Vanderburgh County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (3 of 6 so headed), 1889

Biographical sketches

highly recommended for its medical properties and drew many patients who profited by its use. The park is located at the west end of Maryland street along the banks of Pigeon creek, contains several acres of land, and in natural appearance is very beautiful.

Maj. Joseph B. Co.x, a distinguished soldier, and long a prominent citizen of this countv, is at present surveyor of United States customs for the Evansville, Ind., district, which includes the south half of Indiana, the southeastern part of Illinois, and the northwestern part of Kentucky, with head- (]uarters at Evansville. The histor\- of his famil}- is an epitome of the history of the county. For scarcely had the Indian title to the lands in this locality been extinguished before his pioneer ancestors made their way into the territory. It was in 1809 that the}- came, crossing the river at the present site of Evansville, and temporarily lodging in a cabin which they found in the very heart of a dense forest, not far from the bank of the river near the present corner of Vine and Water streets. These were his maternal ancestors who came from Kentuck}', where his mother was born in 1805. Her name was Francis M. Miller; she was the daughter of George and Elizabeth Miller, pioneers whose careers have been outlined in connection with the earlv liistorv of Perrv township. Mrs. Cox, afterward Mrs. David Ste]-)hens, died in October, 1886, after a resdence in Perrv township of sevent3--seven years. James Cox, the father of Joseph B., was a native of Pennsylvania, born in iSoo, and died in this county in 1S34. He came to \'anderburgli county in 1S18, with a brother, Joseph, and engaged for a time as a pioneer farmer. He and his brother were potters by trade, and later were occupied in that branch of industry. When steamboats began to ply the river, using wood for fuel, they established a wood-yard near the present site of the Ingle coal mines, and accumulated some money in that business. Maj. Joseph B. Cox was born in what is now Perry township, this county, a few miles west of Evansville, on the 8th day of September, 1S30. He was the fourth of five children - two sons and three daughters. His boyhood was spent on the farm and his early mental training was obtained in the public schools of the countv. At the age of fourteen years he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to pursue his studies, and spent three years in the schools of that city. At the end of that period he spent one term at St. Xavier's college, and then entered Bacon's commercial college, both institutions being at Cincinnati. After his graduation from the commercial college he was occupied for eight years as clerk on various steamboats, plying between Cincinnati and New Orleans. In 1859, he entered the sheriff's office of Vanderburgh county, as deputy for John S. Gavitt, and upon the enlistment of the sheriff in the First Regiment Indiana Cavalrv, nine months before the expiration of his term, he was appointed to fill the vacancy thus occasioned. The war for the suppression of the rebellion and the preservation of the union, was now in progress. In the fall of 1S61, Maj. Cox raised a company which afterward became Company F, of the Sixtieth Indiana Infantry, and upon its organization he was selected as its captain. He served in that rank until the 27th day of May, 1862, when he was elected major of the regiment, serving as such until November 30 following, when his resignation was tendered because of ill health, and accepted. Returning to Evansville, he entered the county treasurer's office and served as deputy for two years. Thereafter he was occupied with his private affairs for many years and was not in public life. In 1880, he became deputy sheriff under Thomas Kerth, and remained with him for four years. On August 7, 1886, he was appointed by President Cleveland, surveyor of customs for the term of four vears, which position he now holds, discharging its duties in an able and satisfactory manner. From earlj' manhood to the present time he has been interested chiefly in agricultural pursuits. He owns lands extensively in Vanderburgh, Gibson and Pose}' counties, and in tlieir cultivation follows the best methods known to the practical farmer. Maj. Cox possesses in a marked degree the attributes of genuine manhood. Honest purposes and laudable conduct have marked his career. His sympathetic nature, the gentleness of his disposition, and the worth of his character have won for him the admiration and respect of all his neighbors. In April, 1863, he was married to Amanda W. Syrkees, who was born in Vanderburgh count}- in 1S33, and died in 1868, leaving one son, David A., who is an alumnus of the State University, Bloomington, Ind. Maj. Cox was married a second time in 1870, when Martha J. Angel, a native of Vanderburgh county, became his wife. To this union two sons have been born; Robert M., and Joseph B. Mrs. Cox is a member of the General Baptist church.

