Hamilton County Business Magazine Feb/Mar 2022

Page 1

• Fighting Cybercrime

• Candidates Interviewing Companies

• History: The Strange Story behind the Battle of Tappin’s Woodpile

FEBRUARY
• MARCH 2023
PLUS… PLUS…
www.hamiltoncountybusiness.com
Holly Moss, Owner Smitten Kitten Cat Café
HC’s First Cat Café HC’s First Cat Café

www.hamiltoncountybusiness.com

Published six times per year by the Hamilton County Media Group PO Box 502, Noblesville, IN 46061 317-774-7747

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Mike Corbett mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com

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Ann Craig-Cinnamon jandacinnamon@aol.com

John Cinnamon jlcinnamon@aol.com

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Patricia Pickett pickettwrites@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS

David Heighway heighwayd@earthlink.net

Cari Sheehan cari.sheehan@btlaw.com

Judith Wright jw3@iupui.edu

Please send news items and photos to news@hamiltoncountybusiness.com

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Copyright 2023 Hamilton County Media Group. All rights reserved.

2 February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine February / March 2023
Features 11 Chamber Pages 8 Smitten Kitten Cat Café Columns 4 Management Judith Wright 6 Ethics Cari Sheehan 16 History David Heighway Note: This is a hyperlinked digital magazine. Please click on bolded names, company names or linked boxes.
Smitten Kitten Cat Café Cover photo by Stan Gurka
February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine 3 Matt Maher Your Commercial Financing Resource Let’s Talk Business Matt Maher Senior Commercial Lender Commercial Real Estate Financing Member FDIC Institution ID# 478765 FFBT.COM Follow Us Kokomo Square 101 W Sycamore St (765) 252-1738 YOU CAN’T STOP THE BEAT BROADWAY’S TONY AWARD®-WINNING BEST MUSICAL IS BACK FEBRUARY 21-26 • OLD NATIONAL CENTRE BroadwayInIndianapolis.com Photo: Norma Jean Roy

Cybercrimes are Costly –But Companies Can be Prepared

Eight ways to protect your business

Nearly every news cycle has a breaking story about computer fraud, consumer scams and data breaches. Cyber criminals voraciously seek out unsuspecting sources to invade in their relentless search for consumer private information. Even as new tools become available for companies to use to thwart cybercrime, the criminals continue to innovate and find new ways to exploit unprotected weaknesses.

Conducting business online, transacting money transfers digitally, and storing data in the cloud are normal protocols for modern businesses. But given the risks presented by cybercrime, a few essential practices are in order to protect a business, whether big or small.

Cybercrime affects everyone

Anyone who uses a computer or cell phone is subject to becoming a victim of cybercrime. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that in 2021, it received nearly 850,000 complaints involving cybercrime—that’s just over 2,300 complaints per day. The estimated cost impact of all those crimes last year was nearly $6.9 billion.

Among the top complaints were schemes involving business email compromises which account for an estimated $2.4 billion in losses to consumers. Incidents of ransomware fraud were up 7% over the previous year. For the fifteenth year in a row, the Federal Trade Commission reports that identity theft is the most reported consumer fraud complaint.

American businesses are not alone in fighting this threat. A recent report showed that nearly half of all businesses in the U.K. have experienced

some form of cybercrime. Companies in Canada, India and throughout Europe have fallen victim to cyber criminals.

Cyber-dependent vs. cyberenabled crimes – both are costly

Cybercrime falls into two general categories. Cyber-dependent crime involves using computing devices to perpetrate crime by invading other devices. Tools, such as malware, are deployed to steal data by finding weaknesses in a targeted system. Cyber-enabled crime allows criminals to commit crimes of theft and fraud by using technology tools, such as sending fake emails. Both forms are of concern to businesses.

The most common cyber-dependent crime involves email compromises. Fraudsters break into legitimate email systems, most often those of businesses, to pirate money transfers. The message recipient mistakenly believes the transfer is going to the business when in fact funds are diverted to accounts of cyber criminals. From there, funds are often quickly converted to offshore or cryptocurrency accounts, are dispersed and become

difficult to track. Both consumers and businesses have fallen prey to these email compromise schemes.

