USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of the Maumee River basin, Allen County, Indiana > Part 38
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The oldest concern of the kind in Fort Wayne is the Fred Eckart Packing Company, whose packing house is located at the west end of Main street, and which has had a prosperous and honorable career of nearly half a century. The industry was started here by the subject's father, Fred Eckart, and the business has always been in the hands of the Eckart family, it being now con- sidered one of the leading packing houses of the state. The plant, in which an average of eighty men are employed, is eligibly lo- cated and covers about two and a half acres of land. The business is at this time owned and managed by two brothers and the mother, namely: Fred Eckart, who is president of the concern, Elizabeth Eckart, who is vice-president, and Henry Eckart, who holds the dual office of secretary and treasurer.
Fred Eckart is a native of Fort Wayne and was born on the 7th of December, 1859, being a son of Fred and Elizabeth Eckart, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Fort Wayne. The subject was reared under the parental roof and received his elementary education in the German school of this city. Upon at- taining his majority, in 1880, he at once became identified with the concern of which he is now the executive head and has since given to it his best efforts, the result being the constant and steady growth of the business until it is now among the leading enter- prises of the Summit city.
On June 28, 1878, Mr. Eckart was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Leonora Hostman, who was born in Fort Wayne in 1854, a daughter of Christopher Hostman. To this union was born one child, Elva, who died three days after birth. In matters political Mr. Eckart assumes an independent attitude, preferring to vote only for those men and measures which meet with his approval, regard-
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less of party lines. Fraternally he is a member of Wayne Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons, Fort Wayne Lodge, No. 116, Knights of Pythias, and Lodge No. 155, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A man of sterling character and possessing business qualifications of a high order, Mr. Eckart commands at once the respect and confidence of his business associates. He takes a com- mendable interest in every movement having for its object the ad- vancement of the best interests of the community, and personally is well liked by all who know him.
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CHARLES A. PHELPS.
In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence on the part of the ordinary man there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who with- out other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity and, toiling on, finally wins, not only financial success, but, what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those who have been daily witnesses of the struggles and efforts that he has put forth. It affords peculiar pleasure to the biographer to refer to the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and though confined to brevity by the limits of his work, yet to one who can read between the lines there will be found much of incentive and encouragement.
Charles Andrew Phelps is a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was born on the 9th day of May, 1882, and is the son of Whitcomb and Mary (Bramblee) Phelps. The father, who was a physician by profession, was born at Burlington, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on April 26, 1830, and in 1849 he removed to Ohio. He received a fair common-school education and then took up the study of medicine, graduating from the Ohio Medical College. In 1875 he removed to Indiana, locating at Fort Wayne, where he has resided for thirty years, having now retired from the active practice of his profession. On January 2, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Bramblee, who was born in Buffalo, New York, April 7, 1845, the daughter of Morgan and Mary Bramblee, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, but later of Pine Grove, Michigan.
Charles A. Phelps received a fair education in the public schools
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of Fort Wayne and also took a course in the International Business College of this city. His active business career commenced at a tender age, as at the age of five years he became a newsboy in this city and has ever since that time been associated with newspapers in one capacity or another, though mainly as a circulator. He has been energetic and pushing in his methods and has won a reputa- tion for his success along his lines of effort. He rose step by step from the very beginning and at the age of twelve years he opened a small news stand, which soon became so popular that he took in a partner, Alfred L. Haddon, and they opened and have since con- ducted one of the best news and book stands in this section of the state. They are located in the Arcade building and their sales average more than three thousand daily papers and ten thousand Sunday papers, besides large sales of books, magazines and stationery, of which they carry a large and comprehensive stock. Mr. Phelps is also representative in the state of Indiana for the Chicago Amer- ican.