Captain James W. Wartman, since 1871 deputy clerk of the United States court at Evansville, was born in Lewisburg, Greenbrier county, Virginia, Februar\- 7) 1^32. His youth was spent in Cincinnati, where he attended and was a graduate of the famous "Woodward High School." He was engaged in business at Cincinnati for several years after his graduation, and then removed to Spencer county, Indiana, and began the study of law with Hon. L. Q. DeBruler. He practiced first at Rockport. In 1864 he was appointed provost marshal of the First district of Indiana, with headquarters at Evansville. After some service in that capacity he resigned and was appointed a commissioner of the board of enrollment for the First district. During his service the drafts of 1864 and 1S65 occurred, and important and delicate duties devolved upon Capt. Wartman, which he performed to the general satisfaction. At the close of the war he returned to Rockport, and resumed the practice of law in partnership with Hon. Thomas F. DeBruler. In Julv, 1871, he was appointed deputy clerk of the United States court at Evansville, and at once entered upon the discharge of his duties. In September, 1S71, he was appointed United States commissioner, and acceptablv discharges the duties of that position. Mr. Wartman has taken much interest in the common school system and served several vears as president of the school board at Rockport. He is also deeplv interested in Sundav- school work, and has en<rafred with much zeal in this direction.

James W. Lauer, postmaster at Evansville, was born in that portion of this city known as Lamasco, November 24, 184 1. His father. Rev. H. W. Lauer, several vears later, located on a farm near the west end of the city, where he died in 1850. Here the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, doing all kinds of general farm work, and receiving a common school education, supplemented by a valuable training in the practical school of experience. During the four vears immediately following the attainment of his majority, he was employed as clerk in the Washington House, a popular hostelrv at that time. In partnershiii with Mr. Christian Hedderich, he then embarked in the grocery business, and after a time disposed of his interest. From 1S66 to 1870, he served as deputy treasurer of the county. He then accepted a position in the People's Savini;s Bank, an institution, which, as a cliarter member, he had been instrumeiUal in establishing. Later he was variously engaged in mercantile pursuits. July 30, 1S85, he was appointed postmaster at Evansyille by President Cleyeland, and the appointment was conlirmed by the United States senate June 7, 1886. As a democrat he has been a zealous worker for for the interest of his party, but has in no way prostituted his otticial position to subserve party ends. lousiness principles were adopted at the outset for the conduct of the office and have been carefully followed throughout, with sci'upulous regard for the iiood of the service, and the same is universally acknowledged. In 1868, September 15, he united in marriage with INIiss Letitia Staser, daughter of the late John C. Staser. They have one child, a son, Henry Clinton, born March i, 1871. Mr. Lauer and family adopt the Presb3'terian faitli. The former joined Crescent Lodge No. 122, 1. O. O. F., in 1863, and in 1883, the Masonic fraternity, and has attained the degree of Knight Templar in Iva\-alette Commandery No. 15- John H. Dannettijll, one of Evansville's most distinguished citizens, was born December 14, 1843, at Covington, Ky. He received his education in the public schools of Evansyille, and, at the age of twelve years, was conlirmed in St. John's church. As a boy he earl\- looked out for himself, and served as an advertiser one year with Dr. John T. White, a traveling physician. Afterward he was employed by the wholesale clothing tirm of Anspacher & Plant as porter, remaining with theiu for eighteen months. His next engagement was with Christian Hedderich, the proprietor of the Washington Hotel. The war of the rebellion broke out about this time in his career, and he went on the steamer Faniiic

