USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of the Maumee River basin, Allen County, Indiana > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
One of the dominating elements in the makeup of Mr. Kal- bacher was his intense loyalty in all the relations of life, and this quality was exemplified in his attitude as a citizen of Fort Wayne,
372
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
for he was ever ready to lend his aid and influence in support of measures projected for the material and civic advancement of his home city, in which he ever took a deep pride. He was tolerant and kindly in his judgment of his fellow men, and his genial nature won to him inviolate friendships in all circles, while he was ever appreciative of the dignity of honest toil and to extend the hand of fellowship to every honest man, whatever his station in life. In politics Mr. Kalbacher gave an uncompromising allegiance to the Democracy, and he ever took a lively interest in the party cause, as did he also in local affairs of a public nature, though he never sought office of any description. He was a consistent communicant of St. Mary's church (German Catholic), and was one of the trustees of the same for a number of years, his wife likewise being a devoted communicant of the parish. A strong, true, noble, unassuming man was Mr. Kalbacher, and in his death Fort Wayne lost one of its honored and valued citizens, while to the immediate family the loss is one whose only mitigation is found in the hallowed memories and the hope which breathes through from the life eternal. Our subject's ambitions and affections centered in his home, and in its sacred precincts his noble character shone forth most graciously.
On the 19th of October, 1865, was solemnized the, marriage of Mr. Kalbacher to Miss Jane Schobe, who survives him and who remains in the beautiful home, on East Wayne street. Mrs. Kal- bacher was born in Fort Wayne, on the 17th of June, 1845, and is a daughter of Eberhart and Maria Angela (Daman) Schobe, both of whom died in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Kalbacher became the parents of seven children, of whom four are living, namely: Sister Aquineta, of the order of Notre Dame in the Catholic church at Michigan City, Indiana, being sister superior; Katherine M., the wife of Thomas McKiernan, of Fort Wayne, and Theresa U. and Leonora, who remain with their widowed mother.
373
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
HENRY F. HILGEMANN.
A compilation of this nature exercises one of its most consistent and worthy functions when it enters memoir concerning such sterling citizens as was the late Henry F. Hilgemann, who was a prom- inent business man of Fort Wayne for many years and who was also a member of one of the pioneer families of Allen county.
Mr. Hilgemann was born in the city of Fort Wayne, on the 3Ist of January, 1851, and was a son of Henry and Fredericka Hilgemann, both of whom were born and reared in Germany, while they settled in Fort Wayne in the pioneer days and passed the re- mainder of their lives in Allen county. The subject of this memoir received a good common-school education and was reared to man- hood in the city of his birth, while he inaugurated his independent career when sixteen years of age, securing employment in the Sum- mit City woolen mills, where he remained engaged for five and one-half years, during which he familiarized himself with the vari- ous details of the industry involved. For the ensuing three years he held the position of shipping clerk for A. S. Evans & Company, and from 1875 until 1878 he maintained his home in the city of Hunt- ington, Indiana, where he owned a half interest in a well equipped woolen mill. He disposed of his interests in this property in 1878 and returned to Fort Wayne, where he accepted the position of shipping clerk for the firm of Hanna, Wiler & Company, retain- ing this incumbency until 1881, while for the following three years he was general agent for the Chicago Installment Book Company, with headquarters in Fort Wayne. In the autumn of 1884 he opened a retail grocery at 121 West Jefferson street, and about eight years later he erected on the site a fine brick and stone business block, in which he continued in the same line of enterprise until the time of his death, since which time the business has been successfully con-
374
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
tinued by his eldest son, Franklin H. Hilgemann. When Mr. Hilge- mann opened his modest little establishment the total receipts from his first day's sales were only four dollars, and within four years he had built up a business whose average annual aggregate was fully thirteen thousand dollars. He was a man of marked business acumen and of unswerving integrity of character, while his genial personality gained to him a host of friends. He commanded uniform confidence and esteem, and his faith and his friendship were alike inviolable. For a number of years before his death Mr. Hilgemann was in very delicate health, having suffered from locomotor ataxia, which resulted in his death, on the 5th of December, 1904. He was a stalwart Democrat in his political proclivities and took a public- spirited interest in local affairs as well as in the general cause of his party, while he served for a time as a member of the city coun- cil of Fort Wayne, representing the fourth ward. In the Masonic fraternity he had risen to the sixteenth degree, belonging to the Lodge of Perfection. His widow still resides in the pleasant family home, on 403 West Jefferson street.
