300 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY of Jefferson county in 1853. Since then he has served under the administrations of S. S. Hamilton, W. S. D. Mcgowan and J. Wash Davis. After leaving the sheriff's office in 1862, he entered the employ of Hite & Small, Louisville, remaining with the firm about a year. In 1864 he entered the banking house of J. Q. A. Oder, as clerk at a salary of $30.00 per month, which was increased to $175.00 per month after four months' trial. In 1866 this bank was merged with the firm of Burnsicle, Taylor & Co., Mr. Meddis continuing with them until 1867. At this time he embarked in the real estate husiness, in which he has since successfully continued. At first he started in on his own account, but afterwards under the following firm names: Meddis & Miller, Meddis, Morris & Southwick, Meddis & Southwick. The firm of Meddis & Southwick did business successfully for seventeen years. The firm then became Meddis, Southwick & Co., Bruce Hoblitzell being the company. Mr. Southwick died in i8g1, when the firm became Meddis & Co., Mr. Hoblitzell being the company. In 1892 Mr. Hoblitzell retired, and the business has since been conducted under the name of the S. S. Meddis Company, with S. S. Meddis as president and Geo. H. Fisher as secretary and treasurer. The firm handles every department of real estate transactions in city property of all kinds and in farm lands throughout Kentucky, undertaking for its clients everything that has to do with the purchase, sale or exchange of property. They also possess all organized facilities for the renting and management of all classes of property, the collection of rentals and the care and management of estates of non-residents. Taxes are paid, loan and real estate notes negotiated, making a specialty of selling real estate and live stock at auction. No other firm in the city is better equipped to guard and care for the interests of its customers than the S. S. Meddis Company. Mr. Meddis is considered to be one of the best auctioneers and the best informed men in this line of Louisville. On Nov. r6, 1861, Mr. Meddis married Eliza H., daughter of George W. and Eliza Ann (Hite) Small, of Louisville. They have two sons : Victor M., a prominent physician of Louisville, and George Small Meddis, a lumber merchant, of Mobile, Ala. Mr. Meddis is a member of Calvary Episcopal church. Politically he always has been and still is a true Democrat. WILLIAM KOPP, furniture manufacturer, and a prominent German-American citizen, of Louisville, Ky., was born at the city of Schramberg, in the province of Wurtetnberg, Germany, Nov. 19, 1846, his parents being Joseph and Caroline (Fichter) Kopp, MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 301 both natives of Wurtemberg. His father was a prominent manufacturer of furniture at Schramberg for many years and there died. William received his education in the schools of his native c:ty and after passing through the high school went into the factory of his father and learned the trade of cabinet-maker. In 1869 he came to America and soon after his arrival in this country located at Louaville, where for one year he worked as a journeyman at his trade. In 1875 he began the manufacture of furniture in a small way on his own account. At first his business was not large, but by close attention to it, and by safe and conservative business methods, he has built up a trade approximating $150,000 a year, and now operates a factory employing sixty-five skilled men. This growth has been entirely due to his careful study of the demands of the furniture market and turning his attention to the production of something that the people want. Mr. Kopp is popular in German social circles; is a permanent member of the L:ederkranz society, of which he has been president for eight years, having been elected to his eighth term Dec. 27, 1904. Politically he is a Republican, and is one of the public spirited and progressive men of the Falls City. On Aug. 24, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Katie Schmitt, a native of Germany, and they have three children: Bettie, wife of August Miller; Carrie, wife of Harry Dunekake, and William Frederick. FRANK WALTER, of the firm of John E. and Frank Walter, proprietors of the Clay street brewery, Louisville, Ky., was born in Louisville, July 25, 1859. He is a son of Conrad and Eva (Bessenbacher) Walter, both natives of Germany. His father, a distiller by trade, came to America in 1846, locating in Louisville, Ky., where for several years he worked at the carpenters' trade and gardening. In 1858 he established the Clay street brewery, conducting the same successfully up to 1873, the year of his death. His widow continued in the business until 1890, when the sons, John E. and Frank Walter, became proprietors. The same firm has been continued up to the present time, notwithstanding John E. died July 8, 1903. The brewery has a capacity of 112 barrels per day, gives steady employment to twenty-five men and places on the market 302 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY a product of the very best quality. This institution has become one of the leading industries of Louisville and enjoys a large trade in the suburban towns of the city. Mr. Frank Walter, subject of this sketch, is a wide-a-awake, enterprising citizen, and is always ready and willing to contribute toward any movement that will benefit his native city. He is an active member of St. Martin's Catholic church and the Sons of Herman. In politics Mr. Walter is a stanch Democrat. REMI JEUNESSE, one of the leading contractors and builders of Louisville, Ky., was born at Nancy, in the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine, France, Oct. 4, 1840. In 1846 his parents, Jean and Annie (Grillott) Jeunesse, came to America and located at Louisville, where the father followed his trade of tailor until he fell a victim to the cholera epidemic of 1847. His mother also died with the cholera at the same time. Of the children Etien died in New Orleans, La., after reaching womanhood; Virginia, Francois, Remi and Felix E. all grew to maturity and one died in early life. Remi Jeunesse was reared in the city of Louisville, attended the public schools, and afterward served an apprenticeship at carpentering with John Story. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C, First Kentucky Federal infantry, for the three months' service and at the close of that time re-enlisted for three years in the same company and regiment. He fought with his command at Stone River or Murfreesboro, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, and numerous minor engagements, but came out of the service without a scratch, h&ng honorably discharged in 1864. Upon being mustered out of the army he returned to Louisville and went to work at his trade as a journeyman, in which he continued until 11867, when he embarked in business as a contractor and builder. For nearly forty years he has been connected with the growth and development of the city. In that time he has erected many of the finest residences :n Louisville, the St. Boniface Catholic church, the First English Lutheran church, the Doerhoffer block, the Merchants' Refrigerator building, and many others of equal note. His career as a business man has always been marked by a prompt MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 303 and faithful execution of all contracts, his old customers being his best friends. Mr. Jeunesse is one of the progressive men of the "Falls City," being a member of the Horse Show association, and interested in various movements for the betterment of the moral and commercial conditions. Politically he is a Democrat, but is not especially active in political work. He is a member of George H. Thomas Post, No. 8, Grand Army of the Republic. On May 8, 1866, he married Amelia, daughter of Joseph and Genevieve (Cousins) Roe, of Erie, Mich., and five of the children born to this union grew to maturity : Annie Rosalie, now the wife of Louis Hueper; Francois, who died after reaching manhood; Charles F., Felix A., and Amelia A. MICHAEL JOSEPH HICKEY, proprietor of "Hickey's Cafe," Louisville, Ky., as born in that city March 11, 1866, his parents being James and Hannah (Moran) Hicke both natives of County y Cork, Ireland. They came to America in 1860, located at Philadelphia, where the father conducted a dairy for about two years, and in 1863 came to Louisville. There he again engaged in the dairy business and continued in it until his death, which occurred on Jan. 27, 1903. At the time of his death he had one of the largest and best appointed dairies about the "Falls City." The children of James and Hannah Hickey who grew to maturity were Mary, wife of William Wales ; Michael J., James J., John T., Hannah, wife of Joseph Faust, and Nellie. Michael J. Hickey received his education in the public schools of his native city and upon leaving school assisted his father in the dairy business until 1892. He then opened his present cafe and billiard parlors at No. 248 West Main street, and has made it one of the most popular resorts in the city. The management of the place has always been under his personal supervision and his infinite attention to the little details of the business accounts for the popularity of his cafe. His customers are always greeted with a pleasant smile and a kind word and upon their departure are invited to call again with such evident sincerity that they rarely fail to do so. Mr. Hickey is a Democrat in his political viers and takes an interest in furthering the interests of his party. He is a 304 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY member of No. 1, Ancient Order Hibernians, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of which he is president, and both himself and wife belong to the Cathedral of the Assumption, of Louisville. On Sept. 27, 1897, he married Miss Mary, daughter of James and Catherine (Sheridan) Moore, of Louisville. Her parents, like his own, are natives of Ireland. WILLIAM AVINGTON SHRADER, carpenter, builder and millwright, Louisville, Ky., is a descendant of Revolutionary stock, who were among the early settlers of Kentucky. His great-grandfather, William Von Shrader, was a native of Alsace, a province of France, and was an ambassador from that country to Philadelphia at the time of the Revolution. He resigned his commission, took the oath of allegiance to the United States and entered the Continental army. His son, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, also entered the army, rose to the rank of colonel, and was in some of the principal engagements of that historic struggle. After the war he received from the United States government a tract of land for his services. This land was located in what is now called Pewee Valley, where he settled in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and where both he and his father died. After coming to Kentucky he married Martha Hardin, sister of Ben. Hardin, the celebrated criminal lawyer of his day. Colby Shrader, the father of William A., was born in Pewee Valley, and upon reaching manhood learned the carpenters' trade, but spent most of his life in mercantile pursuits. He started the first wholesale liquor and grocery house in Louisville and later followed the river for some time, making fifty-two trips to New Orleans. Toward the close of his life he retired to a farm in Jefferson county, where he died and is buried at Goshen, in Oldham county. He married Martha Priest, whose father, Fielding L. Priest, was one of the pioneers of Louisville. He was a native of Culpeper county, Va., a carpenter by trade, and erected the first store house that wasever built in the city of Louisville. Colby and Martha Shrader were the parents of eight children, viz.: Fielding M., William A., Josephine, Benjamin, Charles M., John O., Richard A., and Cornelius C. Of these Fielding, Josephine and Benjamin are deceased. William A. Shrader was born and reared in Kentucky, educated in the common schools and at Goshen college, after which he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade. He has followed this vocation all his active business life, making a specialty of millwright work, in which he has won a reputation for being a skillful and MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 305 ingenious workman. Mr. Shrader is a member of the Masonic fraternity. While he takes a commendable interest in all questions touching the public welfare, he does not belong to any political party to the extent that he always "votes his ticket straight." On the contrary, he believes in doing his own thinking, and votes according to his judgment. JOHN M. ADAMS, for eight years magistrate for the Eleventh and Twelfth wards of the city of Louisville, Ky., was born in that city Dec. 8, 1852. He is a son of Wesley and Mary Jane (Dowdell) Adams, both natives of Louisville, where for many years the father was engaged in mercantile pursuits as the proprietor of a store on Main street. During the last sixteen years of his life he was gauger and inspector for the city, being repeatedly appointed by the city council. He died in 1875, leaving five children: Charles K., John M., Robert N., Frank G., and Lizzie. John M. Adams was educated in the public schools of his native city, and upon the death of his father he was appointed by the city council to fill out the unexpired term. After that he served twenty-two full terms, being elected by the city council for that number of times. In 1897 he was elected magistrate for the Eleventh and Twelfth wards, and was re-elected in 1901. During all these years he has been active in promoting the cause of Democracy and stands high in the councils of his party. Early in 1905 his name was prominently mentioned as a candidate for county assessor for Jefferson county. Mr. Adams is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Heptasophs, the Improved Order of Red Alen, the Royal Arcanum, the Knights and Ladies of Honor, the Woodmen of the World, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the D. O. O. K., the Pathfinders and the Mose Green club. For two years he acted as county judge in the purging of registration and for seven years he was a member of the fiscal court. His long connection with official life and his membership in social and fraternal organizations have given him a wide acquaintance, so that he is one of the best known and also one of the most popular men in the city. On May 9, 1876, he married Miss Katherine, daughter of Henry and Magdalena Eberhardt, of Louisville. I-20 306 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY Her father was born in Germany. During the war he was a soldier in the Federal army and died of disease contracted while in the service. He rests in Cave Hill cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have the following children: Clara B., wife of Harlan Turpen, Wesley F.,. Andrew, Katie May, Mary Elizabeth, Edward Goddard and John Carson. JOHN P. DANT, distiller, wholesale dealer and jobber of Kentucky whiskies, Louisville, was born in Marion county, Ky., Dec. 4, 1855. In this county his grandfather, John B. Dant, for many years farmed on an extensive scale and afterward removed to Davies county, where he died at the mature age of ninety-six years. He is the son of Joseph W. and Catherine (Ballard) Dant, both natives of Marion county. In 1836 Joseph W. Dant and Raymond Hayden embarked in the