USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Pioneers resting in historic Lindenwood. 1989 > Part 2
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SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS, POLITICS
Alfred P. Edgerton, (1813-1897) politician and very successful businessman, was born and edu- cated at Plattsburg, N. Y. In 1837, he settled at Hicksville, O., where he managed extensive land holdings for the American Land Co. Later he be- came owner of 40,000 acres of valuable land in northwestern Ohio. He was elected to Congress in 1850, from Ohio, and re-elected in 1852.
He came to Fort Wayne in 1857, and with Hugh McCulloch and Pliny Hoagland leased the Wa- bash-Erie Canal, Edgerton becoming general man- ager. He was also active in Indiana politics and ran for lieutenant governor in 1868, but was de- feated. He served on the federal civil service board under appointment by President Cleveland.
LED CONSOLIDATION OF RAILROAD LINES
Joseph K. Edgerton (1818-1893) attained wide prominence in political and railroad history in Fort Wayne and the Middle West. He came here in 1844, to practice law with former Governor Samuel Bigger.
Edgerton became interested in the construction of the first railroads in 1854. He was elected a director of the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad and later president, succeeding Judge Samuel Hanna. He led the consolidation of several rail- roads into the Pennsylvania Railroad. He served one term in Congress, being elected in 1862. He was known as one of the largest land owners in this region.
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PIONEER BUILDER IN FORT WAYNE
Samuel Edsall (1805-1865) settled here in 1824, becoming a pioneer miller. In 1842, he and William Rockhill established two band sawmills, operated with water power from the canal. A year later he opened the famous Edsall-Orff stone mill.
Mr. Edsall was one of the builders of the first court- house in 1831; built the second courthouse in 1847; and the third in 1858. He was associated with his brothers, William S. and Simon, in the construc- tion of the Wabash Railroad through Fort Wayne. Another brother, John, was a pioneer tailor here. The Edsalls were prominently identified with Fort Wayne's early development.
LAND OFFICE HEAD, BUILT PLANK ROAD
William S. Edsall (1809-1876) for a half century was a leading citizen in Fort Wayne's early development. His first job was with U.S. Engineers, surveying a route for the Wabash and Erie Canal. Later he joined the Ewings in fur trading and mercantile business. In 1840, he became a member of Fort Wayne's first common council and head of the U.S. Land Office in 1843. He and his brother, Samuel, and Judge Samuel Hanna formed a company, building the Fort Wayne-Bluffton plank road.
Mr. Edsall died in his home at West Main and Cass. Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Hugh M. McCulloch attended the funeral.
RAN DRUGSTORE FOR MANY YEARS
Miss Julia E. Emanuel (1871-1962) was one of Fort Wayne's first woman pharmacists. She came here following graduation in 1889, from Michigan Uni- versity, where she was the only girl in a class of 41 receiving a pharmaceutical degree. She first work- ed as a pharmacist for Meyer Drugs, and later opened her own store in the old arcade on Berry.
In 1909, Miss Emanuel moved her store to Berry and Harrison, and later the "Miss Emanuel Chemist Shop", was located on West Wayne near Harrison. She retired in 1943.
Miss Emanuel organized the Fort Wayne U. of M. Club, and she was eighty when she saw Michigan play in the Rose Bowl. She was active in civic affairs.
FIRST ATTORNEY IN ALLEN COUNTY
Charles W. Ewing (1798-1843) was the first judge of Allen County Probate Court and the first lawyer in Fort Wayne. He was the eldest son of Col. Alexander and Charlotte Ewing, who settled here in 1822. The Ewings were important figures in the early devel- opment of this community.
On August 9, 1824, the first session of Allen Circuit Court began and Charles Ewing was the prose- cutor, and for the first term he received a $5.00 fee. He was, for a time, President Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit. He was a brilliant lawyer and a fascinating orator.
Judge Ewing was secretary of the first Masonic Lodge in Allen County, Wayne Lodge No. 25, organized in 1823. His father was its first Worship- ful Master.
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FUR TRADING LED TO EWING WEALTH
Col. George W. Ewing (1804-1866) was one of Fort Wayne's early pioneers. He, along with his brother, William G. Ewing, (1801-1854), became fur traders in 1826. Later their commercial en- terprises extended from the Alleghenies to the Rockies. Their combined estates exceeded two million dollars.
Their father, Col. Alexander Ewing, who fought in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, died in 1827. He was buried on Ewing property which later became a part of Lindenwood Cemetery.
Above the large Ewing underground vault in Lin- denwood is the $25,000 35-foot Ewing monu- ment, the finest single shaft of Scotch granite in America. Here also rests Charles W. Ewing, (1798- 1843) successful lawyer, eldest son of Alexander Ewing.
