1800-1899 Life In Columbus/Bartholomew County

[RER]

Complete Directory of Bartholomew County, Indiana, 1903-1904

Comment: David Sechrest at his other Columbus Indiana historical site lists this publication book. At that site you can view only a few pages and pictures.

Now, you can view the whole book and much more at the address that is below. There are almost 300 pages to slowly read and analyze. What is also interesting are the commercial advertisements on most of the pages. Many of these names, business were there in the late 1800s. The pages show names, trades, locations, townships, towns and pictures top and bottom within the pages.

Enjoy this website:

books.google.com/books?id=5J1uAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=Isham%20Keith%20COLUMBUS%20INDIANA&source=bl&ots=4vDKwTQTaX&sig=hcg0oG83oJNWE6KdKxj6JOAC9Uk&hl=en&ei=zWKwSv3gE6Cntge1gNWXCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Note: When you call-up the site it doesn't start on the 1st page, so scroll the right bar backwards (or up), too start at the beginning.

I have posted this in the 1800s thread because so many businesses, citizen names and locations are listed. This may assist in reviewing David Sechrest's wonderful recent maps, among other things.
_______________________________

Final Note: This book and information was entered according to the Act of Congress in the year 1903 by George Pence of the Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

[Jason Hatton]

Found in our Columbus File:

Irwin Bank Building- History of 301 Washington St.
by Barbara Lowrance

Historical Sketch of 301 Washington Street Site

The town of Columbus was 27 years old when, in 1848, brothers Aquilla and Benjamin F. Jones built the first building on the present 301 Washington Street site. Since that time, the $3,000 three-story brick building, has undergone many changes and has been occupied by numerous tenants.

In the early 1850's, Dr. H. T. Hinman began a drug store in the corner room of the "Old Jones' Corner." Above his store, Mr. W. F. Pidgeon had his law office. In 1855, H. T. Hinman was succeeded by John V. Storey, who served the community of Columbus as one of its leading druggists for the next 17 years.

While Storey's drug store occupied the "Old Jones' Corner," a number of businesses and offices came and went. William McEwen and B. F. Jones, who now owned the property, set up a dry goods store in their building. Above their store, George M. Gilbert, a fashionable tailor had his shop.

In November, 1858, McEwen and Jones sold the property to Joseph Ireland Irwin and Francis P. Smith, who moved their dry goods business into the room formerly occupied by McEwen and Jones. A year later, J. I. Irwin, retaining his interest in the property, sold his interest in the dry goods business to F. P. Smith, and went into the dry goods business on his own at 327 Washington Street. About that same time, A. C. Downey and A. W. Prather began a joint law practice in one of the rooms upstairs; Prather continued his practice in that office for better than 15 years. Francis P. Smith, on the other hand, served as a representative to the State Legislature from Columbus in 1861 and 1862. In 1863 his interest in the property was sold by the sheriff to John V. Storey.

Some of the businesses and offices in Storey and Irwin's building
around 1865-66 were: the Provost Marshall's Office, Third District - Captain James B. Mulkey, who was also an attorney, and Lieutenant Thomas C. Wilson; G, W. Richardson, attorney; Schloss and Samuels, dry goods, merchant tailors and dealers in clothing; also, John V. Storey, wholesale and retail druggist.

The year 1872 brought several more changes in tenants. Mrs. Amanda E. Williams, milliner and dress maker, set up her shop in the building. Richard Carter and John Mahoney had their grocery and provisions store in the room north of the drug store on the Washington Street side. Then, in December, James A. Smith bought the drug store from John V. Storey.

By late 1877 Carter and Mahoney had moved out of the building, and Mrs. W. D. Summers, a milliner, had taken their store and five of the rooms upstairs as an apartment for her three children and her assistant. On November 15, 1877, a fire broke out in Mrs. Summers' store, a scant month after she had moved in. The fire destroyed $1,200 worth of her stock and furniture in her apartment. Some of J. A. Smith's stock was also damaged. Mrs. Summers moved into Mrs. Williams' old stand until the rooms could be repaired.

