The Vonnegut Hardware Company was an Indianapolis hardware store that operated from 1852 to 1965. It was founded by Clemens Vonnegut, Sr. , a German former textile ribbon salesman from Amsterdam , who arrived in Indianapolis around 1851.
168-691: Indiana was granted statehood in 1816, and the Indiana General Assembly actively sought a site to establish a new State capital. In 1821, the Indiana State Legislature approved both the site and the name Indianapolis. On January 1, 1825, the State capital was moved from Corydon to Indianapolis. By 1830, the population of Indianapolis had grown to ~1,000 people, and by 1835, Indianapolis was incorporated. The population of Indianapolis had reached over 8,000 people by 1850, and
336-639: A Commissioner for the U.S. Court of Claims . Harrison became a founding member and first president of both the University Club, a private gentlemen's club in Indianapolis, and the Phi Delta Theta Alumni Club. Harrison and his wife became members and assumed leadership positions at Indianapolis's First Presbyterian Church. Having grown up in a Whig household, Harrison initially favored that party's politics, but joined
504-533: A brief furlough in Indianapolis", but he caught scarlet fever and was delayed for a month, and then spent "several months training replacement troops in South Carolina". On January 23, 1865, Lincoln nominated Harrison to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from that date, and the Senate confirmed the nomination on February 14, 1865. Harrison was promoted because of his success at
672-852: A candidate, Blaine left the country and was staying with Andrew Carnegie in Scotland when the convention began. He did not return to the U.S. until August, and the delegates finally accepted his refusal to be nominated. After New York switched to Harrison's column, he gained the needed momentum for victory. The party nominated Harrison for president on the eighth ballot, 544 votes to 108. Levi P. Morton of New York—a banker, former U.S. Minister to France, and former U.S. congressman—was chosen as his running mate. At their National Convention in St. Louis , Democrats rallied behind Cleveland and his running mate, Senator Allen G. Thurman ; Vice President Hendricks had died in office on November 25, 1885. After returning to
840-431: A case during Harrison's time in office (against a Tennessee coal company), and initiated several other cases against trusts. One of the most volatile questions of the 1880s was whether the currency should be backed by gold and silver or by gold alone . The issue cut across party lines, with western Republicans and southern Democrats joining in the call for the free coinage of silver and both parties' representatives in
1008-661: A consultant to the wholesale hardware trade in Florida and a former executive officer with Marshall-Wells Company, Shapleigh Hardware Company, and the Lufkin Rule Company of Canada, served as the company's president and board member from 1961 to 1965. Johnson was a graduate of the University of Toronto. By the 1950s, Vonnegut employed in excess of three hundred people. Vonnegut maintained an employee-centered corporate culture, and activities were regularly planned for
1176-582: A director of Vonnegut in 1910. In all, Prinzler would proudly serve Vonnegut for over 50 years. Prinzler died on May 30, 1949. In 1906, Richard E Kremp was referred to The Vonnegut Hardware Co by Central (Indiana) Business College. Vonnegut offered Kremp the position of stenographer and bookkeeper in the Accounts Payable Department. Thus began his 54-year association with the company. Kremp was named office manager in 1922, elected treasurer in 1931, general manager in 1932, and president of
1344-550: A federal appellate court judge in Chicago —also sought the delegates' support at the 1888 Republican National Convention . Harrison "marshaled his troops" to stop Gresham from gaining control of the Indiana delegation while simultaneously presenting himself "as an attractive alternative to Blaine." Blaine did not publicly endorse anyone, but on March 1, 1888, he privately wrote that "the one man remaining who in my judgment can make
1512-606: A great-grandson of Benjamin Harrison V , a Virginia planter who signed the Declaration of Independence and succeeded Thomas Nelson Jr. as governor of Virginia . Harrison was seven years old when his grandfather was elected U.S. president, but he did not attend the inauguration . His family was distinguished, but his parents were not wealthy. John Scott Harrison, a two-term U.S. congressman from Ohio , spent much of his farm income on his children's education. Despite
1680-445: A large new cottage at Cape May Point for Harrison's wife, Caroline . Many believed the cottage gift appeared improper and amounted to a bribe for a cabinet position. Harrison made no comment on the matter for two weeks, then said he had always intended to purchase the cottage once Caroline approved. On July 2, perhaps a little tardily to avoid suspicion, Harrison gave Wanamaker a check for $ 10,000 (equivalent to $ 339,111 in 2023) for
1848-547: A lifelong Presbyterian. After his college graduation in 1852, Harrison studied law with Judge Bellamy Storer of Cincinnati , but before he completed his studies, he returned to Oxford, Ohio, to marry Caroline Scott on October 20, 1853. Caroline's father, a Presbyterian minister, performed the ceremony. The Harrisons had two children, Russell Benjamin Harrison and Mary "Mamie" Scott Harrison . Harrison and his wife returned to live at The Point, his father's farm in southwestern Ohio, while he finished his law studies. Harrison
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#17327732447432016-401: A lynching. A mob of 150 mounted men, led by twenty masked Indiana white cap vigilantes, arrived at the county jail and demanded the release into their custody of two men (James Devin and Charles Tennyson) being held on charges of attempted murder. The leaders of the group demanded the keys to the jail, threatening to burn down the town if they were refused; after the sheriff refused to hand over
2184-510: A male householder with no wife present, and 46.6% were non-families. 41.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age in the town was 40.8 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 22.4% were from 45 to 64; and 23.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
2352-682: A new era as the first state capital of Indiana. The Harrison County courthouse, now known as the Old Capitol, served as Indiana's first state capitol building. It housed state government offices from 1816 until 1825. Several other historic structures in Corydon date from the early statehood era, including the Governor's Mansion and the Old Treasury Building (Indiana's first state office building), which were built in 1817, and
2520-434: A new multi-purpose building at 402 West Maryland Street. Designed by the Indianapolis architectural firm of Vonnegut, Bohn and Mueller, this modern, six-story building contained 350,000 square feet and was built at an approximate cost of $ 500,000. 402 West Maryland was designed primarily for the mill supply and industrial supply divisions. Mill supply, paint jobbing and other services would move from 120 East Washington Street to
2688-535: A particularly cold winter, Harrison prepared coffee and brought it to his freezing men at night; his constant catchphrase as he took lead of his men was: "Come on, boys!" Harrison earned a reputation as a strong leader and an officer who did not abandon his soldiers in battle. At the Battle of Resaca on May 15, 1864, Harrison faced Confederate Captain Max Van Den Corput's artillery battery, which occupied
2856-572: A position "some eighty yards in front of the main Confederate lines". Sherman, renewing his assault on the center of the Confederate lines begun the previous day, was halted by Corput's four-gun, parapet-protected artillery battery; the battery was well placed to bedevil the Union ranks, and became "the center of a furious struggle". Corput's artillery redoubt was highly fortified "with three infantry regiments in...rifle pits and four more regiments in
3024-532: A problem exacerbated by Pension Bureau commissioner James R. Tanner 's expansive interpretation of the pension laws. An investigation into the Pension Bureau by Secretary of Interior John Willock Noble found evidence of lavish and illegal handouts under Tanner. Harrison, who privately believed that appointing Tanner had been a mistake, due to his apparent loose management style and tongue, asked Tanner to resign and replaced him with Green B. Raum . Raum
3192-582: A public library, a branch of the Harrison County Public Library. Because of its historic sites and the historic events that took place at Corydon, it has become a southern Indiana tourist destination. The town hosts weekly events from early spring until late fall, usually centered on its historic town square . Local events include an annual Halloween Parade, the Harrison County Fair, Friday night band concerts during
3360-457: A regiment, although he would not ask him to serve. Harrison recruited throughout northern Indiana to raise a regiment. Morton offered him the command, but Harrison declined, as he had no military experience. He was initially commissioned as a captain and company commander on July 22, 1862. Morton commissioned Harrison as a colonel on August 7, 1862, and the newly formed 70th Indiana was mustered into federal service on August 12, 1862. Once mustered,
