(John, Dec. 21, 1853-May 29, 1933; Otto, Sept. 8, 1856-June 23, 1925). Sons of the engineer responsible for driving the first locomotive from Madison to Indianapolis, John P. Frenzel II was born in Madison, Indiana, while Otto N. Frenzel I was born in Indianapolis in the family home on South Street.

John P. Frenzel II

Having studied at the german-english independent school, John enrolled in North Western Christian University (later Butler University) at age 11. In January 1867, he became the first Frenzel to work at Merchants National Bank when he became the bank’s messenger at age 13. In 1870, John and George A. Dickson formed Enterprise Building & Loan, the city’s first building and loan association. When John was promoted by management to bookkeeper and teller in 1871, the bank took his recommendation and hired his younger brother, Otto N., to take over his former job as a messenger.

In 1872, Otto and John founded a steamship booking agency, called Frenzel Brothers, which operated out of the bank building. Three years later, when John became cashier, Otto took over as bookkeeper and teller, and a third Frenzel brother, Oscar F. joined the bank as a messenger.

When Volney T. Malott retired as president of Merchants National Bank in 1882, John and Otto Frenzel purchased his stock holdings. John took over as president and Otto became bank cashier. The two brothers were also involved in other financial institutions, forming such firms as the Western Savings & Loan Association of Indianapolis, the National Trust and Safe Deposit Company, the South Eastern Savings & Loan Association, and the Indiana Trust Company.

In 1883. John was elected to the city’s Board of School Commissioners (see Indianapolis Public Schools), serving as a member and president for 14 years. It was his recommendation that led to the construction of Manual High School.

In 1887, John joined with other local businessmen to found the Consumers Gas Trust Company, the predecessor to the Citizens Gas Company. In 1892 he was elected Marion County Treasurer and served as a delegate to the Democratic Party national convention in Chicago in 1896.

Otto N. Frenzel I

Following John’s resignation in 1902 to devote more time to the Indiana Trust Company, Otto became president of Merchants National Bank. As president, he oversaw the firm’s move into the city’s first skyscraper, the merchants national bank building, a 17-story structure. He was an active member of the Indianapolis Board of Trade and served for many years as president of the Indianapolis Clearing House Association.

In addition to his position with Merchants, Otto also served as a vice president and member of the board of directors of the Indiana Trust Company and as a member of the board of directors of the Indiana Hotel Company, which owned the Claypool hotel. The brothers were long-time supporters of the Indianapolis Maennerchor, a German American male chorus. During World War I, both John and Otto served on the general committee for Liberty Bond drives.

After Otto’s death, John served as president of Merchants National Bank (1925-1928) and as chairman of the board of directors until his own death in 1933. An active member of the Democratic Party, he served many years as treasurer of the county organization. He was a member of the first Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners of Indianapolis and both president and chairman of the board of the Indianapolis Street Railway Company.

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