One of Mr. Phelps' achievements worthy of special mention was the organization of the first newsboys' union in the world, known as the Union Newsboys' Association, which is composed of about one hundred and fifty newsboys, ranging in age from five to eighteen years, and with many well-known newspaper and other prominent men as honorary members. The organization was effected on the 15th of February, 1896, through the efforts of Mr. Phelps and has had a most beneficial effect on the general morale of the profession in this city. The original organization comprised sixteen members and has gradually grown to be a factor in Fort Wayne newspaper circles. Mr. Phelps has been the president since it was first organized. It has a full set of officers and holds regular monthly meetings, having also a dancing school and drum corps. Organized for the purpose of making all newsboys of the city first-class, clean and honest newspaper hustlers, its most rigid rule is that any newsboy found smoking or chewing tobacco or using bad language is sus- pended and cut off from selling papers. A second offense is ex- pulsion from the association. The results have been that Fort Wayne has become the best newsboy community and has the largest sale of newspapers-daily and Sunday-of any city of its
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size in the United States. The newsboys have two excursions every year, of one of which Mr. Phelps stands the entire expense, as he does also of their New Year's dinner.
Fraternally Mr. Phelps is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while socially, he is well known in musical circles. In religion he is a Baptist and in national political matters supports the Republican party, though tak- ing an independent attitude in local elections. Because of his courteous manners, genial disposition and genuine worth he has won and retains a host of warm personal friends.
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CHARLES EMORY CARROLL.
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For a young man to overcome an unfavorable environment and within a comparatively brief period rise from humble circumstances to become the head of one of the state's most important educational institutions, and that too without the advantages of scholastic train- ing, the prestige of family or the assistance of influential friends, bespeak not only a strong and forceful personality, but also the possession of those elements of character which inspire confidence and command respect. Such in brief is the record of the gentleman whose name introduces this article and to a review of whose career the following lines are devoted.
Albert Emory Carroll, superintendent of the State School for Feeble Minded Youth, was born at North Vernon, Indiana, Novem- ber 9, 1869, being the son of George and Louisa Carroll, natives of Indiana and Kentucky, respectively. Such education as he received was obtained from the public schools of Somerset, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, Indiana, and on laying aside his books he devoted his attention to various lines of work until 1890, when he became ac- countant for the Railway Officials and Employees' Association of the latter city, the duties of which position he discharged during the greater part of the ensuing three years, severing his connection with the concern in 1893. In July of the latter year he accepted the posi- tion of bookkeeper for the Indiana School for Feeble Minded Youth at Fort Wayne and after holding the same until 1897 was made steward of the institution, a post of great responsibility, requiring sound judgment and wise discretion; both of which, with other equally admirable qualities, he displayed in the discharge of his varied and arduous duties.
From the time of becoming identified with the school Mr. Car- roll sought to familiarize himself with the principles upon which the
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institution was conducted and to become acquainted with the working of its every department, this practical knowledge being greatly to his advantage when, in 1897, he was appointed acting superintendent, to take the place of President Johnson, whose resignation went into effect on August 31st of that year. Subsequently, May 25, 1904, he was promoted to the superintendency of the institution, which im- portant and responsible position he has since held with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the management, discharging his duties in an able and business-like manner and doing much to advance the school and increase its efficiency.
Mr. Carroll possesses executive ability of a high order, is eminently practical in his methods and since advanced to the post he now so ably fills, has so administered the affairs of the school as to gain for it an honorable reputation among like institutions of the country and made it a model of its kind. He has also maintained a lively interest in all that pertains to the legitimate advancement and prosperity of the city of Fort Wayne, not permitting himself to be hedged in by the limitations which frequently confine the efforts of those who gain success by means of such lines of endeavor as he has followed. On the contrary he is a wide-awake, public-spirited man, keenly alive to whatever tends to promote the general wel- fare, but under all circumstances making every other consideration subordinate to duty.
Fraternally Mr. Carroll has been advanced to high degrees in the Masonic order, belonging to Sol D. Bayless Lodge, No. 169, Free and Accepted Masons, Fort Wayne Chapter, No. 19, Royal Arch Masons, and Fort Wayne Lodge of Perfection, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in addition to which he also holds member- ship with Harmony Lodge, No. 191, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of this city. In politics he is a Democrat and while earnest in the support of the principles of his party, is not a partisan, much less an aspirant for official honors. His religious creed is repre- sented by the Baptist church, with which body his wife is also identified.