3528-600: A six-year term in the Senate, where he served from 1881 to 1887. A Republican , Harrison was elected to the presidency in 1888 , defeating the Democratic incumbent Grover Cleveland in the Electoral College while losing the popular vote. Hallmarks of Harrison's administration were unprecedented economic legislation, including the McKinley Tariff , which imposed historic protective trade rates, and
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#17327732447433696-762: A tourist destination. A portion of its downtown area is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the Corydon Historic District . As of the 2010 census, Corydon had a population of 3,122. During the American Revolution , George Rogers Clark captured the surrounding area of what became the town of Corydon from the British , bringing it under the control of the fledgling United States government. The first American settlers entered Harrison County in 1792 and included
3864-415: A tract of land where Big Indian Creek and Little Indian Creek join to become Indian Creek and decided to build a town on the site. Harrison built a two-story home in the town, but sold it in 1809. The town gets its name from " The Pastoral Elegy ," a hymn that celebrates the death of a shepherd named Corydon. Tradition says that Harrison asked Edward Smith's daughter, Jenny, to name the town and she chose
4032-611: A two cent per pound subsidy on their production. Even with the reductions and reciprocity, the McKinley Tariff enacted the highest average rate in American history, and the spending associated with it contributed to the reputation of the Billion-Dollar Congress . Members of both parties were concerned with the growth of the power of trusts and monopolies , and one of the first acts of the 51st Congress
4200-437: A weekly newspaper, has served the local area since 1856. It was the property of O'Bannon Publishing Company from 1907 to 2022. On June 30, 2022, O'Bannon Publishing sold the paper to Paxton Media Group. Southern Indiana Transit System provides deviated fixed-route and demand-response bus service in the town. Benjamin Harrison [REDACTED] Benjamin Harrison (August 20, 1833 – March 13, 1901)
4368-406: A year-long series of events that included the unveiling of a $ 200,000 bronze statue of Honorable Frank O'Bannon , the late governor of Indiana and a former citizen of Corydon. A local attraction in Corydon was Butt Drugs , a drugstore known for its unique name, service, and merchandise. The store opened in 1952 and closed in 2023. Corydon remains the county seat of Harrison County. Corydon
4536-421: Is located near the center of Harrison County. Indiana State Road 62 passes through the town from east to west; Interstate 64 passes in the same direction less than a mile north of the town. The state capitol of Indianapolis is about 120 miles (190 km) to the north, and the city of Louisville, Kentucky is about 25 miles (40 km) to the east. Indian Creek passes through the town; the creek continues to
4704-583: The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 , which his party supported, because he thought it violated existing treaties with China . In 1884, Harrison and Gresham competed for influence at the 1884 Republican National Convention ; the delegation ended up supporting Senator James G. Blaine , the eventual nominee. During the Mugwump rebellion led by reform Republicans against Blaine's candidacy, Harrison at first stood aloof, "refusing to put his hat in
4872-557: The Panic of 1873 , was financially successful enough to build a grand new home in Indianapolis in 1874. He continued to make speeches on behalf of Republican candidates and policies. In 1876, when a scandal forced the original Republican nominee, Godlove Stein Orth , to drop out of the gubernatorial race, Harrison accepted the party's invitation to take his place on the ticket. He centered his campaign on economic policy and favored deflating
5040-481: The Republican Party shortly after its formation in 1856 and campaigned on behalf of Republican presidential candidate John C. Frémont . In 1857 Harrison was elected Indianapolis city attorney, a position that paid an annual salary of $ 400 (equivalent to $ 13,080 in 2023). In 1858, Harrison entered into a law partnership with William Wallace to form the law office of Wallace and Harrison. In 1860, he
5208-666: The Sherman Antitrust Act . Harrison also facilitated the creation of the national forest reserves through an amendment to the Land Revision Act of 1891. During his administration six western states were admitted to the Union. In addition, Harrison substantially strengthened and modernized the U.S. Navy and conducted an active foreign policy, but his proposals to secure federal education funding as well as voting rights enforcement for African Americans were unsuccessful. Due in large part to surplus revenues from
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5376-711: The "present Administration and the Democratic majority in Congress owe their existence to the suppression of the ballot by a criminal nullification of the Constitution." Anticipating a principal part of Harrison's campaign, the convention also declared itself "uncompromisingly in favor of the American system of protection " and protested "against its destruction as proposed by the President and his party." The tariff
5544-484: The 1888 election. High tariff rates had created a surplus of money in the Treasury, which led many Democrats (as well as the growing Populist movement) to call for lowering them. Most Republicans preferred to maintain the rates, spend the surplus on internal improvements , and eliminate some internal taxes. Representative William McKinley and Senator Nelson W. Aldrich framed the McKinley Tariff , which would raise
5712-746: The 1920s. Corydon, Indiana Corydon is a town in Harrison Township and the county seat of Harrison County, Indiana , located north of the Ohio River in the extreme southern part of the state. Corydon was founded in 1808 and served as the capital of the Indiana Territory from 1813 to 1816. It was the site of Indiana's first constitutional convention , which was held June 10–29, 1816. Forty-three delegates convened to consider statehood for Indiana and drafted its first state constitution. Under Article XI, Section 11, of
5880-636: The 1st Brigade of the 1st Division of the XX Corps . He commanded the brigade at the battles of Resaca , Cassville , New Hope Church , Lost Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain , Marietta , Peachtree Creek , and Atlanta . When Sherman's main force began its March to the Sea , Harrison's brigade was transferred to the District of Etowah and participated in the Battle of Nashville . While encamped near Nashville, during
6048-491: The 21st largest urban area in the United States). By 1960 Indianapolis had a population of 476,258. In 1852 Clemens Vonnegut, Sr (1824–1906) entered into a partnership with fellow German Charles Volmer opening a hardware store in Indianapolis. Their merchandising store was called C Volmer & Vonnegut Hardware. The original establishment was a one-room storefront at 71 West Washington Street or National Road as it
6216-401: The 311-acre (126-hectare) Hayswood Nature Reserve to the county. Known as Hayswood Park, it is the county's second largest nature reserve. In 1973 a portion of Corydon's downtown area was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Corydon Historic District . Initially, the district included major sites dating from the period when Corydon was a territorial and state capital:
6384-405: The Battle of Peachtree Creek, on July 20, 1864, Harrison commanded his brigade against General W. S. Featherston's Mississippi Brigade, stopping the latter's "fierce assault" over Collier Road. At Peachtree Creek, Harrison's brigade comprised the 102nd , 105th , and 129th Illinois Infantry Regiments , the 79th Ohio Infantry Regiment , and his 70th Indiana Regiment; his brigade deployed in about
6552-640: The Civil War, Indiana citizenship and membership in the Presbyterian Church. Nevertheless, Harrison had alienated pivotal Republican operatives from New York to Pennsylvania to Iowa with these choices and prematurely compromised his political power and future. His normal schedule provided for two full cabinet meetings per week, as well as separate weekly one-on-one meetings with each cabinet member. In June 1890, Harrison's Postmaster General John Wanamaker and several Philadelphia friends purchased
6720-548: The Colonel Thomas Lloyd Posey home, among others. Corydon's Grand Masonic Lodge, the first in the state, was built in 1819. During the years Corydon served as a territorial and state capital, it was home to a number of politicians; notable residents during this time included Davis Floyd , a prominent local politician; two governors of Indiana, Jonathan Jennings and Ratliff Boon (the state's first and second governors, respectively); Dennis Pennington ,
6888-485: The Democrats redistricted the Indiana state legislature, which resulted in an increased Democratic majority in 1886, despite a statewide Republican majority. In 1887, largely as a result of the Democratic gerrymandering of Indiana's legislative districts, Harrison was defeated for reelection. After a deadlock in the state senate , the state legislature eventually chose Democrat David Turpie as Harrison's successor in
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7056-613: The Inaugural Ball inside the Pension Building with a large crowd attending. After moving into the White House, Harrison noted, quite prophetically, "There is only a door—one that is never locked—between the president's office and what are not very accurately called his private apartments. There should be an executive office building, not too far away, but wholly distinct from the dwelling house. For everyone else in