Bi/llos, in government service, and remained upon the river during the war. He then was engaged as book-keeper for the Indiana Steam Flouring Mills, and remained with that establishment until it closed in 1865. He then became interested in the hat business, which he followed for a considerable number of years. His first experience was in the emplo\' of V'autier & Marconnier, and in 1869 he opened a hat store, the establishment being first known as Dannettell & Duehme, but his partner died a \'ear later and Mr. Dannettell took entire control of the business, and successfully conducted it. In 1879 John C. Fares became a partner in the business, and, four years later, Mr. Dannettell sold out his interest to his partner, and became agent of the New York Life Insurance Company, and in this has been remarkably successful. In 18S3 Mr. Dannettell was nominated by the republicans for mayor, but suffered defeat by Mayor T. C. Bridwell by 409 votes. The following year he was elected as councilman from the Fifth ward, and two years afterward was elected mayor of the city by a majority of 698 votes over his opponent, William Rahm, jr., at the time state senator. In that honored capacity Mr. Dannettell was still serving at the time of the compilation of this work. He was married in 1872 to Miss Mary C. Burrer, who was born at Newport, Ky., in 1S50. They are the parents of seven children, of whom live siu-\i\e. The family are members of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Dannettell has a membership with several fraternities. For twenty-four years he has been athliated witli Crescent City lodge. No. 122, I. O. O. F., and is also a member of Orion lodge, 35, K. P., Red Cloud lodge, Knights of Honor, Lone Star lodge, A. O. U.W., the Royal Arcanum, the Deutsche Unterstulzungsverein.

Federal And Mvxicipal

George N. Wells, city treasurer of Evansville, was born in Indianapolis October 19, 1844, being the oldest son of William F. and Mary J. (Kelly) Wells, of English descent, natives of Kentucky. His father was a lumber merchant of Indianapolis in 1845, where he now lives at the advanced age of 79 years, having retired from business because of his age and a loss of sight. After receiving; a <jood common school education Mr. Wells pursued a course of stud}' at the Northwestern Christian University and graduated with the degree of B. S. from that institution when he was twentvone years of age. He then took up the study of telegraphv. and for a time was engaged as a school teacher. Later he turned his attention to book-keeping and by careful study and practical experience fitted himself as a teacher of that branch. He was then connected with commercial schools in Indianapolis, Ind., Philadelphia, Pa., and Madison, Ind. Coming to Evansville in 1867 he established a commercial college here, which soon attained a high rank among institutions of that kind throughout the countr\'. Disposing of his interests in the college he entered the service of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad Company and for ten years acted as a local freight agent. In 1884 he was appointed assistant postmaster in this city, from which position he was removed for political reasons bv President Cleveland's administration. In 1887 he was elected citv treasurer as the candidate of the republican party. Efficient, trustworthy and always courteous, he is an acceptable and popular officer. He is a member of the F. & A. M., G. A. R., and A. O. U. W. fraternities, and has attained a high standing in each of them, being past master, past high priest and past eminent commander of Lavalette Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar. This brief outhne of his civil career, though honorable in all its parts, does not adequateU' mirror the character of the man. It is supplemented by a bright military record. He went to the front with the first troops offered to the nation b\' Indiana. Enlisting in Co. H, Ele\-enth Indiana \"olunteers, he served with that company until its muster-out Sometime later, he enlisted in Co. E, Seventieth Indiana Volunteers, and upon the organization of his compan}- he was elected to a lieutenancy. He was detached and placed on staff dut-s' with the Twentv-first Arni}- Corps. Later he was stationed at Nash\-ille, Tenn., as chief clerk in the quartermaster's department, in which positton he remained until the close of his service. He was in the fights at Chickamauga. Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain and Stone River, where he received a disabling wound. His service was honorable throughout. September 20, 1860, he was married to Miss Emma Steel, a native of this city, daughter of James and Marv Steel, a well-known citizen. But one child, Cora, has been born to this union, who graduated with high honors in the Evansville, Ind., high school, on June 15, 1888. Her commenceiiient essav attracted especial praise among a number of unusually creditable productions. A current publication gave the essay in full, saying of it that it had a special charm because of its very graceful and broad treatment of an attractive and unique theme.