According to the FBI report, ransomware schemes continue to be on the rise. Ransomware entails the cyber criminal finding a computer system with a security weakness that allows them to invade the system with malicious software. This ‘malware’ encrypts the data, disabling the system owner’s access. Criminals hold the data hostage until the owner of the system pays a ransom.

Of the 3,729 cases reported to the FBI in 2021, the most common targets for ransomware attacks were medium-sized businesses, hospitals, medical practices and local municipalities. But even sophisticated companies fall victim to ransomware attacks. Earlier this year Acer, the sixth largest PC seller in the world was subjected to a reported $50 million ransom for hostage data. U.S. insurance giant CNA was hacked in March of 2021, resulting in a weeklong interruption of its business operations, followed by payment of $40 million in ransom.

Various forms of cyber-enabled crimes seek to convince consumers to provide valuable personal information to the criminal source. ‘Phishing’ involves sending email messages that purport to be from a legitimate company but in fact are sent by cyber criminals. ‘Smishing’ is similar activity conducted via text messages. ‘Pharming’ is the use of attachments or links to messages that invite the recipient to click to get information from the sender. Once clicked, the unsuspecting consumer is connected to a bogus website. Such messages seek to gain personal information from consumers, such as credit card numbers, bank account information,

4 February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine Management
8 Best Practices 1. Only collect essential data 2. Safeguard customer information 3. Invest in data protection tools 4. Inform customers about communication practices 5. Protect against ransomware 6. Heed data privacy laws 7. Regularly monitor FBI reports off criminal activity 8. Report suspected cybercrime activity

passwords or social security numbers. These cyber-enabled activities accounted for nearly 324,000 of the 2021 complaints to the FBI.

Another common form of cyber-enabled crime is use of fake websites. In such schemes, consumers are solicited by email to shop the sites, enticed by attractive prices or coupon offers that appear to be from a legitimate seller. The consumer completes a purchase process and pays with a credit card but never receives the merchandise. And the criminal has a valuable credit card number in hand.

Businesses risk loss from several angles

Every business owner should plan to face the direct risk of cybercrime. The potential for a data breach is a known threat and ransomware incidents are widely publicized in the media. While high-profile cyber crimes against large corporations are newsworthy, it is estimated that nearly half of all cyberattacks target small businesses. In some cases, businesses also face a public relations dilemma. Failed security systems can lead customers to question the overall business savvy of the company. When duped customers purchase from a fake website, they sometimes look to the company to deliver merchandise anyway.

Data hackers frequently sell consumer information to various nefarious sources. In addition to the cost of recovering from being hacked, numerous businesses have been sued by consumers claiming the company was negligent in safeguarding their information. In some cases, the company has also been fined by regulators for failing to respond quickly enough and/or attempting to downplay public knowledge of the cyberattack. Earlier this year, T-Mobile agreed to pay $350 million to customers whose personal information was hacked by outsiders in a data breach. The company will invest another $150 million to upgrade its data security systems over the next two years.

Point of sale compromises have also been expensive for companies. Perhaps the largest such case was Home Depot, dating back to 2014, involving an estimated 50 million credit card

numbers. In addition to repaying banks and credit card companies, the company paid damages to consumers and covered the cost of credit monitoring services for some 53 million customers. The litigation persisted into late 2020 when Home Depot settled related lawsuits.

Regulatory risk also extends into foreign operations by American companies. Last year, Amazon, WhatsApp and Google were fined by European regulators for failing to comply with various consumer data protection regulations. In the Amazon instance, Luxembourg regulators assessed a fine equivalent to $888 million.

This past November, Meta (parent company of Facebook) was fined nearly $275 million for violating Irish data privacy laws. In all, European regulators have fined Meta more than $900 million for violations, including accusations that cyber criminals were able to specifically target minors through Meta’s failed practices.

Good data security practices are essential

Given all the evolving threats and risks, what is a company to do? Here are eight best practices to consider: Only collect essential data. The adage that less is more applies to collecting and maintaining information about customers. A business should evaluate and identify the information that is critical to serving the customer. The less data, the less attractive the business is as a potential target by criminals. Safeguard customer information. A company can reduce its vulnerability for data breach by limiting the number of employees who can access consumer data. Adopt strict management controls for those who are permitted to access data, establish clear standards for how and where data can be accessed. Destroy physical data before discarding it in the trash.

