16, 
1873,  to  Frances  V.  Rutter,  born  in  Union 
township  January  30,  1850,  daughter  of 
Edmond  and  Priscilla  (Long)  Rutter,  the 
former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, bhe  died  March  2,  1880,  leaving  one 
child,  Dora  N.  April  9,  1882,  Mr.  King 
was  married  to  Mary  Martin,  born  in  Posey 
county,  January  8,  1859,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Lucinda  (Schisenhallj  Martin.  Mr. 
King  and  his  present  wife  have  had  four 
children:  Noah  H.  (deceased),  Essie,  and 
Barney  and  Birdie  (twins).  Mr.  King  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order  of  the  rank 
of  Knight  Templar.  In  politics  he  is  a  re- 
publican. He  was  elected  trustee  in  1886, 
and  was  re-elected  in  1888.  He  received  a 
majority  of  twenty-six  at  the  former,  and  a 
majority  of  tifty-two  at  the  latter,  election, 
though  his  party  in  Union  township  is  in  the 
minority. 

Michael  Kolb  was  born  in  Germany, 
January  3,  1848,  son  of  John  and  Anna  Bar- 
bara Kolb.  His  father  died  when  Michael 
was  four  years  old,  and  he  was  but  fourteen 


when  his  mother  died.  At  sixteen  j-ears  of 
age  he  immigrated  and  came  directl}'  to 
Evansville.  He  was  employed  on  a  farm 
in  Union  township  for  five  jears,  and  then 
crossed  to  Henderson  county,  Ky.,  and  be- 
iian  farmintj  •  for  himself.  He  continued 
there  seventeen  years.  On  January  9,  1873, 
he  was  married  to  Amelia  Deusner.  She 
was  born  in  Evansville  August  23,  1853, 
daughter  of  Philip  and  Mary  (Schaeffer) 
Deusner,  natives  of  Germanv.  February  17, 
1886,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kolb  removed  from 
Henderson  county  to  Union  township,  and 
they  have  since  occupied  their  present  home. 
Mr.  Kolb  owns  142  acres,  about  130  of 
which  are  in  cultivation.  He  and  wife  have 
had  ten  children:  Philip  W.,  Emma  M., 
Ida  L.,  Michael  C,  William  A.,  Katie  (de- 
ceased), Frederick  G.,  Elizabeth  M.,  Annie 
C,  and  Mary  L.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kolb  are 
members  of  the  Presb3'terian  church,  and  he 
is  an  Odd  Fellow. 

John  A.  Neale,  a  citizen  of  Union  town- 
ship, was  born  on  the  farm  he  now  occupies, 
July  I,  1854.  He  is  the  son  of  Shapleigh 
R.  and  Martha  (King)  Neale,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Virginia.  His  father  was 
born  December  31,  1819,  and  was  the  son 
of  James  P.  Neale.  He  was  married  to 
Martha  King  in  1844.  Both  the  father  and 
mother  of  our  subject  died  in  Union  town- 
ship, the  latter  on  the  29th  of  August,  1865, 
and  the  former  on  the  17th  of  September, 
1878.  John  A.  has  thus  far  spent  his  life  on 
a  farm.  When  he  was  fourteen  years  old 
his  father  removed  to  Posey  county,  this 
state.  Two  years  later  he  returned  to  his  farm 
in  Union  township,  and  a  part  of  which  is  now 
owned  bv  our  subject,  who  gives  his  whole 
attention  to  farming,  in  which  pursuit  he  is 
successful.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
lodge.  He  was  elected  trustee  of  his 
township  in  the  spring  of  1884,  and  served 
in  a  satisfactory  manner  one  term. 


^a^^^T-^  ySa^j^^^^jz^ — 


UNION  TOWNSHIP. 


649 


John  Robertson  was  born  in  Union 
township,  November  21,  1826,  son  of  An- 
thony and  Sarah  (Kazy)  Robertson.  His 
boyhood  and  youth  were  spent  in  Union  and 
Perr}'  townships.  April,  1846,  he  became 
a  soldier  in  the  Me.xican  war,  in  Company 
K,  Second  Indiana  volunteer  infantr}',  com- 
manded by  Capt.  Walker,  who  was  killed 
in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  He  was 
discharged  at  New  Orleans,  in  July, 
1S47.  October,  1853,  he  was  married 
to  Willie  Isabel  Miller.  She  was  born  in 
Union  township,  and  was  the  dauohter  of 
John  and  Willie  Miller.  She  died  March  11, 
1857.  On  the  14th  of  February,  i860,  Mr. 
Robertson  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Gerard. 
She  was  born  near  Lawrenceburg,  this  state, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  William  and  Lo- 
vina  (Reneau)  Gerard.  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Robertson  died  August  13,  1880.  By  his 
first  wife,  Mr.  Robertson  became  the  father 
of  two  children :  John  P.  and  James  A.,  of 
whom  the  former  is  deceased.  By  his  sec- 
ond wife  he  had  four  children :  Willie, 
Olive,  Rit,  and  Thomas,  all  deceased.  Mr. 
Robertson  is  an  honorable,  upright  man  and 
one  of  the  county's  most  worthy  pioneers. 

Mrs.  Anna  B.  Roth  was   born  in   Ger- 
many,  March    10,    1S37,    the    daughter    of 
Heinrich     and    Eve      Elizabeth     (Bonner) 
Maenshaen.      She.  was    married    to    John 
Roth,  March  6,  1858.     He   was  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  February  19,  1834,  ''^"•^^  '^^^ 
the  son  of  Adam  Roth.     In  June,  i860,  Mr. 
and    Mrs.    Roth     emigrated    to     America. 
They    took    up    their    residence    in    Union 
township,  in  which  Mr.   Roth  pursued   the 
vocation  of  a  farmer  until  his  death,  on  the 
9th  day  of  December,  1884.    Mr.  Roth  was 
successful  as  a  farmer,  and  when  he  died  he 
owned  267  acres  of  land.     He  was  a  mem- ! 
bar  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.    Mrs.  j 
Roth   has   had    a    family  of  nine    children:, 
Elizabeth,  Caroline,  John    B.,  Anna,  Mar- 1 
38 


garet,  Henrietta,  Adam,  Wilhelmina  and 
Anna.  Mrs.  Roth  is  a  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Lutheran  church,  in  which  all  her  chil- 
dren have  a  membership. 

J.\MEs  F.  Saunders,  a  citizen  of  Union 
township,  was  born  in  Perry  township,  this 
county,  April  15,  1S39.  He  was  the  son  of 
William  C.  and  Lydia  E.  (Fauquher)  Saun- 
ders, the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of 
Vanderburgh  county,  and  the  latter  of  Ken- 
tucky. His  father  was  born  September  22, 
1815,  and  was  the  son  of  Ezekiel  and  Isabel 
(WilHs)  Saunders,  who  were  among  the 
first  settlers  of  Vanderburgh  county.  Will- 
iam C.  Saunders  was  married  to  L3dia  E. 
Fauquher  September  10,  1834.  ^'^"^  ^^'^^ 
born  March  12,  1814,  and  was  the  daughter 
of  James  F.  and  Margaret  Fauquher,  who 
were  early  settlers  of  German  township,  this 
county.  James  F.  Saunders  spent  his  boy- 
hood and  youth  on  a  farm  in  his  native  town- 
ship. At  twenty  years  of  age  he  went  to 
Union  township,  where  he  has  resided  since 
and  engaged  in  agriculture  for  himself,  and 
he  has  since  given  his  undivided  attention  to 
farming.  He-  began  life  for  himself  with- 
out means,  and  nearly  all  of  his  property'  is 
the  product  of  hard  work  and  good  manage- 
ment. He  owns  300  acres  of  excellent  land, 
all  in  Union  township.  He  was  married 
March  9,  1870,  to  Haidee  Upfield.  She 
was  born  in  Lancaster,  Fairfield  county, 
Ohio,  January  22,  1850,  and  is  the  daughter 
of  William  and  Martha  (Wilson)  Upfield. 
Mrs.  and  Mrs.  Saunders  have  had  four  chil- 
dren: Ida  M.,  George,  Ruth,  and  one  that 
died  in  infancy  unnamed.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Saunders  is  a  democrat,  and  has  served  his 
township  as  assessor,  and  two  terms  as 
trustee,  and  was  county  commissioner  three 
years,  in  all  of  which  he  was  a  faithful  and 
judicious  public  servant. 

Andrew    J.    Sirkle    was    born    in    the 
township  in  which  he  resides,  February  12, 


650 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


1835,  and  is  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Nancy 
(Long)  Sirkle,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Virginia.  His  father  and  mother  were 
among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Union  town- 
ship, in  which  both  spent  the  last  years  of 
their  lives.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  grew 
to  manhood  on  the  old  Sirkle  homestead,  of 
a  part  of  which  he  is  now  in  possession. 
From  1875  to  18S0,  he  was  a  resident  of 
Posey  count}'.  His  life  occupation  is  farm- 
ing, and  his  efforts  have  been  liberally  re- 
warded. He  owns  444  acres  of  land.  Mr. 
Sirkle  was  married  June  8,  1865,  to  Kate  E. 
Deusner.  She  was  born  in  the  city  of 
Evansville,  April  4,  1847,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Philip  and  Amelia  Deusner, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sirkle  have  had  ten  children, 
as  follows:  Philip  (deceased)  and  Amelia, 
twins,  Andrew  J.,  Lula  A.,  William,  Luke 
(deceased)  and  Lois  E.,  twins,  Joseph  (de- 
ceased) and  Fred,  twins,  and  Walter.  The 
wife  of  Mr.  Sirkle  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church.  He  is  a  prosperous  farmer 
and  a  man  in  whom  the  public  has  full  con- 
fidence. 

Calvin  H.  Stroud,  late  of  Union  town- 
ship, was  born  near  Lawrenceburg,  Dear- 
born county,  Ind.,  September  28,  1822,  and 
was  the  son  of  Joshua  and  Mary  (Gaw) 
Stroud.  Joshua  Stroud  was  born  in  South 
Carolina,  January  5,  1780,  and  his  wife, 
Mary  Gaw,  was  born  in  North  Carolina, 
April  23,  1784.  They  were  married  No- 
vember 5,  1801,  and  became  the  parents  of 
fourteen  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  the  ele\enth.  Calvin  H. 
Stroud,  who  spent  his  j'outh  on  the  old 
homestead  which  his  father  entered  in  Union 
township.  He  spent  a  considerable  portion 
of  his  life  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers. 
There  was  probabh'  no  flat-boatman  on  the 
river,  better  or  more  favorably  known  than 
Mr.  Stroud.     He    was   married  September 


28,  1852,  to  Emeline  Cox.  Mrs.  Stroud  died 
October  15,  1855,  leaving  one  child,  Mary 
F.,  who  was  born  September  11,  1853.  On 
the  1 2th  day  of  April,  i860,  Mr.  Stroud  was 
married  to  Miss  Helen  M.  Kelse3^  She 
was  born  in  Knight  township,  this  county, 
January  20,  1839,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Loren  A.  and  Mary  M.  (Williams)  Kelsey, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Genesee 
county,  N.  Y.,  March  31,  1816.  Her  pater- 
nal grandparents  were  Ambrose  and  Maria 
(Marsh)  Kelsey,  both  of  whom  died  in  this 
county.  Loren  A.  Kelsey  was  married  to 
Mary  M.  Williams,  February  4,  1838.  She 
was  born  in  Knight  township,  March  2,  1817, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  Oliver  H.  and 
Delight  (Cumstock)  Williams.  Mrs.  Mary 
I  M.  Kelsey  died  July  31,  1843.  Mr.  Kelsey 
died  July  9,  1870.  The  second  marriage 
of  Mr.  Stroud  resulted  in  the  birth  of  six 
children:  Robert  J.,  born  June  14,  1861; 
Emeline,  born  September  20,  1863;  two 
daughters  that  died  unnamed;  Helen  A., 
born  June  18,  1883,  died  February  28,  1883; 
and  Mary,  born  June  12,  1875.  Mr.  Stroud 
died  Ma}'  7,  1884.  His  widow  and  three 
children  who  survive  him,  still  occupy  the 
old  homestead.  Mrs.  Stroud  owns  105 
acres  of  land.  Her  only  son,  Robert  J. 
Stroud,   owns  in  all,  295  acres  of  land. 

Perry  township. — The  daring  exploit  of 
Commodore  Perr}',  by  which  he  achieved 
one  of  the  most  brilliant  victories  known  to 
the  early  history  of  the  nation,  caused  this 
township  to  be  named  in  his  honor.  The 
township  was  organized  September  10, 
1840.  Prior  to  this  time  it  formed  a  part  of 
the  ancient  township  of  Pigeon.  The  sur- 
face of  the  township  is  rolling,  and  in  parts 
hilly ;  the  soil  is  fairly  productive ;  no  streams 
of  importance  traverse  it.  It  is  bounded  on 
the  north  by  German  towmship,  on  the 
east  by  Center  and  Pigeon  townships  and 
the  Ohio  river,  on  the  south  by  Union  town- 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP. 


651 


ship  and  the  Ohio  river,  and  on  the  west  by 
Posey  county. 

