Clemens Vonnegut Jr.  

Indiana and Indianans : a history of aboriginal and territorial Indiana and the century of statehood Chicago: American Historical Society, 1919, pg. 2173-5

Clemens Vonnegut ... on January 24, 1853 married Miss Catherine Blank, who died April 13, 1904.

They were the parents of four sons, three of whom are still living. The eldest, Clemens, Jr., born November 19, 1853, entered his father's establishment in 1869. After an intermission of twenty years, 1890-1910, during which time he was manager of the Indianapolis Coffin Company and the National Casket Company, he returned to the hardware business. As a republican he represented Marion county in the State Legislature in 1895.

He married Emma Schnall of Indianapolis. They have three children; ELLA is the wife of W. K. Stewart, and they have one child, Susan. ANTON married Ina Holleweg, and their three children are: Louise, Richard, and Antonette. WALTER married Margaret Potts. They have one daughter, Irma Ruth.

The second son was Bernard Vonnegut ,who was born August 8, 1855, and died in August 1908... Franklin Vonnegut, the third son of Clemens Vonnegut , was born October 20, 1856...The fourth son, George Vonnegut, born October 22, 1860.

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2 Clemens, Jr Vonnegut born November 19, 1853 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, died 18 Jan. 1921 Indianapolis, Marion Burial: Jan. 21, 1921 Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana

entered his ather's establishment in 1869. After an intermission of twenty years, 1890-1910, during which time he was manager of the Indianapolis Coffin Company and the National Casket Company, he returned to the hardware business. As a republican he represented Marion county in the State Legislature in 1895.

Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana
Wednesday, January 19, 1921 Page 6

The name Vonnegutis one that is woven into the fabric of Indianapolis of the past half century and more. In business and social life, in the promotion of enterprises that have made the city what it is, the name has figured, and as the eldsest member and head of the family for many years, Clemens Vonnegut, whose life at 67 has just ended, established a reputation for business integrity and general good citzenship that is an honor to his memory and an inheritance to be cherished by those who come after him.

An unspectacular man who never sought the limelight, he was never the less active in all progressinve movements, especialy the advancement of education and the the liberal arts, and particularly music. Indianapolis owes much to him for his tirelss efforts to create a greater interest in the best music. Born in Indianapolis, all his interests were here. He was a part of the city's life and the city esteemed him.

Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana
Wednesday, January 19, 1921 Page 8

Vonnegut Rites Here Tommorrow
Nephews to Act as Pallbearers
at Funeral of Local Pioneer Merchant

Funeral services for Clemens Vonnegut, 67,years old, pioner Indianapolis merchant, will be held from the Vonnegut home, 604 East Thirteenth street, tommorrow morning. Six nephews of Mr. Vonnegutwill act as pallbearers: Kurt, Alex, Irwin and Theodore Vonnegut and Clememns Mueller and John Raugh [Rauch].

Mr. Vonnegut, who died at his home Tuesday morning following an illness, and result of being struck by an automobile in December while soliciting for the community. He was born in Indianapolis, Nov 19, 1853 the eldest son four sons of Clemens Vonnegut.

Following schooling [in the] German-English Independent and Indianapolis high schools, he went to work in his father's hardware store on East Washington street.

A Civic Builder.

He later became local manager for the National Casket Company, remaining at that post for fifteen years. In 1908 he became vice president of the VonnegutHardware Company, the position he held at the time of his death.

He was a member of the Columbis Club, Hoosier Motor Club, active in the Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association, and at the time of his death was president of the Athenaeum. He was one of the directors of the Indiana Manufacturing Recirocal Association, and in 1894 served as a member of the Legislature as a representatinve of Marion county. He married Miss Emma Schn ull in 1878. He was active in the musical life of the city, at one time being director of the Indianapolis Orchestra and the May Musical festival, and was an able amateur violinist.

Mr. Vonnegutis survived by the widow, two brothers: George and Franklin Vonnegut; a daughter, Mrs. W. K. Stewart and two sons: Anton and Walter. The funeral services will be private.

He married Sep. 4, 1878 Indianapolis, Marion, In. 15/346 Emma Schnull 4 SEP 1857 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana d. aet 81 17 Feb 1939 Culver , Marshall, Indiana. Burial: Oct 24, 1939 Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana Section: 6 Lot: 4 daughter of and Mary Mathilde Schramm.

They have three children

Ella Vonnegut is the wife of W. K. Stewart, and they have one child, Susan.

Anton Vonnegut married Ina Holleweg, and their three children are: Louise, Richard, and Antonette.



Walter Vonnegut
married Margaret [Stella Marjorie] Potts. They have one daughter, Irma Ruth.

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Indianapolis City Directory, 1889. Indianapolis, IN: R.L. Polk and Co., 1889 & 1890
Name: Clemens Vonnegut, Jr
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
Year: 1889
Business Name: Clemens Vonnegut
Location 2: 366 N Alabama

Name: Clemens Vonnegut, Jr
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
Year: 1890
Business Name: Clemens Vonnegut
Location 2: 124 N Alabama

Vonnegut Family Index