7224-474: The Indiana 1816 constitution , Corydon was designated as the capital of the state, which it remained until 1825, when the seat of state government was moved to Indianapolis . In 1863, during the American Civil War , Corydon was the site of the Battle of Corydon , the only official pitched battle waged in Indiana during the war. More recently, the town's numerous historic sites have helped it become
7392-661: The Lilly Hardware Company (34 new Vonnegut employees). Vonnegut purchased the Fountain Square Hardware Store from Alfred Obergfell in 1931. The Fountain Square store, located at 1116 Prospect Street, continued to operate under The Vonnegut Hardware Company name. Alfred's son, Robert Obergfell, managed the store as an employee of Vonnegut. Under Kremp's leadership, Vonnegut pioneered the concept of “neighborhood selling” by branching out from
7560-581: The Maryland Street building. Much of the space was devoted to the manufacture and assembly of the Von Duprin Safe Exit Device. This building served as a general warehouse, and housed the commercial and industrial sale staff. This was also the site of administrative offices, an auditorium and an employee cafeteria. Vonnegut held to a standard of practice that commercial product orders received by 11 am would be fulfilled by 1 pm on
7728-723: The Old Capitol/Harrison County Courthouse building, the Governor Hendricks' Headquarters, Constitution Elm, the first state office building, the Kintner-McGrain House (Cedar Glade), and the Posey House, among others. In 1989 the historic district's boundary was increased to include The Kintner House Inn , among other commercial and residential buildings. In 2008 Corydon celebrated its bicentennial anniversary with
7896-617: The Republican Party and an "immortal champion of liberty and the rights of the people." Republican presidents Grant, Garfield, and Arthur were likewise acknowledged with "remembrance and gratitude". The "fundamental idea of the Republican party" was declared to be "hostility to all forms of despotism and oppression", and the Brazilian people were congratulated for their recent abolition of slavery . The convention alleged that
8064-504: The Republican nomination was the previous nominee, James G. Blaine of Maine . After his narrow loss to Cleveland in 1884, Blaine became the front-runner for 1888, but removed his name from contention. After he wrote several letters denying any interest in the nomination, his supporters divided among other candidates, Senator John Sherman of Ohio foremost among them. Others, including Chauncey Depew of New York , Russell Alger of Michigan , and Harrison's old nemesis Walter Q. Gresham—now
8232-467: The Senate. Harrison served in the Senate from March 4, 1881, to March 3, 1887, and chaired the U.S. Senate Committee on Transportation Routes to the Seaboard ( 47th Congress ) and the U.S. Senate Committee on Territories ( 48th and 49th Congresses ). In 1881, the major issue confronting Senator Harrison was the budget surplus. Democrats wanted to reduce the tariff and limit the amount of money
8400-454: The Senate. Harrison returned to Indianapolis and resumed his law practice, but stayed active in state and national politics. A year after his senatorial defeat, Harrison declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination; he dubbed himself a "living and rejuvenated Republican", a reference to his lack of a power base. Thereafter, the phrase "'Rejuvenated Republicanism' became the slogan of his presidential campaign." The initial favorite for
8568-581: The U.S., Blaine visited Harrison at his home in October. Harrison reprised the traditional front-porch campaign abandoned by his immediate predecessors; he received visiting delegations to Indianapolis and made over 90 pronouncements from his hometown. Republicans campaigned heavily in favor of protective tariffs , turning out protectionist voters in the important industrial states of the North. The election took place on Tuesday, November 6, 1888; it focused on
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#17327732447438736-410: The Union." The convention insisted that "The pending bills in the Senate to enable the people of Washington, North Dakota and Montana Territories to...establish State governments, should be passed without unnecessary delay." The convention began with 17 candidates for the nomination. Harrison placed fifth on the first ballot, with Sherman in the lead, and the next few ballots showed little change. As
8904-794: The United States and other countries. Among the many thousands buildings that would feature the Von Duprin Safe Exit Device were The United Nations Building, the Statler Center and Hotel, and the Severin Hotel. Even prior to 1925, Von Duprin Safe Exit Devices were shipped to Japan, Australia and a few South American countries. The Von Duprin Safe Exit Device has been credited for saving Vonnegut from financial ruin during The Great Depression. Fred H. Johnson,
9072-633: The Von Duprin Safe Exit Device in every principal city in the United States. Von Duprin Safe Exit Devices were originally manufactured, polished and assembled in Indianapolis; however, in order to facilitate high demand and distribution, additional manufacturing sites were chosen in North Chicago and Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Vonnegut's far-reaching network of sales representatives caused the Von Duprin Safe Exit Device to be installed in schools, auditoriums, churches, libraries, government buildings, theaters and other public and private buildings throughout
9240-466: The Vonnegut Sr family would move to a small home located at 508 East Market Street. Later they would move to 504 East Market Street. In 1897, Clemens and his wife Katharina would move to 1002 East Market. Clemens Vonnegut Sr has been described as "sophisticated" and "eccentric", and was known for wearing a cape and carrying rocks to help strengthen his bicep muscles. He possessed a strong work ethic,
9408-783: The Vonnegut stores showing Vonnegut customers how best to use their products. Vonnegut Hardware Co was a regular exhibitor at trade and public shows, such as the Indiana Retail Hardware Association convention, the Indianapolis Sports, Vacation and Boat Show and the Indianapolis Home Show. Vonnegut was also a pioneer in offering customers various credit options such as 30-day accounts, charge plates, weekly or monthly payment terms and budget accounts. In 1940 Vonnegut constructed
9576-421: The afternoon. Harrison's unit, now exposed, found itself immediately subject to intense gunfire from the main Confederate ranks and was forced to take cover. Although no longer in Confederate hands, Corput's four 121-pound Napoleon Cannons sat in a "no man's land" until nightfall, when Union soldiers "dug through the parapet, slipped ropes around the four cannons, and dragged them back to [their] lines". During
9744-593: The amount the federal government had to award Milligan to five dollars plus court costs. Given his rising reputation, local Republicans urged Harrison to run for Congress. He initially confined his political activities to speaking on behalf of other Republican candidates, a task for which he received high praise from his colleagues. In 1872, Harrison campaigned for the Republican nomination for governor of Indiana . Former governor Oliver Morton favored his opponent, Thomas M. Browne , and Harrison lost his bid for statewide office. He returned to his law practice and, despite
9912-585: The apartment above the store. In 1865, Clemens Vonnegut Hardware was operating out of a much larger building located at 178-180 East Washington Street. The Vonnegut family would also reside above this storefront. Clemens and his wife, Katharina Blank Vonnegut (1828-1904) had four children, all boys. Three of their four sons were born in an apartment above their hardware store. The four children were Clemens Jr (1853-1921), Bernard (1855-1908), Franklin (1856-1952) and George (1860-1952). Franklin often quipped that they probably took him downstairs to weigh him. In 1866,
10080-547: The appointment from the outset, gaining the reputation for "decapitating a fourth class postmaster every three minutes". Clarkson himself said, "I am simply on detail from the Republican Committee ;... I am most anxious to get through this task and leave." He resigned in September 1890. Tariff levels had been a major political issue since before the Civil War, and became the most dominant matter of
10248-471: The area. "Mechanics of every handicraft" had found their way to Indianapolis, and by 1855, the population of Indianapolis had doubled to 16,000 people. The Vonnegut Hardware Company benefited from the rapid population growth of Indianapolis. In 1850, just two years before Vonnegut was founded, the City of Indianapolis had a population of 8,091. By 1900 the population of Indianapolis had grown to 169,164 (ranked as
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#173277324474310416-404: The average family size was 2.81. In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males. The median income for a household in the town