Invest in data protection tools. Even small businesses should invest in data protection software, a secure, dedicated network, data encryption software, and a reliable password management tool. Another essential is a safe offline method to back up data.

Inform customers about communication practices. Explain how the business communicates with customers so they can differentiate messaging from the company from those generated by criminals. Show them how to spot fake messages.

Protect against ransomware. The FBI recommends use of a strong, reputable anti-virus program and regular updates to operating systems and software. Train employees to raise awareness about phishing tactics.

Heed data privacy laws. In response to mass leaks of consumer data, regulators and legislators are stepping in to require companies to protect individuals’ private information. To date, five states have adopted new laws requiring companies to protect consumer data: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah and Virginia. In the coming years, businesses will face additional regulatory requirements in this area.

Regularly-monitor FBI reports of criminal activity. The agency frequently issues information to the public about scams and trending cybercrime activities. Staying informed heightens awareness and is a good line of defense.

Report suspected cybercrime activity. The FBI acknowledges that an unknown number of incidents go unreported and are thus not accounted for in its regular tracking. Reporting suspicious activity and actual attacks assists government investigators in tracking patterns of criminal activity and connecting the dots between conspiring operators. Report to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov

Recognizing the need for and responsibly managing data security practices is an essential role for all companies. Customers trust businesses with some of their most private information and they expect it to be properly safeguarded. When cyberattacks occur, the company becomes victim and responsible party all in the same turn. HCBM

February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine 5
Judith Wright is a Clinical Professor of Business Law and Mosaic Senior Faculty Fellow at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Inviting the Company to an Interview

Ensuring a prospective employer is a good fit

After countless applications and interviews with numerous companies, you finally land a job offer. It is a moment of relief, excitement, and hope. However, it is also a moment of anxiety, nervousness, terror, and second-guessing if you are making the right decision to accept the job offer. Many questions may cross your mind that you were too scared to ask during the interview process. For example, is the company ethical? Does the company make its corporate social responsibility initiatives a priority? How does the company treat its employees on a day-to-day basis? What are the opportunities for advancement and raises? What is the vacation time policy? Are employees expected to be connected 24/7 or only during office hours? Does the company truly value work-life balance? But now, how do you get your questions answered and not jeopardize the job offer— Interview The Company. Remember you are not there to just prove yourself worthy of the job, but you are also there to evaluate the company and position. The company should prove itself to you. Do not be afraid to ask about anything that is important to you, because if your values misalign with the company, it will not be a good fit and you will eventually experience job dissatisfaction and leave the company. It is a no-win situation, and you do not want to waste time at a company that does not fit your values.

Know your self-worth

Passing up on a job that does not align with your values may be a hard concept to swallow. Job searches are long and filled with uncertainty, however, try to hold out and find the right company that aligns with your personal values. The right company will not always be the first company to offer you a job. However, it is understandable if you cannot be picky with a job offer due to financial constraints. Just be careful because companies will prey upon

over a cup of coffee. People tend to be more friendly over coffee. You can ask the employees about the day-today management of the company, job satisfaction, and ethics of the company. However, never ask or say anything that you would not want to get back to company management.

Online options

vulnerabilities such as financial distress. Always know your self-worth and accept nothing less.

When interviewing the company, do not just speak with management or the initial interviewer. Ask to interview other employees, particularly employees that perform the job in which you would be hired. The best way to speak with other employees is generally face-to-face

If you do not feel comfortable or do not have the opportunity to get your questions answered there are a few other options. You can conduct an internet search and read real-life reviews from current and former employees of the company. There are several internet platforms that collect employee reviews, such as Monster.com, Glassdoor, InHerSight and FairyGodBoss. These sites collect reviews regarding work-life balance, diversity, women’s rights, company benefits, pay equality, advancement, and other equality efforts. In reading the reviews, attempt to figure out the company’s culture looking for the things that align (or do not align) with your values. However, keep in mind that most reviews are from very unhappy employees. It is rare that someone that is satisfied with their job will seek out online platforms to write a good review. Most people that write online reviews are on a mission or are fuming and need an outlet for their anger.