Earlv  Scltlcrs. —  The  settlement  of  Perr}' 
township  began  soon  after  the  dawn  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  Concerning  the  name 
and  character  of  him  who  first  penetrated 
the  wilderness  then  here  nothing  is  known. 
As  early  as  iSo6  or  1807  a  few  pioneers 
had  crossed,  on  rude  rafts,  from  the  Ken- 
tucky shore,  and  found  their  wa\'  into  this 
township.  At  this  date  the  Indians  had  not 
left  the  county,  and  regardless  of  the  treat- 
ies made  by  the  chiefs  of  the  tribes,  many  of 
them  were  inclined  to  resist  the  invasion  of 
the  poorl}'  protected  pioneers.  In  view  of 
the  large  German  element  in  the  population 
of  the  count}'  to-daj',  it  is  a  significant  fact 
that  the  first  who  is  positively  known  to 
have  come  here,  not  as  a  hunter,  but  as  a 
settler,  was  a  native  of  German3\  George 
Linxweiler,  father  of  the  late  William  Linx- 
weiler,  both  well  known  in  their  day,  was 
one  of  the  first  German  immigrants  to 
this  part  of  the  great  west.  He 
landed  opposite  the  mouth  of  Green 
river  in  March,  1806,  and  after  looking 
around  the  vicinity,  settled  upon  the  tract  of 
land  afterward  widely  known  as  the  resi- 
dence of  the  late  J.  B.  Stinson.  There  he 
erected  a  log  cabin,  in  which  his  son  Will- 
iam was  born  on  the  12th  day  of  February, 
1809.  The  best  obtainable  evidence  indi- 
cates that  this  was  the  first  white  child  born 
in  the  township.  In  the  spring  of  iSir  Mr. 
Linxweiler,  with  his  family,  removed  to  the 
Whetstone  farm,  in  what  is  now  Center 
township.  About  the  time  this  child  first 
saw  the  light  of  day,  another  pioneer,  who 
was  afterward  well-known  in  the  township, 
was  wending  his  way  to  its  borders.  This 
was  George  Miller,  who  came  from  Ken- 
tucky with  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  and  settled 
about  three  miles  west  of  Evansville,  in  sec- 
tion 33,  in  which  neighborhood  he  lived  until 


his  death,  which  occurred  about  1820.  The 
Millers  crossed  the  river  three  times 
before  permanently  locating,  each  time 
being  driven  back  by  hostile  Indians.  They 
first  landed  near  the  present  site  of  the 
city  of  Evansville,  where  they  found  a 
rude  cabin,  which  had  the  appearance 
of  having  been  but  recently  erected,  and  in 
the  wild  forests  about  it  there  was  nothino- 
to  indicate  that  any  other  attempts  at  settle- 
ment had  been  made.  They  took  possession 
of  the  cabin,  Hved  in  it  a  few  months  and 
then  pushed  on  through  the  wilderness  to 
the  spot  afterward  chosen  for  their  perma- 
nent home.  Following  the  Millers,  within  a 
few  months,  came  Elder  John  B.  Stinson, 
then  a  young  man,  and  his  father,  both  of 
whom  were  coopers  by  trade,  at  which  for 
for  some  time  they  were  occupied.  They 
settled  on  the  banks  of  the  river  about  two 
miles  below  Evansville.  Here  the  young 
man  rose  to  a  lofty  pinnacle  in  public  esteeiri. 
He  was  commissioned  the  first  sheriff  of 
Vanderburgh  countj-  by  Gov.  Jennings, 
in  1818,  served  in  the  Indian  wars  as  a  cap- 
tain with  distinction,  was  elected  probate 
judge  of  the  county,  served  satisfactorilv, 
and  was  called  by  the  public  to  serve  it 
in  various  capacities  of  trust  and  honor.  He 
was  a  consistent  member  and  able  preacher 
in  the  General  Baptist  church.  Though  not  a 
eloquent  talker,  he  was  profound  in  thought, 
powerful  in  argument,  and  the  best  disci- 
plinarian the  church  ever  had.  In  the  later 
years  of  his  life  he  built  a  home  in  the  city, 
where  the  custom  house  now  stands,  but 
spent  most  of  his  time  on  the  farm  in  Perry 
township.  He  was  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent men  Perrj^  township  ever  produced,  and 
decidedly  the  most  prominent  up  to  the  date 
of  iiis  death,  which  occurred  in  1S50.  He 
married  the  eldest  daughter  of  the  pioneer 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Miller  —  Matilda  Payne  — 
and  was  the  father  of  nine  children. 


652 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Elder  Benoni  Stinson,  a  brother  of  J.  B. 
Stinson,  came  in  1821,  and  from  that  time 
until  his  death  in  1870  lived  on  the  farm 
adjoining  that  of  his  brother,  and  now  the 
homestead  of  Maj.  J.  B.  Cox.  He  was  a 
Baptist  preacher,  blessed  with  great  natural 
ability,  but  without  a  scholarly  education. 
It  was  here  in  Perry  township,  on  October 
5,  1823,  that  he  gathered  about  him 
thirty-three  devout  souls,  whose  faith 
was  like  his,  and  organized  that 
afterward  powerful  denomination  known 
as  the  General  Baptists  of  the  west. 

Though  others  may  have  "squatted"  along 
the  river  the  Millers  were  doubtless  the  first 
who  pushed  their  way  to  the  interior  of  the 
township.  For  some  time  after  they  came 
all  about  them  was  a  pathless,  wolf-infested 
wilderness.  They  at  once  commenced 
clearing  a  spot  in  the  forest  for  cultivation, 
and  soon  had  a  small  cornfield  and  truck- 
patch.  Between  their  clearing  and  the  cabin 
on  the  Stinson  place  there  was  a  strip  of 
woods,  but  a  footpath  was  soon  tramped 
through  the  underbrush  between  the  places, 
and  these  pioneers  were  neighbors  in  the  full- 
est sense  of  that  word,  so  rich  in  meaning. 
Westward,  near  the  Posey  county  line,  and 
about  three  miles  from  the  Millers,  another 
settlement  was  made  about  1S25.  There 
William  Ragland  and  William  Martin  raised 
their  cabins.  Soon  .  others  drifted  in  to 
share  with  them  the  trials  and  hardships,  the 
joys  and  triumphs  of  life  on  the  frontier. 
Beyond  this  settlement  there  was  no  other 
until  Posey  county  was  reached. 

James  Robertson  was  an  earlj'  settler  in 
the  Miller  neighborhood ;  lie  was  a  prosper- 
ous farmer,  and  lived  in  the  township  until 
his  death,  about  1845.  He  married  Nancy 
Stinson,  now  Mrs.  Calloway,  who  was  born 
in  the  J.  B.  Stinson  farm  in  1809,  and  lived 
continuously  in  the  count}'  until  two  years 
ago,    when    she    went   to   reside    with    her 


daughters  in  White  county.  111.  It  is  gen- 
erally conceded  that  she  was  the  first  female 
white  child  born  in  Perry  township.  Among 
the  first  of  these  settlers  was  William  Wag- 
non.  Upon  his  arrival  he  settled  near  the 
Millers,  but  subsequently  removed  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  township,  and  died 
there  at  about  ninety  years  of  age.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  associate  judges  of  the 
new  county,  and  wielded  considerable  in- 
fluence in  his  day.  He  was  a  rough  char- 
acter, unscrupulous,  and  made  himself 
obnoxious  to  man}-  of  the  early  settlers. 
About  the  time  of  the  commencement  of  hos- 
tilities in  tlie  westconseej^uent  upon  the  war  of 
181 2  with  England,  the  Indians  in  this  section 
of  Indiana  territor}-  became  more  troublesome 
than  usual,  and  the  white  settlers  were 
obliged  to  exercise  extreme  caution  for  the 
protection  of  the  lives  of  their  families.  The 
natural  hostility  of  these  savages  was  in- 
flamed by  the  conduct  of  Wagnon.  He  had 
a  cabin  on  the  banks  of  Wagnon  creek, 
(which  had  been  named  for  him.)  below 
Evansville,  where  he  sold  whiskey.  Always 
ready  to  traffic  with  the  Indians  he  supplied 
them  with  "  firewater  "  in  order  the  more 
readily  to  make  sharp  bargains,  and  thus 
deliberately  placed  the  lives  of  the  pioneers 
in  danger.  His  popularity,  however,  was 
not  sufficiently  impaired  to  occasion  his  de- 
feat at  the  polls. 

George  and  Susan  Edmond  were  early 
settlers  who  subsequently  migrated  to 
Union  township,  where  the  former,  in  later 
3^ears,  was  found  dead  by  the  roadside,  the 
cause  of  the  death  being  a  mj'ster}-,  and 
unknown  to  this  day.  These  pioneers  were 
the  parents  of  Michael  Edmond,  now  of 
Union  township,  who  was  born  near  Ingle's 
coal  mines,  in  November,  1815,  and  is  now 
probablv  the  oldest  resident  native-born 
citizen  of  the  county.  James  and  Joseph 
Cox,  brothers,  came  to  the  township  in  1818. 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP. 


653 


For  a  time  they  worked  at  the  potter's  trade, 
and  subsequently  made  considerable  money 
in  sellinij  wood  to  steamers  on  the  Ohio 
river.  They  were  eminently  respectable 
always.  John  M.  Lockwood,  now  a  prom- 
inent citizen  of  Posey  county,  and  in  early 
times  a  man  of  influence  for  good  here,  was 
one  of  the  pioneers  in  the  northwest  part  of 
the  township.  Patrick  Lyons  earlj'  became 
a  freeholder  and  lived  in  the  extreme  south- 
east corner  of  the  township.  Reuben  Long 
early  came  to  Perry,  but  soon  moved  to 
Union  township,  where  he  lived  until  his 
death.  Nicholas  Loner,  not  the  German 
pioneer  of  that  name,  but  an  American,  be- 
longed to  that  free-from-care,  easy-going 
class  who  depended  on  the  excitement  of  the 
chase  for  pleasure  and  on  its  achievements 
for  food.  He  cleared  a  little  "truck-patch" 
in  the  woods,  and  went  out  of  the 
country  when  the  game  became  scarce. 

Thomas  and  William  Hooker  were  also 
pioneers  who,  viewed  in  comparison  with 
the  rush  and  hurr}-  that  characterize  the 
present  age,  might  be  considered  indo- 
lent and  thriftless.  They  were  poor  but 
honest  men,  and  were  never  weaned  from 
the  simple  customs  of  the  backwoodsmen. 
Thomas  was  one  of  the  stoutest  men  of  his 
da}-,  and  in  those  friendly  contests  of  "  main 
strength  and  awkwardness,"  so  common  at 
log  rolhngs  and  barn  raisings,  always  won 
the  victory.  Peter  Miller,  who  came  with 
his  parents  in  1809,  lived  m  Perr}-  town- 
ship, until  about  1853,  then  in  Union  town- 
ship until  about  1870,  when  he  died,  was  a 
noted  deer  hunter  and  a  stor}^  teller.  He  is 
known  to  have  killed  upward  of  fifty  deer  in 
a  year,  and  occasionally  brought  down  a 
bear.  He  was  six  feet  high,  very  slender, 
a  very  fast  walker  and  a  good  runner.  He 
could  walk  farther  in  a  day  than  any  man  in 
the  settlement,  and  was  the  winner  at  all 
the  early  day  foot-races.     His  stories  were 


always  so  graphic  that  they  have  not 
yet  faded  from  the  memories  of 
his  listeners.  Other  pioneers  were 
Oliver  and  Isaac  Fairchild,  who  died 
in  the  township  at  an  earl}-  date,  John 
Stoner,  who  earl}'  removed  to  Union  town- 
ship, Henry  D.  Smith,  a  well-known  old 
time  shoemaker,  Ezekiel  Saunders,  grand- 
father of  James  D.  Saunders,  of  Union  town- 
ship, a  prominent  preacher  in  the  regular 
Baptist  church,  who  lived  for  thirty  or  forty 
years  near  the  Posey  county  line  on  the 
lower  Mt.  Vernon  road,  exerting  an  influ- 
ence for  good  during  all  that  time,  and  Jef- 
frey Saunders,  Ezekiel's  brother,  who  later 
was  a  well-known  citizen  of  Posey  county. 
Following  these  pioneers  came  others, 
singly  and  in  groups,  and  gradually  the  wild 
beasts  that  so  long  had  annoyed  and  endan- 
gered the  life  of  the  settlers,  were  driven 
out,  and  their  homes  became  the  dwelling 
places  of  civilized  men.  Slowly,  but  with 
never  a  backw'ard  step,  the  evolution  went 
on.  Progress  became  the  watchword  em- 
blazoned on  the  banner  of  the  marching 
generations;  the  log  cabin,  chinked  and 
daubed,  gave  way  to  the  comfortable  and 
even  luxurious  home;  the  clearing  or  the 
truck-patch  grew  into  broad  fields, 
fenced  and  farmed  on  scientific  principles, 
with  the  best  machinery  that  the  inge- 
nuity of  man  could  devise  ;  huge  barns  filled 
with  plenty,  and  well-fed  cattle,  either  in 
stalls  or  roaming  in  rich  pastures,  replaced 
the  straw-shed  and  the  poor  cow  that 
browsed  so  long  on  dry  twigs  that  she  be- 
came an  easy  prey  to  the  hungry  wolves 
that  chased  and  killed  her;  school-houses 
and  churches  sprang  into  existence  as  if  at 
the  command  of  the  magi,  until  now  the 
best  results  of  enlightenment  and  civilized 
effort  seem  to  have  been  attained. 

Perry  township  received  a  large  propor- 
tion of  those  thrifty   Germans   who  came  in 


esJ^ 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


upon  this  section  of  the  country  between 
1830  and  1840,  in  numbers  somewhat  as  the 
Goths  and  Huns  of  the  north  poured  in 
upon  the  Romans  of  old.  They  and  their 
descendants  now  compose  a  large  part  of  the 
population,  and  yet  many  of  the  children  of 
the  pioneers  possess  the  lands  of  their  fathers. 

A  Tragedy. —  In  1 851  or  1852  a  gang  of 
counterfeiters  carried  on  their  operations  in 
Perry  township  under  the  leadership  of 
Milo  Dolly.  Three  of  the  men,  Grigsby, 
Skaggs  and  Spelts  by  name,  broke  into  the 
house  of  an  inoffensive  German  named 
Miller,  killed  him  and  his  two  sons,  mutil- 
ated their  bodies  and  then  set  fire  to  the 
house  and  destroyed  all  evidences  of  their 
crime.  An  inquest  was  held,  and  a  verdict 
found  which  implicated  none  of  the  guilty 
parties.  The  public  generally  believed  the 
dreadful  calamity  to  be  the  result  of  an  ac- 
cident. The  criminals,  however,  had  forged 
Miller's  name  to  a  bill  of  sale  of  his  personal 
propertjr,  and  to  a  deed  or  mortgage  of  his 
lands.  In  trymg  to  enforce  these  false 
claims,  the  perpetrators  of  the  crime  ex- 
posed their  guilt,  and  the  details  of  the  af- 
fair were  fully  discovered.  Intense  excite- 
ment followed.  Grigsby  was  a  well-appearing 
man,  of  good  repute,  aud  associated  with  re- 
spectable people.  His  connection  with  the 
deed  occasioned  great  astonishment.  An 
interesting  trial  ensued,  and  the  murderers 
were  sent  to  the  penitentiary,  where 
two  of  them,  Skaggs  and  Spelts,  died. 
Nothing  ever  before  so  thoroughly  aroused 
the  people  of  Perry  township  as  did  this 
tragedy. 

Churches. —  Probabl}''  the  first  church 
organization  in  the  township  was  that  effected 
by  the  followers  of  Ezekiel  Saunders, 
already  mentioned  as  a  powerful  Baptist 
preacher  of  earh-  da^'S,  known  as  the 
Regular  Baptists.  Prominent  among  his  co- 
laborers    were  Elders  Jacobs   and    Parker. 


