Vanderburgh County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (4 of 6 so headed), 1889

Hon. John S. Hopkins was born in Truxton, N. Y., October 28, 181 1, and died at his home in this tity July 6, 1882. He was a son of the pioneer, Edward Hopkins, and came to Evansville with his father in the fall of 1 819. From that time until his death he was continuoush' a resident of this city, and few men, if any, have been more prominently identified with its material growth and advancement from the condition of a village to that of a great and prosperous city. On the 9th of December, 1834, he was married to Mary Ann Parrett, daughter of Rev. Robert Parrett, founder of the Methodist Episcopal church in Evansville. Mrs. Hopkins survived her husband until 18S6. Her life was full of good works and every Christian virtue adorned her character. The bo\'hood of John S. Hopkins was spent in the village of Evansville and his education was only such as could be obtained in the inferior schools of that day. His natural abilities, however, were of a high order and the experience of a bus}' life developed in him a strong, clear mind and great force of character. From early manhood he was an active business man and a prosperous and praiseworthy citizen, and no man e\er li\ed in this communit}- who more fully possessed the entire confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. For man}' years he was engaged in merchandise, and built up an ample fortune, though alwavs liberal in his contributions to all public enterprises and in his private benefactions. Though a man of the most positive convictions and unflinching moral courage, he had, probably, not an enemy in the entire circle of his acquaintance. Though of a retiring and modest disposition he was often called to positions of trust and responsibility. In 1837 he was elected to the responsible position of city collector. In 1840 he became a member of the city council, and several times afterward was made a member of the nuuiicipal board. He was elected mayor of the city in the spring of 1853, and served from April 9 of that year to April 12, 1856. In 1861, at a time when the patriotism and sterling i]ualities of every citizen were tried, he was a member of the Indiana legislature, and again in 1878 and 1879, and in all these important positions cquitted himself in a manner honorable to himself and meeting the full approval of his constituency. After retiring from mercantile pursuits, he was chosen president of the First National bank at its organization, which position he held till about 1880. Before the organization of this bank he wrts president of the old Canal bank. For three years he was president of the Evansville, Cairo & Memphis Packet Company, in which position he manifested the same sagacity and sound judgment that marked his entire career. During the last }ear of his life he was almost entirely retired from acti\e life, performing only such duties as devolved upon him as a director in several corporations. From its infancy lie was a director of the Evansville Si Terre Haute Railroad and was connected in various wa}S with many of the great enterprises of the city. After retiring from the presidency of the Evansville, Cairo & Memphis Packet Company, as though possessing a premonition that the end was drawing near, he engaged himself in " setting his house in order." In the last year of his life he visited the home of his youth, and afterward gave patrimonies to his children, so that when the final summons came it found him ready in all respects. At the time of his death three sisters and seven, children survived him. His sisters were Mrs. Charles Viele, Mrs. Charles Babcock and Mrs. Eliza Wheeler. His children were: Frank Hopkins, Mrs. Alexander H. Foster, Robert F. Hopkins, Mrs. Edward Tombler, John S. Hopkins, jr., Mrs. Frank Byrnes and Edward O. Hopkins. In many respects Mr. Hopkins was a remarkable man. He was an honored citizen and the tender and sincere sorrow of the entire communit\' followed him to his final resting place.

His history, therefore, is an essential part of the history of Evansville, though Mr. Viele very reluctantly yielded his consent to the appearance in this chapter of a personal mention of himself. He was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer count}. New York, November 22, 1818. His parents, Abraham and Hannah (Douglas) Viele were natives of the state of New York, the former of French and the latter of Scotch extraction. The elder Viele was a prominent and successful manufacturer of agricultural implements and machinery, and one of the influential citizens of Rensselaer county. He was largely identified with local politics, and for many years occupied various positions of trust. Charles was the youngest son. His boyhood was passed in the village of Valley Falls, where he received an academical education. Earl}- in life he evidenced the possession of that spirit of push, energy and enterprise which is characteristic of New York people. At the age of eighteen he resolved to avail himself of the advantages offered bv settlement in what was then known as the " Far West." Li the spring of 1836, in company with Mr. A. B. Carpenter, he left the place of his nativity, and after a tedious journey, b)' rail to Columbia, Pa., then the terminus of all western railroads, thence b\' stage to Pittsburgh and by boat to Evansville; arrived in this city on the 26th day of March, 1S36. Evansville had at this time reached the distinction of a village, and under his observation, and, to a certain extent, through his identification with its interests, it has become the second citj' in the state of Indiana. His first employment was as clerk in the store of A. B. Carpenter, with whom he remained until 1S40, when, in company with Mr. Asa B. Bement, the}' founded the house of Bement & Viele, which became one of the largest and most successful grocery houses in the stale. The tirm of