Mr. Carroll was married September 6, 1893, to Miss Mary Erin Fleming, whose birth occurred in the city of Fort Wayne on Sep- tember 6, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll have an interesting family of three children, whose names are Katherine, Mary Erin and Agnes.
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FRANKLIN P. RANDALL.
Franklin P. Randall was born in Madison county, New York, on the 2d day of June, 1812. His ancestors emigrated from Eng- land about the year 1638 and he was thus the seventh generation in descent of his family born on American soil. His grandfather was an officer in the Revolutionary war and commanded a regiment at the battle of Saratoga, witnessing the surrender of General Bur- goyne. His father also served as an officer in the American army during the war of 1812. After the close of the war, he resumed his occupation as a farmer in Madison county, New York, where the subject of this sketch was born. Mr. Randall's early life was passed on the farm, working in the summer and attending the district school in the winter. After leaving the country schools, he attended the academies of Cortland and Hamilton in pursuit of the higher branches of knowledge obtainable at those institutions. He became a proficient scholar in mathematics, history and other studies. He always had a predilection for botanical studies and even in early life evinced a desire for the study of plants and flowers. After finishing his course in these academies, it was necessary for him to earn his own living and he taught a select school in Oneida county. The school consisted of about sixty pupils, mostly farmers' boys. He taught this school for about two years and saved money enough to make him dream of the west and its possibilities.
In October, 1835, Mr. Randall went to Williamsport, Pennsyl- vania, where he entered the law office of Judge Ellis Lewis, who was for about fourteen years chief justice of the supreme court of that state, and under his guidance and tutorship read law. In February, 1838, he was admitted to practice in the courts of Pennsylvania and in April of the same year removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and commenced the practice of law. At the time of his arrival in Fort
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Wayne the town was then a mere village, there being but few white people and many Indians. As in all early communities, the most important subject was the schools and as Mr. Randall was con- sidered "a smart Eastern chap" he was soon thereafter elected school commissioner of Allen county and for four years had the control of the school funds of that county. In 1847 he was elected state senator for the district composed of the counties of Allen, Adams, Hunt- ington and Wells. At that time one of the most difficult tasks the members of the legislature had, after he had been elected a member, was to find means for transit to Indianapolis. It was necessary for them to go on horseback and the trip occupied about a week. Soon after this he received from Governor Wright the appointment of colonel of the state militia for Allen county and in 1855 was pro- moted by Governor Hammond to the position of brigadier-general of the Tenth Division of Indiana State Infantry. In 1856 he was appointed director of the state prison by Governor Willard and es- tablished many reforms in that institution. The same year he was also elected presidential elector and voted for James Buchanan for President, it being the only instance in which a citizen of Fort Wayne ever voted directly for a President of the United States. For many years Mr. Randall was actively identified with all the public affairs of Fort Wayne and prepared the first city charter, which be- came a law in 1840. Since that time he was commissioned by the city council to revise the city ordinances at three different periods. He was city recorder in 1840 and 1841, alderman in 1843, and again in 1855. In 1840 he was also elected city attorney for two years and was re-elected in 1853 and 1865. In 1859 he was elected mayor and was elected to the same office in 1861 and 1863 and again in 1869 and 1871, serving five terms of two years each. Mr. Randall was the "War Mayor" of Fort Wayne and contributed largely to the cause of the Union. His family still have in their possession many remembrances of the war times, among them being numerous old battle-scarred flags of regiments entering the service from Fort Wayne while he was mayor of the city.
Not only will Mr. Randall be held in grateful remembrance on account of his long official career, but by his devotion to the interests of his city and county in all projects for their advancement. For
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many years he was president of the Allen County Agricultural Society and an unremitting worker in its management. He also took great pleasure in horticulture and was considered an authority on this and kindred subjects. The evening of his life was almost entirely given to his flowers and plants, of which he had many choice varieties, and it was always his pleasure to invite his friends to view his collection at his beautiful and attractive residence. His interest in the collection and preservation of the relics of the past has saved to the student many instructing marks of treasure, of anecdote, and reminiscences of the early history of Indiana and Fort Wayne and his antiquarian treasures, his Indian curiosities, old and rare books and papers are among the most valuable in existence.