distilling business in Nelson county, Ky., operating that plant until 185o. For the next ten years Mr. Dant operated a distillery at the headwaters of Pottinger's creek in Marion county. Then he removed to Dant, Ky., a village named after him, where in 1860 he erected the well known Dant distillery, which he operated until his death in 1890. Since that time this great plant has been operated by his sons under the name of the Dant Distilling Company. The output of this establishment amounts to 1,500 barrels of sour mash whisky of the finest quality, so fine that it has a national reputation for excellence and purity. John P. Dant was reared in Marion county and educated in its public schools. His first work in the distilling line was done as an employe of the establishment located at Dant. After serving in this capacity for fourteen years he removed to Lebanon, Ky., where he conducted a retail liquor business for seven years. From i891 to 1905 he was engaged in the retail liquor business in Louisville, but in the latter year he embarked in the wholesale and jobbers' trade, making a specialty of the celebrated Dant whisky, the product of the distillery established by his father. It can be truthfully said that Louisville has no more popular, progressive and enterprising citizen than John P. Dant. After having thoroughly mastered the distilling business, he made it a rule early in life to manufacture only the purest goods, knowing full well that he must build up a strong reputation if he would succeed, and the result is that his whiskies enjoy a reputation. second to none throughout this country. He deserves success because he has given his undivided attention to his business and has always striven to please his numerous customers. It is his full de- MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 307 termination to improve his whiskies from year to year until they are pronounced the best manufactured in the country. In politics he is actively identified with the Democratic party, supporting it liberally in the way of donations, but never seeking an office. He is an ardent, earnest, consistent Catholic, taking a deep interest in every branch of the work of that great church. On Nov. 28, 1883, he married Miss Janie Smith, the daughter of William H. and Rosella. (Lancaster) Smith, of Chicago, Ky. They have four children living, named Katie R., Louise, John P., Jr., and Marie. CHARLES JACOB FEGEN B USH, magistrate for the Third magisterial district of Jefferson county, Ky., with offices in the city of Louisville, was born in that county Dec. 2, 1861. He is of German ancestry, his grandfather, Tobias Fegenbush, coming from the Fatherland in 1814, and locating in Jefferson county, where he followed farming all his life. His wife's maiden name was Maria Mann. They reared a family of seven children, who grew to maturity, viz.: Tobias, Theodore, Daniel, John, Philip J., Joseph, and Elizabeth, who married Joseph Schmeltz. Philip J. Fegenbush, the father of Charles J., was born in Jefferson county, Sept. 13, 1825. and followed farming all his life. His death occurred Jan. 20, 1904. He married M. Frederika Zucker, whose parents were natives of Germany, and they had the following chldren: John, Charles J., Caroline, deceased, Mary M., George P., deceased, William F., Edward J., Emma, and Margaret, the last named being the wife of S. Edward Vogt. Charles J. Fegenbush was educated in the public schools, and began life as a farmer. In 1890 he left the farm and embarked in the life insurance business with the Etna Life of Hartford, Conn. He remained in this vocation for ten years. In 1890 he was first elected to the office of magistrate for the Third district and has been three times re-elected. About the beginning of 1905 his name was prominently mentioned in connection with the office of county assessor as a candidate on the Democratic ticket, to which party he belongs. Mr. Fegenbush :s a member of the Highland Baptist church, Preston Lodge, No. 281, Free and Accepted Masons, and Pawnee Tribe, No. 42, Improved Order of Redmen. He has been twice married. 308 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY His first wife was Miss Mary F. Hite, a member of the well known Louisville family of that name. His second wife, to whom he was married on Aug. 10, 1898, was Miss Minnie M., daughter of Joab and Elizabeth Rehm, of Louisville, and to this union there has been born one daughter, Dorothy E. THE VERY REVEREND LAURENCE BAX, pastor of St. John's Catholic church of Louisville, Ky., was born at Leende in the Netherlands on April 15, 1828. He was educated at the seminary of St. Michael's and Haren, North Brabant. As soon as he had graduated he came with Archbishop Spaulding as a missionary to Kentucky in May, 1853, and for three years taught in St. Thomas' seminary. He was then appointed pastor of St. John's congregation of Louisville, in which capacity he is still serving. In 1858, by his indefatigable industry and untiring energy, he built the present church edifice, a magnificent structure, the priest's residence, the school house and all the other buildings that go to make up a complete establishment. All this has been accomplished without incurring a single dollar of indebtedness. The church property is estimated to be worth fully $100,000, the interior of the church edifice being pure Gothic and the furnishings of the most precious character, corresponding in every respect to the building itself. The school is, without a single exception, one of the most thorough in the city, and has an average attendance of 300 pupils. This great church has at present a membership of 300 families. In the years 1873-74 Father Bax occupied the chair of moral theology in Preston Park seminary. At the golden jubilee celebration of his priesthood in 1903, the most reverend archbishop of Cincinnati presiding, there were present fully 100 priests, representing as many different churches. Father Bax has visited his native country and Rome three times, in the years 1867, 1883 and 1900, and it is his intention to go there again in 1905. Although he is about seventy-seven years old he is considered a marvel of health and strength and still gives his personal attention to most of the work connected with the parish. When he took charge of the work in Louisville there was but one other English speaking Catholic church, whereas there are now MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 309 twenty-five. The work accomplished by this divine has been simply wonderful. He has never tired of pushing the good work, and to-day he can look back over his past life and truthfully say that he has done his whole duty. No other priest in Louisville stands higher in the estimation of the higher church dignitaries and of the people of Louisville than Father Bax. He has clone so much for the city and his parish that he is esteemed and reverenced by all. It is to be hoped that his life may be spared for years to come and that the work of the parish under his direction may continue to grow. HENRY A. J. PULS, the leading dyer and cleaner of wearing apparel for both men and women, Louisville, Ky., was born in Holstein, Germany, Feb. 17, 1855. In 1872 his parents, August and Mary (Sattel) Puls, came to America and located in Chicago, where the father opened a dyeing establishment and conducted it until 1879, when he removed to Alabama. There he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1897. Henry A. J. Puls was educated in the schools of his native land before coming to this country. He learned trade of dyer with his father and for several years worked at it as a Journeyman in Chicago. In 1886 he went to Evansville, where he managed a dyeing establishment for five years. At the end of that time he came to Louisville and opened a dye-house of his own. It was soon discovered by the people of the city that his work was of a high order and the natural result was to bring him a large volume of business. His trade extends not only to the city of Louisville, but to a large number of the surrounding towns in Kentucky and the adjoining states, his plant being thoroughly `'up-to-date" and probably the best of its kind in the entire Lower Ohio Valley. Politically Mr. Puls is a Democrat, but can hardly be called an active party worker. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. On June 21, 1887, he was married to Miss Anna, daughter of Frank Sattel, of Bavaria, Germany, and has two children: Luella and Walter. 310 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY JACOB A. TOGGWEILER, shingler, with the Ewald Iron Company, Louisville, Ky., and colonel of the Twelfth regiment of the Kentucky Uniform Rank, Woodmen of the World, was born at Zurich, Switzerland, Oct. 23, 1869, his parents being Albert and Mary A. (Kung) Toggweiler. Until he was seventeen years of age he continued to live in his native city, receiving his education by attending school two days in the week, the remainder of his time being devoted to learning the tinners' trade. For this privilege he paid the sum of $200. In 1886 he came to America and soon after his arrival in this country made his way to Louisville, where for the next six years he worked at his trade. He then entered the employ of the Ewald Iron Company, with which concern he has been connected, with the exception of short intervals now and then, ever since. At the present time he holds the position of head shingler with the company, having charge of that division of the work. Prior to the Spanish-American war he was a member of the Kentucky State Guards and on June 5, 1898, was mustered into the Federal service as a member of Company A, First Kentucky volunteers, to serve in the war, the regiment being mustered in at Lexington. The regiment was ordered to Chickamauga Park, where it remained from June 11th to July 25th, when it was ordered to Porto Rico, arriving on that island August 17th. When peace was declared, on Dec. 5, 1898, it returned to the United States and was discharged from the service in February, 1899. Colonel Toggweiler is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Modoc Lodge, No. 102, Improved Order of Red lien; Live Oak Canmp, No. 6, Woodmen of the World, which enjoys the distinction of being the largest camp in the State of Kentucky and to the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers. On Dec. 2, 1903, he was elected major of the Twelfth regiment, Uniform Rank, Woodmen of the World, and served in that capacity until in June 8, 1904, when he was promoted to the colonelcy to succeed S. J. Hall, who was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, commanding the First brigade. In October, 1891, Colonel Toggweiler was married to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Henry and Anna (Hudson) Gottschalk, of Louisville, her father being a native of Germany and her mother of Kentucky. To this marriage has been born one son, Arthur M. Both MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 311 Colonel Toggweiler and his wife belong to the Church of Christ and are consistent practitioners of the precepts of their religious faith. In politics Colonel Toggweiler is a Republican; is recognized as one of the progressive men of the city, and is universally popular because of his many sterling qualities. AMOS LEMMON, assistant clerk the circuit court of Harrison county, Incl was born in that county, Aug. 3, 185o, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Johnson Lemmon, both natives of Shelby count Ky. Both of his grandfathers, James Lemmon and Henson Johnson, were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. His ancestors on his father's side emigrated from Europe in 1763, being two brothers. They settled at Baltimore, remaining there a number of years agitating the question in favor of American liberty, and when the war came on they were at the front and in the heat of battle and were present at Braddock's defeat and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. James, being a youth of twelve years, officiated as a message-bearer between his father and General Washington during the struggle of the Revolution. After peace had been established the family remained in Pennsylvania until 1786, when they removed to Kentucky, where John Lemmon, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1804. When John was twelve years of age his parents came to Indiana, settling in Harrison county. He was a life long Democrat and a recognized leader of his party. He served as county commissioner for a number of years, was elected to the legislature in 1852, re-elected two years later and again in 1862 as the representative from Harrison county, and elected in 1864 as the joint representative from Washington and Harrison counties. John Lemmon was an ordained minister of the regular Baptist church, preaching in Indiana and Illinois for twenty years previous to his death. John and Elizabeth Lemmon were the parents of ten children, four sons and six daughters. James W. was a merchant at Rockport, Ind., until his death in 1886. He was also active in politics and in 1862 was elected a member of the legislature from Spencer county, serving in the same session with his father. Henson Lemmon died in 1892, being for many years a prominent liveryman of Corydon, Ind. Daniel F. is a 312 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY prominent attorney at law, was superintendent of the public schools of Harrison county for twelve years, and was also clerk of the Harrison circuit court for four years. Four daughters, Mary E. Pfrimmer, Ellen Pfrimmer, Sarah J. Zenor and Martha E. Hess are living and two, Annie Benson and Eliza C. Zollman are dead. Amos, the subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, afterward attending the Hartsville university at Hartsville, Ind., and for about one year taught in the public schools of Harrison county. In 1871 he went to Rockport, where he entered the employ of his brother James and was in the store with him until 1883. He then returned to Corydon in his native county and a year later was appointed deputy clerk of the Harrison circuit court. Since that time he has been continuously in the public service either as assistant to the clerk or the auditor. In 1892 he was elected clerk of the circuit court of his county and served one term of four years. His long service stands as a testimony, not only as to his expertness and efficiency as an accountant, but to his popularity as a Democrat and citizen. Mr. Lemmon has not forgotten his early training, however, and still retains his farm near Corydon and there makes his residence. On June 2, 1877, he was married to Miss Caddie, the daughter of Morris Sharp, a merchant of Rockport. She died without children in 1882 and on June 15, 1884, Mr. Lemmon led to the altar Dora, daughter of John P. and Sarah (Faith) Sonner, of Harrison county. To this marriage there have been born three children: Walter Wesseler, born March 9, 1886, and died at the age of one and one-half years; Georgia Hess, born February 18, 1888, and Hardin John, born October 24, 1890. Mr. Lemmon and his family are attendants at the Presbyterian church; he is a member of Gregg Lodge, No. 235, Independent Order of Odd Fellows located at Corydon; and is popular in the community at large, because of his genial disposition and general good-fellowship. PLEASANT JENKINS, of Corydon, Ind., one of the best known educators in that section of the state, and now