10584-640: The bank. Around 1874, the business would move to 184-186 East Washington Street, a three-floor building with a basement that spanned an area of twenty-two by one-hundred ninety-five feet. The new location was in close proximity to the popular Little's Hotel, providing new customers. In 1898, Vonnegut Sr would purchase property at 342-348 East Washington Street and, briefly, move his business to that location. A year later, Vonnegut Sr would once again move his store, this time to 120-124 East Washington Street, selling his building at 342 East Washington to former US president Benjamin Harrison . The new building located on
10752-661: The battles of Resaca and Peachtree Creek. He finally returned to his old regiment the same day that news of Lincoln's assassination was received. He rode in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C. before mustering out with the 70th Indiana on June 8, 1865. While serving in the Union Army in October 1864, Harrison was once again elected reporter of the Indiana Supreme Court , although he did not seek
10920-422: The best one is Benjamin Harrison." At the convention, which took place in June, Blaine "threw his support to Harrison in the hope of uniting the party" against Cleveland, but the nomination fight was "hotly contested". The convention opened on June 19 at the Auditorium Building in Chicago, Illinois. Proceedings began with an announcement of the party platform; Lincoln was extolled as the "first great leader" of
11088-410: The catch phrase, " You Can Get It All At Vonnegut's ", and the company often used it in its advertising. When Carl Prinzler started his illustrious career at Vonnegut in 1886, he recalls a total work force of under twelve employees. From time to time Vonnegut bought out other hardware stores in the Indianapolis market. He purchased the Francke Hardware Company in 1910. In 1925 Vonnegut Hardware purchased
11256-489: The center of the Union line, engaging Major General William Wing Loring's Mississippi division and Alabama troops from General Alexander Stewart 's corps. In his report after the battle, Harrison wrote that "at one time during the fight", with his ammunition dangerously depleted, he sent his acting assistant inspector-general Captain Scott and others to cut "cartridge-boxes from the rebel dead within our lines" and distribute them to his soldiers. According to Harrison's report,
11424-416: The college for two years and while there met his future wife, Caroline "Carrie" Lavinia Scott . She was a daughter of John Witherspoon Scott , who was the school's science professor and also a Presbyterian minister. Harrison transferred to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio , in 1850, and graduated in 1852. He joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, which he used as a network for much of his life. He
11592-417: The company In 1943. He was later elected chairman of board, holding this position until his retirement in February 1961. He was described as being a generous, approachable and respectable man who led by example. Richard E Kremp died on September 15, 1961 Vonnegut Hardware Company retail stores were a popular and trusted shopping destination. With the advancement of time, Vonnegut changed its inventory to meet
11760-520: The company's president, continuing to work in the business for the rest of his life, and George Vonnegut would become the secretary and treasurer of the company. Carl Prinzler , an Indianapolis native, was hired by Vonnegut in 1886 at age 16. In 1895, he was entitled manager of the art-hardware and building material department. By 1908, Prinzer, working in conjunction with his Indianapolis neighbor, architect Harry H Dupont, would develop and receive US patent protection for what would later come to be known in
11928-410: The condition of the first Indiana statehouse to public attention. The building had become filthy and infested with fleas and other pests such that many people refused to enter it. Their campaign proved successful, and in 1873 the building was given a major renovation. The walls and ceilings were replastered, a new staircase and furnishings were installed, and the building was thoroughly cleaned. In 1881
12096-463: The congressional elections, Republicans increased their membership in the House of Representatives by 19 seats. Harrison was sworn into office on Monday, March 4, 1889, by Chief Justice Melville Fuller . His speech was brief—half as long as that of his grandfather, William Henry Harrison, whose speech remains the longest inaugural address of a U.S. president. In his speech, Benjamin Harrison credited
12264-648: The constitution acknowledges the site of the historic gathering: "We the Representatives of the people of the Territory of Indiana, in Convention met, at Corydon, on Monday the tenth day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and sixteen,..." The delegates met in an unfinished log cabin near the Harrison County courthouse, which had not yet been completed; due to cramped conditions and
12432-600: The constitution of 1816: "Corydon, in Harrison County shall be the seat of Government of the state of Indiana, until the year eighteen hundred and twenty-five, and until removed by law." Corydon's selection as the capital led to rapid growth of the town and a housing shortage. There were only three taverns for visitor lodging in 1813. A fourth and much larger tavern, the Kintner House Tavern , opened in 1819. Many officials, including three successive Governors, and their staff moved to Corydon and built large homes in
12600-424: The convention proceeded, Harrison became "everyone's second choice in a field of seven candidates". Then, after Sherman "faltered in the balloting", Harrison gained support. Blaine supporters shifted their support among candidates they found acceptable, and when they shifted to Harrison, they found a candidate who could attract the votes of many other delegations. Intending to make it undeniably clear he would not be
12768-479: The cottage. Civil service reform was a prominent issue following Harrison's election. Harrison had campaigned as a supporter of the merit system , as opposed to the spoils system . Although some of the civil service had been classified under the Pendleton Act by previous administrations, Harrison spent much of his first months in office deciding on political appointments. Congress was widely divided on
12936-614: The county began construction of its third office building after demolishing the prior building. The building was completed in June 1882 and remained in use until 1929. The state of Indiana purchased the 1816 courthouse to preserve as a state historic site following the move. Beginning in 1882, the Louisville, New Albany and Corydon Railroad , an 8-mile (13 km) spur of the Southern Railway , connected Corydon to other towns in
13104-458: The court in Paris as part of the case and after a brief stay returned to Indianapolis. He died at his home in Indianapolis in 1901 of complications from influenza . Many have praised Harrison's commitment to African Americans' voting rights, his work ethic, and his integrity, but scholars and historians generally rank him as an average president, due to the uneventful nature of his term. Harrison
13272-677: The downtown Indianapolis flagship store. In the year of 1930, Vonnegut opened its first, full-line neighborhood shopping location in Irvington, approximately five and a half miles due east of the center of downtown Indianapolis. Within a few years, Vonnegut had 12 such neighborhood shopping stores within Marion County. Within its downtown and neighborhood shopping stores, employees often conducted public training on topics such as woodworking, plumbing, hobbies and home repair. Oftentimes, manufacturer representatives would conduct presentations in
13440-675: The employees to participate in, such as the Vonnegut bowling league. Vonnegut also had its own semi-professional band, led by employee Edwin E Kerner, who also played the viola, violin, and alto horn. Fred W Hess, department manager wholesale and industrial supplies division was hired at 13 years old, serving Vonnegut for 69 years. Many employees of Vonnegut Hardware Co. such as, Oscar Mueller, Frank Blank, William Klinhenz, Theodore Rugenstein, Ed Snyder, Al Brocking, Maurice Schultz, Homer A Eichacker, Carl Brocking, Albert Stich, Al Gruman, Clarence Childers, Carl J Prinzler, Edward J Galm Sr and Richard E Kremp, were employed for over 45 years. By 1965, with
13608-557: The enactment of the Dependent and Disability Pension Act , a cause he had championed in Congress. In addition to providing pensions to disabled Civil War veterans (regardless of the cause of their disability), the Act depleted some of the troublesome federal budget surplus. Pension expenditures reached $ 135 million under Harrison (equivalent to $ 4.6 billion in 2023), the largest expenditure of its kind to that point in American history,
13776-582: The families of Harvey Heth and Squire Boone , who settled south of Corydon, and Dennis Pennington and the Harbisons, who settled east of Corydon. The region was in the midst of the Northwest Indian War during that period and the families were forced by Native Americans to leave the region and return to Kentucky. The families returned to the area in 1800 following the creation of the Indiana territory. The territorial government completed
13944-459: The family's modest resources, Harrison's boyhood was enjoyable, much of it spent outdoors fishing or hunting. Harrison's early schooling took place in a log cabin near his home, but his parents later arranged for a tutor to help him with college preparatory studies. Fourteen-year-old Benjamin and his older brother, Irwin, enrolled in Farmer's College near Cincinnati , Ohio, in 1847. He attended