The drug store again changed ownership in 1879 - T. B. Harlan bought the store and stock from J. A. Smith - and the following year, Clarence W. Adams bought it from T. B. Harlan. In early May of 1881 Adams moved his drug store to 322 Washington Street, as Joseph Irwin had bought out Storey's interest in the property and had decided to renovate the building and use it for his bank and store.

The 1881 renovation brought about a complete change in the appearance of the building. The third story was completely removed; the south wall was rebuilt of pressed brick, which was shipped to Columbus from Louisville by train. The east wall of the building collapsed a month or so after the reno¬vation began, causing it also to be rebuilt. The inside of the building was also redone, even the flooring was taken up - to reveal a cocoanut which had lain under the floorboards since the building was first built in 1848.

In mid-January, 1882, excavation in the cellar 'for sand, which was to be used to mix plaster for the walls, weakened the foundation walls and caused the new brick work on the south wall to crack. As a result, a new foundation had to be built and the walls shored up and repaired.

The interior of the building was then completed. The banking room, which was paneled in heavy walnut, occupied the northern half of the width of the building and extended some sixty-five feet back from the Washington Street entrance. The remainder of the first floor and the basement were used by the dry goods store, with the second floor being used as offices.

The exterior of the building had a galvanized iron front with the words "Irwin's Bank, 1881" stamped in it. The windows were made of French plate glass. Galvanized iron cornices, a tin roof, and carved sandstone caps for the doors and windows accented the outside of the building.

The bank and store moved in on the night of April 13, 1882 - business was conducted as usual the next day. One of the upstairs rooms was soon occupied by Weldon W. Lambert, a lawyer, who had his office in the building for over twenty years.

In 1895, J. I. Irwin sold his interest in the dry goods store to Frederick J. Meyer and Oscar Fiegenbaum and devoted all of his energies to the bank. Meyer eventually became sole owner (1903), having had several partners in the interim, and in 1907, he moved the dry goods store out of 301. The bank took over the downstairs area and converted it into one large room, with the exception of the rooms which were entered from Third Street.

Union Starch and Refining Company moved into some of the upstairs offices in 1923. Irwin's Bank merged with Union Trust Company in 1928, and moved out of the building. The Starch Company then took over the large room on the first floor, leaving the entire upstairs to be rented as offices, most of which were used as law offices.

In 1944, the Starch Company formally leased the building and undertook a thorough program of remodernization - new heating and lighting systems were installed. The large room formerly occupied by the bank was split into five private offices. By the mid-1950's, the Starch Company had expanded so that it occupied all of the offices in the 301 building.

Union Starch and Refining Company remained in those offices until December, 1966, when Irwin Management Company moved in.

Deed to Plat #37, Columbus, Indiana
1826 William & Sarah Snyder
1826 Samuel Cowen
1826 Philip Sweetser
1826 Reuben Lucas
1827 James McComant
1829 Ephraim Arnold
1831 Charles Jones
1848 Aquilla and Benjamin F. Jones
1852 Benjamin F. and Sarah to Aquilla Jones
1853 Aquilla & Harriet Jones to Masonic Lodge (North Section of Plat)
1858 Aquilla & Harriet Jones to Will McEwen and Benjamin F. Jones (South Section of Plat)
1858 William & Mary McEwen and Benjamin & Sarah Jones to Francis P. Smith and Joseph I. Irwin
1863 Francis P. Smith to John V. and Mary Jane Storey
1881 John V. and Mary Jane Storey to Joseph I. Irwin

[RER]

Historical Sketch of 301 Washington Street Site

Jason Said:

Found in our Columbus File:

Irwin Bank Building- History of 301 Washington St.
by Barbara Lowrance

Historical Sketch of 301 Washington Street Site

*****See Text Jason Posted****

Jason, I read your discovery at least three times. I was impression by the comprehensive research you conducted, and Barbara Lowrance’s summary. Many, of the names have popped up over the years here on the history message boards, and during my reading of books, documents and conversations. Many, of my unsolved thoughts and questions, have now been resolved about 301 Washington Street. This summary by Ms. Lowrance amazingly paints the historical picture in-depth; from almost the beginning of the settlement in the early 1820s too even today’s occupants of the building.