CAPT. FAIRFIELD, SEAMAN TO FARMER
Capt. Asa Fairfield, (1797-1868) a seafaring man, born in Kennebunkport, Me., settled here in 1834, where he operated the first boat on the Wabash- Erie Canal. He served in the War of 1812, aboard one of the first privately owned ships licensed by the government to act against enemy shipping. He was taken prisoner by the British and confined for six months in Dartmouth Prison.
After working on the canal, Capt. Fairfield pur- chased a large tract of land south of Fort Wayne and became a successful farmer. He was active in the old Second Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge.
Fairfield Avenue was named in his honor.
EARLY LUMBER MILL OPERATOR
John Ferguson (1834-1917) became one of Fort Wayne's leading manufacturers and lumbermen in the mid 1800's. Born and educated near Quebec, he settled here in 1855. He entered the lumber business in 1861, establishing two large mills along the Fort Wayne & Muncie Railroad. Chicago was the principal market for his lumber.
He became associated with other businesses. He was a director of the Fort Wayne Gas Co., and presi- dent of the Bluffton Gravel Road Co. He owned 1,000 acres of improved land in Allen, Huntington, Wells and Marshall counties.
Mr. Ferguson and his wife, Eliza, were members of the First Baptist Church.
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CHOSEN FIRST CITY ATTORNEY
Lucien P. Ferry (1810-1844) became Fort Wayne's first city attorney following the city's incorporation and election in 1840. Although he died at an early age, he had become an outstanding lawyer and poli- tician. He moved here from Monroe, Mich., in 1831.
He became judge of the probate court in 1835 and Indiana state representative in 1842.
His father, Peter Peyre de Ferry, native of France, served as chief of battalion under Napoleon Bona- parte, and fled to America as a peasant after the fall of the emperor.
Lucien Ferry's widow, Caroline Bourie, who lived to be 100, died here in 1915.
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LEADER OF VAST UTILITY COMBINE
Robert M. Feustel, (1884-1932) born and reared in Fort Wayne, became a nationally known public service engineer and utility executive. He headed numerous utilities of the Middle West with a com- bined capitalization of $300,000,000.
He was president of Indiana Service Corp., a com- bined street railway, light and power company in Fort Wayne; vice-chairman of Northern Indiana Public Service; president, Midland United, utility holding company; president, Indiana Railroad Sys- tem; president, Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad, and president, Public Service Com- pany of Indiana.
Mr. Feustel was graduated by Purdue University and began his professional career with the old Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley Traction Co.
BECAME PUBLISHER OF NEWS-SENTINEL
Oscar G. Foellinger, (1885-1936) born and reared in Fort Wayne, became publisher of the News- Sentinel. He died suddenly while on a hunting trip in British Columbia. He was nationally known in newspaper and advertising circles, and recog- nized as a competent and successful newspaper publisher.
His career began as an assistant bank cashier in 1901. In 1905, he became bookkeeper for The Journal-Gazette, and later its business manager. Leaving Fort Wayne in 1910, he practiced public accounting on the west coast. Returning here in 1912, he joined the News Publishing Company, and in 1920, he became publisher of The News- Sentinel.
BEGAN FORTRIEDE SHOE STORE, 1863
Louis Fortriede, Sr., (1840-1922) was founder of the former Fortriede shoe store which was one of the oldest commercial enterprises in Fort Wayne. The business opened in 1863, and closed August 15, 1967, when the store at 615 Calhoun was razed to make way for the new City-County Building.
Fortriede came here from Germany in 1861. He served with the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War, and upon returning here, opened his store in the 100 block of West Main. It was relocated on Calhoun in 1887.
For many years, four Fortriede sons carried on their father's business: Waldemar, Edwin, Louis, Jr., and Albert.
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FATHER OF CITY'S FINE PARK SYSTEM
Col. David N. Foster (1841-1934) for 25 years served as president of the Fort Wayne Park Board. Until his death, he was known as the father of Fort Wayne's parks. Col. Foster and his brother, the late Samuel M. Foster, donated the land in 1912, for the establishment of Foster Park.
Col. Foster served three years in the Civil War; was on Gen. Mead's staff at the Battle of Gettys- burg, and he was wounded in the battle of Fred- ericksburg. After the war, he became active in the Grand Army of the Republic, both on the state and national levels.
Col. Foster came here in 1877, and was engaged in the retail furniture business. He assisted in the organization of the Wayne Knitting Mills and the Lincoln National Bank.
S. M. FOSTER LED IN CITY'S GROWTH
Samuel M. Foster (1851-1935) was one of Fort Wayne's most outstanding business and civic lead- ers. His career began as a cash-boy and bundle wrapper in a New York store. Later he was gradu- ated by Yale University where he achieved a bril- liant scholastic record. Coming here in 1879, Mr. Foster embraced an interest in law, journalism, manufacturing and merchandising.