superintendent of the Harrison county schools, was born in that county, June 2, 1869. His parents, Leroy and Charlotte (Baylor) Jenkins, were both natives of Indiana, the former of Clark and the latter of Harrison county. But little is known of the Jenkins family, further than it originated in Virginia, as all reliable records of the ancestry have been lost. Leroy Jenkins was a soldier in the Mexican war, serving under Gen. Zachary Taylor, and while in the military service he received an injury that MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 313 gave him trouble all his subsequent life. Pleasant Jenkins received his primary education in the public schools of his native county, afterward attending the Central Normal college at Danville, Ind. Upon leaving school he adopted the profession of teaching and taught for fifteen years in the Harrison county schools. In June, 1903, he was elected superintendent of the county schools, a position for which his long experience as a teacher, and his intimate knowledge of the needs and character of the schools, gave him a peculiar fitness. The field of his labors is a large one, there being thirteen townships in the county, but his duties are performed with an efficiency and conscientiousness that fully demonstrates the wisdom of his selection. Mr. Jenkins is not a pretentious individual. He believes in doing rather than talking. In his visits to the schools his mission is improve-merit. The teachers know that his criticisms of their methods are made with a view to that end and not simply for the purpose of showing off his superior position. Consequently there is always perfect harmony between him and those under his supervision. In addition to his school duties he owns and manages the old homestead formerly owned by his father. As a farmer he is as thorough as he is in teaching, giving that attention to details that brings success. He is a member of Georgetown Lodge, No. 641, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has a high standing and a clue measure of popularity. On April 12, 1896, Mr. Jenkins was married to Miss Lizzie K., daughter of Harvey and Nancy (Bryerly) Johnson, natives of Harrison and Floyd county, respectively, Mr. Johnson being now a prominent farmer of the former county. Mrs. Jenkins is a member of the Christian church. JOHN F. HABERMEL, Corydon, Ind., assessor of Harrison county, was born on a farm in that county, Oct. 24, 1856. His parents, Joseph and Catherine (Gettlefinger) Habermel, were natives of Germany, but came to America in 1856, settling upon a farm in Harrison county, where the father died some years later. They had three children: Frederick, now living upon the old home farm, which he manages; Josephine, also living upon the homestead; and John F., the subject of this sketch. In 1865 Mrs. Habermel, the mother of these children, married John Geppner, of Dubois county, Ind., and by this marriage has the following children: John, who lives on the home place, Maggie, wife of Richard B. Dewess, of Jeffersonville; and Theresa, wife of Joseph Granger, a grocer at Howard Park, in Clark county. John F. Habermel attended the public schools of Har- 314 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY rison county until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to Mobile, Ala., where he was for some time employed in a store conducted by his uncles, the firm being J. J. Diemer & Co. While in Mobile he attended school and completed his education. After five years in Mobile he returned to Harrison county and in 1875 the family removed to Indianapolis, where he found employment in a wholesale grocery house, remaining there two years, when the family returned to the farm. In 1882 Mr. Habermel took up his residence in Bradford, a village of Harrison county, where he opened a general store. His experience in Mobile and Indianapolis gave him excellent qualifications for a mercantile life, and the result is he has been prosperous in the undertaking. Shortly after locating at Bradford he began to take an active part in the politics of his county. In 1886 he was elected township assessor for Morgan township, and continued to hold the office until 1895. In 1893 he was appointed postmaster at the capitol, during the session of the legislature, and while in this position he made many new friends by his genial disposition and his uniform courtesy and kindness, In 1900 he was elected to the office of county assessor, which position he holds at the present time and in which he has fully demonstrated that he is the right nian for the place. In order to give more attention to his official duties he sold his store in 1902 and removed to Corydon. In politics Mr. Habermel is a Democrat of the rock-ribbed type, and is always ready to defend his political views. He was married, June 14, 1881, to Miss Clara, the daughter of William Brockman, of Louisville, Ky., and to this union there have been born seven children, viz: William, born Oct. 29, 1882, a teacher in the Harrison county schools; Katie, born in April, 1884; Zetta, July 1, 1885; Susie, in November, 1887; America, in 1889; Clara, in December, 1897, and John, in March, 1900. William, the eldest son, was married in November, 1903, to Miss Katie Baker of Bradford. Mrs. Clara Haberrrel studied medicine before her marriage and began practice in 1879. As a homeopathic physician she has few equals and since her marriage she has continued to practice her profession. In addition to a technical knowledge of the science of medicine she has all the gentle nature of the wife and mother, which plays an important part in winning the confidence of the patient and in this way contributes to her success and popularity. Mr. and Mrs. Habermel are both members of St.Joseph's Roman Catholic church at Corydon. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 315 HIRAM AKERS, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, was a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of Clark county, Ind., and a man who, in his day, wielded a great influence in the development of the material resources of the country in the vicinity of the Falls of the Ohio. About the beginning of the nineteenth century his father and grandfather left their homes in Virginia to seek their fortunes in the Ohio Valley, which was then almost unknown to civilized men. After living for several years in Shelby county, Ky., they crossed the river and located permanently near Muddy Fork Blockhouse, in what is now Wood township, Clark county. That was in 1809, and from that time to the present some representatives of the family have been identified with the growth and development of that region. Hiram Akers was born near the blockhouse on Feb. 26, 1812. He grew to manhood without those conveniences in the way of schools that boys of the present generation enjoy, but the education of the frontier made him a strong, self-reliant man. What he lacked in book learning he more than made up in force of character. He was an upright Christian man, was one of the founders of the old State Run church, where his remains now rest in peace near his old home. In his later life he became the owner of a considerable tract of land in Jeffersonville township, near the Floyd county line, where he also held important milling interests. The old brick house, which he erected in 1848, and which was built of brick manufactured on the place, is still standing. It is one of the landmarks of the neighborhood, a silent but at the same time eloquent witness to the industry and frugality of one of the early settlers. Mr. Akers was married on Oct. 10, 1833, to a Miss Amelia Garrittson, of Floyd county. A son, Reason L. Akers, was born to this marriage on Jan. 9, 1837. He grew to maturity in Clark county and, like his father, was a potent factor in shaping the affairs of the community. When the dread news spread in the spring of 1861, that the Confederates had fired upon Fort Sumter, he was one of the first to offer his services to his country for the suppression of the rebellion. He was connected with various volunteer organizations raised in Floyd county and made an honorable record as a soldier. After the war he engaged in the cement business in Clark county, which he continued to follow until his death, Nov. 23, 1878. His father, Hiram Akers, died May 22, 1856. Reason L. Akers married Miss Louisa Miller, of Clark county, on Sept. 28, 1865, and to this union were born a son and daughter: Matthew L., now living in Louisville, Ky., where he holds a responsible position in the service 316 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY of the Big Four railway, and Miss Minnie Akers, residing in New Albany, Ind. Thus for four generations the family have been a part of the warp and woof of Clark county and the immediate vicinity. In all that time the representatives of the family have occupied a high place in the general esteem. Hiram Akers is still spoken of by old settlers as a man of the highest ideals and the most spotless integrity. These qualities he has transmitted to his descendants, and the name of Akers is one that is honored and respected in the three cities around the Falls of the Ohio. JAMES HARGAN (deceased), who was for many years one of the leading business men of Madison, Ind., was a native of Ireland, having been born near Londonderry, in 1828. In his early youth he came to America with his parents, who settled in Cincinnati, where James received his education and learned the trade of locksmith. Later he came to Madison, and engaged in the retail grocery business, where he continued to live until his death, May 8, 1898. While living in Cincinnati he was married to a Miss Symms, and by this marriage he had one son, George Symms Hargan, now one of the leading wholesale grocers of Madison, and also a dealer in liquors at wholesale, as a member of the firm of Hargan & Johnson, the business having been established by his father. James Hargan's first wife died in Cincinnati, and after coming to Madison he married Mary Louise Luck, a daughter of Jacob and Louise (Cudlipp) Luck, both natives of England. Jacob Luck came to Baltimore in his youth, there learned the hatters' trade, and was for many years a member of the firm of Bartlett & Luck, dealers in hats and caps at Madison. He and his wife both died soon after the Civil war, in which he served for about six months. By his second wife Mr. Hargan had three children, viz.: Louise, now the wife of Greenville Johnson, of the firm of Hargan & Johnson, and the mother of two children, Corinne and Helen; Harvey WWI., engaged in the hardware business at Madison; his wife was Miss Caroline Howe, a daughter of S. Q. Howe, of Patriot, Ind., and a descendant of Lord Howe of Revolutionary fame; they had three children, Mary F., Caroline V., and James; James, now engaged in the drug trade, married May Barnard of Madison and they have three children, also: Gladys B., Joseph, and Martha L. James Hargan, during his life was a representative business man and a model citizen. He was a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and nearly all the family are members of the Episcopal church. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 317 WILLIAM S. NYE, manufacturer of and dealer in monuments, marble and granite work, etc., Corydon, Ind., is a native of the Keystone State, having been born near Brady's Lake, Pa., Oct. 9, 1862. He is a son of Seth S. Nye, a prominent minister of the Christian church, who came to Harrison county, Ind., in 1868, and though now in his eightieth year he is still hale and hearty, taking an active interest in his church work. William S. is the fourth child in a family of five. Herman M. is now in the milling business at Elmwood, Neb.; Wilbur C. is in the hotel and livery business at Bickelton, Wash.; Alva Austin is a contractor of stone work at Georgetown, Id.; and Stella is the wife of Leonard C. Keller, a member of the mercantile house of the W. H. Keller Company, of Corydon. William S. Nye attended the public schools of Harrison county until he was about sixteen years of age, when he began life on his own account as a farm hand. After a short season at this occupation he went into the marble cutting establishment of H. Byrn & Son, of Corydon, and there learned the trade of marble cutter. Forming a partnership with J. M. Shaw the firm embarked in the monument business at Corydon. At the close of the first year Mr. Nye purchased his partner's interest and since then has been the sole proprietor of the business. In every cemetery around Corydon may be seen the handiwork of Mr. Nye in the monuments of chaste and tasteful design that mark the last resting place of those who have joined the silent majority. Mr. Nye takes a commendable interest in political affairs and in 1900 was elected coroner of the county, which office he held for one term. He is a member and one of the principal officers of Gresham Camp, No. 3270, Modern Woodmen of America, of Corydon. In 1893 he married Miss Lena, daughter of Levi W. Hauck, a prominent farmer of Harrison county and a member of the family from whom Mauckport received its name. Mr. and Mrs. Nye have had born to them five children: Nellie G., William J., deceased, George M., Daisy C. and Russell. WILLIAM DANIEL, M.D., of Corydon, Ind., one of the leading physicians of Harrison and adjoining counties, was born at Milltown, Crawford county, Ind., Oct. 7, 1852, his parents being William S. and Sarah C. (Russell) Daniel, the former a native of New Albany, Ind., and the latter of Shenandoah county, Va. In 1851 Doctor Daniel's father located at Milltown, where he engaged in the harnesss and saddlery business until 1890, when he retired and now lives on a fine farm near that place. He has been three times mar- 318 - MEMOIRS OF TILE LOWER OHIO VALLEY ried. His first wife, who was the mother of Doctor Daniel, bore him four children, viz.: William, the subject of this sketch; Oliver, deceased; John, a physician of Georgetown, Ind., and a second son named Oliver, who lived in Floyd county. The mother of these children died in 1871 and in 1875 Mr. Daniel married Julia Westfall, of Harrison county, who died within a year after the marriage. In 1880 the father married Julia Cole, of Crawford county, and they have one child, Olive, now the wife of Doctor Rhodes of Milltown. William S. Daniel served a term in the regular army in his youth and was one of the first men to volunteer in the Civil war, enlisting on April 19, 1861, in Company G, Twenty-third Indiana infantry, as an orderly sergeant. At the battle of Holly Springs, Miss., he was promoted for gallant conduct on the field, and at the close of the war was mustered out as a sergeant-major. Doctor Daniel received his primary education in the public schools and attended the Marengo academy, giving music lessons and teaching in the public schools to earn sufficient funds to pay his way through medical college. In September, 1873, he entered the Louisville Medical college and graduated in February, 1875, with the degree of M.D. During the last year he was in college he served on the staff of the public dispensary and after his graduation, by competitive examination, was awarded a place as resident physician of the Louisville city hospital. He resigned the position, however, in July of the same year, and came to Corydon, where he became associated with Dr. Harvey Wolfe in the general practice of medicine. After a year with Doctor Wolfe he went to Marengo