Another option would be to seek out current and former employees through your own research. The use of social media platforms such as

6 February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine Ethics Cari Sheehan
Do not be afraid to ask about anything that is important to you, because if your values misalign with the company, it will not be a good fit and you will eventually experience job dissatisfaction and leave the company.

LinkedIn are instrumental in searching for employees of a company. On LinkedIn you would conduct a toolbar search of the company’s name. This will return search results of people that have the company listed on their profile as a current or former employer. Once you identify current and former employees you can reach out to them via messaging on the platform, or other means if you can locate alternative contact information. However, when using LinkedIn be cognizant that LinkedIn notifies people when you review their profile. This means that the employees of the company (the ones that you review their profile) will know that you searched and reviewed their profile. This can be a turn-off to many candidates that want to remain confidential in investigating the company.

A final option would be word-ofmouth. If the company is a local (or even national) company, ask your family and friends if they have any contacts within the company. You never know what connections you have until you ask. Most people are willing to make introductions and help you research of the company, because

everyone has been in your shoes at some point.

But always remember that if the current job offer turns out to be the wrong one for you, it is okay. The right job will come along when you least expect it.

Cari Sheehan is an Assistant

Law and Ethics at IU Kelley School of Business – Indianapolis. She is also a local attorney and frequent seminar speaker focusing her practice on legal ethics and litigation.

This article should not be interpreted as providing legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult your own lawyer on any specific legal questions you may have concerning your situation.

February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine 7
WHITINGER & COMPANY HAS MOVED OUR INDIANAPOLIS AREA OFFICE TO SERVE YOU EVEN BETTER! Effective October 1, 2022, our Indianapolis area office will move from our location on 82nd Street to a new location just off of I-69 and 106th Street in Fishers. Please direct all mail to this new address. Our phone, fax, and email addresses are still the same. 10735 Sky Prairie Street Suite 100, Fishers, IN 46038
When interviewing the company, ask to interview other employees, particularly employees that perform the job in which you would be hired. The best way to speak with other employees is generally faceto-face over a cup of coffee.

A Coffee Shop with Cattitude

Smitten Kitten is the county’s first cat cafe

hen you visit a traditional coffee shop you can pick up a cup of coffee and a muffin. But at the new Smitten Kitten Cat Café in Fishers you can pick up a cup of coffee and a kitten. The unique coffee shop, located at 7852 East 96th Street in a strip mall, is the first Hamilton County location for the cat café concept which is spreading across the globe.

Cover Story
Photos by Stan Gurka

The first one opened in 1998 in Taiwan with many others that followed including in Evansville, Fort Wayne, Lafayette and elsewhere in Indiana. Smitten Kitten will be the second cat cafe in the Indianapolis area after Nine Lives Cat Cafe in Fountain Square.

Smitten Kitten owner Holly Moss, who has a background in Finance and IT, had considered owning her own business for some time and recently decided that the timing was right and the opportunity was a good one for opening her own cat cafe.

Moss says Smitten Kitten Cat Café serves several of her goals, but the main one focuses on her youngest son who has autism. “My autistic son is a cat lover. He has had a special connection with his cat, Rue since he was 12,” she says adding that their mission is to reduce the number of abandoned and homeless cats in our community. “Our playful, stress-free, and interactive environment will hopefully allow for a stronger bond between the adopter and the cat. Our cat lounge is a safe, cage free, peaceful environment for adoptable cats to reside, relax and play with our guests and hopefully find their forever home,” says Moss.

Her second goal is the real catalyst for the venture. “Goal number two is to give my son the opportunity to work, make friends and hopefully learn to become more independent and confident. Ultimately, I see this cat café as a mechanism to help him learn how to work with and adapt to his social anxiety.”

Partners

Smitten Kitten Cat Café has partnered with the Humane Society of Hamilton County and all of the cats will be spayed or neutered and will have received, at a minimum, their first round of deworming, heartworm and flea and tick preventative, along with other testing and microchipping for free.