14112-527: The federal government in a civil suit filed by Lambdin P. Milligan , whose controversial wartime conviction for treason in 1864 led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Ex parte Milligan . The civil case was referred to the U.S. Circuit Court for Indiana at Indianapolis, where it evolved into Milligan v. Hovey . Although the jury found in Milligan's favor and he had sought hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, state and federal statutes limited
14280-506: The firm was no longer referred to as Clemens Vonnegut Hardware but rather as the Vonnegut Hardware Company. Clemens Vonnegut Sr died on December 13, 1908, shortly after the passing of his wife, Katharina Vonnegut, on April 12, 1904. Four years later, his four sons, Clemens Jr, Franklin, Bernard and George filed to incorporate the enterprise as The Vonnegut Hardware Company. Clemens Jr, Franklin and George would work in
14448-493: The first Speaker of the Indiana Senate ; and William Hendricks , Indiana's first U. S. Representative , its third governor, and a U.S. Senator . The state constitution's provision making Corydon the seat of state government was not a popular one, especially among the citizens of rival towns. Others expressed concern that the town's geographic location in the extreme southern part of Indiana would become inconvenient as
14616-513: The former slaves then settled around the town of Corydon. Although some of the former slaves left, the group became one of the largest communities of free blacks in the state. On April 19, 1816, President James Madison signed an Enabling Act that provided for the election of delegates to a convention at Corydon to consider statehood for Indiana. Forty-three delegates, including five men from Harrison County, convened June 10–29, 1816, to draft Indiana's first state constitution . The preamble of
14784-534: The former statehouse until a new, three-story county courthouse was completed in 1929, located on the north side of the original 1816 courthouse. In 1960 a fire destroyed much of the Harrison County Fairgrounds, including its grandstand. A replacement grandstand was acquired from the minor league baseball team at Parkway Field in Louisville, Kentucky , is still in use. In 1969 Corydon-born environmental historian Samuel P. Hays donated
14952-591: The former territorial governor, wanted to move the capital away from his political stronghold in Knox County. Supporters of the move felt that relocation of the territorial capital to the east would provide a more centralized location for its citizens, especially after its western portion was reorganized to form the Illinois Territory in 1809. Corydon competed with Charlestown , Clarksville , Lawrenceburg , Madison , and Jeffersonville to become
15120-479: The future site of the town. He purchased land at the edge of a fertile valley near a large spring, which is the site of the present-day Harrison County fairgrounds. William Henry Harrison , the first governor of the Indiana Territory and a future president of the United States, often stopped to rest at the Smith's home while travelling to and from Vincennes , the territorial capital. In 1804 Harrison purchased
15288-478: The government took in; Republicans instead wanted to spend the money on internal improvements and pensions for Civil War veterans. Harrison took his party's side and advocated for generous pensions for veterans and their widows. He also unsuccessfully supported aid for the education of Southerners, especially children of the freedmen; he believed education was necessary to help the black population rise to political and economic equality with whites. Harrison opposed
15456-575: The hardware store operations on and off for the better part of their lives. Bernard attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Polytechnic Institute of Hanover, Germany. He would become a noted architect (Vonnegut & Bohn Architects and later, Vonnegut, Bohn & Mueller Architects). The popular author Kurt Vonnegut was Bernard's grandson. In 1908, Franklin "Frank" Vonnegut (third son) took over as
15624-406: The industry as panic bar door hardware. Under an arrangement involving the Vonnegut Hardware Company, Prinzler and Dupont, the patents would be assigned to Vonnegut for the manufacture, sale and distribution of what soon would be called the Von Duprin Safe Exit Device. In its first year of production, 1908, Prinzler was selected to supervise the production and assembly of the device. Prinzler was named
15792-582: The investment and ultimate capture of Atlanta are certainly worthy of commemoration and I should be glad to see the project succeed." After the conclusion of the Atlanta Campaign on September 2, 1864, Harrison was among the initial Union forces to enter the surrendered city of Atlanta; General Sherman opined that Harrison served with "foresight, discipline and a fighting spirit". After the Atlanta Campaign, Harrison reported to Governor Morton in Indiana for special duty, and while there he campaigned for
15960-716: The involvement of the Boston investment banking firm of State Street Investments, Vonnegut Hardware Company was sold to the Schlage Lock Company, San Francisco. Around 1965–1966, Schlage resold the retail components of Vonnegut to Indianapolis developer Warren Atkinson and a few Vonnegut Hardware Company employees. The Schlage Lock Company retained all ownership interest in and to the industrial trade name Von Duprin and its products. Von Duprin continues to manufacture and distribute security-related products under its present-day holding company, Allegion . Under Atkinson, et al.,
16128-513: The issue and Harrison was reluctant to address it in hope of preventing the alienation of either side. The issue became a political football and was immortalized in a cartoon captioned "What can I do when both parties insist on kicking?" Harrison appointed Theodore Roosevelt and Hugh Smith Thompson , both reformers, to the Civil Service Commission , but otherwise did little to further the reform cause. In 1890 Harrison saw
16296-535: The keys, the mob used hammers to knock down the jail doors and removed the two alleged assailants. The two men were dragged to the old Western Bridge, where they were hanged. In 1917 the state of Indiana purchased the historic capitol building with the goal of restoring it. The Federal-style building opened as a state memorial in 1929–30; it is a part of the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site. The Harrison County government also used
16464-454: The land survey of what would become Corydon in 1807, and the first official land purchases occurred in April of that year. In 1803, Edward Smith and his family became the first Americans to settle in what would become Corydon. Following the completion of the 1807 land survey, he purchased the tract of land he had already been living on; at that time his family were the only recorded inhabitants of
16632-493: The losses from his brigade were "very slight" compared with those of Confederate forces. He thought this was because of battlefield topography, writing: "I believe, that the enemy, having the higher ground, fired too high." Harrison later supported the creation of an Atlanta National Military Park, which would have included "substantial portions" of the Peachtree battlefield, writing in 1900: "The military incidents connected with
16800-724: The main stops on the only land route to the territorial capital of Vincennes. During the War of 1812 , Corydon sent a mounted militia company nicknamed the Yellow Jackets to support the territorial army. The company fought in the Battle of Tippecanoe , where it suffered more casualties than any other unit. Corydon became the second capital of the Indiana Territory on May 1, 1813, when it was relocated from Vincennes in Knox County . Opponents of William Henry Harrison ,
16968-473: The main trenches". Leading the 70th Indiana Infantry Regiment, Harrison massed his troops in a ravine opposite Corput's position, along with the rest of Brigadier General William Thomas Ward's brigade. Harrison and his regiment, leading the assault, then emerged from the ravine, advanced over the artillery parapet, overcame the Confederate gunners, and eliminated the threat. The battery was captured by hand-to-hand combat, and intense combat continued throughout
17136-523: The name from Harrison's favorite hymn , "The Pastoral Elegy." Harrison sold the town site to Harvey Heth in 1807. Corydon's official founding date of 1808 commemorates the year when Heth, a U.S. government surveyor and landowner, platted the town. Heth donated the town square for public use and sold individual lots to settlers and the territorial government. When Harrison County was established in 1808, Corydon became its county seat of government. The town originally consisted of 185 lots. In 1809 Corydon
17304-479: The nation's growth to the influences of education and religion, urged the cotton states and mining territories to attain the industrial proportions of the eastern states, and promised a protective tariff. Of commerce, he said, "If our great corporations would more scrupulously observe their legal obligations and duties, they would have less call to complain of the limitations of their rights or of interference with their operations." Harrison also urged early statehood for
17472-480: The national currency. He was defeated in a plurality by James D. Williams , losing by 5,084 votes out 434,457 cast, but Harrison built on his new prominence in state politics. When the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 reached Indianapolis, he gathered a citizen militia to make a show of support for owners and management, and helped mediate an agreement between the workers and management and to prevent