John J. Marlett, representative of a distinguished pioneer family, was born in the village of Evansville, June 14, 1841. His paternal grand-parents Henry and Jerusha (Potter) Marlett were natives of England, who in early days emigrated to Brooks county, Va., where they were numbered among the most valuable pioneer citizens of that locality. Their children, four in number and bearing- the iiaines Gilbert, Mary, John J., and Caroline, are now dead. The third of these was wellknown in this cit\- as an active business man of tine character and sterlinij worth. IJorn in New York state, January 28th, 1805, he early removed to Athens, Ohio, where in 1829, he married Miss Martha Jane Starr, a native of Middletown, Conn., and ^a descendant of one of the best families of the state. Coming to Evansville in 1837, he at once embarked in business and for many years was identified with the growth of the city, occupying a prominent place among the active merchants of his day, doing much to build up and de\elop the city, and holding several offices of trust and honor. He enjoyed in a high degree the respect and confidence of the community. His death occurred May 20th, 1876, in the seventysecond 3'ear of his age. His industry and business sagacity enabled him to accumulate a valuable property. Mrs. Marlett, much respected, remains a resident of tlie citv, and is now 78 years of age. Their children were nine in number, four of \vhom are living; Mar\' J., Joanna A. (now Mrs. Sherwood), John J., and Mortimer S., all residents of this city, save the last named, who is a successful traveling salesman. The immediate subject of this mention passed his boyhood in this citv attending school and rendering such assistance to his father as his age permitted. He twice enlisted in the unioii armw but at tiie earnest solicitations of his mother was not mustered. Since attaining his majority he has been connected with the busmess interests of the city, principally as a real estate agent and dealer. He has served two terms as cit\' treasurer and one term as cit}- assessor. His record as a public officer is clean and honorable. Possessing the qualities of true manliness he attracts many friends and is deservedly popular. January 8, 1873, he was married to Anna M. Bartlett of South Bend, Ind., a daughter of Josiah Bartlett and direct descendant of a signer of the Declaration of American Independence. Of this union six children have been born, three of whom are living; Bessie Starr, Fannie Bartlett, and Alice Louise. Mr. Marlett is a charter member of Eagle lodge, I. O. O. F. and for twenty-rive years has been prominent in the order, having passed through all the chairs. In politics he affiliates with the republican party. He and his wife are members of Grace Presbyterian Church.

Marcus C. McCutcman, city sur\eyor, was born in McCutchanville, this county, June 5th, 1845. His father, Alexander McCutchan, was a native of New York state, and when a boy came to Indiana with his parents. He estal:)lished the first lum ber yard in Evansx'ille and became wealthy. He was self educated, but fond of literature, especially of Roman history. He attained prominence in the cit\', held offices of trust and honor, and died in 1S45. His wife, whose maiden name was Annie Atchison, belonged to a prominent family of that period, was highly respected and survived her husband but six years. Being thus left an orphan in infancy, Marcus was taken into the family of his uncle Thomas McCutchan. Here he was dissatisfied, and at the early age of thirteen years went out into the world to battle for himself. He rirst went to Chicago, Ills., thence to New Orleans, La., j where he obtained employment as baggage- I master on the Mississippi Central railroad. While so employed, the war of the rebellion was begun and when the confederacy ordered the impressment of all able-bodied white men between the ages of thirteen and fifty, he enlisted in Company H, Twentyse\enth Tennessee Infantry, the colonel of that regiment, C. H. Williams, being then president of the Memphis & Charleston railroad. In his heart this 3'oung soldier was loyal to his country, but he rendered asainst his wishes, a service of sixteen months in the army of the south. At Shiloh he was wounded in the head and thigh, but not seriousl}'. He marched with his company to Corinth, was in the siege at that place, and in the tight at Farmington. His wounds had now become so irritable that he was sent to hospital. From here he was sent to Granada, by Major Anderson, who little suspected his intention of deserting the colors which he had been forced to support and from this place he made his escape to the union Hues, walking 140 miles to Memphis, that cit}' then being held by the northern forces. Here he took the oath of allegiance to the union and came back to the home of his childhood, reaching Evansville in the fall of 1862. In the following February he enlisted in Colonel Wilder's Seventeenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, and served faithfully until the close of the war, being honorably discharged at Indianapolis in August, 1865. He was in all the battles participated in by the gallant command to which he belonged, and rendered heroic service. Returning to Evansville, he spent some time in school and for several years thereafter was engaged as a teacher. At length he went back to railroading, being in the emplo}' of the Straight Line, Pensacola & Atlantic, various branches of the L. & N., and serving as a contractor, surveyor and superintendent of construction on the new Ohio V^alley road. April 7, 1SS7, he was elected on the republican ticket, to his present office. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. In June, 1869, he was married to Miss Amelia Voigt, a native of Germany, daughter of August and Julia (Cotton) Voigt, an estimable lady who died in j88i, leaving five children;