Their  early  meetings  were  held  at  the  old 
Saunders  homestead  and  the  church  flour- 
ished for  several  years,  having  in  1823  at 
least  100  devoted,  active  members.  Subse- 
quently the  society  built  a  church  in  Posej' 
county,  and  thus  ended  its  history  so  far  as 
connected  with  this  township.  Because  of 
doctrinal  differences  thirty-three  members  of 
this  congregation  withdrew  under  the  leader- 
ship of  the  gifted  Benoni  Stinson,  and  on 
October  5,  1823,  formed  a  society  which 
still  prospers  —  the  General  Baptists  of  the 
west.  Elder  Stinson  was  chosen  pastor  for 
the  new  church  and  continued  in  that 
relation  almost  continuously  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1870.  He  taught  the  doc- 
trines of  free  moral  agency  and  a  general 
atonement,  abandoning  those  of  predes- 
tination and  a  partial  atonement.  The 
new  congregation  soon  after  its  for- 
mation built  a  small  log  church  in 
what  is  now  German  township,  near  the 
Perry  township  line.  Here  they  worshipped 
for  two  or  three  years  and  then  moved  to  a 
point  near  the  site  of  the  present  church. 
The  second  building  was  small  and  made  of 
logs.  It  served  the  growing  congregation 
only  a  few  years,  when  the  demands  for  a 
larger  edifice  became  so  great  that  a  frame 
building,  commodious  and  substantial,  was 
provided.  This  church  was  erected  in  1857, 
was  dedicated  by  Elder  Stinson  and  other 
preachers,  and  is  still  well  preserved.  It 
stands  on  the  Henderson  road,  about  one 
mile  from  the  city  limits.  Others  who  have 
served  as  pastors  to  this  congregation  are: 
Elders  Jesse  Lane,  Alvah  Parker,  J.  B.  Stin- 
son, James  Enslee,  J.  W.  Blackburn,  Wilson 
Blackburn,  T.  M.  Strain,  Jacob  Spear  and 
W.  W.  Charles.  For  about  fifteen  j'ears 
past  the  congregation  has  averaged  about 
sixty  members,  and  is  now  quite  prosperous. 
The  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Enian- 
ncPs  Church,  of  Perry  township,  was  organ- 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP. 


656 


ized  in  1854  throujjh  the  labors  of  Rev.  A. 
Saupert,  who  served  the  society  for  man}' 
years.  Under  him  a  division  arose  and 
about  one-half  the  members  went  with  him 
to  Trinity  church  in  Evans\ille.  The  church 
has  always  been  supphed  by  the  pastor  of  a 
church  of  the  same  name  on  the  corner  of 
First  avenue  and  East  Franklin  street  in 
Evansville.  They  are  separate  organiza- 
tions, but  the  country  church  is  a  filial  of  the 
city  church.  Rev.  Saupert  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  Reidenbach,  and  he  by  Rev.  H. 
Koenig,  who  served  twelve  years.  The 
present  pastor  is  Rev.  George  Bachmann, 
in  charge  during  the  past  twelve  years. 
Among  the  earliest  members  were:  Henr}' 
Oppermann,  Christ  Bakelmann,  Conrad 
Schuenemann,  Henry  Henricks,  Henry 
Mahrenholz,  Fred  Mahrenholz,  Traugott 
Hauschild,  and  their  families.  The  present 
membership  comprises  fourteen  families; 
fifty  communicants.  In  1854,  o"  ^^^  middle 
Mt.  Vernon  road,  six  miles  from  Evansville, 
a  small  log  building  was  erected  as  a  place 
of  worship.  Since  renovated  and  remodeled, 
it  has  been  made  a  very  neat  and  comfort- 
able edifice. 

Tozviis.  —  There  are  no  towns  in  the 
township  except  Perryville,  or  Babytovvn 
as  commonly  called,  which  is  practically  a 
small  part  of  Evansville,  having  no  import- 
ance as  a  separate  village.  Col.  John  Rhein- 
lander,  a  man  of  considerable  note  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Mexican  and  civil  wars,  and 
as  a  leading  business  man,  established  a 
grocery  and  cigar  factory  here  some  thirty 
years  ago.  The  growth  and  the  inception  of 
the  place  have  been  due  to  this    enterprise. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Joseph  H.  Br.\ndis,  deceased,  was  a  na- 
tive of  England,  born  in  Birmingham,  Octo- 
ber 28,  1805.  At  Stratford  at  an  early  age 
he    made    his  first    entrv  into  business,  and 


engaged,  grew  and  was  strengthened  to  a 
considerable  extent.  Mr.  Brandis  came  to 
this  country  from  Stratford  in  the  year  1840. 
He  resided  for  short  time  in  Evansville,  and 
;  then  removed  to  a  farm  in  Perry  township, 
five  miles  west  of  the  city,  which  was  his 
home  in  all  the  succeeding  years.  He 
brought  with  him  from  England  a  wife  and 
five  children,  of  whom  only  one  survives 
him,  Mrs.  Rosanna  Cralley,  of  Mount  Ver- 
non, Ind.  His  wife  died  in  1849.  In  the 
summer  of  1849  he  made  a  voyage  to  Eng- 
land for  the  purpose  of  transacting  business 
there.  Mr.  Brandis  was  married  again 
March  14,  1855,  to  Mrs.  Maria  Felstead,  a 
widow  lad}'  with  three  children,  Anna, 
Mary  and  George,  all  of  whom  are  living. 
She  was  born  in  1831,  in  the  parish  of 
Blunlesham,  England,  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  wife.  In  1832  her  parents 
emigrated  to  America,  coming  directly 
to  Evansville,  near  where  she  was  raised. 
Her  parents  are  now  deceased,  and  are 
buried  ten  miles  from  the  city.  Her  mar- 
riage with  Joseph  Felstead,  a  native  of 
Chatteris,  England,  occurred  September 
26,  1849,  and  he  died  in  June,  1854,  aged 
thirty  years.  In  1872  Mr.  Brandis  started 
a  bookstore  on  the  corner  of  Second  and 
Locust  streets,  and  in  1875  he  purchased  the 
bookstore  of  Dobell  &  Conyngton,  then  oc- 
cupying part  of  the  present  First  National 
bank  building.  By  reason  of  his  wide  busi- 
ness relations  and  congenial  and  upright 
character,  Mr.  Brandis  became  generally 
esteemed,  and  through  life  was  surrounded 
by  a  host  of  friends.  After  leading  an  ac- 
tive business  life  for  several  years,  he  re- 
tired to  his  quiet  country  home.  Having 
acquired  considerable  taste  for  reading,  he 
had  several  years  before  selected  with  ex- 
treme care  a  handsome  library  of  instructive 
and  useful  books,  where  his  leisure  time  was 
mostly  spent  in  a  way  that  was  pleasant  and 


666 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


owing  to  his  keen  talent  and  dose  applica- 
tion, the  dry  goods  business,  in  which  he 
profitable.  After  twent3--eight  years  of 
happy  married  life,  Mr.  Brandis  and  wife 
were  separated  by  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred May  8,  1883,  when  he  had  reached 
the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  His  widow 
and  seven  children,  viz. :  Martha,  Joseph  H., 
Ellen,  Sarah,  WiUiam  E.,  Thomas  J.  and 
Charles  D.,  still  survive  him.  Mrs.  Brandis 
resides  at  the  old  homestead,  which  is 
pleasantly  situated,  and  surrounded  with  all 
of  life's  comfort. 

Herman  Klamer,  who  resides  just  west 
of  Evansville,  in  Perry  township,  is  a  native 
of  Germany,  born  September  25,  1836,  son  of 
JohnM.  and  Charlotte  (Kleinsmidt)  Klamer. 
At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  became  emploj^ed 
in  a  brick  yard,  and  thus  continued  in  his 
native  country  until  1855,  in  June  of  which 
year  he  emigrated  to  America  and  came  to 
the  city  of  Evansville.  In  the  spring  of 
1856  he  became  employed  in  a  brick  yard 
in  the  vicinitj'  of  Evansville.  In  1859  he 
took  a  contract  to  manufacture  a  quantity  of 
brick  in  Posey  county,  where  he  spent  one 
season.  During  the  summer  of  i860,  he 
was  engaged  at  brick-making  in  Armstrong 
township.  From  the  fall  of  i860,  until  the 
spring  of  1864,  his  attention  was  given  to 
his  farm  in  Perry  township.  In  March, 
1864,  he  removed  to  Evansville,  and  he  has 
ever  since  resided  either  in  the  city  or  in  its 
immediate  vicinity.  For  some  six  or  seven 
years  after  removing  to  town,  Mr.  Klamer 
conducted  a  brick  yard.  In  the  spring  of 
1872  he  was  appointed  street  commissioner, 
and  served  in  that  capacity  three  years.  In 
1875  he  became  a  partner  in  the  Bunker 
Hill  Flouring  mills,  to  which  his  attention 
was  given  until  1884,  when  he  sold  out. 
Since  1884  he  has  owned  and  operated  a 
large  brick  yard  west  of  the  city.  On  the 
25th  of  November,  i860,  Mr.  Klamer  was 


married  to  Mary  Schloskey,  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  August  6,  1840,  the  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Christiana  Schloske}', 
with  whom  she  came  to  America  in  the 
spring  of  1851.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Klamer  have 
had  ten  children :  Matilda  E.,  William  M., 
Gustav  H.,  Herman  H.,  Clara,  Selma,  Vina, 
Oscar  A.,  Ida  (deceased),  and  Albert  A.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Klamer  and  all  of  their  children 
are  members  of  the  Zion's  church.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  D.  O.  H. 
lodges.  In  1884  he  was  elected  trustee  of 
Perry  township,  and  was  re-elected  in  1886, 
with  an  increased  majority. 

Henry  Kreipke,  a  prominent  miller  of 
Perry  township,  was  born  February  16, 
1854,  son  of  Henry  and  Catherine  Kreipke. 
He  received  a  good  common  school  and 
commercial  college  education.  He  began 
business  in  Evansville  in  the  feed-store  and 
commission  trade,  which  he  followed  until 
1883.  He  then  entered  the  large  flouring- 
mill,  of  which  he  is  at  present  the  half 
owner,  which  has  become  a  leading  indus- 
try, and  one  of  the  prominent  mills  of  the 
countr}-.  There  is  a  capital  of  $45,000  in- 
vested in  the  business;  the  capacity  of  the 
mill  is  350  barrels  a  day,  and  there  is  $300,- 
000  .worth  of  product  handled  per  year. 
They  use  the  very  latest  roller  process,  and 
make  the  finest  grade  of  flour,  which  is  sold 
throughout  the  entire  south,  besides  being 
in  great  demand  at  home.  The  establish- 
ment is  a  large  four-story  brick  building, 
situated  in  the  western  suburbs  of  the  city, 
and  uses  a  ninety-horse  steam  power.  Mr. 
Kreipke  was  married  January  24,  1883,  to 
Alice  Ayers,  and  the  result  of  this  happy 
union  has  been  two  children,  Charles  Edwin 
and  Pearl  Carolina.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
John's  church  and  belongs  to  the  Knights 
of  Pythias.  He  is  a  man  of  rare  ability  in 
business,  and  has  fine  executive  talent,  which 
assure  him  prosperity.     He  enjoys  the  con- 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP. 


657 


fidence  and  respect  of  the  community,  and 
all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact  through 
his  extensive  business. 

William  Poggemeier,  a  prominent 
farmer  of  Perry  township,  is  a  native  of 
Prussia,  born  October  lo,  1825,  son  of 
Anst  Poggemeier,  and  his  wife  Mary.  He 
emigrated  to  this  country  in  1846,  and  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age  when  he  arrived. 
He  came  directly  to  Evansville  and  to  Ger- 
man township,  where  he  resided  for  about 
four  months.  He  found  work  as  a  carpen- 
ter, which  trade  he  learned  in  Prussia,  and 
he  continued  in  this  vocation  for  about  five 
years,  when  he  married  and  settled  down 
on  a  farm,  and  has  since  devoted  himself  to 
agriculture.  He  bought  the  farm  in  Perry 
township,  which  he  still  occupies,  in  1849, 
and  moved  upon  it  in  1850.  In  March, 
1850,  Mr.  Poggemeier  was  married  to 
Louisa  Reckfurst,  daughter  of  Henr^'  and 
Katherine  Reckfurst,  and  they  have  had 
nine  children :  Mary,  Caroline,  Henr}^,  Will- 
iam, Frederick,  Wilhelmina,  Mary,  John  and 
August,  all  of  whom  are  deceased  except 
Mary.  Mr.  Poggemeier  is  a  republican,  and 
his  religious  associations  are  with  the  Luth- 
eran church. 

Conrad  Rose,  a  well-known  farmer  of 
Perry  township,  was  born  in  Germany,  Sep- 
tember II,  1841,  the  son  of  Ludwig  and 
Louisa  Rose,  who  came  to  Evansville  from 
the  fatherland  in  about  1845.  The  father 
died  in  that  city  about  four  weeks  after  his 
arrival,  when  Conrad  was  but  four  j-ears 
old.  As  a  boy  and  3-outh  he  was  able  to 
attend  school  but  six  months,  but  by  close 
application,  soon  was  able  to  read  and  write 
the  strange  language  to  which  he  was  so 
inauspiciously  introduced.  He  chose  the 
business  of  agriculture  as  his  pursuit  in  life, 
and  has  devoted  himself  to  it  with  the  ex- 
ception of  three  years  spent  valiantly  on  the 
field,  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion.       He 


enlisted  in  July,  1862,  in  Company  H,  Si.xty- 
fifth  Indiana  Volunteer  infantry,  under  Col. 
Foster,  and  was  engaged  with  his  com- 
mand in  the  battles  of  Bean  Station,  Rock- 
ville,  Franklin,  Nashville,  Blountsville,  and 
many  others,  and  through  the  entire  cam- 
paign and  march  to  the  sea  under  Sherman. 
He  was  confined  to  the  hospital  for  six  or 
seven  weeks,  and  has  not  full}'  recovered 
from  the  effect  of  that  army  illness  to  this 
day.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Grcensburg, 
N.  C,  and  discharged  at  Indianapolis,  at  the. 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  married  Janu- 
ary 29,  1868,  to  Octavia  Stinson,  daughter 
of  the  distinguished  General  Baptist  preacher 
and  pioneer,  whose  famil}'  is  known  through- 
out southern  Indiana,  and  whose  distin- 
guished career  is  treated  of  in  another  part 
of  this  volume.  They  have  had  four  child- 
ren: Benoni  S.,  Parthenia,  Guy  C,  and 
Harry  B.,  all  living  and  at  home  but  Guy, 
who  departed  tiiis  life  February  9,  1876. 
Mr.  Rose  and  his  estimable  lady  are  faithful 
members  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  are 
leaders  in  their  community.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  and  G.  A.  R.,  and 
is  in  politics  a  staunch  republican. 

