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.
Indianapolis 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 around 1,000 people,Grooms & Smith's Indianapolis Directory, City Guide and Business Mirror, aka "Indianapolis as I Know It in 1855, First Edition, AC Grooms and WT Smith, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library and by 1835, Indianapolis was incorporated. The population of Indianapolis had reached over 8,000 people by 1850, and was then ranked the 87th largest urban area in the United States."Table 8 – Population of the 100 Largest Urban Places: 1850", U.S. Bureau of the Census, Internet Release Date June 15, 1998 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 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 the 21st largest urban area in the United States). By 1960 Indianapolis had a population of 476,258."Population of Indianapolis, IN", https://biggestuscities.com, historical population data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census
Early hardware business in the 1800s 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 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, 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.The Indianapolis Star, January 12, 1969
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.Carl Runyon Clemens Vonnegut Sr. Another version of the story is that Volmer retired in 1857."1893 Indianapolis Illustrated: The Capital City of Indianapolis", Consolidated Publishing, 1893, Original Repository: Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher: IUPUI (campus) University Library"Buys Francke Company – Vonnegut Firm Makes Deal", The Indianapolis Star, September 24, 1910 Clemens Vonnegut's son Franklin would later reflect that Volmer simply went across the street and opened a grocery and liquor business."Franklin Vonnegut Reflects on Life in Hardware Store", The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, December 31, 1947 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."A C Howard's Directory for the City of Indianapolis; containing a Correct List of Citizens' Names, their Residence and Place of Business", First Issue, A C Howard, Publisher, 1857, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library In 1858, Charles Volmer was operating a wholesale wine, liquor, and cigar distributorship at 95 East Washington Street, Indianapolis.McEvoy's Indianapolis Directory and Business Mirror for years 1858 and 1859, H N McEvoy, Publisher and Compiler, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library By 1865, there 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.A C Howard's Directory for the City of Indianapolis; containing a Correct List of Citizens' Names, their Residence and Place of Business", First Issue, A C Howard, Publisher, 1857, Publisher and Compiler, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library 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 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.The Indianapolis City Directory for 1865, Published annually by Hawes & Co., Hall & Hutchinson, Printers and Binders, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library
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, the Vonnegut Sr. family would move to a small home located at 508 East Market Street. They would later move to 504 East Market Street. In 1897, Clemens and his wife Katharina would move to 1002 East Market.R L Polk & Co's Indianapolis City Directory for 1877, compiled and published by R L Polk & Co., Indianapolis, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University LibraryR L Polk & Co's Indianapolis City Directory for 1889, compiled and published by R L Polk & Co., Indianapolis, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University LibraryR L Polk & Co's Indianapolis City Directory for 1897, compiled and published by R L Polk & Co., Indianapolis, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library
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.The Great Families of Indianapolis" edited by David S. Comiskey additional reporting by Tony Rehagen and Hugh Vandivier, Indianapolis Monthly, Emmis Communications Corporation He possessed a strong work ethic, 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 the bank."Farms of Yesteryear" The Indianapolis Star, May 25, 1952
Around 1874, the business would move to 184–186 East Washington Street,Swartz & Tedrowe's Annual Indianapolis City Directory for 1874, Sentinel Company Printers, 1874RL Polk & Company's Indianapolis City Directory for 1879, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University LibraryRL Polk & Company's Indianapolis City Directory for 1887, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library a three-floor building with a basement that spanned an area of twenty-two by one-hundred ninety-five feet.Indianapolis Illustrated, 1893, Consolidated Publishing, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library 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.R L Polk & Co's Indianapolis City Directory for 1898, R L Polk & Co., 23–24 Fitzgerald Building, Indianapolis, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library
A year later, Vonnegut Sr. would once again move his store, this time to 120–124 East Washington Street,R L Polk & Co's Indianapolis City Directory for 1899, R L Polk & Co., 23–24 Fitzgerald Building, Indianapolis, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library selling his building at 342 East Washington to former US president Benjamin Harrison.The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, May 15, 1927 The new building located on 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."Indianapolis Sanborn Map #152 for year 1898", Indianapolis Sanborn & Baist Atlas Collection, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library 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 was adjacent to the Vonnegut store at 120–124 East Washington Street, an archway was cut between the two buildings to merge them."Lilly Company Is Sold to Vonnegut – Archway Will Connect Two Stores Which Will Operate as One", The Indianapolis Star, Saturday, July 4, 1925
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 the west end (originally served by the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St Louis Railroad)."Indianapolis Sanborn Map #343 for year 1898", Indianapolis Sanborn & Baist Atlas Collection, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library"Indianapolis Sanborn Map #119 for year 1915", Indianapolis Sanborn & Baist Atlas Collection, Original Repository, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Digital Publisher IUPUI (campus) University Library