Bement & Viele was dissolved in 1865, and was succeeded by that of Charles Viele & Co. In 1870 Mr. Viele retired, his son George B. being his successor, and the firm of V^iele, Stockwell & Co. was established. For more than one -half a century he has been largely identified with the financial interests of Evansville. In 1850 the Evansville Insurance Company was organized, with a capital stock of $250,000. The charter contained insurance and banking privileges of a liberal character, and was a financial success from its inception. Mr. Viele was a member of the first board of directors, and it is stated that it was largel}- through his influence and energy that the company was brought into existence. Mr. Viele has never dissolved his connection with this bank, of which he has been the financial head for many years, and its president since 1879. To give a detailed history of his connection with the various enterprises with \vhich he has been identified in the half centur\' that he has been a resident of Evansville would require more space than is at the disposal of the writer. All enterprises, however, that have had for their object the advancement of the interests of the city of Evansville have always found in him a firm friend and patron. Mr. Viele is now in the seventieth year of his age, and in full possession of his mental and physical powers. Extended travel, years of practical experience and close observation in social, political and business matters have given him a position that is attained but by few. It can be said of him that, in the half century of his business life, his escutcheon has never been marred by one single act not conformable in every way to the strictest rule of right and justice, and his career is worthy of emulation by all classes and conditions of young men. His liberality is proverbial, and during financial depressions he has frei|uently gone to those w horn he knew to be in distress and by his tinaneial aid and advice carried them to a phice of safety. hi his rehgious and political affiliations he is an Episcopalian and a republican. He has never aspired to political prefernieiit, choosing to devote his energies to the cares of his business, rather than mingle in political life. Me has done a great work in the advancement of the moral and rehgious interests of Evansville and to him as much as to anyone else the church of St. Paul's is indebted, not onl\- for the beautiful building that bears its name but for the prominent position it holds among the sister churches of the state. In 184S Mr. Viele was married to Miss Mar}- J., daughter of Judge Edward Hopkins. Six children were the result of this union, of whom his sons George 11, Walter S. and Edward N. are now living.

John Gilbkrt, vice-president of the Old National J5ank, was born in Chester county, Pa., April 20, 1818. His ancestors were among the first settlers of New England, having arrived there with the Puritan fathers in the early part of the seventeenth centur}-. His great-grandfather was one of the first to enlist in the revolutionary army, and was killed at Breed's Hill, the first battle of the war. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Stewart) Gilbert, were natives of Pennsylvania, but early crossed the AUeghanies and settled on a farm about forty miles west of Columbus, Ohio, in Clark county. Here the boyhood of John Gilbert was spent, in the manner common to farmer's lads of that da}-. His opportunities for obtaining an education were necessarily meagre, but he did not fail to take advantage of such as were afforded b}- the imperfect schools of the new country. Through the winter months of three years in his life, when his services were not needed ort the f;irm, he was sent to school, where he was instructed in the elementar}- branches of learning. He supplemented this instruction with much miscellaneous reading and study, which strengthened his mind and .stored it with useful information, hi 1836 he came to Indiana in the employ of the American Fur Company, at a salary of $15.00 per month. The company had a warehouse on the corner of First and Division streets in this city, and engaged in the purchase, packing, and shipping of large quantities of furs and deer skins. The territory between Evansville and St. Louis, Mo., was " worked " b\- Mr. Gilbert for two years, during which time he learned the ways of the people and saw that he could better his condition by working for himself. This new west, then rapidly developing, began to teem with opportunities for the young, energetic, and ambitious. He had saved his earnings and bought a team of horses. Clocks were about this time introduced to the pioneers of the west and were easily sold at good prices, but money was scarce and the-\ender was generally required to sell on credit or take his pay in trade. Young Gilbert traded his horses for clocks and traded his clocks to the farmers for cattle, drove his cattle to the markets of St. Louis, and thus laid the foundation for his present splendid fortune. He then settled at Golconda, in Pope county, Ills., and began the business of a general merchant, at the same time bu}ing tobacco and other country produce. His restless activity, close attention to business, and steadfast adherence to honorable methods, gained for him wealth and high social position. His abilities as a manager grew with the increase of his capital. For twenty years he continued his mercantile pursuits at Golconda with success. During this time he embarked in the steamboat business, his first venture being in a line of steamers between Louisville, Ky., and New Orleans, La., and he has since been prominently identified with steamboat interests on various rivers of the west. During the civil war period he owned several boats in the service of the government, and was president of a line of steamers plying between this city and Cairo. At the close of the war he organized the Evansville & Tennessee River Packet Company, and started the first boat on the line from Evansville to Florence, Ala. This line has ever since made regular trips between the two points. He has been connected with the Evansville and Cairo line of steamboats since its organization, and was lar<rel\- interested in the E\ansville & New Orleans Packet Companv while it existed. Since his connection with steamboat matters he has had built, either for himself or for the companies he represented, a number of steamboats, prominent among which are the "W. A. Johnson," "Silver Cloud," "Idlewild," "Red Cloud," and "Joe Fowler." His vessel interests being centered principally at Evansville, he removed here in 1S72 and has since been identified with the various interests of the citj-. As originator and vice-president of the Citizens' Insurance company, vice-president of the Merchants' National bank, president of the Evansville Street Railway company, vice-president of the Old National bank, and as a stockholder in \-arious other enterprises, he has exhibited rare skill and sagacity as a man of affairs. He is also president of the Paducah, Ky., gas company, and a large stockholder in the Citizens National bank of that place. Dunng his residence at Golconda, 111., he held the office of ma3'or of that city, and since coming to Evansville has been one of her most enterprising and public spirited citizens.

