Bischof - Louis - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Bischof - Louis

LOUIS BISCHOF

Source: 1913 History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis: AW Bowen, 1913 p. 816

An enumeration of the enterprising men of the Wabash Valley country and especially of Montgomery County who have won recognition and success for themselves and at the same time have conferred honor upon the locality where they reside would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of Louis BISCHOF, who, while yet young in years, became one of the substantial and most representative business influential citizens of the city of Crawfordsville, which position he has continued to maintain, conducting an extensive mercantile establishment. He has ever held worthy prestige in mercantile circles and was always regarded as distinctively a man of affairs and has wielded a potent influence among those with whom his lot has been cast, having won definite success and shown what a man of lofty principles, honesty of purpose and determination can win by proper effort. He stands in the front rank of the men who honor his calling and because of his industry, integrity and courtesy he enjoys the good will and respect of all classes. Louis Bischof was born in Terre Haute, Indiana Feb 19, 1860. He is a son of Jacob and Minnie Bischof, both natives of Germany, where they grew to maturity were educated and married and there spent their earlier years, emigrating from the famous city of Heidelberg to the US in 1856, and locating in Terre Haute, Indiana where they became well established and to them were born: Louis, subject of review; Mrs. Fannie KAHN of Crawfordsville; Morris Bischof who lives in Chicago; Mrs. Dora Bernheimer of Terre Haute; John Bischof, who lives in Crawfordsville; Mrs. Carrie LEVI, who resided in Cincinnati and Abe Bischof, both deceased. Louis Bischof was only 11 months old when his father died. His mother survived many years, reaching an advanced age and died some 12 years ago. Louis Bischof grew to manhood in the city of Terre Haute and here he received his education in the public schools. When 17 he came to Crawfordsville and began his business career in 1877, and has always been a merchant, having had a decided natural bent for that line of endeavor and his rise has been gradual and certain, each year finding him further advanced than the preceding. His first store was a one-story room in Washington Street. By his courtesy, thrift and splendid business judgment, his store soon outgrew his limited quarters there, so larger accommodations were secured by the purchase of a story and a half building on Main Street. Within a short time this, too, proved inadequate to the fast growing business when an adjoining room of equal proportions was added. With the growth of Crawfordsville and the constant increase of activity in its commercial life this building soon proved too small to meet the demands of the business. Mr. Bischof then built his present substantial and commodious structure with a 43 foot front and 165 feet in depth, with basement and four floors. The building is modern in all its appointments, with electric passenger and freight elevators, its own electric lighting plant, pneumatic cash system and every feature of up-to-date store service. When Mr. Bischof began business he employed only five people. 100 employees are now on the pay roll of the Louis Bischof Big Store. A very large and carefully selected stock of general merchandise is carried, a new stock purchased each season, and the 1000s of satisfied and regular customers of this mammoth enterprise know that here they always receive honest and courteous treatment, which is uniform to all classes. One reason Mr. Bischof is enabled to sell his goods at a much lower figure than other merchants is because he buys his goods in enormous quantities, hence purchases them lower than if bought in small lots here and there. Thus he gives his customers the benefit of this reduction. His fine store is neatly arranged, tastily kept and is a comfortable place both winter and summer, everything being provided for the comfort of customers, and it is the favorite gathering place for farmers' families from all over Montgomery and adjoining counties when in Crawfordsville. Everything is managed under a superb system. In 1907, Mr. Bischof incorporated the business under the name of Louis Bischof Big Store, a unique feature of the incorporation being that it is organized on the cooperative plan. At the present time there are over 3000 stockholders of this great store living in Crawfordsville and Montgomery County, who, impelled by a common interest, take a personal pride in the success of the enterprise, and are making it one of the best and largest stores in the state. In addition to being the president of the corporation mentioned above, Mr. Bischof has always given liberally of his time and money to the betterment and advancement of the city of Crawfordsville, whose interests he has ever had at heart, having great faith in its future and favorable location as a commercial center. Mr. Bischof is a member of DeBayard Lodge, Knights of Pythias; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Crawfordsville lodge No. 483. He is also a member of the B'nai Brith. Mr. Bischof is a member of the Crawfordsville Commercial Club and a director in the same. He is a stockholder in the Farmers & Merchants Trust Company. He is also president of the Louis Bischof Big Store of Ladoga, Indiana where a large business is carried on with the surrounding country, this being one of the largest and most complete department stores in the Wabash Country, and, like its sister establishment in the county seat, would be a credit to a town much larger than Ladoga. . -- typed by kbz