17640-405: The needs of a growing populace. Vonnegut sold quality hardware, housewares, sporting goods, radios, watches, toys, yard supplies, gardening tools, sportswear, and much more. The downtown store also sold firearms, a full line of photography equipment, fireplace fixtures and other specialty items. Through the Vonnegut catalog one could order from even a wider array of items. Vonnegut customers developed
17808-473: The new territorial capital. Dennis Pennington , a Harrison County representative and the speaker of the territorial legislature's lower house, helped secure the town's selection during the 1813 session of the Indiana Territory's general assembly. Pennington pointed out that Corydon would be an ideal location. The Harrison County court had approved a design for a new county courthouse on Corydon's public square in 1811 and it could be used as an assembly building for
17976-474: The north side of Washington Street between Pennsylvania and Delaware Streets, spanned an area approximately forty-five by one-hundred ninety-five feet at its base, and was a five-story building with a full basement. Merchandising took place on multiple floors, along with administrative offices and storage. In 1925, Vonnegut purchased the Lilly Hardware Company, he also purchased Lilly's three-story building located at 114-118 East Washington Street. Since this location
18144-453: The northeast holding firm for the gold standard. Because silver was worth less than its legal equivalent in gold, taxpayers paid their government bills in silver, while international creditors demanded payment in gold, resulting in a depletion of the nation's gold supply. Owing to worldwide deflation in the late 19th century, a strict gold standard had resulted in reduction of incomes without the equivalent reduction in debts, pushing debtors and
18312-467: The only Republican boss initially nominated was Redfield Proctor, as secretary of war. Senator Shelby Cullom's comment symbolizes Harrison's steadfast aversion to use federal positions for patronage: "I suppose Harrison treated me as well as he did any other Senator; but whenever he did anything for me, it was done so ungraciously that the concession tended to anger rather than please." Harrison's selections shared particular alliances, such as their service in
18480-401: The party. When Republicans retook the majority in the state legislature , Harrison's election to a six-year term in the U.S. Senate was threatened by Judge Walter Q. Gresham , his intraparty rival, but Harrison was ultimately chosen. After Garfield's election as president in 1880, his administration offered Harrison a cabinet position, but Harrison declined in favor of continuing his service in
18648-451: The poor to call for silver coinage as an inflationary measure. The silver coinage issue had not been much discussed in the 1888 campaign, and Harrison is said to have favored a bimetallist position. But his appointment of a silverite Treasury Secretary, William Windom , encouraged the free silver supporters. Harrison attempted to steer a middle course between the two positions, advocating free coinage of silver, but at its own value, not at
18816-407: The population. There were 1,171 households, out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and
18984-538: The position of Indiana's Supreme Court Reporter and for President Lincoln's reelection; after the election he left for Georgia to join Sherman's March to the Sea , but instead was "given command of the 1st Brigade at Nashville". Harrison led the brigade at the Battle of Nashville in December, in a "decisive" action against the forces of General John Bell Hood . Notwithstanding his memorable military achievements and
19152-517: The position, and served as the Court's reporter for four more years. The position was not a politically powerful one, but it provided Harrison with a steady income for his work preparing and publishing court opinions, which he sold to the legal profession. Harrison also resumed his law practice in Indianapolis. He became a skilled orator and known as "one of the state's leading lawyers". In 1869 President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Harrison to represent
19320-441: The praise he received for them, Harrison held a dim view of war. According to historian Allan B. Spetter, he thought "war was a dirty business that no decent man would find pleasurable". In 1888, the year he won the presidency, Harrison declared: "We Americans have no commission from God to police the world." Several weeks after the Battle of Nashville, Harrison "received orders to rejoin the 70th Indiana at Savannah, Georgia, after
19488-413: The presidential ring", but after walking the middle ground he eventually supported Blaine "with energy and enthusiasm". In the Senate, Harrison achieved passage of his Dependent Pension Bill, only to see it vetoed by President Grover Cleveland . His efforts to further the admission of new western states were stymied by Democrats, who feared that the new states would elect Republicans to Congress. In 1885
19656-482: The proprietors would make cheese, crackers and a cool mug of Madison ale available to customers. The cheese, cracker and ale tradition continued from 1852 to approximately 1867. There is some confusion regarding the business departure of Charles Volmer. One accounting is that Volmer left to go out West and was never heard from again. Another version of the story is that Volmer retired in 1857. Clemens Vonnegut's son Franklin would later reflect that Volmer simply went across
19824-466: The public service, there is an unroofed space between the bedroom and the desk." Harrison acted quite independently in selecting his cabinet, much to Republican bosses' dismay. He began by delaying the presumed nomination of James G. Blaine as secretary of state so as to preclude Blaine's involvement in the formation of the administration, as had occurred in Garfield's term. In fact, other than Blaine,
19992-586: The regiment left Indiana to join the Union Army at Louisville, Kentucky. For much of its first two years, the 70th Indiana performed reconnaissance duty and guarded railroads in Kentucky and Tennessee . In May 1864, Harrison and his regiment joined General William T. Sherman 's Atlanta Campaign in the Army of the Cumberland and moved to the front lines. On January 2, 1864, Harrison was promoted to command
20160-508: The region. Southern Railroad's main line ran across northern Harrison County at Crandall , and remained open to passenger traffic until 1996. As of 2008, the line was owned by Lucas Oil . A major fire broke out in 1871, in which the Kintner House Tavern was destroyed, along with the entire block from Cherry to Beaver Streets. The county jail also burned in the blaze. A second major fire broke out in Corydon on April 20, 1883, in
20328-588: The retail division generally thrived after The Great Depression, it provided only a small proportion of the firm's annual sales volume. Vonnegut worked directly with a large number of high quality manufactures who allowed Vonnegut to distribute its products. In turn, Vonnegut maintained a network of several hundred merchant dealers throughout Indiana. These independent retail hardware dealers sold Vonnegut supplied products to their local customers. Thus, Vonnegut supplied products were finding their way into homes and businesses all over Indiana. Vonnegut also maintained
20496-494: The retail division was renamed Vonnegut, Inc., and Edward J Galm, Jr became its president. A number of the retail stores were operated in the 1970s; however, by 1980, the hardware stores were all closed or merged into other operating entities. The Vonnegut Industrial Products division was also sold as part of the 1965 sale of the parent company. The sale price for the Vonnegut Industrial Products division
20664-423: The river. As a delegate to the 1880 Republican National Convention , he was instrumental in breaking a deadlock on candidates, and James A. Garfield won the nomination. After Harrison led Indiana's delegation at the 1880 Republican National Convention, he was considered the state's presumptive candidate for U.S. Senate. He gave speeches in favor of Garfield in Indiana and New York, further raising his profile in
20832-458: The same day. By 1950, the Vonnegut mill supplies division covered all of Indiana and some of the adjoining territories in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Kentucky. In early December 1952, the downtown store on Washington Street suffered a 2-alarm fire during lunchtime hours. The fire was mostly contained to the fifth floor which was used as a warehouse for the storage of toys. At the height of the fire
21000-399: The seat of county government and a market town for the surrounding agricultural area. In 1826 a new County Clerk's office was constructed which remained the principal county office until 1848. During the early days of the town, Big Indian Creek and Little Indian Creek were both used for drinking water, bathing, and sewage, which resulted in a cholera outbreak in 1832. Following the outbreak,
21168-459: The southwest where it empties into the Ohio River . According to the 2010 census, Corydon has a total area of 1.65 square miles (4.27 km ), all land. As of the census of 2010, there were 3,122 people, 1,341 households, and 716 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,892.1 inhabitants per square mile (730.5/km ). There were 1,491 housing units at an average density of 903.6 per square mile (348.9/km ). The racial makeup of