29th, 1S87, was deeply lamented b}- the many friends whom the beaut)- of her character had drawn about her. Of this union six children have been born: Henr\' C, Eliza, Fannie G., Mar\', 'William and John. Col. Johx Riieinlander, secretary and treasurer of the People's Savings Bank, has achieved an honorable record as citizen and soldier. April 26, 1828, and the city of Heilegenstadt, Germanv, were the date and place of his birth. His parents, Godfried Rheinlander and wife, emigrated from Germany to this country in 1844. A year later they reached Evansville, ha\ing sojourned for a time at Cincinnati, Ohio. They were respectable people, with the simple ways and industrious habits of the pioneers of this section. The early training of Col. Rheinlander was obtained in schools of his native country. Soon after reaching this cit\' and at the very commencement of his young manhood he enlisted in the volunteer armies of the United States to assist in the campaign against Me.xico. Going to the front he rendered efficient service. When the civil war broke out he raised a company - B of the Twenty-fifth Indiana Infantry - and at its organization was commissioned captain. Nine months later his valiant and faithful service won him the rank of lieutenant-colonel, which he held until mustered out in the fall of 1864. In the battle of Hatchie Ri\er, Tenn., he received a gun shot wound through the right thigh and for a time was seriously disabled. His army record is lustrous with heroism and patriotism. As a business man he has been enterprising and industrious. He began as a cigar manufacturer and for manv years continued in that business successfull3\ His industry and good management constantly increased his business, and his integrity was alwaj's manifest in his dealings with his customers and employes. He has served the public in many important relations, notabl}' as count\- coniinissionfr and county treasurer. In 1S7 :; lie was made a trustee and director in tlie sax'ings l^aiik, whicii important trust he continues to execute. In 1S8S he was called to preside as ciiief executiye of the bank. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and A. O. U. W. fraternities. Intelligent, inanly and modest, he has attained an enyiable position in eyer\' relation of life. He has been married three times. In 1S49 Miss Maria Darling became his wife. Four children, E\a, Alice, Florence, and John W. were born of this union. The death of this wife occurred in 1862, and three years later the Colonel was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Barg, to whom one child, Alexander, was born. She died in 1S72, and a few years afterward he married Miss Christine Hedderich, to whom two children haye been born.