Adolpii Goeke, police commissioner, was born in Prussia, September 16, 1839, being the youngest of six children, born to Henry and Frederica (Brinkmeyer) Goeke, natives of Prussia, who emigrated to this countrv in 1848, and died in Evansville in 1873 and 1863, respectively. The family was well known as industrious German pioneers. During his boyhood, Adolph attended the public schools of the city, and in iS6!5 began the grocery business and has continued the same ever since. Later he combined with this the commission and grain business, and by the exercise of econoni}- and good judgment, has succeeded in possessing himself of a large quantity of real estate and a comfortable home. Politically he is a republican, having been faithful to that party ever since casting his first vote, which was for Abraham Lincoln for president. In 1886 he was appointed police commissioner by Gavernor Gray, and has discharged the trs'ing duties of his office with entire satisfaction to the public. He and his wife are members of the German Protestant church. His marriage occurred April 7, 1863, to Frederica Althida, who was bjrn in Prussia in 1846. To this union five children have bsen born: Edward F., Adolph W., Lida, Anna, and Harry. Adolph Goeke began life widi no possessions but a sound body, a good character, and a strong will. He has overcome many obstacles and won success. The lesson of his life ma}' be studied with profit by the young and ambitious.

Christopher J. Murphy, United States Inspector of Hulls, of the Evansville district, and a prominent citizen of the city, is a native of Dublin, Ireland, born June 19, 1844, the third of four children - three daughters and one son - born to Michael ami Ann (McDonald) Murphy. His parcnl.s were natives of Ireland, where the father was born in iSi6 and the mother in 1820. 'I'hey eniii^rated to America about 184S, and landed at New York. A short time afterward they removed to Rome, N. ^^, and thence in 1850, to Madison, Ind., near which place, in Jefferson count}', they settled on a farm. The mother died in 185 1, but the lather survived her until 1880. After the death of his mother, Mr. Murphy's early life was spent in various places. lie was educated in the Catholic schools, and before the age of seventeen years, in May, 1861, enlisted in the service of the United States, at Madison, Ind., joining Company D, of the Thirteenth Indiana \'^olunteer Infantry. He was with his command until July, 1864, when he w as mustered out at Indianapolis, having been in active and continuous ser\ice from his enlistment, in Shield's di\'ision of the Army of Virginia, Gilmore's dixision in South Carolina, and Butler's corps up James river. He was in the battles of Green Brier, Winchester, and the sieges of vSuffolk and of Ciiarleston. At the latter siege was the heaviest cannonading of the war - the old line-of-battle ship Ironsides, seven monitors, a large mortar fleet, over two hundred siege pieces, and the 100 to 300-pounders on Morris Island, all at one time directing their rire against Forts Sumter, Gregg, Wagner, Moultrie, Johnson, and the city of Charleston; and the rebel fortifications vigorously returning the tire. He was at Harrison's Landing after the seven days fight; was in some of the hard fighting in front of Petersburg, Va., in Foster's farm charge, and in various skirmishes and fatiguing marches through West Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and North and South Carolinas. He returned to Evansville in 1864, and was then the victim of fevers and ill-health for over a year, although in camp he had enjoyed excellent health. On recovering health, he served as a licensed engineer on various steamers running out of Evansville. Leaving the river in 1S73, he entered the employ of the Evansville Cotton Mills, where he became assistant foreman, and upon the establishment of Hermann's lumber manufactory in 1879, he was made superintending engineer of that concern. After three years, he took the position of superintendent of the Electric Light Co., starting the first plant of the company. The following vear he became interested in the Evans\-ille Pump Co., as a stockholder and director, and was elected secretary and treasurer. In 1884 he was nominated by the Vanderburgh county democrats for representative in the assembly, and was elected after a hotly contested campaign by the close majoritv of thirty-three votes, over John H. Roelker, one of the leading German republicans of the city. At the same time the candidates for county office on the same ticket were defeated by large majorities, thus demonstrating Mr. Murphy's popularity and strength. He served through the session of 1885, with credit to himself and party. On March 13, 18S6, he was appointed by President Cleveland, inspector of hulls, a position he has since held, discharging the duties of his trust with fidelity and marked ability. Mr. Murphy is a member of Farragut Post, No. 27, G. A. R., and is now the post commander. In 1879, he organized a branch. No. 46, of the Catholic Knights of America, that being the first branch organization in the city. For this order he has served three times as president, and represented the order in state and national councils. He also organized Camp Farragut, No. 117, Sons of Veterans. In reliirion he and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is now treasurer of the Church of the Assumption. Mr. Murph\- was married in 1S70 to Miss Maggie Mclnern}', who was born in Evansville, January II, 1852, daughter of M. C. Mclnerny, one of the early settlers of Evansville. To this union two sons and two daughters have been born: Anna, born March i, 1872; Charles, born October 7, 1874; Mamie, born August 14, 1S77; Christopher, born August 9, 1 88 1.