On the 4th of September, 1873, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hilgemann to Miss Lisette F. Bueker, who was born in Ger- many, being a daughter of Frederick and Sophia Bueker, and she came to America in 1870, about three years prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Hilgemann became the parents of six children, of whom three survive: Franklin H. has charge of the grocery busi- ness so long conducted by his honored father; Charles H. is de- ceased; Oliver H. and Walter H. are deceased; Harry H. is a ris- ing young lawyer of Fort Wayne and is individually mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Victor H. is a dental student at the time of this writing.
375
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
WILLIAM H. WALTEMATH.
A signally useful and honorable life was that of the subject of this memoir, who was a representative of one of the sterling pio- neer families of Allen county and who was a successful business man and loyal citizen of Fort Wayne, where his death occurred on the 12th of December, 1904, at which time he was in the very prime of useful manhood.
William H. Waltemath was born in Fort Wayne, on the 28th of November, 1862, being a son of Charles H. Waltemath, who was for many years engaged in the general merchandise business in this city, where his death occurred in 1904. He was the head of the firm of C. H. Waltemath & Sons, the other interested prin- cipals being his sons William H. and Louis F., who continued the enterprise after his death, while the firm name has remained un- changed to the time of this writing.
Our subject was reared to manhood in his native city, where in the Lutheran schools he secured much of his early educational training, while he was also graduated in one of the excellent schools here maintained under the auspices of the German Lutheran church. When but fourteen years of age he began to assist in his father's store, being thus reared to the business and early becoming familiar with all practical details. He was eventually admitted to partner- ship, under the title designated in the foregoing paragraph, and he continued to be actively identified with this flourishing general mer- chandise concern until his death, the well equipped establishment of the firm being located at 321-25 Lafayette street. As he was the elder of the sons the responsibilities of the business fell upon his shoulders to a very large extent, and his health finally gave way under the tension, his death resulting from nervous prostration. In both social and business circles his death caused a distinctive loss
376
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
and deprivation, for he was a man of noble character and earnest devotion to duty, commanding the high regard of all with whom he came in contact. He was a zealous and faithful member of Zion church, German Lutheran, taking part in the various departments of church work and being especially helpful through his interest in young men, both in and out of the church. His home was a sanctuary to him, and within its precincts his character shone forth with its most gentle and gracious light, so that the bereavement is there felt most poignantly now that he has been called forward to life eternal, though his memory must ever rest as a benediction on those who were nearest and dearest to him. In politics he was a Democrat.
On the 24th of January, 1891, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Waltemath to Miss Katherine M. Klingmann, who like- wise was born and reared in Fort Wayne, being a daughter of John and Katherine Klingmann, well known citizens of Allen county. Mr. and Mrs. Waltemath became the parents of two chil- ren, and both survive their honored father and remain to offer consolation to their mother. Their names are Karl Oscar and Hes- ter Sophia.
377
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
CHARLES H. WALTEMATH.
-
To have come from a foreign land to America as a poor boy and to have so applied his energies and abilities as to have built up the most extensive retail grocery in the city of Fort Wayne as it stands today, represents no slight or insignificant accomplishment, and the statement involves much more than is superficially evident. Such was the career of the honored subject of this memoir, whose death occurred on the 25th of May, 1904, in his beautiful home in the city of Fort Wayne, with whose business interests he was so long and prominently identified, while he was a citizen of worth and influence, commanding the unqualified esteem of all who knew him and being one of the sterling pioneers of Allen county.