One additional find in the summary was the John V. Storey location of his drug store and ownerships. I always wondered where Mr. Storey had his drug store, and now I know. Some of the dated sequence I was aware of, but not the actual dates and other names that make this one address a wealth of Columbus Indiana history. Thanks Jason for sharing such a wonderful discovery. If this hasn’t made the local Republic paper in the past; it might be a good article.

[Jason Hatton]

Well, I can't take any credit for doing any real research on this. I was helping another patron find some information on her house and this just jumped out at me.

What I posted was simply the introduction in Barbara's research. There is many other pages that provide the details and proof of everything she mentions. It is truly a remarkable work and obviously represents a large amount of time.

At some point in time, it is my desire to work on finding a way to make the Columbus file more accessable so that gems like this don't get lost in there.

[RER]

Sad To Post, After The Comprehensive Summary of 301 Washington Street History (year 2009)
Columbus, Indiana

From 1848 to 2009 ( 161 years of history)

Change of History: The allegations of the below information is provided to maybe add to the historical address of 301 Washington Street management address.
______________________

The wonderful Republic Paper said in part today:

Allegations Condensed Summary:

Partial Beginning Quote: "Irwin Financial Corp. likely will cease to exist and be taken over by another financial institution, three analysts said Wednesday.

The Columbus-based financial services corporation and Irwin Union Bank and Trust Co. on Wednesday said that they had entered into a Cease and Desist Order with federal and state regulators - and that they likely would fail to comply with that order." End Partial Beginning Quote
______________________________________

Comment: This allegation is an unfortunate situation (if accurate) for Columbus and many folks. This further, would change the history of the 301 Washington Street history, too some extent. The building history could now change, but it will sustain itself, too add to future historical directions.

Source: An email of the basic information to me today.

[Ricky_Berkey]

Maybe it doesn't fit in this section but the Irwin-Union Bank started by J.I. Irwin so many years ago closed all branches today and all assets were taken over by the FDIC. They will reopen as branches of First Financial Bank and I assume some will later close completely as they consolidate operations. Very sad end to this community bank which has been such a part of Columbus history.

Sept 17, 2009 20:49:57 GMT -5 RER said:

Sad To Post, After The Comprehensive Summary of 301 Washington Street History (year 2009)
Columbus, Indiana

Change of History: The allegations of the below information is provided to maybe add to the historical address of 301 Washington Street management address.
______________________

The wonderful Republic Paper said in part today:

Allegations Condensed Summary:

Partial Beginning Quote: "Irwin Financial Corp. likely will cease to exist and be taken over by another financial institution, three analysts said Wednesday.

The Columbus-based financial services corporation and Irwin Union Bank and Trust Co. on Wednesday said that they had entered into a Cease and Desist Order with federal and state regulators - and that they likely would fail to comply with that order." End Partial Beginning Quote
______________________________________

Comment: This allegation is an unfortunate situation (if accurate) for Columbus and many folks. This further, would change the history of the 301 Washington Street history, too some extent. The building history could now change, but it will sustain itself, too add to future historical directions.

Source: An email of the basic information to me today.

[RER]

Tipton Home Owner J. G. Schwartzkopf Apparently Had Many Interests On Washington, Jackson and 3rd Street

Comment: George, Richard and I have been trying to analyze this late 1800s photo to confirm it was on a certain corner in Columbus. After conversations emailing and Richard's modern picture below the first picture, it seems it is the corner of 3rd and Washington Street. The view is facing south eastern.

Refreshment Comment: J. G. Schwartzkopf came to Columbus in 1859 and started a Wagon Factory & Blacksmith Service on Jackson Street. He was born July 27, 1835 in Wissgoldingen, Germany, and came to the United States in 1851. Apparently, he had other businesses including a saloon among his family assets.

Notes: Below the first photo will be some comments about this picture, followed by Richard's colored picture showing the comparison.