and practiced there until 1886, when he returned to Corydon and bought the good-will and practice of his old partner, Doctor Wolfe, remaining there ever since. In 1886 Doctor Daniel took post-graduate work in the hospital college of medicine of the Central university at Louisville, receiving the Ad Eundem degree. As a physician he has built up a lucrative business and ranks as one of the successful practitioners of Southern Indiana. He is a member of the Indiana Medical association; the Mississippi Valley Medical association; the Medical Society of the Mitchell district of Indiana; and the Medical Societies of Floyd and Crawford counties. In 1899 he was appointed secretary of the Harrison county board of health, and still holds that position. He is a member of Pisgah Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Gregg Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Tribe of Ben Hur, at Corydon. He is also a member and one of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been for several years superintendent of the Sunday MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 319 school. On March 16, 1875, Doctor Daniel was united in marriage to Miss Frederica Martin, a daughter of Frederick and Barbara (Keller) :Martin, of Milltown, and to his marriage there have been born five children: Frederick Martin, a dentist at Elwood, Ind., and who married Caroline Clark of Indianapolis; Grace, wife of George W. Applegate, Jr., of Corydon; Catherine, now Mrs. Charles Buchanan, of Corydon; William Victor, deceased; and John Carleton, a student in school. WALTER MUNDT, president of the Mundt & Hidden Candy Company, of Madison, Ind., was born in Germany in 1862. When he was about four years of age he came to America with his parents, Charles and Bertha (Krahn) Mundt. The family located at Cincinnati, O., where the father followed his trade as millwright until his death, which occurred at Lockland, O., in 1881, in the forty-fifth year of his age. The mother returned to Germany after his death with her two sons, Walter and Edward. After a short visit Walter came back to this country, leaving his mother and brother in Germany. Walter started to learn the confectioners' trade at Covington, Ky., in 1873. After working in that city for nine years he went to Cincinnati as foreman for the firm of A. & J. Doescher, manufacturers of confectionery. While in this position he superintended the making of all the ice cream and confections used at the centennial exposition at Cincinnati. He then came to Madison and opened a retail store at 321 West Main street, which he conducted for ten years. After selling the business he organized the Mundt-Hidden candy company with a capital stock of $20,000. The officers of the company are: Walter Mundt, president; R. H. Hidden, vice-president; C. H. Robinson, secretary and treasurer, and Edward Mundt, director. The trade of the company is steadily growing owing to the high quality of their goods, and the disposition to treat their customers fairly. Mr. Mundt is a popular member of several secret and fraternal organizations, viz: the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of Pythias; the Improved Order of Red Men; the Modern Woodmen and the Good Samaritans. Politically he is a Republican, but never neglects his business to become a participant 320 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY in political work. He was married in Newport, Ky., to Annie Hidden, and to this union there have been born four children: Lena, Bertha, Walter, Jr., and Richard. ANDREW RIEDEL, a farmer on Ryker's Ridge, near Madison, Ind., was born in Germany in the year 1838. When he was about three years of age his parents, Martin and Barbara (Arnold) Riedel, came to the United States and located at Cincinnati, where the father was employed as a stonemason's helper in the construction of the city water works. In 1848 the family came to Ryker's Ridge, where Martin Riedel bought thirty-three acres of land and followed truck farming until his death, at the age of eighty years, his wife having died some years before. Andrew received the greater part of his education in the common schools of Madison township. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company E, Sixth Indiana infantry, which was the first company to be organized in Jefferson county, Ind. He served with this regiment through the three months service, taking part in the battle of Philippi, W. Va., on June 7, 1861. At the end of three months he returned home but shortly afterward enlisted in the Thirteenth United States regular infantry for three years. His company was honored by being chosen to act as body guard to Gereral Sherman, and was in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, Black River, Jackson, Tenn., Colliersville, Tenn., and Mission Ridge, and several of lesser note. He was discharged in 1864. Mr. Riedel is a member of Bachman Post, No. 26, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Methodist Episcopal church. In political matters he is one of the unswerving Republicans of his township and county and always takes an interest in political campaigns. In 1869 Mr. Riedel was married to Kate Lott, a daughter of Abner and Mary Frances (Orrill) Lott. Abner Lott was a descendant of an old Virginia family living in King and Queen county. His parents were John and Phoebe (Lott) Lott, his maternal grandfather having been a veteran of the Revolutionary war. Mary Frances Orrill was a daughter of John Orrill, whose portrait appears at the head of this sketch. He was a veteran of the war of 1812. Some of the Orrill family or their immediate relations have MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 321 been in every war that ever occurred in the United States, or in which this nation was engaged. Mrs. Katharine (Bird) Orrill, the wife of John Orrill was the daughter of Philip Bird, who lost his life in the war of the Revolution. Her husband was in the war of 1812. She had one son in the Mexican war, three sons and four grandsons in the Civil war and a great-grandson in the Spanish-American war. She and her husband were from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Riedel have the following children: Annie Frances, Grace, Charles B., who served in the Seventh Ohio infantry in the Spanish-American war, and Clara Pearl, who married Edward Phillips, an Indianapolis machinist. They have one boy named Raymond Edward. The Lott family are noted for their longevity, Abner Lott dying in his seventy-ninth year and his grandfather living to be one hundred and three years old. ERNEST J. SHERLOCK, a farmer located near Madison, Ind., was born in that city, Feb, 14, 1855. His parents, Henry E. and Eugenia (Barchall) Sherlock, were both natives of Hanover, Germany. His maternal grandfather died in Germany, at the age of one hundred and three years, and his grandmother came to America, bringing her family. His mother also came to America with her father and his parents were married at Cincinnati. Eugenia Sherlock died at the age of seventy-two years, and her husband is still living in Indianapolis at the age of eighty-one. The paternal grandmother of Ernest lived to the age of ninety-one years. Ernest J. Sherlock was educated in the public schools and has been a farmer the greater part of his life. He is now engaged as a truck farmer and has a highly cultivated farm of a little over twenty-eight acres, on the Ryker's Ridge road, two and a half miles from Madison. Mr. Sherlock is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a Republican in his political affiliations. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. In the fall of 1876 Mr. Sherlock was united in marriage to Miss Annie Fewell, daughter of William Fewell, who was a native of Madison. To Mr. and Mrs. Sherlock there have been born two children: George, aged twenty-six, and John Hodges, aged twenty-four. George is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. John Hodges married Sallie Cochran, a daughter of Edward Cochran, a resident of Jefferson county, Ind. Mr. Sherlock has all the industrious habits and thrift that distinguish the German people, and is one of the prosperous farmers and worthy citizens of his locality. I-21 322 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY ORRIN MARSI.IALL (deceased), for many years a well-known citizen of Madison, Ind., was born in the city of Cincinnati, O., in the year 1827, and died on his farm near Madison, of pneumonia, in Jannary, 1904, aged seventy-seven years. He was a son of Addison and Margaret (Patten) Marshall, the father being a native of Virginia, who came to Cincinnati in early manhood and was for a long time a steamboat engineer on the Ohio river. When the subject of this sketch was about three years of age the family settled in Madison, where he received his education, after which he adopted his father's calling and became an engineer on the river. He was the first engineer on the ill-fated United States, at the time that vessel collided with the America, which resulted in the loss of several lives. Later he was first engineer on the General Lytle, one of the largest and finest boats on the river. In 1882 he gave up the business of engineer and established a laundry at Madison, which he conducted for sixteen years. At the end of that time he removed to his farm, a short distance from the city, and lived there until his death. On both sides his parents lived to a good old age. His father died at the age of seventy-seven, and his mother died in 1890 at the age of eighty-four. In 1857 Mr. Marshall was married to Julia, daughter of C. A. and Huldah (Hall) Wise. Her father was a native of Jefferson county, Ind., and was fora number of years in the livery business in Madison. After disposing of this business he went to Louisville, where he was for a long time manager of the St. Cloud and Alexandria hotels. At the time of his death he was seventy-six years old, his wife having died some time before at the age of fifty-nine. Mrs. Marshall was the eldest of nine children, all of whom survived their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall had the following children: Carrie; Frank B., a boiler inspector at Cincinnati; George B., who died at the age of twenty-five years; Charles E.; Virginia, who married B. T. Millican and has three children; Nadine, aged fifteen; Jean, aged twelve; and Mary, aged nine. Orrin Marshall, the youngest of the family, and who bears his father's name, is now the proprietor of the laundry his father established years ago. During his life Mr. Marshall was a stanch Democrat, an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and enjoyed the confidence and MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 323 esteem of a large number of friends. His widow still lives and is loved by many for her amiable and womanly qualities. GEORGE D. SCHWAB, one of the best known and most popular young business men of Madison, Ind., was born in that city, Nov. 21, 1874, his parents being William A. and Margaret (Thorne) Schwab. William Schwab was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1838. When he was but six years of age he came with his parents to America, stopping for a few years in New York, but coming to Madison in 1850, where he was reared and educated. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fourth Indiana cavalry and after a month's service received a wound which necessitated his discharge. He died in 1875 at the age of thirty-seven years. His widow and all of their six children are still living, the children being Margaret, Lenora, Emma, William, Stella and George D. Enema is the wife of G. L. Spaulding, a photographer of Madison; William lives at Seattle, and the others are at home. George D., the youngest of the family and the subject of this sketch, received his education in the schools of his native city and at the age of twenty-one embarked in the dry goods business for himself. In 1896 he formed a partnership with George M. Daily, under the firm name of Daily & Schwab. Later he disposed of this business, went to Marietta, Ohio, where he was employed in a dry goods house until 1900; returned to Madison and for two years was deputy sheriff of Jefferson county; then engaged in the laundry business for about two years, and is now in charge of a corps of men engaged in placing on the market the products of the Sulzer Medical company of Madison. Mr. Schwab is also the owner of the formula for a preparation known as Dr. Langee's nerve tonic, which he is making arrangements to place on the market, having purchased the rights and good will of the former proprietor. In his political views Mr. Schwab is a firm Republican and in fraternal circles he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Alen, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In all these societies he is a popular fellow, because of his genial disposition and generous nature. He is brim full of energy, has rare tact and ability in what he undertakes, is not easily discouraged, and it is 324 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY safe to say that he will make his mark alongside the progressive men of his day. CHARLES AUGUST JAHRRIES, a popular merchant tailor of Madison, Ind., was born in that city, Feb. 7, 1874. His grandfather, Frederick Jahrries, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1812; came in his early manhood to the United States; located at Madison, where he worked at the trade of stonemason until his death, which occurred in 1883 in the seventy-second year of his age. He was married at Madison in 1846 to Dorothy Geyer, a native of Baden-Baden, who died in 1903, aged seventy-seven, leaving four children: Frederick, the father of the subject; Louise, now Mrs. Charles Hahn, of Louisville; Henrietta and William, both now living at Denver, Col. Frederic Jahrries, the father, was born in the city of Madison, May 23, 1847; there grew to manhood and received his education; learned the trade of harness maker, which is still his occupation, and lives in one of the handsomest residences in Madison. He married Ann M. Klein, who was born in Madison on May 9, 1853. She is a daughter of the late Ferdinand Klein, a native of Germany and a merchant tailor, who spent the greater part of his life in Madison, where he was well known, being a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, and an active Democrat. He died in 1896, aged sixty-two. Frederick and Ann Jahrries have reared a family of six children, viz.: Charles, Frederick, Albert, Howard, Franklin and Mary. Frederick, the second son, was a soldier in the Spanish-American war and spent a year in the Philippines. Charles A. Jahrries received his education in the Madison public schools and at the age of seventeen years started in to learn the tailors' trade. He soon mastered the intricacies of the business and since going into business for himself has built up a good patronage. He displays good taste in the selection of goods, takes pride in giving his customers a good fit in every instance, and has acquired a reputation for honest work. Politically he is a Republican though he can hardly be called an active worker in political contests, In religious matters he is a member of the Lutheran church. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 325 JOHN C. ELLSPERMANN, a florist, located at No. 2005 East Virginia street, Evansville, Ind., was born in that city in 1857, his parents being Martin and Catherine (Magin) Ellspermann. His father was a native of Germany, married in the Fatherland, and came to the United States about 1850 with his wife and three children —George, Catherine and Adam. The last named now lives in Evansville and the other two are deceased. After settling near Evansville, where the father followed the occupation of market gardener, four more children were born to them, viz.: Daniel, Joseph, John C., and Mary, all of whom are yet living, John C. being the subject of this sketch, and Mary the wife of Philip, Seitz. The father of these children died in 1892 at the age of seventy-one years and the mother on Aug. io, 1900, in her seventy-eighth year. John C. Ellspermann was educated at St. Mary's school at Evansville and upon leaving school started in to learn the trade of florist with J. D. Carmody. After thirteen years with Mr. Carmody he went into business for himself, not far from his present location. He has been successful and his success is due to his thorough knowledge of his business, his fair dealing and his untiring industry. Mr. Ellspermann was married to Miss Katie, daughter of Rupert Buchenberger, who was for many years connected with the brewing interests of Evansville. He was a native of Germany, came with his parents to America in his boyhood, married Mary Eva Wintz in Evansville, who came from Germany three years after he did. He died in 18i5, aged forty-five years, and his wife died in 1900 in her seventy-first year. They had four children, Mrs. Ellspermann being the youngest of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Ellspermann have the following children: Joseph, born June 20, 1883; Mary, born March 27, 1885 ; Carl, born Jan. 25, 1889; and Theobald, born Sept. 3, 1891. Mr. Ellspermann is a Republican in his political affiliations, a member of the Catholic church, St. Boniface and St. Michael's societies, and the Sunrise Benevolent Society. THEODORE KEVEKORDES, of Evansville, Ind., recorder of Vanderburg county, was born in that city in the year 1875 and is the son of Leo Kevekordes, one of Evansville's substantial business men. Theodore was educated in the public schools of his native city 326 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY and after graduating from the high school there attended DePauw university during the years 1893-4, and later attended Butler college at Indianapolis, now the classical department of the University of Indianapolis. Upon leaving school he established himself in the music business in Evansville, in which he continued for about four years, after which he became associated with his father in the furniture business. Upon retiring from the furniture store he was employed in the office of the city water-works for eighteen months and during this time became somewhat active in political work with the result that in 1902 he was elected recorder of the county for a term of four years, taking the office on the first of January, 1903. Mr. Kevekordes is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is one of the official board of St. John's Evangelical church, in which he is one of the active members. He is a fine example of the German-American citizen. Educated to love the traditions of the Fatherland, he is at the same time a loyal American citizen, fully imbued with the spirit of this country's free institutions and always ready to do his part to insure their perpetuation. He is what is generally called a "good mixer" and owes his political preferment to his genial disposition, his persevering spirit and the high order of his executive ability. MARK GRANT, a prominent contractor and builder of Evansville, Ind., and one of the commissioners of Vanderburg county, was born in London, England, July 24, 1827. When he was five years of age he came with his parents to this country. After six months in New York the family removed to Cleveland, where they lived for three and a half Years and then came to Evansville. Here Mark was educated in the common schools, learned the trade of carpenter and has assisted in the erection of some of the largest buildings in the county. For over thirty years he has been in the business of contracting and building for himself. He framed the structure at the salt-wells, near the Maryland street bridge, and has built many of the finest residences in Evansville. When the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Indiana infantry was organized during the Cvil war he enlisted as a private in Company C and served until the close of the war, being MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 327 most of the time with Hancock in the Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Grant has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs, served two years as a member of the Evansville city council, was elected county cocnmiss:oner in 1898, and is now serving his second term in that position. He is a member of Farragut Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Old Soldiers' Republican club. In 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pritchett, of Evansville, who died about two years after their union. In 1858 he was married to Miss Nancy A. hell, of Evansville, and they have four children living. Jeannette is the wife of William A. Gillett, a carpenter of Evansville; Samuel K. is in the plumbing business in that city; U. S. is assistant chief of the Evansville fire department, and Dora is the wife of Frank Britton, the custodian of the Vanderburg county court house. HARRY W. STAHLHEFER, city clerk of Evansville, Ind., is a native of that city and is a son of the late Joseph Stahlhefer, who was born in Germany, but came to America in early manhood and who was one of the builders of Evansville. Harry has lived all his life in Evansville, was there educated in the public schools, after which he entered his father's store. Ever since reaching his majority he has been interested in political work. In 1896 he was appointed deputy sheriff and continued in this position for about five years. In the city election in the spring of 1901 he was chosen vice chairman of the Republican city central committee and had charge of some important work during the campaign. After having helped conduct a successful campaign he was elected by the city council to the office he now holds. Mr. Stahlhefer is also, by virtue of his office, the clerk of the police court and of the board of public safety. In the several official positions that he has occupied his work has been distinguished be promptness, correctness and simplicity. His records are always kept up to date and in such a way that any one who can read can understand them. Personally Mr. Stahlhefer is a gentleman of pleasant demeanor, one of the sort that people like to meet a second time, and the longer one knows him the better he is liked. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is always a welcome 328 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY figure at the club house of that society because of his genial disposition, and is a ready and cheerful participant in the order's numerous and worthy charities. EBEN C. POOLE, justice of the peace, Evansville, Ind., is a native of Bangor,Me., and comes of that old New England stock that played so important a part in the early history of this country. When sixteen years of age his parents removed to Boston, Mass. When he was about twenty-five years of age he went to Jersey City, N. J., and engaged in business with his brother. He left this position to become a Pullman conductor, and for the next twelve years he traveled in that capacity nearly all over the United States. His first visit to Evansville was on the occasion of a reunion of the Blue and the Gray. Liking the city and its people, be made up his mind to become a resident of the place, and a few months later found him installed there as the local agent of the Monarch Palace Car company. Since that time he has continued to live in Evansville, where he has made friends by his genial ways, his correct habits, and his many sterling qualities of both head and heart. Some time after taking up his residence in that city he began to take an interest in political affairs, and the result has been his election for three successive terms of four years each to the office of justice of the peace. He conducts the affairs of his court with a dignity and decorum that would reflect credit on some of the higher judicial officers. His decisions have been distinguished for their simple justice and close adherence to well established precedents. Mr. Poole is a Knight of Pythias, a Buffalo, and a charter member of Pioneer Court of Honor, and charter member of No. 122, Tribe of Ben Hur, as well as several other social organizations. WILLIAM J. HARRIS, senior member of the firm of Harris & Shophell, architects, Evansville, Ind., was born in the city of Louisville, Ky. His father, Edwin Harris, a retired business man of Louisville, was born in California. William J. received his education in the Louisville public schools, graduating from the high school in 1887. Upon completing his education he entered the office of one of the MEMOIRS OP THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 329 leading architects, where he was employed for six years. During that period he had ample opportunity to become thoroughly acquainted with all lines of architectural work. He improved his chances, and at the end of his apprenticeship, if such it might be called, he possessed a technical knowledge of architecture that few men excel. For several years he traveled over the country, working in the offices of prominent architects in different cities, going across the continent in his travels, and in 1895 located in Evansville, where he opened an office of his own. Two years later he formed the partnership with Clifford Shopbell, which is still in existence. (See sketch of Mr. Shopbell.) Many of the finest churches in the state have been built according to designs furnished by this firm. Nine Carnegie library buildings have been erected under their supervision, that at Shelbyville, Ind., being regarded by many as being the finest in the state, if not in the United States. Both members of this firm are practical men, both are thoroughly in love with .their profession, and consequently keep themselves fully informed as to new methods of construction, etc., which marks them as being progressive and competent architects. Mr. Harris is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was married in 1894 to Miss Bell Hawley, of Louisville. CLIFFORD SHOPBELL, junior member of the firm of Harris & Shopbcll, architects, Evansville, Ind., was born at Princeton, in that state, Dec. 8, 1871. His father, George W. Shopbell, was born in the city of Fort Wayne, and followed the business of contractor and builder, so that the son from his childhood has been surrounded by an atmosphere of architecture. After graduating from the Princeton high school, in the class of 1889, Clifford went to Indianapolis, where he was for five years in the office of W. Scott Moore, one of the leading architects of that city, and one year with the Big Four railroad company. In 1894 he returned to Evansville and became associated with C. A. Brehmer in architectural work. This association continued until 1897, when the firm of Harris & Shopbell was formed. From the start they have given their attention to the designing and erection of public buildings, and numerous churches, school 330 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY and court houses have been built according to their plans and under their supervision. Their business extends over a large scope of territory, and, considering the length of time that the partnership has been in existence, few firms in the Middle West are better or more favorably known. In recent years Harris & Shopbell have made a specialty of the Carnegie library buildings, nine of which have been designed by them, viz. : Shelbyville, Greensburg, Franklin, Seymour, Salem, Princeton, Mt. Vernon and Poseyville, Ind., and Henderson, Ky. Mr. Shopbell is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Crescent and Country clubs, and to the Evansville Business Men's association. He was married in 1897 to Miss `Vinifred Dunlap, of Indianapolis. BYRON PARSONS, the subject of this sketch, was born in Rodman, Jefferson county, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1835, and is of Scotch English descent. Just when the traditional three Parsons brothers came to New England is not known, but a deed now in his possession, bearing date of Oct. 30, 1718, clearly proves that his ancestors were early settlers there. This deed is signed by Samuel Parsons, and conveys land located upon the east bank of the Connecticut river, in Hampshire county, to his son Samuel Parsons, Jr. This ancient document had been handed down to him through the oldest sons of succeeding generations. His father Elam Parsons, was born in Connecticut in 1809, and moved with his father, Samuel Parsons, to Jefferson county, N. Y., about the end of the first quarter of the nineteenth century. His mother was the daughter of Capt. Samuel McNitt, who served this country in the war of 1812, and distinguished himself in the battle of Sackett's Harbor in May, 1813. Byron Parsons was the only son born to Elam Parsons by the first wife. Soon after his birth his father moved to Ellisburg, Jefferson county, N. Y., where he grew to manhood. His early life was spent on a farm, and his education was obtained in the country schools and Belleville Un'on academy. In the spring of 1856, and prior to his twenty-first birthday, he caught the Kansas fever, and left the paternal roof to seek his fortune in the Far West. At this time the Kansas-Nebraska act, MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 331 which had become a law in 1854, began to bear fruit, and Kansas became the battle ground for the settlement of the great slave question. Settlers in great numbers were pouring into the territory from both north and south; those from the north for the purpose of organizing a free state, and those from the south for the purpose of organizing a slave state. Ahout this time Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, from his pulpit in Brooklyn, N. Y., declared that settlers to Kansas should go armed with a Bible and a Colt's revolver. Mr. Parsons took his advice. He journeyed by rail to St. Louis, and from thence to Wyandotte by river, on a steamboat loaded to the guards with emigrants and supplies destined for the "New Eldorado." The staterooms did not hold half of the passengers, and Mr. Parsons was obliged to sleep on a cot in the cabin with many others, who were no more fortunate than himself. On landing at Wyandotte he put up at the Free State hotel. He soon learned that the feeling between the pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions was already at fever heat. Late in the day he was advised that he had better seek lodgings elsewhere, as the pro-slavery mob from the other side of the river, that two days before had gone to Lawrence to pillage and burn that town, were expected back that night, and the hotel would probably he destroyed, as it was owned by a free state man. The mob returned as expected, armed with all sorts of firearms and bearing banners with various pro-slavery mottoes, but they did not molest anything. They went on board a ferry-boat, and with three cheers for Lawrence, pulled