John  N.  Steiner  was  born  in  Saxe- 
Coburg,  Germany,  in  1815,  the  son  of  Adam 
and  Barbara  Steiner.  He  emigrated  to 
America  in  1838,  over  half  a  century  ago. 
He  came  directly  to  Cincinnati,  where  he 
spent  ten  years  as  a  clerk  in  a  restaurant. 
He  then,  in  1848,  went  to  Perry  township, 
and  in  that  year  settled  on  the  farm  which  he 
now  occupies.  Then  the  countrj'  was  con- 
siderably a  wilderness,  and  land  was  cheap. 
While  in  Ohio  he  had  the  opportunity  to 
work  on  the  first  railroad  built 'in  that  state, 
and  he  has  seen  Evansville  grow  from  a  vil- 
lage to  a  great  city.  He  was  married  in 
1847,  to  Margaret  Roeder,  daughter  of 
Fred  Roeder,  of  German  township,  and 
they  have  had  eight  children,  all  of  whom 


668 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


are  living:  John,  Fred,  George,  Charles, 
Andrew,  William,  Lizzie  and  Christina. 
Mr.  Steiner  received  a  good  education  in 
his  native  language,  and  has  also  become 
versed  in  English.  He  is  a  republican,  and 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  He 
has  done  well  in  life,  having  a  good  home 
upon  a  fine  farm  of  no  acres. 

Washington  Stinchfield,  a  prominent 
farmer  of  Perry  township,  was  born  in  Van- 
derburgh county,  February  3,  1844,  and  is  the 
son  of  Hiram  Stinchfield,  and  Sarah  A.  Mc- 
Creary,  his  wife.  The  mother  was  a  native 
of  Virginia.  The  father  was  born  in  this 
Btate  also,  the  son  of  Daniel  Stinchfield,  who 
came  from  Miine,  at  a  da}'  when  the  country 
was  very  wild,  and  was  one  of  the  very 
earliest  pioneers  who  began  the  work  of 
making  the  paths  straight  for  the  future 
commonwealth.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of 
Perry  township,  receiving  a  good  training. 
Hardl}'  had  he  completed  this  stage  of  his 
life,  when  the  rebellion  broke  out,  and  in 
August,  1862,  when  he  was  eighteen  years 
old,  Mr.  Stinchfleld  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
Ninety-first  Indiana  volunteer  infantry,  un- 
der Col.  Mehringer.  He  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Atlanta,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Franklin,  Nashville,  and  marched  through 
Georgia  with  Gen.  Sherman.  On  June  29, 
1865,  he  was  honorably  discharged  at  Salis- 
bury, N.  C,  and  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis, 
after  three  years  of  brave  and  patriotic  service 
in  defense  of  his  country.  This  was  the  only 
period  in  his  life,  during  which  he  has  not 
been  engaged  in  agriculture,  a  pursuit  which 
has  been  to  him  both  pleasant  and  profitable. 
He  was  married  December  15,  1869,  to 
Mary  A.  Sanders,  daughter  of  John  Sanders, 
and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  both  of  this  country. 
This  union  has  been  a  happy  one,  and  has 
brought  them  nine  children :  John,  George, 
Sadie,  Caddie,    Harriet,  Charles  W.,  Moses 


O.,  Clinton  and  Herman  E.,  of  whom  all 
are  living  but  John,  George,  and  Harriet. 
Mr.  Stinchfield  has  been  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O  F.  for  twenty  years. 

James  L.  Thompson,  a  prominenl  citizen 
of  Perry  township,  was  born  in  Glasgow, 
Scotland,  December  15,  1832.  He  received 
a  common  school  and  academic  education  in 
his  native  land,  and  learned  the  profession  of 
steam-engineering,  under  the  severe  restric- 
tions of  Scotland.  In  1856  he  came  to 
America,  and  came  direct  to  Evansville,  and 
soon  after  engaged  as  engineer  for  the 
Ardril  Iron  Works,  on  Green  river, 
Ky.  At  the  outbreaking  of  the  rebellion 
he  enhsted  in  Company  D,  Fifth  Ohio  vol- 
unteer infantry,  under  Col.  Dunning. 
His  captain  was  John  H.  Patrick.  After 
serving  with  this  regiment  three  months  he 
enlisted  in  Company  G,  Twenty-sixth  Ohio, 
and  served  altogether  over  four  years,  being 
one  of  the  veterans  in  1865.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Stone  River,  Mission 
Ridge,  Knoxville,  Franklin  and  Nashville, 
and  then  went  with  his  command  to  Texas. 
After  his  long  and  perilous  service  in  defense 
of  the  nation,  he  was  mustered  out  at  Camp 
Chase,  Columbus,  Ohio.  He  then  resumed 
the  practice  of  engineering,  and  is  now  en- 
gaged in  running  the  engine  at  Ingle's 
mines.  In  1868  Mr.  Thompson  was  married 
to  Amanda  Smith,  who  lived  but  one  year. 
In  1 87 1  he  married  Louisa,  daughter  of 
Frederick  Keck,  and  they  have  had  these 
children,  Emeline,  James  F.,  Jacobina  Agnes, 
Louisa  and  Margaret.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a 
member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  affiliates 
with  the  Baptist,  and  his  wife  with  the 
Methodist,  church.  In  politics  he  is  a  repub- 
lican. He  has  a  beautiful  home  on  the  Mt. 
Vernon  road.  Mr.  Thompson's  parents 
were  James  Thompson  and  Jane  Laing,  his 
wife,  who  both  lived  their  entire  lives  in 
Scotland. 


GERMAN  TOWNSHIP. 


659 


James  S.  Wills,  a  highly  respected  citizen 
and  pioneer  of  Perry  township,  was  born 
March  i,  1822, in  Scott  township,  this  count}', 
tiie  son  of  WilHam  Wills  and  his  wife, 
Frances  Sellings.  The  parents  came  to 
Vanderburgh  county  in  18 19  from  the  county 
of  Kent,  England,  where  the  father  was  en- 
gaged as  a  measure-maker.  James  spent 
the  early  part  of  his  life  with  his  father  at 
the  farm  in  Scott  township,  and  was  able 
to  receive  but  a  limited  education.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  learned  the  trade  of  car- 
penter, which  he  followed  for  three  years 
and  then  returned  to  the  farm  hfe,  which  he 
followed  for  thirteen  years  with  success.  In 
June,  1S57,  he  again  began  to  work  at  car- 
pentry, but  this  was  interrupted  in  1861  b}' 
the  war  of  the  rebellion.  He  enlisted  July 
8,  1861,  in  Company  B,  Twent\'-fifth  regi- 
ment Indiana  volunteers,  under  Col.  Veatch. 
With  his  regiment  he  participated  in  the  fol- 
lowing battles:  Blackwater,  Fort  Henry, 
Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  siege  of  Corinth. 
Mr.  Wills  was  severely  wounded  on  the 
steamer  Continental  iroingc  from  St.  Louis  to 
Cairo,  ana  he  has  never  recovered  full}-  from 
the  wound.  After  the  siege  of  Corinth,  Mr. 
Wills  returned  to  Evansville  and  remained 
in  the  hospital  for  some  time,  and  on  regaining 
strength,  returned  to  his  regiment  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  of  Davis  Mills,  Miss. 
He  was  discharged  in  October,  1863,  at 
Evansville,  ending  a  most  honorable  service 
in  defense  of  his  country  and  flag.  Since 
then  he  has  devoted  himself  to  the  peaceful 
business  of  farming  and  carpentry.  In  1845 
he  was  married  to  Frances  Martin,  and  they 
had  four  children,  William,  Armilda,  John 
Perry,  and  Laura.  But  two  are  living,  John 
Perry  and  Laura,  in  California.  Mr.  Wills 
was  married  a  second  time  in  1864  to 
Amelia  Newman,  by  whom  he  had  ten 
children:  Carrie,  U.  S.  Grant,  AmeHa, 
James,    Henry,    Wallace,    George,    Aaron, 


Letitia,  and  Donald.  Mr.  Wills  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  has  passed  through 
the  chairs. 

German  tozvnship,  with  its  present  name 
and  bounds,  was  created  September  i,  1845. 
Upon  the  organization  of  the  county  and  its 
division  into  civil  townships,  its  territory 
formed  a  part  of  each  of  the  two  first  town- 
ships —  Pigeon  and  Armstrong.  Subse- 
quently the  two  tiers  of  sections  on  the 
south  formed  a  part  of  Perry  township.  It 
is  now  bounded  on  the  north  by  Armstrong, 
on  the  east  by  Scott  and  Center,  on  the 
south  by  Perry  township,  and  on  the  west 
by  Posey  county,  and  embraces  within  its 
limits  twenty-seven  sections.  Its  surface, 
rolling  and  in  parts  hilly,  was  originally 
covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  majestic 
forest  trees.  Perhaps  no  part  of  the  county 
produced  more  splendid  timber,  and  fur- 
nished a  more  inviting  retreat  for  the  game 
that  was  in  all  these  parts  in  great  abund- 
ance. When  deer  and  turkeys  began  to  be 
scarce  in  some  other  parts  of  the  county, 
here  they  remained  plentiful,  and  he  was  a 
poor  marksman,  indeed,  who,  penetrating 
the  wildernesses  of  German  township,  could 
not  secure  venison  and  fowl  for  his  larder. 

Eiirh'  Settlers. — It  was  about  the  time  that 
the  few  Anglo-Saxons  began  to  occupy  the 
wild  lands  of  what  is  now  Armstrong  town- 
ship that  German  was  first  invaded  by  the 
hardy,  dauntless  pioneers.  It  is  probable 
that  occasional  hunters  and  trappers  crossed 
its  territory  while  still  in  the  possession  of 
the  Indians,  but  such  persons  had  litde  in- 
fluence upon  its  subsecjuent  growth,  and  their 
acts  form  no  part  of  its  history.  The  first 
permanent  settlement,  which,  by  gathering 
together  a  few  families  for  mutual 
protection  from  hostile  red  men  and  wild 
beasts,  formed  a  nucleus  about  which  a 
neighborhood  was  gathered,  and  where  the 
woodman's    ax    first    made  a    clearing    and 


660 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


raised  a  cabin,  which,  though  rude  and  un- 
inviting in  its  aspect,  was  designed  for  more 
than  a  temporary  shelter,  was  made  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  township  by  the 
Hensons,  David  and  Jesse,  and  Joseph 
Chapman.  The  date  of  their  coming  can 
not  be  stated.  The  Hensons  took  the  gifts 
of  a  bountiful  providence,  as  they  were  sent, 
without  any  worry  or  complaint.  The 
Chapmans,  Joseph  and  his  famil}-,  were  a 
"  fighting  set,"  yet  withal  good,  respectable 
people,  honest,  and  always  poor.  William 
and  Walter  Bryant,  hardy  backwoodsmen, 
who  were  known  as  more  than  ordinarily 
skillful  and  successful  hunters,  came  into  the 
Henson  settlement  in  very  early  days. 

To  the  south  of  this  settlement  and  within 
two  miles  of  the  south  line  of  the  township 
—  in  sections  5  and  6  —  a  few  more  cabins 
were  raised  in  a  cluster,  and  here  others 
began  life's  rough  experiences  in  the  lonely 
wilds  of  the  forests.  Old  Jesse  Holloway, 
a  good  natured  man,  kindly  disposed  to  all, 
and  liked  by  every  man  who  enjoyed  the 
hospitality  of  his  humble  home,  or  met  him 
at  the  "rolling"  or  on  the  hunt,  was  one  of 
the  earliest  in  this  settlement,  though  it  is 
impossible  for  any  man  to  say  whether  or 
not  he  was  preceded  by  some  other  equally 
courageous  pioneer.  In  this  "neck  of  the 
woods"  John  Warren  became  well  and  fav- 
orably known  as  an  industrious  man  and 
good  citizen.  Very  few  of  the  earl}'  set- 
tlers in  these  parts  took  the  precaution  or 
went  to  the  expense  of  possessing  them- 
selves of  the  lands  where  they  erected  their 
cabins  and  established  their  homes.  It 
was,  indeed,  a  difficult  matter'to  accumulate 
enough  money,  when  money  was  so  scarce, 
to  pay  the  sums  required  by  the  government 
for  a  title  to  the  land,  though  the  amount 
was  but  $2.00  per  acre.  The  industry 
of  John  Warren  had  been  productive  of  lar- 
ger results  than  that  of  any  other  individual 


in  the  neighborhood  where  he  lived,  and  per- 
haps, in  the  entire  township.  He  succeeded 
in  clearing  not  less  than  fort3--two  acres  on 
the  congress  land,  and  had  it  in  very  good 
condition.  His  cabin  was  a  well-built,  com- 
fortable structure,  such  as  might  be  expected 
from  the  hands  of  one  so  industrious  and  en- 
terprising. A  stable  of  moderate  size  was 
also  on  the  place.  These  improvements  were 
sold  to  John  Morgan,  who  entered  the  land, 
and  though  they  represented  many  days  of 
toil,  the  purchase  monej'  was  but  $40.00. 

About  1820  and  182 1  John  and  Morri- 
son Fitzgerald,  James  F.  Fauquhar,  Nich- 
olas Long,  and  the  Judkins  family,  became 
a  part  of  this  settlement.  They  did  not 
come  together,  but  each  family,  some  of 
them  having  been  for  some  time  in  neigh- 
boring localities,  drifted  in  singly,  and  took 
their  places  in  the  small  and  slowly  increas- 
ing community.  James  Fauquhar  was  al- 
ways upright,  and  was  tolerabl}'  "  well 
fixed  "  financially  for  his  day.  He  was  one 
of  the  very  few  old  settlers  who  in  this 
township  bought  his  land  from  the  govern- 
ment and  passed  it  to  his  children.  Will- 
iam Fauquhar,  a  son  of  James,  the  pioneer, 
and  probably  the  oldest  native  born  citizen 
of  the  township,  though  only  sixty-four 
years  of  age,  still  resides  on  the  land  en- 
tered by  his  father.  John  Fauquhar,  now  a 
resident  of  Evans\'ille,  and  Mrs.  Lydia 
Saunders,  of  Union  township,  are  the  only 
other  surviving  descendants  of  James 
Fauquhar. 

German  township  was  very  thinly  settled; 
there  were  only  a  few  spots  where  a  hunter 
encountered  human  habitations  for  many 
years  after  the  dawn  of  civilization  in  south 
western  Indiana.  There  were  none  south 
of  the  settlement  last  named  until  Perry 
township  was  reached.  To  the  eastward, 
in  the  wild  and  dense  woodland,  there  was 
not   a    trail   except  those    of    the    untamed 


GERMAN  TOWNSHIP. 