Legend of Notes:

A. Building bay windows and left of the 2 bay windows is the Kieth Arcade or future Crump Theater.
B. Above the B is a street or bay entrance to the building.
C. Above the C on the wall between a large painted sign are two small windows.
D. A roof sign I can't read.
E. Next to the corner store going south (not pictured) would have been later the A. Tross store.
F. The decorative window tops seem to be the same when you compare the pictures.
G. This is the middle of 3rd Street and Washington Street.




Sources: Thanks to Richard and George for all the help in coming to this opinion about the J. G. Schwartzkopf corner business. The old picture is from the 1903-1905 Bartholomew County Directory filed in the Indiana University files. It is available at several state libraries, and the Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

[RER]

Could Some Of The Schwartzkopf Residences or Homes Still Be Standing In Columbus?

The Mount Tipton Home of The Past

As we know J.G.Schwartzkopf built the Mount Tipton home at the end of Tipton (now 3rd Street), but it is long gone. Mr. Schwartzkopf apparently had a very large family that either arrived with him or several offspring's within his family.

Coming from Germany, he may have had other family members make the trip. The reason I say this is because of the 1903-1905 Columbus Directory. The folks listed in the directory may be his immediate family and I am just guessing on that.

_____________________________

Below are the directory entries mentioned with their names, work locations, home addresses and even some have the early phone numbers:

SCHWARTZKOPF, J. G. & SONS, (J. George and Frank X. Jr), hardware, stoves and furniture ad and Washington sts. Tlph Cols Citz 32, Cols С U 321.

SCHWARTZKOPF, J. GEO (Mary), (J. G. Schwartzkopf and Sons), hardware and furniture 237 3139 Washington st, h Tipton Knoll. Tlph residence Cols С U is n.

SCHWARTZKOPF, GEO G. (Minnie M.), Park Roller Mills, home at 919 4th st. Tlph residence Cols Citz 545.

SCHWARTZKOPF, JOHN GEORGE (Cordelia G.), with J. G. Schwärtköpf & Sons 237 239 Washington et, home at 713 Mechanic street. (Mechanic street is now Lafayette Street)

Schwartzkopf, Joseph L., clerk at Gysie's clothing store, home at 204 4th Street.

Schwartzkopf, Katie, home at 204 4th Street.

Schwartzkopf, Lulu, student, home at 204 4th Street.

Schwartzkopf, Susan (wid Joseph), home at 204 3d Street.

Schwartzkopf, William E.. elk J. G. Schwartzkopf & Son 238 239 Washington st, b Tipton Knoll. Schwartzkopf, J. G. & Sons

SCHWARTZKOPF, ALBERT H
(Flora E.), with J. G. Schwartz-
kopf & Sons, home at 624 8th Street. Tlph
Cols С U 3091.

Schwartzkopf, Ed G., Machinist at Reeves
Pulley Co, b 204 4th Street.

Schwartzkopf, Emma A., milliner home at
204 4th Street.

SCHWARTZKOPF, FRANK X. Jr, (Maggie), with J. G. Schwartzkopf & Sons, home at 622 8th st. Tlph С U 3091.

Schwartzkopf, F. X. Sr., home at 123 4th Street
___________________________

Comment: It would be interesting if someone checked the small amount of addresses listed above. Some might still be standing

[David Sechrest]

Here's a little better image of the Schwartzkopf building on the se corner of 3rd and Washington (the building RER posted above [from the 1903-04 Directory]):


Click on the image above to go to where it's stored, then click a couple more times for the largest view.

First off, I really don't like using imageshack for uploading images to either the message board or the website, as to the fact that I'm uncertain if and/or when these images will be deleted. On the other hand, this image is scanned at 500 dpi and comes in over 4 meg in size and Sue would kill me if I put an image this large on my hosting provider!
My recommendation would be, if you want a good copy of this image (as well as the maps I posted earlier), save these images to your computer for future reference.

Regarding the address, yes, it is the se corner of 3rd and Washington. The address is listed on page 216 of the 1903-04 Directory.