At any given time, there are 12 to 15 cats and kittens in the what they call the cat lounge and all are available for adoption. It’s a relatively easy process. If you meet a cat you are interested in at the Smitten Kitten Cat Café, you just need to submit an application directly to the Humane Society of Hamilton County. Once

approved, you visit the Humane Society to pay the adoption fee and participate in a quick interview. Then it’s back to the Smitten Kitten Cat Café to take your new family member home.

There is a fee of $10 per half hour and $18 per hour to visit the cat lounge and interact with the cats. That fee goes to help support the cats and to employ trained staff to manage the interactions.

February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine 9 NOBLESVILLE
MERRILLVILLE WESTFIELD CCHALAW.COM
FISHERS FT. WAYNE TIPTON
Holly Moss

Reservations are recommended to visit the cat lounge as there is a limit to the number of visitors at a time. But if you’re just there for a cup of coffee and perhaps to watch the kittens from a distance there is no fee or reservation necessary to visit the cafe and there is an extensive local menu of offerings. “We have partnered with Noble Coffee and Tea as well as several other local vendors and private entrepreneurs. (Sea Salt & Cinnamon, Tina’s Traditional Tea, Stephanie’s Cookies, Generations Pie Company and a few others). We

Shortcut to happiness

Having lived in Fishers for most of her life, opening the Smitten Kitten Cat Café there was an easy decision. Moss says the opportunity to offer this unique service and product to Hamilton County is very exciting. “Many local businesses and residents have reached out and are extremely excited to not only have a close coffee shop but also to have the opportunity to decompress, relax and hopefully adopt some wonderful cats that would otherwise not get the exposure/opportunity to find their ‘furrever’ home,” she says adding that her market research also showed that there is not much competition both on the coffee side as well as the cat side near their location. “The Humane Society is just down the street, only one of many reasons why we chose to partner with them, but the cats just don’t get the visibility—of which we provide.”

provide an excellent beverage menu as well as prepackaged foods for anyone who just enjoys a quiet and relaxing environment—with or without physically “hanging out” with the cats,” says Moss.

Moss has high hopes for the Smitten Kitten Cat Café. “I hope that this is a concept that Hamilton County embraces. Not only do we provide quality local beverages and local prepackaged foods— but will hopefully provide a shortcut to happiness and fun not only for the visitors to our cat café but also for the adoptable cats themselves.”

But the most important reason is much more personal. “My son is obviously one of the driving forces for this venture. We looked at many other different “ventures” but this one was one that we both felt we could truly put our heart in to. My vision is not to do this “with” him as much as it is for him to do this for himself and for the cats. I obviously want to provide him the opportunity to grow, interact, and hopefully learn how to adjust his life/environment with respect to his autism. His love for cats and his creative design ideas and skills have been, and will continue to be, very beneficial to our success. Just wait until you see the 9 foot tree in the café.” HCBM

10 February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

The Winter Market takes place every Saturday Morning from 9:00 am - Noon, with the final market on Saturday, April 1. You can see the weekly list of vendors by visiting the Westfield Markets Page on Facebook West Fork Whiskey has graciously offered to host the Winter Market in their new event space. With easy parking and space for 40+ of vendors, we are excited to partner with them.

February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine 11
Downtown Westfield Association • Visit DowntownWestfieldIndy.com EVE R Y S ATUR DAY F rom 9AM - N OON un til April 1 Wes t Fork Whisk ey Co. H OSTED AT

Upcoming Event Upcoming Events

Looking Ahead

The Taste of Business | Made in Noblesville

Coming to the Embassy Suites on May 10th from 4PM to 7:30PM

Registration is now open for Platinum, Premium, and Standard exhibit spaces!

Noblesville's best business-to-business & business-to-consumer show of the year

1000+ Attendees

90+ Business Showcases

10+ Restaurants - offering tastes of their chefs' favorites

3 Hours of Hosted Entertainment

Made in Noblesville Exhibits

(see behind the scenes of some of our local manufacturers)

February&MarchEvents

February 1st @ American Dream Coffee House from 8am to 9am

March 1st @ CoHatch Noblesville from 8am to 9am

Coffee and networking with the Noblesville Chamber Young Professionals.