Samuel M. Archer, capitalist and banker, was born in Indiana Territor}- within the present limits of Gibson county, Februar)' 24, 1809. He is the fourth son and onh' suryiying child in a family of nine children. His father, Thomas Archer, of South Carolina, farmer, came to Indiana Territory in yery early days, and settled in what is now Gibson count}-. He was instrumental in ^organizing that count}-, was one of the pioneer citizens of character and influence, and took an actiye part in the public interests of that section. As a soldier in the Indian war, he rendered effectiye serxice for his country, being in the battle of Tippecanoe under General Harrison. The boyhood of Samuel Archer was spent upon his father's farm in the manner common to the pioneer lads of that da}-. His business career was begun at Princeton, Ind., where he entered the general merchandise store of Robert Stockwell, as clerk, in 1827. H\- ditit of industry and economy the young man succeeded in gaining admission as a partner in the concern, in which relation and as sole proprietor, he continued twenty "s-ears. Coming to E\ans\ille in 1855, he embarked in the wholesale dry goods business with D. J. Mackey, piu-suing it successfully seyen years. In 1867 he began a banking and insurance business with John D. Roche as a partner. This partnership was dissolyed by the death of Mr. Roche in 1870, when he sold the insurance business and dedeyoted himself to his bank, which he has since conducted with marked ability and gratifying success. He has been a director in the Eyansyille (now Old) National bank, for twenty years; is a stockholder in the First National bank, and for some time seryed on its board of directors. During the early part of his career as banker he met many heay}- re\-erses, losing $10,000 in bonds by robbery, and sustaining heayy losses in the failure of the Eyansville rolling mills. But being one of the best of financiers and possessing in a high degree all the qualities essential to the successful business man, he moyed steadily forward, and by practicing honorable methods has attained a high rank among those noted for shrewdness and ability. He was married in 1845 to Miss Mary E. Snethen, a natiye of Maryland. Of this union three children haye been born; Annie, Lacy and Charles S., all distinguished by accomplishments of a high order. Mr. Archer and his family are prominent members of Grace Presbyterian church.

Cir.\KLEs II. RrrxKR, paying teller of the First National bank, was born October 4, 1854, at Cassel, German}-. The only child of John D. and Elizabeth (Bernat) Ritter, natiyes of Germany, he was early thrown upon his own resources b}- being left an orphan. His father was a cabinet-maker and followed that yocation during the brief period which ehipsed between his settlement here in 1859, and the breaking out of the civil war. Responding to the call of his but recently adopted country, he enlisted in Co. K, Thirty-Second Indiana Infantry. Upon the organization of this companj' he was elected to a lieutenanc}- and later was promoted, for valor and efficienc_y, to the rank of captain. On Chickamauga's battlefield he laid down his life, heroicalh- leading his command. Early after his enlistment, in 1S61, the death of his wife occurred. Charles Ritter was reared and educated by his uncle, Charles Ritter, now deceased. He early entered a dry goods store as a clerk, and at the age of fifteen was employed in the First National bank as a messenger. His ability and integrity soon proved themselves. He rose rapidly, first to the place of assistant book-keeper, then to that of receiving teller and at length was promoted to his present important position. By industry and economy he has accumulated some valuable property, but perhaps the richest of his possessions, he being a young man with the best of his life's work before him, is his excellent reputation for capacit}' and honor. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. May 7th, 1878, he was united in marriao-e to Miss Louisa M. Schmidt, a native of this city, daughter of Charles Schmidt, a well known citizen. They have two children: Fred D.; and Marie Louise.

Michael Schaeffer, the cashier of the People's Savings bank, is a young man whose attainments in the past bespeak for him a bright future. He was born July 10, 1861, in this city. His parents, Peter A. and Maria (Janz) Schaeffer, were natives of Germany, and now reside in Evansville. Of a family of nine children he is the only survivor. He received a Hberal education in the public schools. Trinity Catholic school, and the commercial college of Kleiner &

Wrioht. When sixteen vears of age he was employed as a clerk. April i, 1880, he was appointed cashier of the Savings bank, having previously served as a clerk and bookkeeper for about two years. As an efHcient accountant, an able manager, and a courteous gentleman, he has contributed largely to the success of the institution with which he is connected. He was married May 2, 1888, to Miss Kate Negele, a daughter of George Neifele, a well known citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer are members of Trinity Catholic church.