out into the stream and left for their homes in Missouri, on the other side of the river. On the following day, he joined a party of ten in the purchase of two ox teams and a "prairie schooner" with which to transport baggage and supplies. With these they set out for the uninhabited prairies of Southeast Kansas, which were fast being settled. At Ossawatomie a halt was made and a quarter section of land pre-empted. He at once went to work, cutt`ng down trees with which to build a house, in order to hold his claim, but had scarcely more than got the logs up, before rumors were current that a Missouri mob might be expected at any time. A vigilance committee was organized and Mr. Parsons was called upon to do his first duty in defense of right and free institutions, under the direction of Capt. John Brown, later of Harper's Ferry notoriety. The mob came as expected, and Capt. Brown, with his unorganized force, did what he could in defense of the town and postoffice, just established, but was overwhelmed by superior numbers, the town taken and pillaged and the postoffice robbed. Captain Brown lost one son, killed in the fight, 332 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY and several others of his unorganized force were wounded. From that time on he was known as Ossawatomie Brown. At this time Mr. Parsons was sick at the home of a Quaker, two miles away, but distinctly remembers hearing the fusilade, which lasted for about half an hour. Letters for him were found opened in the streets of the town after the mob had finished their pillage and left. Owing to continued illness he returned to his father's home in Jefferson county, N. Y., in the winter of 1856-57. In the spring of 1857 he accepted a position as clerk in a general merchandise store in Ellisburg, at a salary of $75.00 per year, and was so employed until the early fall of 1859, when he accepted a position as traveling salesman for a wholesale boot and shoe house in Yew York City. The firm failed in the early part of 1869, and he accepted a similar position with Lewis Brothers of Utica, where he remained until October, 1861, when he returned to his native town, in Jefferson county, to assist in raising a company of volunteers for the 94th regiment, then being organized at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. He enlisted as a private October 16th, and on the organization of Company C, was elected second lieutenant and mustered into the United States service Feb. 14, 1862. On March 15, the regiment was ordered to Washington, and was immediately assigned to duty as provost guard at Alexandria, Va. It did duty there during the embarkation of McClellan's army for Fortress Monroe but soon after joined McDowell's army on the Rappahannock, opposite Fredericksburg. It was with McDowell's corps in its fruitless march to the Shenandoah Valley, after Stonewall Jackson, from May 25th, to June 18th. The regiment was first under fire at Cedar Mountain, August pth, and almost daily thereafter until the great battle of Bull Run, in which it participated August 30th. First Lieutenant B. D. Searles, then commanding the company, was wounded in that engagement and the command devolved upon Lieutenant Parsons. He remained in command until Lieutenant Searles' return about October 1st. He participated with his command in the battles of Chantilly on September 1st; South Mountain September 14th, and Antietam September 17th, where he was promoted to first lieutenant and was with his command during the march of the army down through northern Virginia, taking part in the battle of Fredericksburg, December i3th. He was promoted to captain Jan. 6, 1863; participated in Burnside's "mud march" January 20th, to 24th; in Hooker's Chancellorsville campaign April 27th, to May 6th; also in the Pennsylvania campaign, and was wounded in the first day's battle of Gettysburg. He was granted leave of absence MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 333 for thirty clays and at its expiration was detailed on special duty at Elmira, N. Y., and subsequently at Riker's Island, New York harbor, until November 25th, when he was detailed on general court-martial which convened at Fort Hamilton and adjourned to New York City. He served on that court until Jan. 16, 1864. On January 22d, he was detailed as second in command of a cargo of conscripts to Fortress Monroe and Alexandria, Va., and subsequently went with another cargo in the same capacity. He rejoined his command then doing duty at Camp Parole near Annapolis, Md., February 12th and on the 19th of May left with it to join the army of the Potomac, then fighting the battles of the Wilderness under Grant. His command reached the front on the line of the Tolopotomy May 30th, and was assigned to the first brigade, second division fifth army corps. Thus organized, his command participated in the general movement towards Petersburg, and was hotly engaged in the swamps of Chickahominy on the 13th, holding the enemy in check while the main army was crossing to the James river. He reached the front before Petersburg on the 17th, and participated in the advance and final unsuccessful assault upon the enemy's works on the 18th. He was continually with his command during the investment of that city; participated in the movement for the possession of the Petersburg and Weldon railroad that began August i8th, and was taken prisoner in the battle that gave the Federals permanent possession on the afternoon of the 19th. He was a prisoner of war at Belle Isle, Libby, Salisbury, N. C., and Danville, Va.; was paroled from Libby prison Feb. 22, 186, and was discharged on application by reason of expiration of term of service, March loth. He was then appointed major, rejoined his command April 13th, and served in the field until mustered out with his regiment July i8th. While in Libby prison he formed the acquaintance of Capt. Jesse Armstrong of Evansville, Ind., who became one of his messmates in that noted hostelry. Captain Armstrong was enthusiastic in his praise of Evansville, and the acquaintance thus begun resulted at the close of the war in a correspondence with Coolidge Bros., who were formerly of Watertown, Jefferson county, N. Y., but at this time the leading dry goods men of Evansville. Thus it was that Major Parsons together with Capt. C. E. Scoville and Col. S. A. Moffett were persuaded to come to Evansville. These three young men had been comrades in arms and officers in the same regiment for nearly four years. This close relationship resulted in a mutual understanding that when the war was over they would 334 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY enter into business together. So after being mustered out of service, they came to Evansville, arriving here in the latter part of August, 1865. October 12th, they bought out William Riley, then doing a retail grocery and feed business at 124 Main street and commenced business under the firm name of Parsons, Scoville & Moffett. Since then Major Parsons' life has been an open book to the people of Evansville, except for the most part of the time from the summer of 1885 to the spring of 1893, while engaged in, developing a salt industry in Texas. Major Parsons was the pioneer in the salt business in that state and in company with Mr. Frederick R. Blount succeeded in building up a large and lucrative salt industry, which was incorporated, in 1889, under the name of the Lone Star Salt Company, and Major Parsons was made its president. This corporation is now one of the large industrial enterprises of that great state. The firm of Parsons Scoville & Moffett took front rank in the retail grocery business of that city from the beginning. In the spring of 1871, Parsons & Scoville bought Colonel Moffett's interest in the business and he moved to Chicago. The new firm of Parsons & Scoville gradually merged the wholesale business into their extensive retail trade until their warehouse, No. 127 Main street, was inadequate to their growing business. They, therefore, July 17, 1881, sold a one-half interest in their retail business to Mr. Ezra Lyon and established the wholesale grocery house, corner of Second and Sycamore streets. July 1, 1882, they sold their other one-half interest in the Main street business to David Bros., and since then have conducted an exclusive wholesale grocery business. In July, 1894, they incorporatecl under the name of Parsons & Scoville Company. Captain Scoville died in January, 1902, thus terminating a most harmonious business association of more than thirty-six years. At the time of his death it was believed that he and Major Parsons were the oldest associated business co-partners in the city of Evansville. Major Parsons has been the president of the Parsons & Scoville Company since Captain Scoville's death. The concern ranks today among the foremost jobbing grocery houses of the Ohio Valley. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican. He has been frequently asked to accept office at the hands of his party, but has steadfastly declined all political honors. Major Parsons is a man of progressive ideas, a clear thinker, a thorough business man, well read, active in all worthy enterprises for the good of the city and the well being of his fellow citizens. He is a man of high moral principles and for many years has been a member of Walnut street Presbyterian church. He is a MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 335 comrade of Farragut Post No. 27, Grand Army of the Republic; also a companion of the Indiana cominandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. His wife, Oella Howard, was born in Ellisburg, N. Y., Jan. 13, 1841. Her father, Daniel Howard, was born in Connecticut June 16, 1796. He removed to Ellisburg, N. Y., when a small boy and at the early age of sixteen was a minute man under the command of Capt. Gad. Ackley, in the war of 1812. Her mother was Phebe Winters, who comes of Revolutionary stock, thus making her eligible to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. But one child was born to Major and Mrs. Parsons, and it died in infancy. JAMES D. SAUNDERS, a well-known civil engineer and surveyor of Evansville, Ind., is a native of that state, having been born at Bloomington, Dec. 4, 1853. His immediate ancestors on both sides were civil engineers. His father, whose name was also James D., was born at Manchester, England, in 1829, and was the son of a civil engineer. He learned the business with his father and in 1850 married Mary Sweeney, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and emigrated to America. Her father was a civil engineer and was employed on the ordinance survey of Ireland. When James D. Saunders, the father, and his young wife came to this country they located at Bloomington, Ind., where he was employed as one of the engineers in the construction of what was then known as the New Albany & Salem railroad (now the Monon). In 1854 he came to Evansville as the engineer of the Evansville, Indianapolis & Cleveland railroad, generally referred to as the "Straight line." The next year he was elected surveyor of Vanderburg county, and in 1857 was made city engineer and surveyor. From that time until 1861 he held both positions, but resigned at that time to become a member of Company D, Forty-second Indiana infantry. He was afterward promoted to captain and served with that rank until 1862, when he resigned and returned to Evansville. Soon after his return he was again elected city engineer, and held either that position or county surveyor until his death, wh'ch occurred on June 6, 1880. His three sons, Miles S., George W. and James D., all became civil engineers. James D., 336 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY the subject of this sketch, received a common school education, after which he studied his profession under his father's instruction, and became a skillful and proficient surveyor and engineer. In 1872 and again in 1876 he was elected county surveyor, but resigned in 1880 to accept the place of city engineer, which had been made vacant by his father's death. He was re-elected to the place at each succeeding annual election until 1887, when he was defeated by a majority of 200, though the rest of his ticket was defeated by about 1,400. For many years Mr. Saunders has been actively identified with the Democratic party in political contests. His ability as an organizer has been frequently called into play in such cases, and in 1904 he was the choice of the party for the position of chairman of the county central committee. Mr. Saunders is a member of several fraternal organizations. He was married in 1886 to Miss Lizzie McQuigg, of Ironton, O. MAJ. HAMILTON ALLEN MATTISON, a prominent attorney of Evansville, Ind., and ex-judge of the circuit court of Vanderburg county, was born at South Merlin, Rensselaer county, N. Y., Sept. 23, 1832, his parents being Allen J. and Lucy (Thomas) Mattison. Major Mattison's grandfather, Allen Mattison, was a Rhode Island Quaker. In 1775 he joined the American army under Gen. Nathaniel Greene, fought at the battle of Bunker Hill, and at various other places during the war for Independence. After the Revolution he removed his family to South Berlin and lived there until his death in 1854. Major Mattison was reared on his father's farm, receiving his early education in the district schools. At the age of nineteen years he entered the New York conference seminary at Charlottesville. While completing his education in this institution he earned enough as assistant teacher to pay for his tuition and living expenses. After a thorough preparation in the seminary he entered Union college, while Dr. Eliphalet Nott was president, and graduated from that institution in 1860. For the next two years he was the principal of the Bacon seminary at Woodtown, N. J. In July, 1862, he gave up the school room for the tented field by enlisting in the Union army. In this action he was only true to his inheritance, MEMOIRS OF TILE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 337 nobly defending the institutions his grandfather had fought to establish. He was empowered to raise a company, which was afterward mustered in as part of the Twelfth New Jersey infantry, with him as second lieutenant. His natural talent for military affairs, and his strict adherence to duty, led to his rapid promotion through the rank of first lieutenant and captain to that of major. He served on the staff of Generals Alexander Haves and Nelson A. Miles and was in twenty-five of the greatest battles of the war. At Chancellorsville he was wounded three times; in the battle of the Wilderness he had h:s horse shot from tinder him, was twice wounded and captured. Soon after his capture he was introduced to Gen. Robert E. Lee on the field, and has a distinct recollection of his conversation with the famous Confederate commander. He was taken first to Lynchburg, then to Macon, Ga., where he was confined until the following July "on short rations." He was then taken to Savannah, and was one of the fifty officers sent from that city to Charleston and placed under the fire of the Federal guns that were shelling the city from Folly Island. Some weeks later he was confined, with other prisoners, in an open pen at Columbia, S. C., where, with scant food, no shelter. and ragged clothing, he was kept until November 28th, when he and another prisoner, Rev. John Scamahorn, managed to make their escape. Notwithstanding