21336-453: The start of the American Civil War . In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued a call for more recruits for the Union Army; Harrison wanted to enlist, but worried about how to support his young family. While visiting Governor Oliver Morton , Harrison found him distressed over the shortage of men answering the latest call. Harrison told the governor, "If I can be of any service, I will go." Morton asked Harrison if he could help recruit
21504-543: The state's population center shifted northward; however, Dennis Pennington and other Harrison County representatives to the Indiana General Assembly successfully resisted attempts to move the seat of government from Corydon until 1825. Governor Hendricks signed a legislative bill in 1824 to move the state capital to Indianapolis , effective January 10, 1825. After the seat of state government moved to Indianapolis in 1825, Corydon continued its role as
21672-402: The street and opened a grocery and liquor business. Volmer and Vonnegut Sr dissolved their partnership in 1856, and by 1857 the retail hardware store was renamed Clemens Vonnegut Hardware and Charles Volmer was no longer affiliated with the enterprise. In 1858, Charles Volmer was operating a wholesale wine, liquor, and cigar distributorship at 95 East Washington Street, Indianapolis. By 1865, there
21840-580: The strike from widening. When U.S. Senator Morton died in 1877, the Republicans nominated Harrison to run for the seat, but the party failed to gain a majority in the state legislature, which at that time elected senators; the Democratic majority elected Daniel W. Voorhees instead. In 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed Harrison to the Mississippi River Commission , which worked to develop internal improvements on
22008-737: The summer heat, the men often sought refuge outside under a giant elm tree , later named the Constitution Elm. Although the tree was lost to Dutch Elm Disease in 1825, a portion of its trunk has been preserved, surrounded by a sandstone memorial built by the WPA during the Great Depression in the 1930s. The delegates completed their work in nineteen days, adjourning on June 29, 1816, when the newly signed state constitution went into effect. As outlined in Article XI, Section 11, of
22176-438: The summer, and an annual reenactment of the Battle of Corydon , as well as country and bluegrass music performances. A weeklong county fair is held the third week of June at the Harrison County fairgrounds. It is one of Corydon's more popular events, with attendance usually exceeding 3,000 each night. The fair includes 4-H exhibits, a midway, demolition derbies, harness racing, and musical entertainment. The Corydon Democrat ,
22344-485: The swing states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Harrison's home state of Indiana. Harrison and Cleveland split the four, with Harrison winning New York and Indiana. Voter turnout was 79.3%, reflecting large interest in the campaign; nearly eleven million votes were cast. Harrison received 90,000 fewer votes than Cleveland, but carried the Electoral College , 233 to 168. Allegations were made against Republicans for engaging in irregular ballot practices; an example
22512-407: The tariff even higher, making some rates intentionally prohibitive. At Secretary of State Blaine's urging, Harrison attempted to make the tariff more acceptable by urging Congress to add reciprocity provisions, which would allow the president to reduce rates when other countries reduced their rates on American exports. The tariff was removed from imported raw sugar, and U.S. sugar growers were given
22680-505: The tariffs, federal spending reached one billion dollars for the first time during his term. The spending issue in part led to the Republicans' defeat in the 1890 midterm elections . Cleveland defeated Harrison for reelection in 1892 , due to the growing unpopularity of high tariffs and high federal spending. Harrison returned to private life and his law practice in Indianapolis. In 1899, he represented Venezuela in its British Guiana boundary dispute with Great Britain . Harrison traveled to
22848-474: The territorial legislature. Pennington supervised construction of the limestone courthouse, which was nearly completed when Indiana's first state legislature convened at Corydon in 1816. Prior to 1816, the territorial legislature met in the original county courthouse on High Street. Paul and Susannah Mitchem became Quakers and immigrated to Harrison County from North Carolina in 1814, bringing with them 107 slaves whom they freed after arriving. Most of
23016-532: The territories and advocated pensions for veterans, a call that met with enthusiastic applause. In foreign affairs, he reaffirmed the Monroe Doctrine as a mainstay of foreign policy, while urging modernization of the Navy and a merchant marine force. He gave his commitment to international peace through noninterference in the affairs of foreign governments. John Philip Sousa 's Marine Corps band played at
23184-418: The town only used the creeks for bathing and multiple wells were dug for drinking water. In 1836, the town began spreading gravel on the roads, which had been dirt roads before. During 1848, a new two-story federal style brick office building was constructed on the east side of the county courthouse. This second office building remained in use until 1881. On September 11–14, 1860, the first annual county fair
23352-487: The town surrendered. Corydon was sacked in retaliation for Union looting in Kentucky, the town's treasury of $ 690 was seized, and the inmates of the local jail were released. General Morgan demanded $ 600 to $ 700 in ransom from each mill and shop owner to keep their buildings from being burned. Tradition says one Corydon miller overpaid by $ 200; Morgan promptly returned it to him. In 1871 local journalists began to bring
23520-570: The town was 45.6% male and 54.4% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,715 people, 1,171 households, and 674 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,708.1 inhabitants per square mile (659.5/km ). There were 1,271 housing units at an average density of 799.6 per square mile (308.7/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 97.27% White , 1.14% African American , 0.41% Native American , 0.11% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.85% from other races , and 0.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.88% of
23688-443: The town was 96.7% White , 0.7% African American , 0.2% Native American , 0.2% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.9% from other races , and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population. There were 1,341 households, of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had
23856-442: The town. The town hosted meetings from national officials, including an 1819 visit by United States President James Monroe and Andrew Jackson . On November 4, 1816, the Indiana General Assembly met for the first time at Corydon under the new constitution and state government. President James Madison signed the congressional resolution admitting Indiana as the nineteenth state in the Union on December 11, 1816, and Corydon began
24024-428: The water within the 50,000-gallon tank atop the building began to move and steam. The insured loss was said to be $ 215,000. No one was injured and the building was restored. In 1957, Vonnegut moved its downtown store to a new location at 18-20 N Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis. With stores located throughout Marion County, Vonnegut Hardware Co was largely known in Indianapolis for the efforts of its retail division. While
24192-572: The west end (originally served by the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St Louis Railroad). By 1892, sixty-eight-year-old Clemens Vonnegut Sr had ceded the day-to-day operation of his store to children Clemens Jr, Franklin, Bernard and George. While not an official ownership document, the Indianapolis City Directories from 1892 through 1905 listed the four Vonnegut children as principals along with their father. By 1899,
24360-472: The west end of Corydon; seven businesses, stables, and multiple homes were destroyed. The fire would have spread further, but it slowed as it spread through a lumber yard containing only freshly cut timber that did not burn easily. This allowed the townspeople to get the upper hand and extinguish the fire, but most of the western portion of the town was burned. It was not until 1922 that all the lots were rebuilt. In 1889 an attempted murder in Corydon resulted in
24528-855: The wholesale trade of tools and supplies to contractors directly engaged in the construction trades. The Vonnegut mill supply and industrial supply divisions marketed tools, hardware and supplies directly to commercial clientele and industrial firms within the region. Among its larger industrial clients were: ALCOA , RCA Victor , Overmyer Mold Company, Lynch Corporation, International Harvester , Cummins Engine and Arvin Industries, Perfect Circle Corporation, Ball Brothers , Allison Division of General Motors Corporation, Union Carbide and Chemical Corporation , Guide Lamp, Delco Remy Divisions of General Motors Corporation, Delco Radio, and Delco Battery Divisions of General Motors Corporation. Through an extensive network of sales representatives, Vonnegut marketed
24696-507: Was $ 33,823, and the median income for a family was $ 41,630. Males had a median income of $ 29,159 versus $ 21,699 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 20,740. About 9.8% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over. It is located within the South Harrison Community Schools school district. Corydon has