661 


beasts  and  their  hunters,  until  the  Parlcer 
neighborhood  was  reached,  a  little  south- 
west of  the  site  of  the  village  of  St.  Joseph. 
Here  in  verj'  early  times,  probably  not  later 
than  1809,  the  Parkers,  Richard  Wells,  old 
Mr.  McKinnis,  the  father  of  Alex  and 
James,  and  others,  formed  a  settlement, 
where  lived  some  of  the  best  hunters  and 
most  sterling  characters  of  the  period.  In 
the  extreme  eastern  part  of  the  township  a 
few  settlers  were  scattered  here  and  there; 
the  smoke  of  a  cabin  occasionally  beckoned 
the  weary  hunter  to  a  haven  of  rest,  and 
the  ax  of  the  pioneer  at  times  made  the 
woodland  ring  with  sturdv  blows  and  re- 
sounding echoes  even  in  these  less  sought, 
for  parts.  It  was  in  this  part  of  the  town- 
ship that  James  Kirkpatrick  and  Brian 
Short,  afterward  very  well  known,  but  only 
as  simple,  rough  backwoodsmen,  and  yet 
with  the  good  traits  characteristic  of  such 
men,  built  their  cabins.  Here  also  lived 
George  B.  Wagnon,  the  son  of  William 
Wagnon,  one  of  the  first  associate  judges 
of  the  county.  Young  George  was  rather 
pretentious  for  the  times  and  was  unpopu- 
lar. His  character  had  little  in  it  worth}'  of 
admiration.  He  was  rough,  unscrupulous 
and  of  a  Icnv  order  mentally  and  morally. 

Besides  those  whose  names  have  found 
their  way  into  these  pages  there  were  many 
other  squatters  and  early  settlers  who,  with 
what  may  be  called  the  second  settle- 
ment of  the  township,  beginning  about 
1830,  almost  fleeing  before  the  hordes  of 
industrious  immigrants  who  came  from 
across  the  sea  to  possess  themselves  of 
homes  in  the  land  of  liberty. 

Folded  their  tents  like  the  Arab, 
And  as  silently  stole  away. 

Soon  after  the  year  1830,  the  state  began 
to  improve  and  to  attract  the  attention  of  in- 
telligent people  in  all  parts  of  the  country. 
The  favorable  location  of  Evansville  respect- 


ing the  cominerce  of  the  west,  became  the 
objective  point  of  many  who  were  leaving 
the  old  world  and  fleeing  to  America  —  that 
mighty  oak  of  freedom  beneath  whose  um- 
brage the  oppressed  of  all  nations  were 
intended  to  come  for  shelter  and  protection. 
When  the  Germans  commenced  coming  in 
the  lands  were  rapidly  taken.  The  first  who 
came  to  settle  among  the  old  set  of  pioneers 
and  to  open  their  eyes  to  a  new  condition  of 
things,  was  John  Eichle,  a  good  man  and 
valuable  citizen.  His  industrious  and  econom- 
ical habits  at  first  amused  the  pioneers 
who  had  been  accustomed  to  taking  life 
easy,  but  saon  finding  that  in  the  struggle 
for  existence  they  must  compete  for  suc- 
cess with  these  habits,  which  were  soon 
found  to  be  common  to  all  of  the  new  comers, 
they  became  alarmed  and  one  by  one  left 
the  countr}'  to  take  up  the  thread  of  exist- 
ence in  some  more  favorable  land.  It  is  not 
possible  or  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  this 
work  to  name  those  who  came  in  the  great 
throng,  before  whose  surge  the  early  set- 
tlers were  forced  from  their  forest  homes. 
They  were  an  enterprising,  pushing,  pru- 
dent people,  who,  with  wonderful  celerity, 
cleared  away  the  forests  and  brought  the 
land  into  cultivation.  With  the  exception 
of  a  few  families,  who  cling  like  the  last 
leaves  upon  the  tree,  there  are  no  represen- 
tatives of  the  earlier  settlers,  and  the  en- 
tire township,  as  its  nanie  indicates,  is 
peopled  with  Germans,  who  in  the  main  are 
thrifty,  honest,  honorable,  and  valuable 
citizens. 

It  was  a  natural  and  fitting  thing  in  the 
material  development  of  this  country,  that 
its  lands  should  fall  into  the  possession  of  a 
people  who  would  bring  out  all  its  stored-up 
riches  and  give  them  to  mankind  for  enjoy- 
ment and  advancement,  and  yet  the  mind 
lingers  with  regret  upon  the  fast-fading 
scenes  of  the  early  settlers. 


662 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


Towns. —  There  are  no  towns  of  commer- 
cial or  industrial  importance  in  this  town- 
ship. The  only  considerable  town  is  St. 
yoseph,  situated  in  sections  21  and  28,  town- 
ship 5  south,  of  range  11  west.  Here  Nich- 
olas Long  settled  in  early  days,  and  by  pru- 
dence and  economy  became  quite  wealthy. 
In  the  course  of  time  he  built  a  store-house, 
and  opened  a  general  store,  about  which 
clustered  the  few  houses  which  make  up  a 
country  village — -a  postoffice,  a  smithy,  a 
school  building  and  a  church.  For  some 
time  the  principal  merchant  at  the  place  has 
been  Joseph  Hartlein.  Upon  his  death  in 
18S7,  his  sons  succeeded  to  the  business, 
and  still  conduct  it. 

Kasson,  situated  in  sections  9  and  10, 
township  6  south,  of  range  1 1  west,  contains 
a  postoffice  and  blacksmith  shop,  but  is  with- 
out prospects  of  becoming  important.  Very 
near  Kasson,  on  the  southeast  corner  of  sec- 
tion 9,  township  6  south,  range  11  west,  as 
early  as  March  20,  1838,  J.  W.  Lilliston  laid 
out  a  town  and  named  it  Germantown,  but 
it  never  attained  importance. 

Vienna  was  laid  out  in  section  31,  town- 
ship 5,  range  11,  January  11,  1838,  by  John 
A.  Morgan.  It  was  quite  pretentious,  hav- 
ing 177  lots,  but  they  have  long  since  gone 
back  to  cornfield  and  meadow. 
.  Churches. —  In  earlv  times  there  were  no 
church  buildings  in  this  township  except  one 
in  the  Henson  neighborhood.  This  was  a 
Liberty  church,  free  to  all  denominations, 
and  was  erected  more  than  half  a  century 
asfo.  It  was  the  scene  of  manv  ffood  meet- 
ings.  Here  Benoni  Stinson,  Jerry  Cash  and 
the  Methodist  circuit  riders  often  preached. 
For  a  time  religious  sentiment  was  very 
strong,  and  meetings  were  frequently  held 
at  the  houses  of  the  Fauquhars,  Hensons, 
Eichles  and  others.  The  old  Liberty 
church  was  not  kept  in  repair  and  has  long 
since  passed  away.     There  is  now  no  church 


in  the  township  where  sermons  are  regularly 
preached  in  the  English  tongue. 

German  Lutheran. —  After  the  emigration 
of  the  Germans  to  this  township  Lutheran 
churches  were  soon  established.  The  first 
of  these  was  near  the  old  homestead  of  the 
Fauquhars,  now  on  the  Cynthiana  road,  in 
the  northeast  part  of  the  township.  It  was 
founded  about  the  year  1S38,  and  soon 
thereafter  a  log  church  was  erected.  This 
was  afterward  replaced  by  a  spacious  and 
comfortable  edifice.  The  membership  now 
numbers  about  ninety,  and  the  church  is  in 
a  very  prosperous  condition.  About  the 
same  time  St.  John's  church  in  the  north- 
west part  of  the  township,  near  the  Posey 
county  line,  was  organized.  Its  present 
membership  is  seventy-five;  its  church  edi- 
fice is  a  handsome  building,  erected  when 
the  congregation  had  outgrown  the  little  log 
cabin  first  raised.  About  1855  the  Presby- 
terians, chiefly  through  the  instrumentality 
of  George  Naab,  a  wealthy  farmer,  organ- 
ized a  class  and  built  a  church.  Its  mem- 
bership now  numbers  125.  All  of  these 
churches  are  supplied  with  comfortable 
parsonages,  and  are^prospering  both  tempo- 
rally and  spiritualh'. 

St.  Joseph's  Catholic  C//«rc//.  —  The  first 
church,  a  two-stor}'  log  house,  was  built  in 
the  summer  of  1841.  The  upper  story  was 
used  for  divine  service,  and  the  lower  story 
for  a  school  and  pastoral  residence.  The 
congregation  then  numbered  fifteen  families. 
The  Redemptorist,  Father  Czackart,  had 
celebrated  mass  in  the  house  of  the  widow 
Weiss,  in  1836,  and  made  a  second  visit  in 
the  following  j-ear.  Rev.  Roman  Weinzop- 
fel  attended  up  to  May,  1842,  and  from  Octo- 
ber of  that  3'ear  to  the  fall  of  1845,  Rev.  Con- 
rad Schniederjans  was  in  charge.  In  April, 
1846,  Father  Weinzopfel  returned  and  ac- 
complished much  good  by  many  j-ears  of 
active  labor.     The    congregation  soon    be- 


GERMAN  TOWNSHIP. 


S6S 


came  too  large  for  the  old  church.  On 
May  28,  1850,  Bishop  de  St.  Palais  laid  the 
corner  stone  for  a  new  edifice,  and  on  April 
13,  1851,  divine  service  was  held  in  it  for 
the  first  time.  It  was  built  of  brick,  40x86 
feet,  ornamented  with  a  handsome  steeple, 
and  cost  exclusive  of  much  labor  and  mater- 
ial donated,  $2,200.  It  was  dedicated 
April  27,  1857,  since  which  time  regular 
services  have  been  held  and  the  church  has 
abundantly  prospered. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Andrew  J.  Augermeier,  trustee  of 
German  township,  was  born  February  4, 
1850,  in  that  township.  His  parents  were 
Henry  and  Rosina  (Eder)  Augermeier, 
both  of  Hesse  Darmstadt,  German^'.  The 
father  was  born  in  1810,  and  came  to 
America  in  1826,  located  at  Lancaster, 
Penn.,  where  he  was  married  in  1846,  and 
in  1849  removed  to  Perry  township,  Ind. 
In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  h^  moved  to 
German  township,  where  he  died  October 
20,  1857.  The  mother  was  born  in  1818, 
and  lives  at  present  with  her  son.  They 
had  five  children,  all  sons.  Mr.  Auger- 
meier taught  in  the  schools  of  the  county, 
and  continued  in  this  calling  for  twelve 
years.  In  1S79  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  L.  Grossman,  of  Perry  township. 
To  this  marriage  were  born  four  children, 
two  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom 
survive.  In  1886  he  was  the  candidate  of 
the  democratic  party  for  township  trustee, 
and  was  elected  without  opposition,  and  re- 
elected in  1888  in  the  same  manner.  This 
was  a  notable  testimonial  to  the  esteem  in 
which  he  is  held.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
St.  Joseph  congregation,  Roman  Catholic 
church. 

J.  V.  Fares,  a  farmer  and  business  man 
of  German  township,  was  born  in  Bavaria, 
Germany,  April  10,  1824,  the  son  of  Michael 


and  Mary  Fares.  The  parents  came  to  this 
country  in  1835,  settling  in  Auglaize  county, 
Ohio,  where  they  ended  their  days.  When 
they  emigrated,  Mr.  Fares  was  only  eleven 
years  old,  but  he  had  learned  to  read  and 
write  the  mother  tongue,  and  after  com- 
ing here  learned  to  write  and  read  in 
English.  Until  he  was  seventeen  he  worked 
upon  the  farm,  and  after  that  he  learned  the 
trade  of  shoemaker,  which  he  followed  from 
1840  to  1854.  He  is  now  living  on  the  farm 
which  he  purchased  in  1853.  In  October, 
1859,  he  was  married  to  Veronek  Mann, 
and  they  have  had  twelve  children :  John, 
Catherine,  Caroline,  Frederick,  Sabina, 
Christina,  Gustavus,  Margaret,  Henry, 
Veronek,  Edward,  and  Louisa.  Mr.  Fares 
was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.  He  was  raised  a  Catholic.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  republican.  Since  1861  he  has 
served  the  community  efficiently  as  post- 
master at  Kasson. 

Charles  Gantner,  a  man  of  note  in  Ger- 
man township,  was  born  in  Germany,  De- 
cember 16,  1834.  H*^  's  ^^'^  SO"  of  Clemens 
and  Regina  (Fisher)  Gantner.  His  parents 
left  their  home  in  German}',  March  20, 
1840,  came  via  New  York,  spent  a  few  days 
in  Ohio,  then  came  on  to  Evansville,  and 
moved  into  their  new  home  in  German  town- 
ship August  20,  1840.  The  family  consisted 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gantner,  and  four  children: 
Marv,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Gantner, 
by  a  previous  marriage,  Abuns,  Richard 
and  Charles,  our  subject.  When  they  set- 
tled here  the  farm  was  mostly  in  the  woods, 
there  being  only  about  four  acres  of  cleared 
land  on  the  place.  Charles  remained 
on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  he 
was  about  twenl}-  years  of  age,  when  his 
father  died,  November  9,  1852.  The  farm 
was  then  rented  for  two  years,  and  he 
and  his  mother  went  to  Evansville.  His 
mother  became  dissatisfied  with  the  city,  so. 


66^ 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


at  the  end  of  two  years,  he  and  his  mother 
returned  to  the  farm.  His  mother  remained 
a  widow  for  eleven  years,  and  then  married 
Lawrence  Spitzer.  They  reside  in  this 
township,  and  she  is  still  hale  and  hearty, 
and  does  a  great  deal  of  work.  Charles 
was  married  November  30,  1858,  to  Miss 
Phoebe  Schmidt,  who  was  born  in  Center 
township,  this  county,  October  16,  1838,  the 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Mauer) 
Schmidt,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Ger- 
many, and  came  to  this  county  about  1834 
or  1835.  Her  father  died  about  1871  or  1872, 
and  her  mother  is  still  living,  making  her 
home  with  her  son  Andrew,  in  this  town- 
ship. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gantner  went  to  house- 
keeping at  their  present  home.  They  are 
the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  all  of  whom 
are  living,  viz.:  Clemens,  born  November 
17, 1859;  Elizabeth,  born  February  21,  1861; 
Regina,  born  October  4,  1862;  Caroline, 
born  February  25,  1864;  Charles  A.,  born 
December  4,  1865;  Josephine,  born  October 

8,  1867;  Mary,  born  April  i,  1869;  Richard, 
born  December  24,  1870;  William  E.,  born 
December   10,  1872;  Joseph  A.,  born  April 

9,  1875;  Phcebe,  born  February  i,  1878; 
Matthew  A.,  born  October  5,  1880,  and 
Gressens,  born  December  7,  1882.  Mr. 
Gantner  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star 
lodge.  No  7,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  his  wife  is  a 
member  of  Colfax  lodge,  No.  34,  Daughters 
of  Rebekah.  Politically  Mr.  Gantner  is  a 
democrat.  He  was  elected  township  assessor 
in  October,  1870,  served  two  years  and  was 
elected  township  trustee  the  same  month 
that  his  term  as  assessor  expired,  and  was 
re-elected  trustee  in  1874,  without  opposi- 
tion. In  April,  1876,  he  had  two  opponents, 
both  of  whom  were  democrats,  and  he  was 
again  elected  by  a  good  majority.  He  did 
all  of  his  own  business  while  in  office,  and 
his  reports  were  models  of  neatness  and  ac- 
curacy.    After  his  term  as  trustee  expired. 


he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  which 
office    he  filled  with  credit  for   four  years. 