Mr. Randall was twice married, the first time about 1842, to Miss Mary E. Ried, of Richmond, Indiana, who departed this life after a brief but happy wedded experience of five years' duration, the only surviving issue of the union being Mrs. George B. Dougan, whose home is in the city of Richmond. While serving in the state legislature, Mr. Randall met and became well acquainted with Judge Reid, a fellow member from the Jeffersonville district; the Judge had with him at the capitol his three young and accomplished daugh- ters, between one of whom, Miss Mary J. Reid, and the subject a warm friendship soon sprang up which, ripening into love, finally culminated in marriage, the ceremony being solemnized on Novem- ber 22, 1849. Mr. Randall at once took his bride to what he called his northern home in Fort Wayne, where in due time children were born to them, of whom the following survive, namely: Frank M., present city engineer of Fort Wayne; Mrs. Clark Fairbank, Irwin and Alfred L., who also reside in this city; Mrs. J. C. Downs, of Danbury, Connecticut; David J. and George E., the last two being residents of the city of New York.
In religion Mr. Randall was an earnest and devout Episcopalian and for over forty years held the positions of vestryman and warden in the local church to which he belonged. Politically, he was a repre- sentative Democrat of the old school and as such wielded a strong influence for his party in Fort Wayne and Allen county, contributing greatly to its success by his able counsel and judicious leadership. He acted upon the theory, "Once a Democrat, always a Democrat,"
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and such was his abiding faith in the principles of his party and his respect for its traditions that he was ever ready to fight its battles and make sacrifices for its success. Indeed so strong was his political fealty that he held the name of Democracy in high vener- ation and if perchance a fault was found in any of his party as- sociates he was wont to remark, "that there must of necessity be some good in the man, else he would not be a Democrat." His Democracy was of the sterling character of which the term is a true exponent and while he believed in disciplining the party he thought such needed punishment should be applied by its friends and not its enemies.
Mr. Randall died at his home in Fort Wayne on the morning of May 23, 1892. He had lived nearly eighty years, which long period was filled to repletion with hard work and good deeds and in benevo- lence to his fellow men. As a father, husband and friend, he was indulgent to a remarkable degree. No expressed wish was ever re- fused if it were within his power to grant it; no ill-will was har- bored against any one. When young men arose to take his place in the arena of public affairs, although he loved the excitement of politics, he resignedly remarked that "he thought he was probably be- coming too old and that it was time for him gracefully to retire." To Mr. Randall the future was bright, the past serene. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," was one of his favorite maxims and when a troubled soul sought him he was always ready to volunteer some consoling remark. Through his long and useful life of nearly eighty years no enemy ever arose, and against his character no breath of suspicion was ever known to have been uttered. His passing away was a transition, not a death, for he seemed truly "Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down . to pleasant dreams."
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HOMER A. GORSLINE.
It is not always an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led what is popularly termed the strenuous life and by the force of a strong and distinctly marked individuality attained to a position of importance in a service which requires not only sound judgment and keen discrimination, but a fearless physical courage that hesitates at no difficulty and flinches not in the presence of dangers, or even death itself. It is with a full appreciation of all that is demanded that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the career of an individual who has long been prominent in the public affairs of Fort Wayne and who, as head of one of the most important branches of the municipal government, has rendered valuable service to the city as a conservator of the peace and brought the department over which he has control to a state of efficiency greater than that of any other period in its history. This gentleman is Homer A. Gorsline, the courteous and eminently capable superintendent of the Fort Wayne police, whose efforts at reorganizing and disciplining his subordinates and make the department fully meet every require- ment, has been appreciated by the public, as is attested by his long continuance in the position which he so ably and honorably fills.