Reixhold F. Schor, chief book-keeper of the First National bank, was born in Prussia, March 25, 1844. His paternal grandfather, Fraugott Schor, was a school teacher in Germany. His parents. E.- G. and Pauline S. (Boehmer) Schor, were natives of Schweidnitz, Prussia, and came to this city in 1S54. E. G. Schor, born April 2, 1820, was a merchant tailor in his native country, and for some time followed that . business after settling in Evansville. For thirteen years he was in the office of the Evansville Union, and for eleven years past ! has been engaged as a manufacturer of pottery and stone ware. He is the father of j one son and two daughters : Reinhold F., ; Mary (now Mrs. John Groom) and Martha ! (now Mrs. S. L. Bray). Reinhold Schor was educated in the public schools of his native country, and of this city, graduating from the high school in 1S62. Since that time, by much miscellaneous reading and study he has attained a broad acquaintance with the best works in literature and science. In geology and conchology he is especially proficient. In 1882, the city council appointed him trustee of the public schools, which position he held for three years. : When a young man he learned the printer's trade, and worked as a compositor for some time, and later served as deputy county auditor under Victor Bisch. He was then called by H. Q. Wheeler to take a position as clerk and book-keeper in the bank with which he is now connected. His long connection with the bank, his faithful attention to dut}-, and his uni]uestioned integrity connect his personal history with the annals of the bank. He is a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. fraternities. He was married August 1 6, 1 868, to Miss Mary E. Schmutte, a native of this city, and daughter of the pioneer, Henr}' Schmutte. They ha\e four children: Bertha N. (now Mrs. H. S. Haynes, of Owensboro, Ky.,), Ernest A., Annie, and Arthur H.

James H. Cutler. - Among those deserving special mention in this chapter is Mr. James H. Cutler, cashier of the First National Bank of Evansville. He was born in Highgate, Franklin county, Vt., December 12, 1S29. His father, Jesse Cutler, was a manufacturer and farmer and a gentleman of prominence and influence. He was a successful business man and i|uite largely identified with local politics. He represented his district in the general assembly and filled other positions of trust and responsibility. James. H. was reared on his father's farm and received an academical education. While yet in his teens he began life as a clerk in a general store in his native village. His employment was not wholly uncongenial, but the rigorous climate so impaired his health that a change of locality seemed imperative, and in 1S54 he decided to remove to St. Louis, Mo., but learning of the superior advantages offered for settlement in Evansville, which at this time had begun to assume prominence as a commercial center, he decided to make it his future home. Although he had just passed his majority he had alreadv laid the substructure of a sound business education, and in a little time he accepted a position as book-keeper in the house of Johnson & French. In i860 he began his career as a banker in the old Canal bank, which at the time was one of the most important financial institutions in the southern part of the state. Upon its reorganization as a national bank, in 1863, Mr. Cutler retained his former position. His industr}-, integrit\-, and sound views on finance soon made his services almost indispensable to the bank's success, and in 1865 he became its cashier, which position he still retains. Those familiar with the history of this bank assert that its success and the enviable position it holds among the substantial and successful banks of the state is due largely to Mr. Cutler's efforts, and that among the bankers of the cit}' very few if any have a more extended knowledge of monetary matters or possess in a greater degree the esteem and confidence of the business men of the city. In his religious and political affiliations he is a Presb^'terian and a republican. In 1857 Mr. Cutler was married to Miss Lorrain M., daughter of Deacon Asa Dean, one of the prominent and substantial citizens of Bakersfield, Franklin county, Vt. Three children have been born to them: Alberta L., William II., and Adelbert J.

William L. Swormstkdt, cashier of the Citizen's National bank, was born at Chicago, III, September ayih, 1S62. His father, Leroy Swormstedt, a native of Ohio, was for many years a merchant in Chicago, 111., and a planter in Louisiana, his health causing him to spend his winters in the south and his summers in the north. He was wellknown in this city, where for some time he li\ed as an invalid, his death occurring in March, 1888. The mother of William Swormstedt, whose maiden name was Mary E. Lovvrj', was a daughter of William J. Lowry, at one time one of the most prominent of Evansville's citizens. William re- ceived a good education and was well fitted for a business career. He entered the Citizens National bank in 1882 as a bookkeeper, in the next year became assistant cashier, and in January, 1884, was elected cashier, which responsible position he has since held, discharging its duties with rare good judgment and to the entire satisfaction of the directory of the bank. He is also engaged in the general insurance business, is treasurer of the Germania building association and holds important offices of trust in some of the lodges to which he belongs. He is an active and influential member of the F. & A. M., and K. of P. fraternities, having attained the degrees of Templarism in the former and the Uniform Rank in the latter.