Daniel  Webster  Goldsmith  is  the  son 
of  Daniel  F.  and  Melissa  Goldsmith.  He 
was  born  in  Center  township,  this  county, 
June  10,  1832.  He  spent  his  early  life  on 
his  father's  farm  in  Center  township,  where 
he  assisted  in  the  toilsome  work  largely  un- 
known to  the  present  generation.  He  con- 
tinued to  work  on  the  farm  until  several 
years  after  his  father's  death.  He  removed 
to  his  present  home  in  German  township  in 
May,  1866,  where  he  owns  no  acres  of 
good  land.  He  was  married  March  3, 1853, 
to  Miss  Martha  J.  Fuquay,  who  was  born  in 
Warrick  county,  Ind.,  September  15,  1833, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Eliza- 
beth (Peck)  Fuquay.  They  are  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children:  William  H., 
Lizzie,  Allen,  Fannie,  Morton,  Mamie, 
Chauncey  W.,  and  Foster  B.,  all  living,  ex- 
cept William  H.,  Lizzie,  Foster  B.  and 
Mamie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goldsmith  and  a  part 
of  their  family  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church,  and  are  among  the 
county's  most  highly  respected  citizens. 

Henry  Gumberts,  sr.,  first  became  a 
resident  of  Evansville  in  1842,  when  he 
arrived  with  his  parents,  Marx  and  Rosa 
Gumberts,  from  the  Rhine  country  of  Ger- 
many, where  he  was  born  August  8,  1822. 
They  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in 
the  cit}',  and  he  has  had  his  home  in  Evans- 
ville with  the  exception  of  two  years,  1844 
to  1846,  at  Helena,  Ark.  He  engaged  in 
retailing  dry  goods  in  1846,  during  the  war 
was  sutler  for  the  Eleventh  Kentuck}^  regi- 
ment, and  in  1869  entered  the  wholesale 
liquor  trade,  at  the  same  time  attending  to 
real  estate  auctioneering.,.  For  twenty  j^ears 
he  has  been  doing  a  large  and  profitable 
wholesale  business  at  323  Main  street.  In 
1872  he  was  elected  to  the  city  council,  and 
was  twice   re-elected.     He  was  married  in 


iO^ 


r 


O'P-:^^' 


'^-^^^i^^  ^^^^^^^^^^^J:^^ 


GERMAN  TOWNSHIP. 


mi 


1847  to  Frederica  Seusmeier,  who  was  born 
in  Prussia  in  1827,  and  came  to  this  country 
in  1844.  They  have  four  children :  Jacob  M., 
Clara,  Fannie  and  Fred. 

Simon  Hartig  was  born  in  Lippe-Det- 
mold,  Germany,  November  20,  1835,  the 
son  of  Frederick  W.  and  Catharine  (TeoUe) 
Hartig.  Frederick  was  born  about  1807, 
and  his  wife  about  1816.  They  immigrated 
in  1853  or  1854,  and  settled  in  this  township. 
Simon,  when  thirteen  years  of  age,  came  to 
the  United  States,  reaching  New  Orleans, 
January  i,  1S48.  He  became  engaged  in 
farm  work,  in  this  count}',  and  then  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade,  which  business  he  fol- 
lowed thirteen  3-ears.  He  was  married 
about  January  i,  1S63,  to  Miss  Minnie 
Watermann,  born  in  Germany,  February  2, 
1846,  the  daughter  of  Conrad  and  Christina 
Watermann.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hartig  are  the 
parents  of  ten  children:  William,  Christina, 
Theodore,  Charles,  Henrietta,  Simon,  Henry, 
Minnie,  John  and  Frederick.  Mr.  Hartig 
owns  166  acres  of  good  land.  He  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Evangelical 
church.  He  was  elected  township  trustee  in 
April,  1878,  and  re-elected  in  April,  1880,  by 
a  largel}-  increased  majority.  In  April,  18S2, 
he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
served  four  jears. 

Charles  Henze,  an  old  resident  and 
prominent  farmer  of  German  township,  was 
born  in  Germany,  December  22,  1S38.  He 
is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Dora  (Kleiman) 
Henze.  His  parents  were  both  natives  of 
German}-,  where  his  father  was  born,  No- 
vember 22,  179S,  and  his  mother  in  August, 
1801.  At  thirteen  years  of  age,  he  ac- 
companied his  parents,  together  with  four 
brothers,  William,  Henry,  August  and 
Christian,  and  three  sisters,  Henrietta,  Lou- 
isa and  Wilhelmina,  to  the  United  States, 
landing  at  New  Orleans  in  the  spring  of 
1 85 1.     From    there   they  came    at  once  to 


this  coimt}',  reaching  Evansville  June  15  of 
the  same  year.  In  a  few  days  they  bought 
the  farm,  a  part  of  which  our  subject  now 
owns.  Here  the  father  died  in  the  spring 
of  1875,  his  mother  having  preceded  him 
ten  years,  her  death  occurring  in  1865. 
Our  subject  went  to  school  and  worked 
on  his  father's  farm  until  1864,  when  he  en- 
listed as  a  private  in  Company  E,  Twenty- 
sixth  Indiana  volunteer  infantry,  and  served 
until  August  28,  1865,  when  he  was  mus- 
tered out  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.  During  his 
term  of  service  he  was  in  the  battle  of 
Spanish  Fort,  Ala.  He  was  married  in 
1859  to  Catherine  Groeninger,  who  was 
born  in  this  township  January  i,  1843, 
the  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Margaret 
Groeninger,  both  natives  of  Germany,  who 
emigrated  to  this  country  in  June,  1832,  and 
settled  first  at  Pittsburgh,  in  this  township, 
about  1S40.  Here  her  father  died  Septem- 
ber 24,  1 886,  her  mother  having  died  many 
years  previous,  in  1S57.  They  have 
six  children:  Anna,  born  January  5,  i860; 
Henry,  born  March  30,  1S61;  Wilhelmina, 
born  March  iS,  1S74;  Edward,  born  Feb- 
ruary 3,  1878;  Matilda,  born  December  24, 
1879,  ^"'^  Jacob,  born  February  i,  1884. 
Mr.  Henze  and  family  are  members  of  the 
Evangelical  church.  Politically  Mr.  Henze 
is  a  republican.  He  was  elected  township 
assessor  by  a  good  majority  in  April,  1S86. 
Andrew  Schmidt  was  born  in  German 
township,  March  6,  1846,  the  son  of  Andrew 
and  Ehzabeth  (Mauer)  Schmidt,  who  immi- 
grated to  the  United  States,  and  coining  to 
Indiana,  lived  successively  in  Vincennes, 
Pigeon  township  and  Center  township,  then 
settling  on  the  farm  where  he  died  April  24, 
1S72,  and  where  Andrew  now  lives,  his 
mother  makinjx  her  home  with  him. 
Andrew  was  married  October  6,  1869,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Boseker,  born  in  this  town- 
ship,   September    29,    1850,    the    daughter 


668 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


of  Charles  and  Elizabeth  Boseker,  both 
natives  of  Germany.  They  are  the  parents 
of  ten  children:  Anna,  Katie,  Elizabeth, 
William,  Philip,  Jacob,  Andrew,  George, 
Louisa  and  Henry.  Mr.  Schmidt  and  fam- 
ily are  members  of  the  Evangelical  church. 
He  ranks  among  the  most  enterprising 
and  successful  farmers  of  his  part  of  the 
count3\ 

Frederick  Werkmann,  ex-trustee  of 
German  township,  was  born  in  Hesse  Darm- 
stadt, Germany,  July  8,  1843,  the  son  of 
Peter  and  Margaret  (Naab)  Werkmann, 
both  natives  of  Germanv.  He  accompanied 
his  parents  to  the  United  States,  landing  at 
New  Orleans  in  December,  1854,  '^"^  reach- 
ing Evansville,  January  6,  1855.  His  father 
died  in  Evansville  the  next  morning,  his  sis- 
ter the  same  day  and  his  mother  on  the  9th 
of  the  same  month,  leaving  Frederick  and 
one  brother  the  only  survivors  of  the  entire 
family.  Mr.  Werkmann  came  at  once  to 
German  township  and  went  to  work  with 
his  uncle,  George  Naab,  on  the  same  farm 
which  he  subsequently  bought.  He  was 
married  March  15,  1S68,  to  Miss  Catherine 
Puth,  who  was  born  in  Germany,  September 
5,  1848,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Anna 
Maria  Puth,  natives  of  German}-,  who  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  December, 
1854,  and  settled  in  Posey  county.  Her 
mother  died  there  more  than  twenty  years 
ago,  but  her  father  is  still  living  and  makes 
his  home  with  his  son  in  Perry  township. 
Mr.  Werkmann  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Evangelical  church.  He  was  elected 
township  trustee  in  April,  18S2,  and  his 
faithful  service  was  rewarded  by  a  re- 
election in  1884,  without  opposition. 
During  his  term  of  office  he  built  two  sub- 
stantial brick  school-houses.  In  April,  1888, 
he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace. 

Armstrotig  Township  was  one  of  the  first 
formed  in  the  county  of  Vanderburgh.     It 


was  organized  March  9,  1818,  and  com- 
prised about  half  of  the  county.  B}-  the 
contraction  of  its  limits  thrcfugh  the  forma- 
tion of  other  civil  townships,  it  has  been 
made  to  comprise  but  twenty-eight  sections 
of  land,  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
county,  bounded  on  the  west  and  north  by 
Posey  and  Gibson  counties,  on  the  east  by 
Scott,  and  on  the  south  by  German  town- 
ship. Its  surface  is  rolling  —  more  distinctly 
so  in  the  south  part,  which  in  early  days 
was  densely  timbered,  though  the  forests 
have  long  since  been  almost  entirely  re- 
moved. The  soil  of  the  township  is  pro- 
ductive, and  this  combined  with  the  intelli- 
gence and  thrift  of  its  farmers,  makes  its 
people  a  well-to-do  class.  The  principal 
stream  is  Big  creek,  flowing  through  the 
township  from  southeast  to  southwest. 
Barr's  creek  also  traverses  the  township  in  its 
western  part,  but  the  stream  is  of  no  import- 
ance and  was  never  useful  for  mill  purposes, 
except  on  its  broader  parts  bej'ond  the 
township  line. 

Early  Settlers.  —  While  it  is  impossible  to 
name  the  year  in  which  the  white  man  and 
his  red  brother  first  stood  face  to  face  on 
the  soil  of  Armstrong  township,  it  may  be 
recorded  with  a  fair  degree  of  accuracy 
that  among  the  earliest  settlements  in  the 
territory  now  embraced  in  the  confines  of 
Vanderburgh  county,  were  those  in  this 
township.  Vincennes  was  the  seat  of 
government  and  the  tide  of  immigration 
first  set  in  motion  by  the  consummation  of  a 
treaty  with  the  Indians,  moved  southward 
from  that  ancient  post  and  village,  and 
landed  a  few  squatters  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  county  about  the  same  time  that  its 
first  breakers  reached  the  north  bank  of  the 
Ohio  river,  in  the  townships  of  Union, 
Pigeon  and  Knight.  From  the  best  testi- 
mony obtainable,  though  there  are  no  writ- 
ten memoranda  of  the  facts,  the  priority  of 


ARMSTRONG  TOWNSHIP. 


669 


settlement  probably  rests  with  the  territory 
along  the  river  border.  The  first  settle- 
ments in  Armstrong  township  were  in  the 
northern  part,  but  just  when  the  first  cabin 
was  built  or  the  first  clearing  made,  can  not 
now  be  determined.  The  first  settlers  were 
representatives  of  the  class  already  fre- 
quently mentioned  as  squatters. 

Thomas  Saulsbury  and  Maj.  Selser  were 
typical  representatives  of  this  class.  They 
were  both  well-known  in  early  days,  and 
even  by  the  survi\ing  generation  are  not 
entirely  forgotten.  Thomas  Saulsburj'  was 
a  "  pretty  wild  chap" ;  he  came  in  as  a 
hunter,  made  no  pretensions  as  a  farmer, 
and  remained  rough  and  uncouth  as  long  as 
he  was  in  this  locality-  He  accumulated  no 
property,  being  desirous  of  satisfying  onl}- 
his  daily  wants,  without  thought  of  the  mor- 
row or  the  da3-s  which  might  come  when  he 
could  neither  hunt  or  work.  He  built  a 
cabin,  however,  and  cleared  a  few  acres  of 
land.  When  the  game  began  to  get  scarce 
he  grew  restless  and  pushed  on  to  other  and 
better  hunting  grounds.  Disposing  of  his 
improvements  to  'S(juire  McDonald  for  a 
small  amount,  and  gathering  his  family,  his 
dogs,  and  the  few  necessary  household 
goods  together,  he  left  the  scenes  of  his  oft- 
recounted  exploits  and  was  never  heard  of 
more.  Maj.  Selzer  was  of  the  same  type. 
Joseph  Caters,  John  Livingston,  and  John  R. 
Kitchens  were  also  known  as  followers  of 
the  game. 