24864-413: Was adjacent to the Vonnegut store at 120-124 East Washington Street, an archway was cut between the two buildings to merge them. Even prior to 1900, Vonnegut Sr found it necessary to maintain a separate warehouse. This facility was located at 746 South Delaware St, Indianapolis, IN. The building on this site measured thirty-six by one-hundred fifty feet at its base, and was served by a railroad siding along
25032-421: Was admitted to the Ohio bar in early 1854, the same year he sold property he had inherited after the death of an aunt for $ 800 (equivalent to $ 27,129 in 2023), and used the funds to move with Caroline to Indianapolis , Indiana . Harrison began practicing law in the office of John H. Ray in 1854 and became a crier for the federal court in Indianapolis, for which he was paid $ 2.50 per day. He also served as
25200-435: Was also a member of Delta Chi , a law fraternity that permitted dual membership. Classmates included John Alexander Anderson , who became a six-term U.S. congressman, and Whitelaw Reid , Harrison's vice presidential running mate in 1892. At Miami, Harrison was strongly influenced by history and political economy professor Robert Hamilton Bishop . He also joined a Presbyterian church at college and, like his mother, became
25368-401: Was also accused of accepting loan payments in return for expediting pension cases. Harrison, having accepted a dissenting congressional Republican investigation report that exonerated Raum, kept him in office. One of the first appointments Harrison was forced to reverse was that of James S. Clarkson as an assistant postmaster. Clarkson, who had expected a full cabinet position, began sabotaging
25536-563: Was born on August 20, 1833, in North Bend, Ohio , the second of Elizabeth Ramsey (Irwin) and John Scott Harrison 's ten children. His ancestors included immigrant Benjamin Harrison, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia , circa 1630 from England . Harrison was of entirely English ancestry, all of his ancestors having emigrated to America during the early colonial period. Harrison was a grandson of U.S. President William Henry Harrison and
25704-691: Was born on a farm by the Ohio River and graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio . After moving to Indianapolis , he established himself as a prominent local attorney, Presbyterian church leader, and politician in Indiana . During the American Civil War , he served in the Union Army as a colonel , and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a brevet brigadier general of volunteers in 1865. Harrison unsuccessfully ran for governor of Indiana in 1876. The Indiana General Assembly elected Harrison to
25872-414: Was connected by road to Doup's Ferry, 15 miles (24 km) to the south at Mauck's Port , providing access to the Ohio River for trade. The first county courthouse was built at the northwest corner of the town at the summit of High Street. Corydon quickly grew into one of the most important early settlements in Indiana, in large part due to the political successes of its early inhabitants and as one of
26040-625: Was described as Blocks of Five . On October 31 the Indiana Sentinel published a letter allegedly by Harrison's friend and supporter, William Wade Dudley , offering to bribe voters in "blocks of five" to ensure Harrison's election. Harrison neither defended nor repudiated Dudley, but allowed him to remain on the campaign for the remaining few days. After the election, Harrison never spoke to Dudley again. Harrison had made no political bargains, but his supporters had made many pledges on his behalf. When Boss Matthew Quay of Pennsylvania, who
26208-514: Was diplomatic, and was an early Indianapolis visionary. Many hard-working German farmers settled near Indianapolis. Over time, many came to look at Vonnegut Sr as their friend and trusted advisor. Rather than trust a small, local bank, some would entrust their money to Vonnegut Sr for safekeeping and investment. When the banks had grown larger, and Vonnegut Sr considered them safe, he communicated that he did not want to continue this depository service. Reluctantly, his friends then took their deposits to
26376-400: Was elected reporter of the Indiana Supreme Court . Harrison was an active supporter of the Republican Party's platform and served as Republican State Committee's secretary. After Wallace, his law partner, was elected county clerk in 1860, Harrison established a new firm with William Fishback, Fishback and Harrison. The new partners worked together until Harrison entered the Union Army after
26544-462: Was held on Corydon's 36-acre (15 ha) fairgrounds. It has been an annual event since 1860, making it the longest consecutive-running annual county fair in the state. The fairgrounds, established in the southwest corner of town, are bordered on the south and west by a large ridge that served as a natural grandstand until the first grandstand was built, circa 1910. During the Civil War , Corydon
26712-417: Was later to become the "main issue of the campaign" in 1888. The admission of six new states during Harrison's term, between 1889 and 1890, was anticipated with the declaration: "whenever the conditions of population, material resources...and morality are such as to insure a stable local government," the people "should be permitted...to form for themselves constitutions and State government, and be admitted into
26880-432: Was no longer a record of Charles Volmer in Indianapolis. At about the same time the partnership was dissolved, Clemens Vonnegut moved his hardware store to 338 East Washington Street. He also moved his family into the apartment above the store. Vonnegut Sr would not stay at this address very long. By 1858, the business would move to 142 East Washington Street. The family would also accompany this move taking-up residency in
27048-526: Was rebuffed for a Cabinet position for his political support during the convention, heard that Harrison ascribed his narrow victory to Providence , Quay exclaimed that Harrison would never know "how close a number of men were compelled to approach...the penitentiary to make him president". Harrison was known as the Centennial President because his inauguration celebrated the centenary of the first inauguration of George Washington in 1789. In
27216-515: Was reported to be $ 3 million. The new owners, a group of former Vonnegut employees, incorporated under the name of Vonnegut Industrial Products, Inc. William H. Holbrook became the President, and Everal Downing was named Vice President of Sales. This new entity expanded by purchasing a warehouse in Evansville, Indiana, to better serve southern Indiana and Kentucky. By 1989, Vonnegut Industrial Products, Inc, with annual estimated sales of $ 40 million,
27384-535: Was sold and merged into W W Grainger of Chicago, IL. The Vonnegut family was prominent in Indianapolis, many members taking lead roles in civic and Indianapolis business affairs. Clemens Vonnegut Sr. served on the Indianapolis Board of Schools for 27 years. Public School No. 9 at 407 Fulton Street, Indianapolis would later bear his name. His son Franklin succeeded him on the Indianapolis Board of Schools and Theodore F. Vonnegut would also assume this role in
27552-556: Was the 23rd president of the United States , serving from 1889 to 1893. He was a member of the Harrison family of Virginia —a grandson of the ninth president, William Henry Harrison , and a great-grandson of Benjamin Harrison ;V , a Founding Father . A Union Army veteran and a Republican, he defeated incumbent Grover Cleveland to win the presidency in 1888 and was defeated for a second term by Cleveland in 1892. Harrison
27720-482: Was the site of the only "official pitched battle" fought in Indiana. On July 9, 1863, Confederate brigadier general John Hunt Morgan 's cavalry of more than 2,000 men crossed the Ohio River into Indiana to begin what is known as " Morgan's Raid ". The Confederate troops opposed about 450 members of a hastily assembled home guard at the Battle of Corydon outside of town, but the Union forces were quickly defeated and
27888-517: Was then called. The site was directly opposite the Washington Hall. Initially, C Volmer & Vonnegut Hardware would sell hardware, groceries, dry goods, coffin fittings, animal hides, and leather, along with agricultural, carpentry, butchering and harness-making supplies. Much of the merchandise was simply stacked outside on the wooden sidewalk for customers to browse and select. Given many customers arrived only after making arduous journeys,
28056-463: Was then ranked the 87th largest urban area in the United States. During this time, The roads were primarily made of dirt, but the surface of the National Road was cobblestone as it ran through the city. Within the "mile square" known as Indianapolis, wooden plank road surfaces diverged north and south of the great National Road. Railroads facilitated trade, bringing merchandise and settlers into
28224-411: Was to pass the Sherman Antitrust Act , sponsored by Senator John Sherman . The Act passed by wide margins in both houses, and Harrison signed it into law. The Sherman Act was the first federal act of its kind, and marked a new use of federal government power. Harrison approved of the law and its intent, but his administration did not enforce it vigorously. However, the government successfully concluded
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