JohnH. Moork, United States Inspector of Boilers for the Evansville district, is a native of Kentucky, born in Louisville, February 14, 1838. He is the third of live children born to Joseph and Mary (McHenry) Moore. His father was an early settler in Kentucky, and removed thence to New Orleans, where he was enjratred in business, until burned out during the large and disastrous conflagration which visited that city during the thirties. From New Orleans he removed to Ohio, where he was in business for ten or twelve years, afterward going to Virginia, where he was in trade until his death, which occurred in 1852. His mother was a native of Virginia, and was the daughter of John McHenry. Her death occurred at Wheehng, W. Va. At the latter city John H. Moore spent most of his youth, and there gained his education in the public schools. At the age of nineteen he was apprenticed to a machinist at Wheeling, and after three years he came west on the steamer, " Charles C. Hillman," upon which he had placed the machinery. For several years he followed steamboating between St. Louis and Nashville. At the breaking out of the civil war he was in Nashville and there remained until the place was occupied by the union army. Thereafter he was engaged in carr\-ing supplies for the union forces between Louisville and Nashville. Afterward he went to Memphis and was next occupied in the expedition to the Yazoo river, whence he returned to Evansville. From that time he was in the service of the Evansville & Cairo Packet Co., until he was appointed by President Cleveland, March 14, 1885, inspector of boilers. Mr. Moore is a member of Morning Star lodge. No. 7, I. O. O. F., has tilled all the chairs, and in 1888 was chosen representative to grand lodge. He was married, in October, 1865, to Columbia Daniels, who is a native of Kentucky, daughter of Captain Marine Daniels, an old steamboat man of the Ohio and Cumberland rivers. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had four children born unto them, three sons and one daughter, all of whom are still living excepting Walter, the youngest, who died July 10,