It  is  impossible  to  name  the  pioneers  in 
the  priorit}'  of  their  coming.  Among  the 
earliest  were  James  Martin  and  his  two  sons. 
Thomas  and  Charles,  who  came  from  South 
Carolina  in  a  ver}-  early  day,  and  afterward 
became  well-known  in  all  parts  of  the 
county.  The  elder  Martin  was  a  Regular 
Baptist  preacher  of  the  early  backwoods 
style,  uneducated;  and  yet  with  homely 
illustrations  and  powerful  speech,  backed  by 


an  upright  life  which  all  men  admired,  he 
was  a  power  for  good  among  the  pioneers. 
Charles  Martin  was  a  progressive  man,  and 
a  good  farmer  for  those  days.  He  was  one 
of  the  first  to  build  a  horse-power  mill  in 
the  township,  which  served  in  a  great  degree 
to  ameliorate  the  hardships  of  life  in  the 
woods.  On  the  8th  of  November,  1819,  he 
was  licensed  to  keep  a  tavern,  the  first  in 
Armstrong  township.  For  many  years  his 
hospitable  house  was  a  favorite  place  w'ith 
all  who  went  that  way.  The  rates  fixed  by 
the  county  commissioners  as  permissible  to 
be  charged  by  him,  were  as  follows:  Each 
diet,  37/^  cents;  keeping  horse,  50  cents; 
lodging,  12}-^  cents;  one-half  pint  of  rum, 
brandy  or  wine,  50  cents;  one-half  pint  of 
gin,  peach,  or  apple  brandy  or  bounce,  25 
cents;  one-half  pint  of  whiskey,  12 }i  cents. 
John  Armstrong,  sr.,  for  whom  the  town- 
ship was  named,  was  another  of  the  early 
settlers.  He. had  been  a  sailor,  and  came 
with  some  ready  money,  unlike  most  of  the 
early  settlers,  and  entered  considerable  land. 
It  seemed  strange  that  one,  so  much  of 
whose  life  had  been  spent  on  the  ocean, 
should  at  last  settle  in  the  wilds  of  the  inter- 
ior where  he  could  not  even  hear  the  dash- 
ing of  the  waves  upon  the  coast.  He  was  a 
veritable  "  salt,"  full  of  stories,  and  never 
happier  than  when  surrounded  by  attentive 
listeners.  The  monotonous  life  of  the  fore- 
castle had  prepared  him  for  the  monotony  of 
pioneer  life  in  the  woods.  Here  he  found  a 
people  glad  to  hear  his  constant  talk  about 
the  sea.  They  had  not  heard  his  stories  a 
thousand  times,  as  had  his  shipmates  no 
doubt.  In  the  lonely  cabins  of  the  pioneers 
with  the  great  backlog  filling  every  recess 
with  its  illuminating  glory  he  was  wont  to 
become  an  attractive  figure  to  all,  from  the 
boy  whose  life  was  just  budding  into  hope, 
to  the  old  man  whose  source  of  greatest  joy 
was  retrospection.     Mr.  Armstrong  was  in- 


670 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


dustrious  and  pushing,  though  not  particu- 
larly prominent.  He  was  respected  by  all 
and  died  when  about  ninety  years  of  age,  in 
the  township  bearing  his  name. 

Immediately  following  the  occupation  of 
Armstrong  township  by  civilized  men  few 
were  more  prominent  than  David  Brumfield. 
Far  above  the  average  in  intelligence,  he 
was  recommended  to  the  governor  for  ap- 
pointment as  justice  of  the  peace,  by  the 
iirst  court  held  in  Warrick  county  in  1813, 
and  afterward  when  Vanderburgh  county 
was  organized,  he  was  chosen  by  the  elec- 
tors as  one  of  the  first  county  commission- 
ers. He  maintained  an  honorable  promi- 
nence throughout  his  entire  career.  The 
early  elections  were  held  at  the  house  of 
Zadok  McNew,  which  stood  in  section 
32,  township  4  south,  range  11  west,  was  a 
small  double  log  house,  one  and  one-half 
stories  high,  and  remained  well  preserved 
for  manyyears.  Zadok  McNew  was  an  early 
settler,  not  particularly  able  or  prominent, 
but  at  one  time  a  justice  of  the  peace.  He 
became  a  well-known  citizen  and  raised  a 
respected  and  honorable  family.  One  of  his 
daughters  was  married  in  early  times  to 
James  Patton,  who  secured  a  tolerably  fair 
education  and  taught  school  in  various  parts 
of  the  county.  Patrick  Calvert  was  dis- 
tinguished among  the  old-time  folks  as  a 
shrewd  trader.  He  came  into  the  township 
in  1816  and  accumulated  considerable  prop- 
erty by  trading  in  live-stock.  He  was  well- 
known  in  all  the  county  as  the  leading  stock 
dealer  in  that  section,  and  his  judgment  was 
considered  remarkably  good.  He  and  his 
descendants  have  built  for  their  family  name 
an  honorable  place  in  the  history  of  the 
township. 

Judge  John  McCrary  was  selected  b}^  the 
voters  at  the  first  election  held  in  the  county, 
to  occupy  a  place  on  the  bench  as  associate 
judge.     He  was  a  man  of   sterling  worth. 


and  long  occupied  a  prominent  place  in  the 
annals  of  Armstrong  township.  Among  the 
earliest  settlers  was  Moses  Pruitt,  who 
came  to  the  township  prior  to  1810.  Simp- 
son Ritchey  was  also  well-known  in  this 
township.  At  an  early  date  he  built  a  horse- 
mill.  This,  or  the  one  built  by  Charles 
Martin,  was  the  first  in  the  township.  Set- 
tlers at  first  used  the  mortar  for  pulverizing 
corn,  and  afterward  went  to  David  Negley's 
mill,  in  Center  township,  or  to  that  of  Joseph 
Wasson,  in  Gibson  county.  John  Ferrell, 
Daniel  and  Joshua  Rose,  and  many  others 
whose  names  it  is  not  possible  to  ascertain, 
were  among  the  pioneers.  Some  of  those 
who  were  not  among  the  first,  but 
who  acted  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  early 
history  of  the  count)',  were  Gen.  Elisha 
Harrison,  also  an  earl}'  resident  of  Evans- 
ville,  a  man  of  great  strength  of  character 
and  personal  worth,  who  occupied  many 
positions  of  trust  and  honor;  'Squire  Samuel 
McDonald,  a  Virginian,  and  a  very  promi- 
ment  man,  who  for  a  quarter  of  a  century 
held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace; 
George  W.  Finch,  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  for  four  years  a  state  senator;  William 
Stewart,  whose  influence  was  ever  for  good, 
and  many  others.  The  lands  in  Armstrong 
township  were  taken  gradually  b}'  the  sons 
of  the  pioneers  who  became  of  age,  and  by 
others  who,  leaving  their  homes  in  the  older 
states,  after  weeks  and  months  of  endurance 
and  trial  found  a  spot  near  some  spring  or 
settlement  of  good  neighbors  which  their 
fancies  selected  as  a  good  place  to  locate. 
Very  few  foreigners  found  their  way  here 
until  1S35.  Over  in  the  townships  east  of 
Armstrong,  many  were  settling  from  beyond 
the  ocean,  but  the  ties  of  nationality  had  great 
effect  on  those  early  comers.  Each  sought 
out  those  from  his  native  state  or  clime 
as  any  stranger  might  hunt  out  a  brother  in 
going  to  a  new  country.     The  public  lands 


AEMSTE  ONG  TO  WNSHIP. 


671 


were  soon  taken,  and  the  entire  township 
became,  almost  as  if  by  magic,  a  garden 
where  it  had  been  with  few  exceptions,  wil- 
derness, and  soon,  instead  of  the  hunter's 
trail  or  the  cartway  from  settlement  to  set- 
tlement, the  best  of  roads  were  provided  in 
all  its  parts.  These  industrious  new-com- 
ers were  principall\-  from  Germany,  though 
man}'  came  from  Pennsylvania  and  the  older 
states  of  this  countr}'.  As  a  class  they  are 
economical,  industrious  and  good  citizens, 
and  to  their  efforts  is  due  much  of  the  pros- 
perity of  the  present. 

lucidcii/s. —  One  of  the  most  stirrin<f 
events  of  early  times  in  Armstrong  town- 
ship was  the  kidnapping  of  the  Gothards. 
Isaac  Gothard  was  a  poor  Englishman,  who 
drifted  into  the  township  and  took  his  place 
in  the  community  as  a  shiftless,  easy-going, 
ambitionless  fellow,  with  no  particular  men- 
tal or  moral  development.  He  had  not  been 
here  long  before  his  wife  took  the  small- 
pox, and  the  entire  neighborhood  was 
alarmed  for  their  safety.  A  mulatto  was 
found  who  had  passedsafely  through  a  siege 
of  the  disease,  and  he  was  impressed  as  a 
nurse  for  the  sick  woman.  He  was  so  at- 
tentive to  her  wants  that  he  soon  ingratiated 
himself  into  her  affections.  During  the  pa- 
tient's convalescence  their  intimacy  increased, 
but  when  she  had  recovered,  Isaac,  the 
husband,  took  his  accustomed  place  in  the 
household,  and  the  mulatto  went  his  way. 
At  length,  however,  in  1819,  twins  made 
their  appearance  in  the  Gothard  household, 
and  both  were  mulattos.  Isaac  made  no  com- 
plaints, and  continued  to  live  in  peace  and  har- 
mony with  his  faithless  spouse.  The  children 
waxed  strong  as  the  years  went  by  and  be- 
gan to  be  quite  interesting  to  the  com- 
munit)-,  when  one  day  much  to  everybod^-'s 
chagrin,  they  were  kidnapped  and  carried 
to  Diamond  Island  in  the  Ohio  river,  where 
Patrick  Calvert,  the  Rogerses,   Caters  and 


others  went  to  rescue  them.  While  attempt- 
ing the  rescue,  Mr.  Calvert  was  struck  on 
the  head  with  a  gun  barrel  by  a  desperado 
named  Lynn,  who  was  in  league  with  the 
kidnappers,  the  blow  causing  a  fearful  cut 
which  left  a  permanent,  unsightly  scar. 
Some  time  afterward  Mr.  Calvert  was  in 
Texas,  when  the  scar  attracted  the  attention 
of  a  ferryman  to  whom  he  related  the  story 
of  the  kidnapping.  Somewhat  excitedly 
the  listener  declared  he  had  ferried  the 
parties  with  the  negro  boys  across  the 
stream,  and  proceeded  to  give  information 
which  led  to  their  discovery.  They  were 
brought  back  to  Armstrong  township  as 
free  children,  and  were  bound  out  to  Mr. 
Calvert  and  grew  to  manhood  on  his  place. 
They  were  industrious,  intelligent  men;  one 
was  considered  a  genius  as  a  cabinet-maker. 
In  after  years  they  removed  to  Illinois. 

Churches. —  Until  1876  there  was  not  a 
church  in  Armstrong  township.  It  must  not 
be  inferred  from  this  statement,  however, 
that  the  people  of  the  township  were  not 
many  of  them  pious,  devoted  worshipers 
of  the  Divine  Father.  In  early  times  there 
was  frequent  preaching  at  the  school-houses 
and  at  the  cabins  of  the  settlers.  The  Bap- 
tists, Methodists,  Presb\terians,  Christians 
and  other  sects  kept  up  the  struggle  for  su- 
premacy here  as  elsewhere.  The  Regular 
Baptists  were  the  most  prominent  in  the 
township  at  first,  but  later  gave  way  to  the 
Cumberland  Presb\terians.  As  the  country 
became  more  thickly  settled  facilities  for 
worship  were  supplied  by  churches  built  out- 
side of  the  township  and  3'et  near  enougii  the 
borders  to  have  a  large  portion  of  their 
membership  within  the  township.  Cynthi- 
ana,  in  Posey  county,  has  been  the  most  fre- 
ijuented  place  by  Armstrong  township 
people. 

A  union  church  was  built  in  the  extreme 
northwest  corner  of  the  township,  in  section 


675 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


19,  township  4  south,  range  11  west,  in 
1876,  which  is  free  to  all  Christian 
denominations,  though  used  chiefly  by  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterians  and  the  Christian 
order.  The  community  believing  it  had  been 
without  a  church  long  enough,  took  the  mat- 
ter up  and  soon  after  determining  to  build, 
the  edifice  was  erected.  It  was  named  by 
the  trustees  "  Calvert  Chapel "'  in  honor  of 
Mr.  Leroy  Calvert,  much  being  due  to  his 
very  munificent  gifts  in  behalf  of  the  building 
enterprise.  The  structure  is  a  frame,  30x50 
feet,  nicely  furnished,  and  cost  about 
$1,600.00.  Rev.  J.  B.  Hadlock  was  the 
first  to  preach  to  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian organization  now  using  Union  church. 
He  was  followed  by  Revs.  N.  F.  Gill  and 
H.  D.  Onyett,  D.  D.  At  the  expiration  of 
Dr.  Onj-ett's  ministry  Mr.  Hadlock  was 
again  called  to  the  church.  For  the  Chris- 
tian order  congregation  Rev.  Collins  was 
the  last  minister  in  charge.  His  predecessor 
was  Rev.  D.  M.  Schumaker.  A  union  Sab- 
bath school  with  about  thirty-five  attendants, 
superintended  by  Mr.  Leroy  Calvert,  meets 
every  Sabbath  in  this  church. 

In  and  about  St.Wendell's,  a  village  on  the 
line  between  Vanderburgh  and  Posey  coun- 
ties, reside  a  great  number  of  Roman  Cath- 
olics, whose  house  of  worship  is  in  Posey 
county.  As  early  as  1841  a  log  church  was 
erected  there.  Rev.  Roman  Weinzopfel 
regularly  visited  the  church  up  to  May, 
1842.  Rev.  Conrad  Schneiderjans  became 
the  first  resident  pastor  in  October,  1842. 
Afterward,  in  1845  and  1846,  Rev.  Charles 
Opperman  and  Rev.  Martin  Stable  now 
and  then  visited  the  church  and  in  April, 
1846,  Father  Weinzopfel  returned  and 
accomplished  much  good  by  his  labors,  re- 
maining until  August,  1S58.  The  old  church 
soon  became  too  small  for  the  rapidly  in- 
creasing congregation.  April  17,  1853, 
Bishop   de  St.  Palais  laid  the    corner-stone 


for  a  handsome  new  edifice,  and  blessed 
the  new  church  October  22,  1854,  assisted 
by  the  pastor,  Rev.  E.  J.  Durbin,  Rev.  A. 
Deydier,  Rev.  J.  B.  Chasse,  and  the  Rev. 
Benedictine  Fathers,  Bede  O'Connor  and 
Ulrich  Christen.  The  edifice  cost,  e.'^clu- 
sive  of  much  labor  and  material  contributed, 
$5,600.  The  congregation  is  in  a  flourish- 
ing condition.  Its  pastors  have  been:  Revs. 
Paul  Wagner,  J.  Kauffman,  J.  H.  Deistel, 
J.  B.  Merl,  Fr.  M.  Andres,  C.  Exel, 
N.  Galweiler,  Aloysius  Daennhoffer,  Joseph 
Schuck,  John  Stoltz  and  M.  Heck. 