they were half starved and half naked they took to the woods, determined to intercept Sherman's army, then on its way to the sea. Traveling by night and concealing themselves by day, they succeeded in crossing the State of South Carolina and reached the Savannah river. There they procured a small boat, succeeded in eluding the Confederate guards and gunboats, and finally reached Savannah, which had in the meantime surrendered to Sherman. Thus, after tramping nearly fifteen hundred miles through the enemy's country, they found themselves once more under the protection of the old flag. Major Mattison was sent home to recuperate, and ordered to report to the army of the Potomac as soon as he was able for duty. Accordingly he joined that army about March 1, 1865. and was engaged in all the military operations about Richmond until the final surrender. Shortly after he was mustered out he entered the Albany law school and graduated in 1866 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He began practice in partnership with Hon. Marinus Fairchild at Salem, N. Y., but in February, 1868, came to Evansville. where he has ever since made his home. In the campaign of that year he took an active part, advocating the election of General Grant. In 1870 he was appointed county attorney. The following year a I-22 338 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY vacancy occurred in the office of prosecuting attorney in the Vanderburg county criminal court and he was appointed by Governor Baker to fill out the unexpired term. At the election in the fall of 1872 he was elected by the people to the same office for a full term of two years. Not long after the expiration of this term he was appointed register in bankruptcy by Chief Justice Waite of the United States supreme court, and held this position until the office was abolished by an act of Congress. In 1887 he was appointed city attorney of Evansville, and reappointed the following year. He retired from the office, however, before the expiration of his term, to become a member of the law firm of Mattison, Posey & Clark, later Mattison, Posey & Chappell. In 1896 he was elected judge of the Vanderburg circuit court for a term of six years, being the first Republican ever elected to that office. Upon retiring from the bench he again resumed the practice of his profession, and since February, 1903, has been the senior member of the firm of Mattison & Curry, with offices at 125 Upper Fourth street. Judge Mattison joined the Masonic fraternity at Troy, N. Y., in 1862. After coming to Evansville he transferred his membership to Reed Lodge, No. 316, and also acquired membership in the higher Masonic bodies of the city. He is a Past Master of Reed Lodge; Past High Priest of Evansville Chapter, No. 12, Royal Arch Masons; Past Illustrious Master of Simpson Council; and Past Eminent Commander of La Valette Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templars. Not long after coming to Evansville he became a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, and has taken an active interest in church and Sunday school work. In 1866 he was married to the daughter of Hon. Marinus Fairchild, his first law partner, and one daughter was born to the union. The wife died in 1873, and the daughter in 1892, aged twenty years. On Feb. 7, 1878, Judge Mattison was married to Miss Henrietta M. Bennett, of Evansville, formerly of Brooklyn, N. Y. Although past the age of threescore and ten years, he is still one of the active attorneys at the Evansville bar, with an honorable record both as a private counselor and a public official. ALBERT J. OTT, president of the Crescent Handle Works, of Evansville, Ind., was born at Tell City, Perry county, in that state, in the year 1870. His father, Conrad Ott, was for many years engaged in the planing mill business in Tell City, and died there in 1875. The son was reared in his native town and there received his primary education. At the age of seventeen years he entered the business MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 339 department of the Central Normal college, Danville, Ind., and graduated the following year. He then went to Indianapolis, where for the next thirteen years he was in the employ of the Vonnegut Hardware Company, one of the largest concerns of the kind in the state, in various responsible positions. While with the hardware company he learned the possibilities of the handle trade, and in 1901 established a factory at Washington, Ind. The business was soon removed to Evansville, where it has become one of the substantial manufacturing concerns of the city. The product embraces all sorts of handles for farming tools, shovels, etc., and elm hub blocks for wheels, the principal purchasers being the jobbing trade, tool and wheel manufacturers. The establishment has been "running on orders" almost ever since its organization four years ago. Since coming to Evansville he has identified himself with the progressive element of the city, and is a member of both the Manufacturers' and Business Men's associations. He is also a member of the Walnut Street Presbyterian church, and vice-president of the Men's club of the church. In 1891 Mr. Ott was united in marriage to Miss Anna L. Marsh, of Danville. She died in June, 1896, and subsequently he was married to her sister, Miss Victoria Marsh. GEORGE W. VARNER, M.D., one of the most popular and successful physicians and surgeons of Evansville, Ind., was born on a farm in Spencer county of that state, in the year 1862. After the acquisition of such an education as the common schools afforded he graduated from the National Normal university at Lebanon, O., and took up the profession of teacher. While engaged in teaching he devoted his leisure hours to the study of medicine, and in 1886 graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville with the highest honors of his class for general proficiency in his work. He also received the highest honors for the best work in anatomy, and was awarded two gold medals in token of these honors. He was also the recipient of the appointment as interne or house physician at the Louisville city hospital for one year, an honor much desired by the students because of the experience to be obtained. At the close of his year in this position he was appointed interne in the New York 340 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY Hospital for the Relief of Ruptured and Crippled Children, where he served for one year, gathering a fund of useful knowledge from his experience there. In r888 he took a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic school. Again in 1895 he took post-graduate courses in New York and Vienna and in the latter place took special courses in surgery and gynecology. This course has marked him as one of the most progressive physicians of the day, and has been an important factor in building up his magnificent practice. Doctor Varner located at Evansville in 1888, where he began the practice of his profession, establishing his office on the West Side, in which locality he has ever since remained, though his patients are to be found in all parts of the city. In the fifteen years that have elapsed since that time he has steadily grown in his profession until he is regarded as one of the most eminent physicians of Evansville, if not of Southern Indiana. Certain it is he is one of the busiest, his professional skill and services being called into demand almost night and day. In addition to his private practice he is surgeon to St. \Iary's hospital; visiting physician and surgeon to the Vanderburg county orphan home; medical examiner for the Royal Arcanum, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Knights of Honor, Woodmen of the World, Degree of Honor, and several of the old line life insurance companies. Doctor Varner is a member of the American and Indiana State Medical associations, the medical society of Vanderburg county, and has one of the most extensive libraries both literary and medical in Evansville. Outside of his profession, Doctor Varner is one of the progressive men of Evansville. He has taken an active part in municipal and county affairs and is one of the most influential citizens of the West Side. When the West Side bank was organized he was one of its most enthusiastic advocates, and has been vice president of the institution ever since it opened its doors for the transaction of business. As he is just in the prime of life, with studious habits and a laudable desire to excel in his profession, it is almost certain that his professional reputation will be greater in the years to come. The winning of honors, however, has never turned his head nor made him vain of his powers. His genial disposition and his natural sympathetic nature have been potent elements in building up his present lucrative business, and to his friends and patients he is always the same. Consequently his patrons have learned to love and trust him, and his brother practitioners have the highest regard, both for his personality and professional standing. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 341 CHARLES J. THUMAN, superintendent of the city water works, Evansville, Ind., was born in that city in 1861. He received his education in the public schools, and has passed his whole life in his native city. When he was sixteen years of age he went into the Mechanics' foundry, in which his father was one of the partners, and there learned the art of fashioning iron. From the foundry he went into the machine shop and learned the trade of machinist, becoming a skillful mechanic. He next went into the Bernardin bottle cap works and took charge of the mechanical department, remaining with the concern for eleven years. When Mayor Covert came into office he appointed Mr. Thuman to the position of water works superintendent, which the has filled with signal ability ever since. The water works plant in Evansville is the property of the city. At the time Mr. Thuman took charge of it the equipment was new, and under his control nothing about the place has been allowed to go to decay for want of proper care. The polished portions of the machinery are always kept bright, the floors are always clean, driveways bordered with flowers encircle the building, an artificial lake, stocked with goldfish, all contribute to the comfort of the employes and add to the attractiveness of the place. Speaking of this recently Mr. Thuman said: "I enjoy these pretty things. They do not cost much, entail very little labor to maintain; an order tomorrow to do away with them would meet with a protest, loud and strong, from the men who work with me. These clean rooms, pretty driveways, flowers, fish and the like have a most refining influence on the men. They like to work among them, and the people like to come out here to be with us and enjoy our surroundings." The works stand upon an elevation, from which a fine view of the beautiful Ohio river and the surrounding country can be obtained, and many people visit the place for that purpose. The water works plant of Evansville is one of the model institutions of its kind in the country. The men who operate it are paid good wages and take a pride in their work. Under the efficient superintendence of Mr. Thuman it has been brought as near to a state of perfection as possible, and the revenue derived by the city from it annually amounts to about forty thousand dollars. Mr. Thuman has recently built a new home on the 342 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY site of the old John H. Roelker homestead on Mary street. Into this home he has carried his artistic inclinations, and few homes in the city are more cozy or attractive. In politics Mr. Thuman is a Republican but in his official capacity he realizes that he is a servant of the whole population of the city. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) and the Buffaloes, in all of which he enjoys a well deserved popularity, because of his genial disposition. SAMUEL W. LITTLE, treasurer and general manager of the Little Coal & Coke Company, Evansville, Ind., was born in the State of South Carolina, May 17, 1832. When he was about three years of age his parents removed to Indiana andf settled on a farm in Monroe county. There the subject of this sketch grew to manhood and engaged in farming until 1853, when he went to Iowa. After three years in that state he returned to Indiana and located at Evansville, where he was employed in the old Canal Flour Mills until the commencement of the war. He enlisted in the Union army as a sailor in the Mississippi flotilla, but after his return to Evansville began the manufacture of staves and shingles and in operating a cooper shop. He succeeded well in this line of business and in 1871 engaged in the lumber business, with which he was actively identified for a number of years. He was the first to introduce the band-saw for manufacturing lumber, and continued in the lumber business until August 1888, when his mill was destroyed by fire. In the fall of that same year he opened a coal mine on a piece of land in Pike county, Ind., which he had bought for the timber. After running the coal business alone for several years, the S. W. Little Coal Company was organized, of which Mr. Little is principal owner and general manager. This company has a large acreage of coal lands, a large stock farm and is also engaged in mercantile business. For several years Mr. Little has been in his present position, the company with which he is connected being one of the largest dealers in coal and coke in the city of Evansville. He is one of the most public-spirited men in the city and is always ready to join in any movement for promoting the industrial and commercial interests of Evansville, MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 343 or for improving the social and moral conditions of the people. He was married in 1870 to Miss Mary E. Macer, daughter of Thomas Macer, of Evansville, and they have two sons, Charles S. and Harry W., both of whom are graduates of Wabash college of Crawfordsville, and Johns Hopkins Medical school at Baltimore. The elder is practicing his profession in Indianapolis and the younger is at present in business with his father. Mr. Little and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. EDWIN C. HENNING, a brilliant and successful lawyer of Evansville, Ind., is a native Indianian, having been born at Cannelton, Perry county, Jan. 20, 1873. He is a son of Judge William Henning, who in his day was one of the best attorneys in Southern Indiana. Edwin C. Henning received his early education in the public schools of his native city, reading law in the office of his father as opportunity offered. After graduating from the high school he entered the University of Michigan, and was graduated from that institution in both law and literature in June, 1894. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Cannelton, and was soon honored by anelection to the office of prosecuting attorney of the second judicial circuit, embracing the counties of Perry, Spencer and Warrick. While serving in this office he made a splendid reputation as a capable and painstaking official, and won marked distinction by his successful prosecutions of offenders against the law. On March 1, 1900, he opened an office at 321 Upper Third street, Evansville, where he is still engaged in practice. Mr. Henning makes a specialty of insurance and corporation practice, though he attends to all lines of legal business and has a large and constantly growing clientage. As a criminal lawyer he won a wide reputation by his defense of Wilbur Sherwell, charged with the murder of three women, and by his association with the defense in the trial of Caleb Powers, charged with complicity in the killing of Gov. William Goebel, of Kentucky. As a counselor Mr. Henning is considered one of the safest in the city, for the reason that he never hazards an opinion offhand, unless he is absolutely certain he is right. As an advocate few men of his age and experience can claim to be his equals. He is a polished and eloquent speaker, but at the same time his oratory is forceful and earnest, and rarely fails to impress a jury. Industrious, studious, and filled with a laudable ambition to excel in his profession, the future doubtless holds greater honors in store for him. 344 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY CAPT. CHARLES H. MYERHOFF, secretary and treasurer of the Evansville Stove Works, Evansville, Ind., was born in the city of Cincinnati, O., March 10, 1842. When he was about six years old his mother died and from that time until he was fourteen he lived with an uncle and a lawyer named Cummings in Jackson county, Ind. In 1856 he went to live with his father, who had married again in the meantime, but two years later the father also died and young Myerhoff found employment with a gardener near Newport, hy. He worked there but a short time, however, when he went to live with a sister at Grand View, Ind., where he worked on a farm until 1859. In that year he made a trip to Vicksburg, Miss., and being fond of adventure soon afterward started out with three companions in a sailboat to see the world and to find employment at such occupations as presented themselves. This experiment soon taught him the truth of the old saying, "A rolling stone gathers no moss," for after several hardships he returned to Evansville with all his worldly possessions tied up in a bandanna. At that time his brother, John H., was foreman for the Armstrong Furniture Company, and here he found employment until the commencement of the great Civil war. Not long after the commencement of hostilities he attended a meeting in the old Crescent City hall, when the first two companies of home guards were organized. He enrolled his name as a member of General Blythe's company, but when the announcement was made that Dr. Noah S. Thompson had been commissioned to organize a company of volunteers to go to Washington, D. C., in defense of the national capital he arose, withdrew his name from the muster roll of the home guards, and a few minutes later presented himself to Dr. Thompson and requested that his name be enrolled as one of the volunteers. At first his request was denied, because of his youth and delicate physique, but he persisted and upon examination was found so familiar with military tactics that the objections were withdrawn and he was the first man accepted in the first company that left Evansville for the war. While the company was being drilled in Klausman's hall he was detailed to guard the front entrance, and there his general bearing and strict adherence to orders made a deep impression, both on the boys of the city, who were thus denied the privilege MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 345 of seeing the soldiers drill, and his superior officers. The company was mustered into the service as Company E, Fourteenth Indiana infantry, and Captain Myerhoff has the distinction of being the first man to enlist in the first company that left the city. He participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, except what time he was in prison or on duty as a recruiting officer; was appointed corporal; promoted to sergeant at Cheat Mountain; to orderly sergeant, on Oct. 1, 1862; and to first lieutenant on May 7, 1863. About this time he was sent back to Evansville on recruiting service, but was in command of the company in the famous charge of Carroll's brigade, on East Cemetery hill at Gettysburg. Subsequently he was in command of Company H at the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River and Cold Harbor, where he was severely Wounded in a lunette, between the lines. Some idea of the fighting in which his command took part may be obtained when it is known that of the twenty-three men of his company with whom he started on May 4, only two were left on duty when the regiment's term of service expired on June 7, 1864. Captain Myerhoff was at that time in the hospital on account of the worn ds received at Cold Harbor. While in the hospital he brought about some much needed reforms and won the thanks of the patients. When he was discharged he came to Evansville and was for a short time interested in a sawmill in Spencer county, but not yet having fully recovered from the effects of his wounds he gave it up and re-entered the service in the employ of Philip Decker, the sutler of the Tenth Tennessee infantry, at Nashville. On his way to Nashville to accept this position he was arrested three times, but was soon released each time. Soon, after joining the regiment it moved to Knoxville and then to Greenville, where Captain Myerhoff slept for several months upon the tailor's table formerly used by Andrew Johnson. When the war closed he again returned to Evansville, took a course in bookkeeping in Behm's Commercial college, and entered the employ of Keller & White as bookkeeper. About a year later he vent to the well known hardware firm of Boetticher, Kellogg & Co., in the same capacity, and remained with this house for nearly twenty-one years. While with them he was secretary of the Evansville Union Stock Yards. In 1888 he became interested in the Evansville Stove Works as secretary and treasurer, and has been treasurer of the associated charities of the city since organization. As a drill master Captain Myerhoff has few equals, and it was in this connection that his name became widely known. For three successive terms he was captain of the Evansville Light Guards. 346 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY During the same period he was also Sir Knight commander of the Orion drill corps, Knights of Pythias, and so thorough was his work with this organization that it won three prizes in competitive drill, and he was awarded a gold medal as the best commander at St. Louis in August, 1880. In political campaigns his companies, such as the "Red Shirts" and "Zouaves," always attracted favorable notice. He has frequently been called upon to act as grand marshal in political and Memorial Day processions, also on Dewey Day and the return of the volunteers from the Spanish-American war. He was on the staff of National Commanders Kountz, Fairchild, Walker and Black-mar, of the Grand Army of the Republic; and also on the staff of several of the commanders of the department of Indiana. Besides being a staff officer he was also a member of the national council of administration, and has frequently been district delegate to national encampments. He was the second commander of Farragut Post, in which he holds his Grand Army membership. Captain Myerhoff was married in 1867 to Miss Jennie, daughter of Alexander Sharra, of Evansville. CHARLES H. DAVIES, senior member of the firm of Davies & Scarborough, contractors and builders, Evansville, Ind., was born in the city of Chester, England, in 1861. He is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Fellows) Davies, both natives of England, where the Davies family has been for generations one of the highly respected families of Great Britain. Charles H. Davies was reared and educated in his native land. In 1883 he came to the United States, and two years later located in Evansville, where he found ready employment a'. his trade of bricklayer. After two or three years he formed a partnership with James Scarborough, a fellow-countryman, for the purpose of carrying on a general contracting business. The firm of Davies & Scarborough soon began to make itself felt in the building trades of Evansville, and today no concern of its kind has a higher standing in the city. This is due to the square dealing that has always characterized the individual members of it, and to the prompt manner and skillful workmanship displayed in executing their contracts. Some of the most pretentious buildings in the city have been erected MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 347 by them and each time a contract is finished the owner of the building becomes an advertisement for the firm. On Dec. 21, 1887, Mr. Davies was united in marriage to Miss Ada, daughter of George Tolf, a native of Germany, but for a number of years a resident of Evansville. JAMES SCARBOROUGH, of the firm of Davies & Scarborough, contractors and builders. Evansville, id., is a native of Huntingdonshire, England. When he was about eleven years of age he came with his parents to America, and after two months in the city of Cleveland, O., the family located in Evansville, where Mr. Scarborough has ever since continued to reside. He received his education in the public schools and for several years after leaving school followed the business of teaming. In 1875 he went into the Evansville fire department as driver of the No. 6 hose wagon, and was afterward captain of the company. In the meantime he learned the trade of bricklayer, and upon leaving the fire department went to work at this occupation. He was elected president of the bricklayers' union, and represented the Fvansville union in the national conventions of Washington and Boston. About 1889 he formed a partnership with C. H. Davies and J. Oakley for the purpose of carring on a general contracting business, and during the last fifteen years a number of the substantial edifices of Evansville have been erected by th;s firm, which has won a well deserved reputation for honest work and promptness in executing contracts. Mr. Scarborough has been honored with the presidency of the Evansville Builders' and Traders' Exchange, and was for six years a member of the board of public works of the city of Evansville. He is a nveniber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a deacon in the Calvary Baptist church. He was married in 1877 to Miss Anna R.. daughter of Alexander Tiepman, a veteran of the Civil war and an old resident of Evansville. Mrs. Scarborough died in March, 1904, leaving four children : Ella, wife of J. T. Cadick, of Evansville; Charles Silas, associated with his father in business, and a member of the bricklayers' union ; May Viola, and Artie James. 348 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY WILLIAM G. RALSTON, M.D., of Evansville, Ind., is one of the oldest physicians in that section of the state. His grandfather, William Ralston, was a soldier under Washington in the Revolution, and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. He afterward served with distinction in the war of 1812. His son, Andrew R., father of Dr. Ralston, also served in the American army during that war, enlisting when he was but eighteen years of age. In 1818 Andrew R. Ralston was married to Miss Patsy, daughter of Maj. Joseph Neely, of Kentucky. Her father was a major in one of the Continental regiments during the Revolutionary war, and was also present at the siege and surrender of Yorktown. Soon after their marriage Andrew and Patsy Ralston settled at Princeton, Gibson county, Ind., and there Dr. Ralston was born in February, 1819. His early life was spent upon his father's farm, assisting in the farm work in the summer tme and attending the imperfect district schools in the old log school house during the winter months. In this way he received his elementary education, and in 1840 taught school for one term. In 1841 he went to Posey county and took up the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Joseph Neely, one of the popular physicians of that period. Here he studied for four years, at the end of which time he located at Boonville, Warrick county, and there practiced his profession until 1863. He then attended a course of lectures in the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, and subsequently graduated from the medical college of Evansville. At the beginning of the Civil war Dr. Ralston was appointed surgeon of the Eighty-first Indiana infantry by Governor Morton, and served about a year with his regiment in the army of the Cumberland. He was then appointed by the secretary of war to the position of surgeon to the board of enrollment of the First congressional district of Indiana, and in that capacity examined something like ten thousand volunteers, conscripts and substitutes. He remained in this position until April 14, 1865, when he located at Evansville and resumed private practice. For four years he was surgeon of the United States Marine hospital at Evansville, and he has been for a number of years one of the board of pension examiners. Dr. Ralston. although more than fourscore years of age. is a man of remarkable MEMOIRS OP THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 349 energy. While engaged in the active practice of medicine he has found time to devote to scientific research, and is the inventor of the Ralston bed-warmer, a device for producing the comforts of a warm bed at nominal cost. As a sick room appliance and sanitary help it is one of the most important of the simple inventions of recent years. For more than sixty years Dr. Ralston has been an active and helpful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and he is one of the veteran members of Crescent Lodge, No. 22, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 185o he was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle, daughter of R. C. Matthewson, and after thirty-two years of happy wedded life she joined the silent majority in 1882. SAMUEL G. RICKWOOD, of the firm of Lannert & Rickwood, general contractors in stone work, Evansville, Ind., also president of the Evansville Builders' Exchange and secretary of the Manufacturers' Association, is a native of England. When he was about nine months old his parents came to America and settled in Evansville, where both died when he was about two years old. Samuel grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools. Upon leaving school in the fifteenth year of his age he went into the monumental works of Stahlhefer & Nightingale, and there served an apprenticeship, continuing with this firm five years. He was then for three years with H. H. Uhlborn in the same line of work. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Adam Lannert for the manufacture of all kinds of building stone work, plain and ornamental. That partnership has continued ever since, and the firm is one of the best known in the entire Lower Ohio Valley, as their business extends into several states. Their success is clue to their fair dealing and skilful workmanship, and their best advertisement is the recommendation of those for whom they have done work. Mr. Rickwood is a member of the Court of Honor, and the Tribe of Ben Hur, also a member of the Park Memorial Presbyterian church, of which he is treasurer and one of the board of elders. He is also superintendent of the Sunday school; is a director in the Young Men's Christian Association, and one of the trustees of the Deaconess' hospital. Mr. Rickwood was married in 1880 to Miss Louise Alt, daughter of John