Mr. Gorsline is a native of Indiana, born in Adams county on the 22d of June, 1857, being the son of Sylvester L. and Maria B. (Bobo) Gorsline, both parents of Ohio birth and descendants of the early French Huguenot settlers of the United States. By occupa- tion the elder Gorsline was formerly a farmer. After following his vocation in Adams county a number of years, he moved to Marion township, Allen county, where he continued agricultural pursuits until 1869, when he engaged in railroading, to which line of work he devoted his attention during the ensuing twenty-six years. Retir- ing from the road in 1895, he again resumed his former vocation,
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moving in that year to a farm near Danville, Illinois, upon which he and his wife still reside. They are the parents of five children, three of whom are living, namely: Mrs. John Rissing, of Fort Wayne; Frederick T., engaged in railway service at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and Homer A., the subject of this review, who is the oldest of the family.
The early life of Homer A. Gorsline was spent on the home farm in Marion township and at the proper age he became familiar with the duties required of the majority of country lads, making himself ·useful to his parents in various ways and receiving from the free outdoor life a stock of health and vitality which enabled him in sub- sequent years to grow up a rugged, well-developed man, capable of enduring the many rough usages that have fallen to his lot. At the age of twelve he removed with his parents to Fort Wayne, where he attended the public and parochial schools until his fifteenth year, when he began working as newsboy, delivering papers morning and evening and devoting the rest of the day to other pursuits. Later, in 1872, he accepted a clerkship in the clothing house of Isaac Lauferty, Fort Wayne, where he remained one year, and during the several succeeding years was similarly employed by different firms of this city, spending in all something like four years behind the counter, during which time he received a pretty thorough discipline in business and learned the value of good habits in the formation of character.
Leaving Fort Wayne in 1876, Mr. Gorsline accepted the posi- tion of deputy auditor of Adams county, which position he held until 1879, when he resigned and entered the United States army, enlisting at Columbus, Ohio, in the capacity of a band musician and joining his regiment at the city of New Orleans. His military ex- perience, which covered a period of ten years, was confined prin- cipally to the Southwestern states and territories, and during the time thus spent he passed several promotions, receiving his discharge as sergeant major, the highest non-commissioned office in the regi- ment, at Fort Supply, Indian territory, in 1889.
At the expiration of his term of service, Mr. Gorsline returned to Fort Wayne and entered the employ of A. S. Lauferty, with whom he continued for some time, subsequently becoming salesman
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in the Globe clothing house, where he remained about eight years, during which period he organized the first Retail Clerks' Union in the city and was made its president, holding the position until 1896 and doing much the meanwhile to promote the efficiency of the organization and make it answer the purpose for which designed. During three years of the time indicated he served as secretary of the Trades and Labor Council of Fort Wayne, besides contributing to its success in divers other ways. In 1896 he was appointed super- intendent of the police department of the city, which position he has since held, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the public, as is attested by his long continuance as the head of this im- portant branch of service. Mr. Gorsline came to his present post amply qualified to discharge its many and arduous duties, his thor- ough military training eminently fitting him to reorganize and thor- oughly reform a department which had long been neglected and which he found in any but a condition of efficiency. On taking charge of the office he at once began introducing a number of much-needed re- forms, among which were the weeding out of incompetents and the bringing about of harmonious relations among the members of the force, which condition had hitherto been sadly lacking; also the in- sistence upon a rigorous discipline, which in due time rendered the force more amenable to instruction and much more easily and ef- fectively handled. By degrees other innovations were made, the value of which has been demonstrated in a more thoroughly or- ganized department and a steady diminution in the amount of disorder and crime, which, under vigorous and tireless surveillance, have been reduced to the lowest possible minimum. Since becoming the head of the department Mr. Gorsline has introduced, among other methods of promoting its efficiency, the Bertillon system of measurements, for the adoption of which he labored strenuously for two years and by means of which a number of noted criminals and crooks have been detected and brought to justice, thus saving the city in the matter of dollars and cents much more than the expense of its maintenance, besides effectually ridding the community of the presence of these bankrupts in character and wholly undesirable gentry. He has also induced the council to purchase an additional horse and wagon for the use of the chief and night captain, and a handsome new patrol
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