Charles H. Waltemath was born in Westphalen, Germany, on the Ist of June, 1839, and in one of the excellent schools of the Lutheran church in his fatherland he secured his early educational training, which proved adequate as a basis for his active and suc- cessful career as a business man, his mental equipment being of that solid order which places true estimates upon all things. Mr. Waltemath came to America as a lad of fifteen years, in company with other members of the family, and he located in Allen county, which ever afterward continued his home. For a time he was employed at farm work and later turned his energies to more profit- able fields of endeavor, ever looking to advancement in temporal affairs and directing his energies with that sagacity which proved the main factor in insuring his rise to a position of so unmistakable independence. He finally became associated with his brother in the purchase of a canal boat, which they operated between Fort Wayne and Logansport, with an occasional trip to Toledo, Ohio. He was identified with this line of enterprise, which was an important one in the early days, for a number of years, and later he operated a
378
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
wood-sawing outfit for some time, after which he served a number of years as a member of the police force of the city of Fort Wayne. In 1874 he associated himself with his brother Henry in the retail grocery business, beginning operations on a modest scale and con- tinuing the partnership for a period of five years, after which he conducted the enterprise individually until the formation of the firm of C. H. Waltemath & Sons, in which his associates were his sons William H. and Louis F. The former died only a few months after the demise of his father, and is individually mentioned in a memorial tribute on other pages of this work. The business is still continued under the old and well known firm name, Louis F. being at the head of the concern, in which the interests of his father and brother are still retained. Mr. Waltemath followed a business policy which insured consecutive growth in his enterprise, and he erected the fine business block in which the business is conducted at the present time, at the corner of Lafayette and Wallace streets, as well as the substantial and commodious modern residence at 325 Lafayette street. As before intimated, the enterprise which re- mains as a monument to the ability and energy of our subject rep- resents the largest retail grocery business in the city of Fort Wayne, and he was regarded as one of our most substantial and loyal citi- zens during the long years of his residence here. In politics he was a stanch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, and he ever showed a deep interest in public affairs of a local nature. He was elected councilman at large of Fort Wayne and served as a member of the council until the present municipal charter was secured. He was a consistent and active member of Zion Lutheran church, contributing liberally to its support and taking part in the church work.
On the 18th of December, 1861, Mr. Waltemath was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Ropa, who was born and reared in Ger- many, whence she came to America when seventeen years of age. She survives her honored husband and maintains her home in the city where she has lived so many years and with whose upbuild- ing and progress Mr. Waltemath was so intimately identified. They became the parents of three sons and one daughter, and of these the daughter and one son died in early childhood. William H.,
379
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
who died in December, 1904, is the subject of an individual memoir in this history; and Louis H. has charge of the business established by his father more than a quarter of a century ago. Mrs. Walte- math is a devoted member of Zion church, and she proved a worthy helpmeet and coadjutor to her husband, with whom she remained in mutual devotion until he was summoned into eternal rest.
380
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
JOSEPH M. HALEY.
It is the province of the biographical and memorial depart- ment of this compilation to enter record concerning those who have been or who are at the present time representative in their respective fields of endeavor, and within these pages will be found mention, therefore, of a due quota of those who have attained to prestige and success in the legal profession as practitioners within the confines of Allen county. Among the representative lawyers of the younger generation in the city of Fort Wayne stands the subject of this sketch, whose offices are located in the Old National Bank building, corner of Calhoun and Berry streets, and who is building up an excellent practice and proving his strength worthily in the various departments of his professional work.