February 8th and March 8th at The Sagamore Club in Noblesville from 8am to 9:30am

Coffee and networking with the Women In Noblesville Network

February Member Luncheon, Noblesville City Council Candidates & the Roberts Settlement, Wednesday the 22nd @ Purgatory Golf Club from 11am to 1pm

March Member Breakfast with Invest Hamilton County, The State of Workforce, Friday the 24th @ the Bridgewater Club from 8am to 10am

Registration requested for all these events at NoblesvilleChamber.com

For more great events, membership information, and how you can get involved in the Noblesville Chamber Networks scan the QR code! Visit NoblesvilleChamber.com today and don’t forget to register for an upcoming event and network with us.

12 February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine Thank you to our Legacy Partners: Noblesville Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 2015
Noblesville, IN 46061 | 317.773.0086 | noblesvillechamber.com
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February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine 13 Welcome All of Our New Members! Click Here Now and Visit the OneZone Member Directory Click on the New Member Company Names Below and Visit their OneZone Member Directory Contact Information. Thank You Platinum Investors Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Funeral and Cremation Services Advocates For Children And Families Inc. The Cherish Center Big Blue Swim School “Coming 2023” Emma Schmidt and Associates HerMD Hirons Indiana Ballet Conservatory KidStrong - Carmel KidStrong - Noblesville Lemak Lubricants Loren’s Alcohol - Free Beverages Naturspire NOW CFO Pack Away Hunger Quartz Travel Regalique Gourmet Food & Wine Boutique Rejuvenate Eye and Face Medspa Rush Bowls Russell & Peckinpaugh Business Group Savage Media Slapfish - Fishers Slapfish- Noblesville State Bank

Every year more and more people are discovering Hamilton County. We are the third largest tourism destination and the fastest growing county in Indiana. Include your message in the guide that greets people at hotels, visitors centers, apartment complexes and through Realtors as they shop for a home. More than 100 locations throughout the county and beyond.

Now in its sixteenth year, the Hamilton County Community Guide is designed to be in front of visitors and new movers as they enter the market and discover all we have to offer. Help them find their way to YOU!

• Attractive glossy magazine

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• Distributed throughout the county at more than 100 locations

• Proven performance for 15 years

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To inspire hope and improve the quality

life for heart patients and their families through ongoing peer-to-peer support, education and advocacy.

February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine 15 WELCOME TO
COMMUNITY GUIDE PROFILES OF 8 GREAT TOWNS, JUST NORTH OF INDIANAPOLIS
PUBLISHING May, 2023 DEADLINE April 21, 2023 For More information or to reserve space contact: MIKE CORBETT at 317.985.6427 or mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com
SUPPORT GROUP MEETING TIMES 3RD WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH 11:30am - 1:00pm RIVERVIEW HEALTH 395 Westfield Rd. Classrooms A & B Entrance 4 CALL (317) 776-7377 for additional information Heart Disease in your family? Think you or a family member needs a heart scan or EKG? Call Riverview Health at (317) 773-0760 Ask for Central Scheduling to set an appointment for a $49 heart scan or a $10 EKG. Hamilton County Mended Hearts Chapter 350 www.mendedhearts350.org
Statement:
of

his is an odd story which goes from early photography to a bloody Civil War riot on Courthouse Square to the creation of a leading American appliance company. It revolves around the Tappin family—also spelled “Tappan” and “Tapin” at various times.

It begins in Ohio where Thomas Tappin was born in 1838. The 1860 census shows that he was a carriage maker in Cincinnati, but somehow acquired a new interest at that time. By 1863, he was in Noblesville with a new business. His 1863 draft registration lists him as “artist”, but his 1863 tax assessment lists him as a photographer. His studio was on the south side of the square roughly where the NobleMade shop is today. (The present building wasn’t built until 1866.) The Directory of Indiana Photographers at the Indiana Album* says that he partnered first with Albert J. Allison and then with L. F. Wildermuth in 1866. Tappin & Wildermuth are listed as photographers in the business directory on the 1866 map of Hamilton County. Tappin seemed to primarily take photographs of soldiers as they headed off to war. Today the photos can be seen online in places like Pinterest and auction sites. One can be seen in the digital collection of the Indiana State Library. Another is at the site for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is titled simply “Union cavalry soldier with pistol in holster.” There is a high likelihood that these are all Hamilton County people.