I believe this picture, as well as the others offered in the directory (I'm not talking about the people pictures here, but those of the St. Denis Hotel, John Crump's Vault, etc.), were taken specifically for this book. My logical side says that, but "my logical side" has been proven wrong in the past. Taking into consideration the special nature and the unique inclusions within this Directory, it would only seem logical that the authors would want to show Columbus Indiana as it looked in 1903/04.

If you look at the enlarged picture, you can read most of the signage on the Schwartzkopf building, and also notice the rails for Crump's Trolley on both Washington and 3rd Sts.

[David Sechrest]

The Complete Directory, Bartholomew County Indiana, 1903-04 sheds some very interesting information regarding this Columbus Indiana of yesteryear.

I picked up a copy of this book when my brother owned Cummins Bookstore. My copy is cut up (the pictures in the back), but I treasure it to this day. The ONE thing that is missing from this book (and I'm hoping there's a copy at the historical society) is the map of Bartholomew County that came with this book when it was first printed. I would very much like to see this map.

I receive a decent amount of email regarding what pictures of Columbus residents I've posted from this book on the Historic Columbus Indiana website. This was the first attempt at, not only providing a city/county directory, but also the inclusion of pictures of most of the residents and founding fathers of Bartholomew County. I would say that, in 1903, this was quite an undertaking in and of itself. Here's what the preface says:

"The plan adopted, in the main, is novel in the Directory line, and it is prejudged that the book will be found useful and appreciable by all. It tells "who's who" in old Bartholomew and where to find them. No apology is offered for the inartistic appearance of the reproduction of some of the faded, old-time pictures of the history-makers in the earlier days of the county, and who have gone to their reward a half-century ago. Of the pictures of 1,488 Bartholomew County people contained in this work, a special effort was made to procure the pictures of the veterans of the wars of 1812 and of Mexico. Twenty faces of soldiers of the war with Great Britain, and thirty-two of the war with Mexico are here preserved. Besides, with good fortune, the picture of Captain Francis Lytle, a Color-bearer in a Pennsylvania Regiment in the War of the Revolution, was procured in the State of Iowa, and is included."

Plans were to take this notion a step further with the following Directory. The inclusion of pictures of Bartholomew County wives and mothers was planned, but I don't think it ever came to fruition.

The only Sanborn Insurance map we might be able to relate to this Directory is 1906. It would be nice to know IF a 1904 Sanborn Insurance map is available. It would be great to obtain a copy of it to tie in with this Directory.

It is interesting to note that the black residents of Bartholomew County are designated in the Directory by an asterisk preceding their name.

[David Sechrest]

Since A. Tross has come up several times in our discussions both here and in the Crump Thread, the 1962 phone book lists the address as 231 Washington Street.

J. G. Schwartzkopf and Son address (in the 1903/04 Directory) is 237-239 Washington St.

No Tross listed in this Directory.

It would be interesting to find out what year A. Tross began his business.

[jdhinkle]

I AGREE WITH BABS

MY STINT AT THE BANK WAS 61 TO 73
BY THAT TIME MR ENGLE WAS IN CHARGE OF BUILDING AND AUDITING
BILL FISH WAS THE HEAD CASHIER
THE PRESIDENT WHEN I STARTED WAS S EDGAR LAUTHER WHO WAS FOLLOWED BY PAUL DINKINS

MR KEUHN WAS THE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT OFFICER
I REMEMBER DON JURGEMEYER AND I THINK DICK BURROUGHS EVENTIALLY TOOK HIS PLACE

IT TOUGH TO SEE SINCE I WAS INVOLVED WITH BANK GETTING THEIR FIRST COMPUTER

TOUGH SITUATION BUT THE MEMORIES WILL CONTINUE

[nancs]

David, and any others interested, on the message boards, under 'Places We Worked, Shopped, etc.' under 'Department Stores,' there is some information about A. Tross. Know some of it came from a newspaper article that I found. Check it out.

Nanc

[RER]

Speaking of Schwartzkopf Family Wide Interests In Columbus During the 1850s & Beyond

Ulrich-Schwartzkopf Building
Corner of 4th and Franklin Street (440 Franklin St.)
Columbus, Indiana

The Ulrich-Schwartzkopf Building is the former home of the Leuchter Bakery and the White Star Market. Built around 1850, the exterior has been restored as it was in 1891.