TcKviis. —  Armstrong  township  boasts  of 
no  important  towns.  St.  Wendell's,  partly  in 
the  township  and  partly  in  the  adjoining 
count}'  of  Posey,  is  the  largest.  It  has  a 
flouring  mill,  a  store,  blacksmith  shop,  and 
such  other  conveniences  as  are  usualh'  de- 
manded by  an  agricultural  neighborhood. 
Raben  &  Sons  are  the  principal  business 
men,  conducting  the  mill  and  the  leading 
store.  Joseph  Ammon  is  the  proprietor  of 
the  only  store  in  the  town,  which  is  in  Arm- 
strong township.  In  the  village  are  centered 
the  religious  and  educational  facilities  for 
the  Catholic  church  in  this  part  of  the 
county. 

Aniistroiig,  a  station  on  the  P.,  D.  &  E. 
R.  R.,  was  brought  into  existence  b}'  the 
construction  of  the  railroad.  William  Kneer 
is  the  postmaster,  and  proprietor  of  the  only 
general  store  at  this  point.  Probably  as 
early  as  twenty  years  ago,  near  the  present 
railway  station,  a  little  village  called  Arm- 
Strong  Cross-roads  grew  up.  It  is  now 
wholly  abandoned.  It  consisted  of  a  post- 
office,  a  small  store  and  a  blacksmith  shop. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Hon.  Leroy  Calvert  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1 819,  two  miles  north  of  Armstrong. 
His  parents,  Patrick  Calvert,  born  in  Ten- 
nessee in   1784,  and   Sarah  Martin,  born  in 


A  RMSTR  ONO  TO  WNSHIP. 


673 


South  Carolina  in  1783,  were  married  in 
Tennessee  in  1804,  and  removed  to  Gibson 
count}'  in  181 1,  making  their  home  for  five 
years  near  Owensville,  and  then  moving  to 
the  site  of  the  farm  on  which  Mr.  Calvert 
now  lives.  The  father  was  a  soldier  of  the 
war  of  181 2,  under  Gen.  W.  H.  Harrison, 
and  was  in  the  famous  engagement  of 
Tippecanoe.  After  the  war  he  resumed 
agriculture  and  followed  that  pursuit  until 
his  death,  in  i860.  The  mother  died  in 
1840.  Leroy  Calvert  was  the  seventh  of 
ten  children,  of  whom  he  and  a  younger 
brother  alone  survive.  His  earl}-  life  was 
spent  in  attending  the  common  schools  and 
working  on  his  father's  farm,  and  at  the  age 
of  twenty-four  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Penelope  Shelton,  January  13,  1843.  She 
was  born  in  Mason  county,  Ky.,  September 
24,  182 1,  and  was  brought  to  Indiana  by  her 
parents,  when  two  years  old.  They  have 
had  seven  children,  Sarah  E.,  Catherine  J., 
Minerva  J.,  Maria  H.,  Andrew  J.,  Henry  T. 
and  Luella  F.  Three  of  the  daughters  are 
deceased.  In  religious  affiliations  Mr.  Cal- 
vert is  a  Cumberland  Presbvterian,  and  he 
is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  order 
and  K.  of  P.  His  political  career  has  been 
a  notable  one,  and  throughout  such  as  to  re- 
flect credit  upon  himself.  He  was  a  staunch 
democrat  until  1884,  when  he  voted  for  St. 
John  for  president.  Under  the  old  constitu- 
tion he  served  as  clerk  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees. In  1848  he  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  served  for  two  years,  when  he 
resigned  to  be  a  candidate  for  countv 
commissioner,  to  which  office  he  was 
elected  in  1850.  During  the  erection 
of  the  court-house,  in  1852,  he  occupied  the 
responsible  position  of  president  of  the 
board.  From  1856  he  served  as  township 
trustee  until  his  election  in  i860  as  county 
treasurer.  He  was  a  most  popular  officer, 
and  was  re-elected  to  a   second   term.     On 


the  expiration  of  this  he  returned  to  his 
farm,  but  was  chosen  by  the  people  of  his 
township  as  trustee  again,  and  in  1868  was 
elected  representative  in  the  general  as- 
sembly. In  the  session  following  his  elec- 
tion, during  the  attempt  to  pass  the  fifteenth 
amendment,  Mr.  Calvert,  with  fifty-five  of 
his  fellow-democratic  members,  resigned 
and  came  back  to  their  homes.  A  special 
i;lection  was  called  by  Gov.  Baker,  and  Mr. 
Calvert  was  re-elected,  and  returned  to  the 
assembly,  but  the  attempt  being  renewed  at 
a  special  session,  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  resign 
a  second  time,  and  he  came  home  to  stay. 
Upon  his  affiliation  with  the  prohibition 
part}-,  he  was  made  their  first  nominee  for 
congress  in  the  First  district,  in  1884,  and 
proved  to  be  a  strong  candidate.  In  1888 
he  was  selected  as  candidate  for  presidential 
elector  for  the  First  district  on  the  ticket  of 
the  prohibition  party. 

George  Hoefling,  sr.,  was  born  in  the 
village  of  Stettin,  Germany,  December  26, 
1S29,  and  came  to  this  county  with  his  par- 
ents when  he  was  eleven  years  of  age.  He 
was  the  third  of  nine  children  of  Antony  and 
Theresa  (Lamprecht)  Hoefling.  The  father 
was  born  April  i,  1803,  at  Stettin,  and  the 
mother.  May  S,  1805,  in  the  same  country. 
They  were  married  in  Germany,  and 
emigrated  to  America  in  1840,  coming  di- 
rect to  Evansville.  They  lived  one  year  in 
German  township,  and  then  came  to  Arm- 
strong, near  St.  Joseph,  where  they  have  re- 
sided ever  since.  The  mother  died  in  1877, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-two,  but  Antony  Hoef- 
ling was  still  living,  April,  1888,  the  oldest 
man  in  his  township.  George  Hoefling,  sr., 
until  he  was  sixteen,  worked  on  his  father's 
farm,  then  for  ten  months  was  engaged  in 
the  Hvery  stable  of  E.  Garnett,  at  New  Or- 
leans, after  which  he  followed  steamboaling 
for  about  seven  years.  Then  he  returned 
to  his  father's  farm,  and  remained  until  he  was 


674 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 


twenty-three  when  he  was  married  to  Chris- 
tine Behm,  September  27,  1853.  She  was  a 
native  of  Westphalia.  To  them  were  born 
six  children:  Mary  F.,  Anna  W.,  George 
A.,  Fred  A.,  Catherine  C.  and  Mary  A. 
Mrs.  Hoefling  died  in  1S75,  ^^  the  age  of 
forty-one,  and  October  12,  1876,  he  was 
married  to  Barbara  Drunk,  who  was  born  in 
Bavaria,  September  15,  1846.  The  children 
of  this  union  were  Joseph  A.,  John  L.,  Louisa 
J.,  and  John  W.  and  Mary  T.,  twins.  He 
was  elected  township  trustee  in  1878,  but 
soon  after  resigned.  From  1878  to  1880, 
he  held  the  important  position  of  president 
of  the  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  company.  He 
is  a  member  of  St.  Joseph  congregation  of 
the  Catholic  church,  and  has  held  many 
prominent  positions  in  that  organization,  and 
is  at  present  on  the  committee  for  the  con- 
struction of  a  new  church  at  St.  Joseph. 

Christof  Hoffman,  one  of  the  leading 
farmers  of  Armstrong  township,  was  born 
September  15, 1835, '"  Rhine-Pfalz,  Bavaria. 
Eleven  years  later  his  parents  came  with 
their  family  to  America,  and  settled  at 
Evansville.  After  a  year  or  more  there, 
they  removed  to  Armstrong,  and  thence  to 
Mount  Carmel,  111.,  where  the  father  died 
in  1877,  and  the  mother  in  1887.  There 
were  eleven  children,  of  whom  Christof 
was  the  fifth,  and  five  of  them  are  still 
living.  He  gained  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  land  and  afterward  in 
this  countr}',  and  since  attaining  manhood, 
has  alwaj's  pursued  the  occupation  of  farm- 
ing. Politically  he  has  been  a  republican, 
honored  in  the  councils  of  the  party,  and  in 
the  way  of  social  organizations,  has  been  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  On  November 
12,  1861,  he  married  Elizabeth  Frippon,  and 
they  had  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are 
living.  His  first  wife  died  in  1876,  and  in 
1882,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Cath- 

ine  Kolle,  of  this  township,  and  they  have 


had  three  children  born  unto  them,  all  of 
whom  are  liv'ing. 

William  Martln  was  born  January  30, 
1814,  in  what  was  then  known  as  Knox 
county,  now  Vanderburgh,  near  Armstrong. 
His  father  was  Charles  Martin,  who  was 
born  in  1791  in  South  Carohna,  and  came  to 
Indiana  territory  in  1805.  In  181 2  he  mar- 
ried Frankie  Rook,  who  was  born  in  South 
Carolina  in  1797,  and  they  settled  four 
miles  from  Armstrong.  William  Martin 
is  the  oldest  of  thirteen  children,  three  of 
whom  survive.  He  still  resides  on  the  farm, 
where  he  has  labored  since  1833.  Mr. 
Martin  was  married  October  3,  1833,  to 
Miss  Nancy  Robinson,  who  was  born  near 
Knoxville,  Tenn.,  May  3,  1813,  and  came 
with  her  parents  to  Indiana  in  181 5.  They 
are  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  of  whom 
three  died  in  infancy.  There  are  living: 
M.  D.,  Charles  S.,  Abner  N.,  James  T., 
Thomas  A.,  Susanna,  Jasper,  William  F., 
Naomi  J.  and  Joseph  L.  Mr.  Martin  is  the 
grandfather  of  forty-nine  children,  of  whom 
but  seven  are  deceased.  He  served  his 
community  as  constable  and  trustee  for  a 
number  of  years.  Mr.  Martin  and  his  entire 
family  are,  in  religious  matters.  Regular  Bap- 
tists, his  grandfather  having  been  a  minister 
of  that  denomination.  Mr.  Martin  is  one  of 
the  few  men  who  are  almost  uniformly  well 
and  hearty,  and  by  wise  and  simple  living 
gives  promise  of  added  years  of  activity. 

Hon.  John  F.  Pruitt  is  the  third  of 
eight  children  born  to  William  and  Elizabeth 
Pruitt,  among  the  earliest  pioneers  of  the 
countv.  The  father  was  born  December  10, 
1806,  in  Allen  county,  Ky.,  and  the  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  A. 
Spain,  was  born  in  1816,  near  Harper's 
Ferr}',  Va.  In  1810  William  Pruitt  came 
with  his  parents,  Moses  and  Phoebe  (Will- 
iams) Pruitt,  to  settle  in  the  Indiana  woods, 
and  in  his  youth  labored  as  the  old  settlers 


AEMSTEONG  TOWNSHIP. 


675 


did,  gaining  also  the  education  to  be  ob- 
tained in  the  log  cabin  schools  of  those  days. 
He  was  count)-  commissioner  for  nine  years, 
and  major  of  the  militia,  then  necessary  for 
protection  from  the  Indians.  He  died  May 
9,  1S70,  and  his  widow  followed  him  on  the 
5th  of  the  next  July.  That  year  is  sadly 
memorable  in  Mr.  Pruitt's  famil}'.  Not 
only  his  father  and  mother,  but  two  of  his 
sisters,  died  in  the  four  months  beginning 
Ma_v  .9.  The  children  of  William  Pruitt 
were:  Mar}-  J.,  born  Januar\'  25,  1S31; 
Elizabeth  E.,  born  May  7,  1833;  John  F., 
subject  of  this  sketch,  born  Ma}-  14,  1835: 
James  C,  born  July  24,  1S37;  Joseph  A., 
born  August  10,  1S40;  Julia  A.,  born 
October  14,  1S44;  Susan  L.,  born  March 
20,  1847,  and  Sarah  E.,  born  June  10,  1853. 
After  receiving  a  common  school  education, 
Mr.  Pruitt  entered  the  grammar  department 
of  the  E\ans\ille  schools,  and  at  the  age  of 
twent\-one  began  teaching  school,  and 
remained  in  that  profession  ten  vears,  also 
farming  during  the  summer.  Januar\  16, 
1862,  he  married  Sarah  E.  Calvert,  daughter 
of  Leroy  and  Penelope  Calvert,  and  to  them 
were  born  four  children:  Emma  L.,  Cather- 
ine J.,  Lerov  E.,  and  Ann  R.,  of  whom 
Emma  and  Leroy  survive.  Mrs.  Pruitt  died 
June  28,  1874,  '^^^  '^"  J'Tiuary  2,  1876,  he 
was  married  to  L\dia  E.  Wilkinson,  who  died 
November  5,  1877.  Ilis  lliird  marriage 
was  to  Elizabeth  A.  Calvert,  April  17,  1879. 
In  politics  Mr.  Pruitt  is  an  earnest  democrat 
and    is  an  active    worker.     In  1S57    he  was 


elected  township  assessor,  served  two  j-ears, 
and  in  i860  was  chosen  trustee  for  one 
term.  To  this  office  he  was  appointed  in 
1878,  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  at  the  expiration 
of  that  term,  was  again  elected,  serving  until 
1882,  when  lie  was  elected  representative  in 
the  general  assembly  by  the  overwhelming 
majority  of  1,085.  His  distinguished  ser- 
vices assured  his  re-election  in  18S4,  and  as 
chairman  of  the  agricultural  committee,  and 
author  of  several  important  bills,  he  filled  a 
responsible  position  in  the  assembly.  Mr. 
Pruitt  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  church,  and  belongs  to 
the  Master  Masons.  lie  is  still  engaged  in 
farming,  with  good  health  and  constitution, 
and  gives  promise  oi  many  more  vears  of 
usefulness. 

WiLLi.\.M  Ri;i.M.\NN  was  born  nearReich- 
enbach,  Silesia,  November  23,  1831.  In  1S52 
he  came  with  his  parents  from  Germany, 
and  has  e\er  since  lived  upon  the  farm  near 
Armstrong,  which  they  settled  upon.  His 
father  died  in  1855,  but  the  mother  is  still 
living  and  makes  her  home  with  her  son. 
The  parents  had  \\\*i  children,  three  boys 
and  two  girls.  Four  of  them  are  vet  livin<r. 
and  are  residents  of  this  county.  Mr. 
Reimann  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Silesia,  and  has  a  fine  knowledge  of  the 
German  language.  Since  childhood  he  has 
followed  agriculture,  and  has  been  very 
successful.  He  is  a  member  of  the  German 
Evangelical  church  at  Darmst.idt,  and  in 
politics  is  a  republican. 


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