The name of James D.Saunders has been associated with the profession of civil engineer and surveyor for the past thirty-three years in the city of Evansville. Two men of that name, father and son, have occupied the position of city engineer and county surveyor many terms during that period. The elder was born in Manchester, Eng., November 2, 1829. His father being a civil engineer, he was educated in that profession. He was married in 1850 to Mary Sweeney, a native of the count}^ of Donegal, Ireland, whose father was also an engineer emplo3^ed on the ordnance survey of Ireland. They emigrated to the United States in the same year and located at Bloomington, Ind., where Mr. Saunders had accepted a situation as engineer on the construction of what was then known as the New Albany & Salem railroad. In 1854 he came to Evansville and was employed in a like capacity on the Evansville, Indianapolis & Cleveland railroad, more commonl}- known as the " Straight Line." In the following year he was elected surveyor of Vanderburgh county, and in 1857 he was elected city engineer and surveyor, and from then he held llie position until 1 86 1, when he resigned, having enhsted in Company D, Forty-second Regiment Indiana \^olunteers. He was appointed lirst lieutenant and afterward promoted to captain. He resigned in 1862, returned to Evansville, was elected city engineer, and from that time until his death he was almost constantly employed as city engineer or county surveyor. At the time of his death, which occurred June 6, 1880, he occupied the position of city engineer, having been elected in April of that year. His wife, four sons, and two daughters are still residents of this city. Three of the sons. James D., George W., and Miles S., are civil engineers. James I). Saunders, the 3-ounger, was the second child in a famih' of nine children. He was born in Bloomington, Ind., December 4, 1853, received a common school education, and under his father's instructions studied the science of civil engineering. In 1876 and again two years later he was elected count}- surveyor, which oflice he resigned in 18S0 to accept the position of citj' engineer, to which he had been appointed by the city council upon the death of his father. He was elected by the people in the following year and at each election for that office until 1887, at which election he was defeated b}' about 200 majority, as at that election the democratic party, of which Mr. Saunders is an active member, was defeated on the vote for councilmen by nearly 1,400 majority. At present he does the general business of a civil engineer. That he is thoroughl\- competent all agree, and in his ability the people have uncjuestioned confidence. He stands at the commencement of his career, and measuring the future by the past, flattering predictions may be safely made. He is a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O*. F. fraternities and the Business Men's Association. He was united in marriage, in 1886, to Lizzie McQuigg, of Ironton, Ohio, and of this union one child has been born : William M.

Albert Joiianx, carpenter and undertaker, was born in Prussia, Jul\- 16, 1831, being the oldest son in a famil\- of nine children. His father, Charles William Johann, a harness-maker, came to the United States in 1848, and after living a few years in this city removed to Cannelton, Ind., where after a long and busy life he died in July, 1875, at the age of sevent}-- four years. His mother still resides at Cannelton at the advanced age of eightythree years. Albert Johann received his schooling in his native country, and when a young man learned the trade of a moulder. His health did not permit him to work at this trade and he learned that of a house carpenter, at which he worked occasionally, in connection with other business, until 1S80. Since 1865 he has been engaged as an undertaker. Fie began life as a poor man. When he began business he bought a small house but was able to make a cash payment of only $25.00. By industry and economy he has accumulated a comfortable property. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. and L. of H. fraternities. He is a republican in politics, and his popularity is evidenced b}' the fact that for two 3'ears past he has represented his ward in the city council. He was married in Jul}', 1854, to Miss Barbara Spies, a native of German}-, and daughter of Henry Spies. Of this union eight children ha\-e been born; Amelia K., Charles H., Lydia (who died at the age of twenty-one }-ears in 1S80), Emma L., Albert II., Edward W., Mary A., and Eva A.

George W. Newitt, superintendent of police, was born in the town of Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, Englanfl, July 23, 1S47. His father, William G. Newitt, a native of En- gland, came to Evansville, directl}^ from his native land, in 1859. While here he was engaged as a florist, and attained a high standing in social and business circles. From this cit}^ he removed to Chicago, 111., where he now figures as one of the most prominent florists of that citv. hi 1865 his wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Eaton, a native of England, died in this city. Later, his marriage to Miss Mattie Matthews was solemnized. George W. Newitt is the oldest son in a family- of eleven children, all living. He was educated principally in the schools of this city, and under his father's instruction, learned the business of a florist, which he pursued until 1873. At that time he became identified with the police force of this city. He has passed through all the grades of the service, and is recognized as a most efficient officer. His political affiliations are with the democratic party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. fraternities. May 22, 1873, he was married to Miss Leanna Earl, a nati\e of this city, daughter of Robert Earl, a well known citizen. They have been blessed with three children: Flora L., George W., and Celia.