Source: Planetware

[David Sechrest]

It's been a nice break away from those two pictures we have been discussing (the ladies pic and the Schwartzkopf pic). It's funny how, sometimes, just stepping back and forgetting about them for a few days can "open one's eyes."

My sister visited yesterday and last night, I showed her the two pictures. She came up with some very good observations.

The biggest discovery concerns that steeple looking pole in the ladies picture.

I'm not certain of this, but I think it just might be a barber pole, and after a fresh comparison of the two pictures, it does appear in both, but very difficult to make out in the Schwartzkopf picture. The post was a permanent fixture on Tipton (3rd St.).

Here's the pole in the ladies picture, and a "chevron barber pole from the 1800's" next to it:



Yes, the designs are different, but yet, I see similarity between the two.

I have removed any earlier posts wondering what this was.

It very well could be that there was a barbershop in close vicinity.

I also removed most of my statements regarding that rectangular/octagonal sign being blank. There is something printed on that sign. It's just too difficult to read. My sister seems to think the first word is Jewel and it does look like that, but still, it remains speculation at this point. It could very well say something else...

[David Sechrest]

Last Saturday, I think, I posted a large picture of the Schwartzkopf building from the 1903-04 Directory. I just went to reference it and imageshack removed it.

[RER]

Dave said:

It's been a nice break away from those two pictures we have been discussing (the ladies pic and the Schwartzkopf pic). It's funny how, sometimes, just stepping back and forgetting about them for a few days can "open one's eyes."

My sister visited yesterday and last night, I showed her the two pictures. She came up with some very good observations.

The biggest discovery concerns that steeple looking pole in the ladies picture.

I'm not certain of this, but I think it just might be a barber pole, and after a fresh comparison of the two pictures, it does appear in both, but very difficult to make out in the Schwartzkopf picture. The post was a permanent fixture on Tipton (3rd St.).

Here's the pole in the ladies picture, and a "chevron barber pole from the 1800's" next to it:

Well, I searched around and found many poles and signs. Most poles today as we know have the auger type swirls in red, white and blue or red and white. However, there are signs that show the patterns David showed in the 1800s ladies photo being discussed. I have found barber signs with just round red circles, like red and white donuts sitting spaced on each. But most signs were with the auger swirl.

Now, we come to why the red, white and blue? Well, many things I have read date back to the days of old England, but I won't go there. Many opinions of the history of the barber strips say patriotic, love of the American flag or just plain ole love of America. But, the one that caught my eyes was this one from Norwalk, CT at Frank's Barber Shop. It goes like this:

The Barbershop Pole: "Have you ever wondered what the story is behind the red, white and blue pole out front of most barber shops? A few generations ago, a barber was frequently also the town’s doctor and/or dentist. The red was emblematic of “blood,” the white for “bandages,” and the blue for “blood-letting the veins.” You went there for a hair and beard trim and for whatever else was ailing you."

So, David in conclusion I think you are onto something about that painted wooden pole. It probably is a barber shop, but about the teeth pulling, and doc, that is another story.

Comment: It is interesting that the ladies hair places don't use the colors mentioned or swirl/auger poles. I can't imagine a lady pulling teeth. (smile)

[David Sechrest]

This is a test. This is only a test...

[David Sechrest]

For anyone interested in 300 dpi, hi-rez jpeg images of J. T. Schaub's pictures of Columbus, they are offered below.

PLEASE, if interested, grab these images as soon as possible as ImageShack will most likely delete them within a few days.

The only modifications made to any originals (other than cropping the stereoscopy image): I slightly sharpened the picture of the Schwartzkopf mansion. Be sure to click on the images below, and when taken to ImageShack, click on the image a couple more times. Then save...

[David Sechrest]

A great place to go to view the Robert Dennis collection of stereoscopy images is at Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page). Once at the page, search for Columbus Indiana, Hope Indiana, J. T. Schaub, or Robert N. Dennis.