Mr. Haley is a native of the old Keystone state, having been born in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of September, 1876, and being a son of Joseph A. and Anna C. (Shea) Haley, both of whom were likewise born in Pennsylvania. In 1882 the family removed from Pittsburg to Fort Wayne, and thus the sub- ject of this review has passed practically his entire life thus far in the latter named city. His parents still reside in Fort Wayne, where his father has lived retired for a number of years. Joseph M. Haley secured his early educational discipline in the public and parochial schools of Fort Wayne, having completed a course in the local high school, and having then made ready to take up the exacting study and work which should fit him for the profession which he had determined to adopt as his vocation in life. He was matriculated in the law department of the famous Notre Dame University, in South Bend, this state, where he completed the prescribed course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1899. He was gradu- ated in the month of June and soon after his return to his home in
381
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
Fort Wayne he was duly admitted to the bar of the county. For one year he was associated with the law firm of Bell & Daughman, and he then opened an office of his own and has since conducted an individual practice of general order, while his novitiate was of brief duration, as is evidenced in the representative character of his clien- tele and in the rapid growth of his business. In politics he gives an unqualified allegiance to the Democracy and takes an active in- terest in the party work, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, in which he was reared and of which he is a com- municant.
382
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
CLYDE M. GANDY.
One of the representative law firms of the city of Fort Wayne is that of Gandy & Hilgemann, of which the subject of this sketch is the senior member, both principals being young men of energy and distinctive professional ability, so that they are building up a practice of high grade and one which insures to them cumulative precedence in their chosen profession.
Mr. Gandy was born in Churubusco, Whitley county, this state, on the 6th of November, 1878. He is a son of Rev. Winfield S. and Ellen J. (Matthews) Gandy, the former of whom is a native of West Virginia, the latter having been born in the city of Fort Wayne. Mr. Gandy's grandfather, Fredrick Matthews, now living at Churubusco, was one of this city's pioneers. The father was engaged in the practice of law at Churubusco until a few years ago, when he retired from the legal profession and has since been an active and successful minister of the gospel of the United Breth- ren church in northeastern Indiana. The mother died in 1888, leaving the father and two sons, of which this subject is the elder. The other is Harry L. Gandy, now editor and owner of the La- grange County Democrat of Lagrange, Indiana.
Mr. Gandy secured his early education in the public schools of his native town, graduating from the high school there in 1896. He then taught one year in the schools of Allen county, and con- tinued his studies at the high school at Delta, Ohio, where he gradu- ated in 1898. Before the school year was ended, however, the Spanish-American war was on and Mr. Gandy enlisted as a private in Company G, Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. With his regiment he proceeed to Cuba, where he remained in active service until the command was mustered out in May, 1899. Returning from the army, he again took up his student labors and in 1901 completed
383
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
the classical course at the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, In- diana. He was immediately appointed a teacher in the native schools of the Philippine islands, passing two years in America's new east- ern possessions, where he made an excellent record in his pedagogic work. After traveling extensively through China and Japan he returned to this country in the summer of 1903.
Mr. Gandy secured a practical legal training in his father's law office and supplemented this by tireless study of the text books throughout his college and school-room days, completing, in addi- tion to his regular work, a full course of legal technique. Upon his return from the Orient, he passed a short time in review at the Indianapolis College of Law and then came to Fort Wayne, enter- ing the law office of E. V. Emrick, then prosecuting attorney. In October, 1903, he was admitted to the bar of Allen county, and in December of the same year opened an office in the Bass block and began his individual practice. In September, 1904, he entered into his present professional partnership with Harry H. Hilgemann. In politics Mr. Gandy is a conservative Democrat, being a stanch supporter of the principles which represented the party policy in the times of Jefferson and Jackson. In a fraternal way he is identi- fied with the United Spanish War Veterans, and with the Masonic order, in which he has advanced through all the York rite degrees, at this time occupying the position of junior warden in Fort Wayne Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar. In addition to his other attainments and education, he is a fluent Spanish scholar.