It was an event during the Civil War that defined his connection with Noblesville. On September 17, 1864, there was a local meeting to ratify the nomination of George B. McClellan to the presidency. He was supported by the “Peace Democrats”, people who wished to end the war immediately by negotiating with the South and ignoring the issue of abolition. There are contemporary news articles written by supporters of both sides. Locals had objected to people they considered pro-Confederacy, called them “copperheads” and “butternuts”. On the 17th, brawls using fists and bricks were breaking out by midday.

Daniel R. Brown, a veteran and Republican candidate for state senate, (whose adopted son

would be mayor of the city during the Klan era), arrived in his buggy and asked, “What is this fuss about?”. After hearing the reason, he stood up in the buggy and made a speech blaming one of his opponents for the trouble. He was followed by a speech by local minister Safety Layton who said that all Peace Democrats were traitors. At this point, Dr. Charles N. Branch yelled, “That’s a damned lie”, drew a pistol, and fired at Layton. Pistols were then drawn by several people and general shooting began.

It’s not totally clear what happened from the reports (they are all very biased). Apparently, a Unionist named Dr. Israel Haines was supposedly shot in the back while trying to knock away Branch’s pistol. (Haines lived until 1880.) The man who shot him, a Democrat named Trittipo, was shot from off his horse and critically wounded. Branch was grazed in the head and immediately arrested by law officers. His shot missed Layton and flattened on the iron storefront of the J. F. Jackson grocery (presently the parking lot at Conner and Eighth Streets). Years later, a person remembered hearing the bell being rung in the courthouse to call up the militia. The Union League mustered and armed, but the Democrat meeting had broken up. Both sides claimed victory.

Brown and Layton spoke beside a pile of firewood in front of Tappin’s studio. This was the epicenter of the fight and gave it the name of “The Battle of Tappin’s Woodpile”. Interestingly, almost all parties stayed in town after the war. (It must have made for some awkward meetings.) Safety Layton became Chaplain to the 9th Indiana Infantry and moved to Chicago after the war.

Sometime after 1866, Tappin gave up on the Noblesville studio and returned to Ohio. He evidently continued to look for new things, and some sources say that he went with a group to observe a

16 February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine
Hamilton County History
David Heighway Union Cavalry Soldier with Pistol in Holster. Photo by Thomas Tappin, courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art Business Directory, 1866 map of Hamilton County

comet in Siberia. There is a possibility that this story is garbled. Thomas’s son William, who had been a small boy in Noblesville, started a stove company in 1889 and named it the “Eclipse Stove Company”, supposedly because of his father’s trip. Naming it “Eclipse” instead of “Comet” makes no sense. However, there was a full eclipse in Siberia in 1887, which may have been the actual

reason for the name. At any rate, William found that another company had the same name and realized that he needed to change it. By that time, the family was spelling their name “Tappan” and he simply began putting that on the stoves. The name is known to people today because Tappan became a leading American appliance manufacturer in the 1950’s and 1960’s. They developed the first practical domestic microwave oven. It’s a convoluted path from Civil War cavalrymen to microwave ovens, but shows the connectivity of various aspects of American culture. Exploring these paths helps us to understand how we developed our unique culture. HCBM *Hostetler, Joan E. Directory of Indiana Photographers.

The Indiana Album Inc., 2021 (http://www.indianaalbum.com/ photographers: accessed January 16, 2023).

David Heighway is the Hamilton County Historian. Jessica Layman is the Hamilton County Bicentennial Coordinator

SIGNS AND BANNERS

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Open M-F 8-5

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Digitally printed signs and banners of any size, vehicle wraps and graphics, T-shirt printing, laser engraving. Great customer service, fast turnaround. Family Owned and Operated. Serving Noblesville and Hamilton County since 1992. Also home of Noblesville Trophies. 773-7391

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

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February • March 2023 • Hamilton County Business Magazine 17
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Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.