On the 29th of May, 1901, Mr. Gandy was united in marriage to Miss Amy Gertrude Criswell, who was born in Philadelphia, February 9, 1879, her parents being both natives of Indiana, to which state they returned when she was a child. She is a daugh- ter of Dr. John F. and Ellen (Potter) Criswell, of Churubusco, Indiana, where she was reared. Like Mr. Gandy, she received her early education in the public schools of that place, graduating from the high school there, and from the Tri-State Normal College, of Angola, Indiana. Before her marriage Mrs. Gandy was a teacher in the schools of her home town, and was later principal of a town- ship high school in West Virginia. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gandy are
384
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
of Scotch descent and number among their ancestors several who were active and prominent in the stirring colonial and Revolutionary days. Mrs. Gandy was with her husband during the entire time of his absence in the Orient, previously spoken of. They have one child, Marcela Ellen, born August 2, 1903.
385
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
ALBERT E. MELCHING.
A representative business man of Fort Wayne is Albert E. Melching, junior member of the firm of Klaehn & Melching, under- takers and embalmers, 205 West Main street. Mr. Melching is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born on a farm near Youngstown, Mahoning county, Ohio, on the 17th of March, 1855, and being a son of Dr. William and Charlotte Melching, both of whom were born and reared in Germany, whence they came to America in 1854, locating in Ohio, where they remained until 1856, when they came to Allen county, Indiana, and located in the village of Williamsport, where the father of the subject established himself in the practice of his profession, attaining prestige as one of the able physicians and surgeons of this section of the state. The family removed to the city of Fort Wayne in 1861, where the father died in 1889, the mother being now aged eighty-two years. Both par- ents were consistent members of the German Lutheran church, and in his political adherency Dr. Melching was a stanch Democrat.
Albert E. Melching, to whom this sketch is dedicated, was an infant at the time of the family removal to Allen county, and here he has passed practically his entire life thus far. He secured his early educational discipline in the parochial school of St. Paul's Lutheran church, in Fort Wayne, and later he continued his studies in the public schools of the city. At the age of sixteen years he en- tered upon an apprenticeship at the trade of harness making, and in due time became a skilled artisan in the line. At the age of twenty- three years he opened a shop and engaged in business on his own responsibility, building up a profitable enterprise and continuing the same until 1885, when he sold out and went to California, where he remained one year. At the expiration of this period he returned with his family to Fort Wayne, and shortly afterward he opened
25
386
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
a hotel and farmers' feed barn on North Harrison street, where he was successful in his efforts and where he formed the acquaintance- ship of the representative farmers of the county, his place gaining distinctive popularity. In 1892 Mr. Melching was the Democratic candidate for sheriff of the county, but was defeated for the office, whereupon he received the appointment of deputy sheriff, remaining incumbent of this position four years, and then again becoming can- didate for the shrievalty, in 1896. He secured the most flattering support in the nominating convention, and this presaged the note- worthy victory which came to him in the ensuing election, in which he received a gratifying majority, leading the party ticket. He served as sheriff for four years and his administration was one which stands to his credit as an able and faithful executive, while his rec- ord is one unexcelled in the history of this important county office.
In 1901 Mr. Melching purchased a half interest in the undertak- ing business with which he is now identified, and the firm of Klaehn & Melching occupies a leading position in this field of enterprise, having a finely equipped establishment, with the best of accessories in the way of funeral cars, private ambulance, etc. The subject is one of the city's well known and popular citizens, his circle of friends throughout the county being an exceptionally wide one. He is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor, and has for a number of years past been an active and enthusiastic worker in the party ranks, being one of the Democratic leaders in Allen county. He served as an alternate delegate-at-large to the Democratic national convention at St. Louis, in 1904, and at the time of this writing he is chairman of the city Democratic central committee of Fort Wayne. His re- ligious connection is with St. Paul's Lutheran church.
On November 17, 1878, Mr. Melching married Miss Carrie Engleking, of Fort Wayne, and to them have been born seven chil- dren, William, Minnie, August, Anna, Clara, Loretta and Edward.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.