His successful business enterprises led him into the field of banking and life insurance. He was one of the organizers of Lincoln National Bank & Trust Co. and Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. For both institutions he was their first president and later board chairman. He was truly a driving force in the development of the city.
FOUNDER OF FRANK DRY GOODS STORE
Marx Frank (1836-1923) was founder and presi- dent of the former Frank Dry Goods Company, and he was an outstanding leader in the development of Jewish religious movements of the city. He was president of Achduth Vesholom Congregation for 40 years. Three temples were built by that congre- gation under his direction.
Born in Bavaria, Germany, Mr. Frank came to this country when 17 years of age. After a brief time in New York, he came to Fort Wayne in 1862, and several years later founded the firm which bore his name.
He was succeeded in management of the Frank Store by his son, the late Theodore Frank, and by his grandsons, the late Eugene Frank and the late Jack Frank.
PERFECTION BISCUIT COMPANY FOUNDER
John B. Franke, (1866-1927) founder and presi- dent of Perfection Biscuit Company, was one of Fort Wayne's outstanding business and civic leaders of his time. Under his management, Per- fection grew from a small brick building on Barr Street, with a single oven, to its modern facilities on Pearl Street. He was also a stockholder in a number of other Fort Wayne manufacturing and mercantile enterprises.
Mr. Franke was chairman of the building commit- tee which erected the Trinity English Lutheran Church edifice at West Wayne and Ewing, and was active in its dedication in 1926. He loved music, and he arranged and financed many concerts here. He donated to the city the large tract of land known as Franke Park.
MASONIC LEADER FOR 45 YEARS
William Geake (1849-1927) for 45 years was identified with every important development in Fort Wayne and Indiana freemasonry. He be- came a Mason in 1871, at Steubenville, O. In 1882, he led the movement resulting in chartering four Fort Wayne Scottish Rite bodies; was Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Indiana, 1899-1900; be- came Scottish Rite Deputy for Indiana in 1902, holding that office until 1927.
Born in Bristol, England, Mr. Geake settled here in 1878. A stone cutter by trade, he served as fore- man during construction of the old Masonic Temple, East Wayne and Clinton.
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FAMOUS CIVIL WAR NURSE BURIED HERE
Mrs. Eliza E. George, (1808-1865) Fort Wayne's noted Civil War nurse, died of typhoid fever in an army camp, Wilmington, N.C., a month after Lee's surrender at Appomattox. She gave her life, like thousands of others, in the terrible struggle to preserve the Union. She accompanied Indiana regiments, nursing the sick, wounded, and became known affectionately as "Mother George."
Mrs. George was buried in Lindenwood Cemetery with full military honors and the Indiana Sanitary Commission erected a monument to her memory. She rests in the family plot of Fort Wayne's other great Civil War hero, Col. Sion S. Bass, who fell at Shiloh.
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CONGRESSMAN FOR FIVE TERMS
Dr. George W. Gillie (1881-1963) was elected to Congress in 1938, serving five consecutive terms. Previously he was Allen County sheriff from 1916 to 1918, and was elected sheriff again in 1928 and 1934. He also practiced his profession as a veterinarian for many years. As a Congressman, he became nationally known for his efforts to eradi- cate the hoof and mouth disease among livestock. He was a star football player at Ohio State Univer- sity, and one of the first men elected to the National Football Hall of Fame. Dr. Gillie was a Republican, but his long list of personal friends was altogether bipartisan.
SERVED IN 12TH'S FAMED REGIMENT
Capt. John M. Godown (1832-1911) former Fort Wayne city clerk, civil engineer and prominent Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway of- ficial, was one of this city's distinguished Civil War soldiers.
Godown served with Company K, Twelfth Indiana Regiment, participating in 28 battles during the long and costly struggle to preserve the Union. This regiment fought at Richmond, Ky., and then joined Grant at Memphis. It served in the seige and victory at Vicksburg. Godown was with Sher- man in the long march from Memphis to Chatta- nooga. The Twelfth also fought at Mission Ridge, at Knoxville, and in the Atlanta campaign. It marched with Sherman to Savannah, into the Caro- linas and south to Richmond, Va.
FOUNDED INDIANA FURNITURE STORE
William F. Graeter (1863-1949) was a civic leader and prominent Fort Wayne businessman for many years. Born in Madison, Ind., he came here in 1881, and was one of the founders, and an officer of the Old Indiana Furniture Co. He was active in the local and national Chambers of Commerce, and was first vice-president of the former Fort Wayne Morris Plan Bank. He was also organizer of the Fort Wayne Printing Co.
Mr. Graeter was a member of Sol D. Bayless Lodge, F. and A.M .; Scottish Rite and Mizpah Shrine Temple.
FARMER, STOCK DEALER TO MAYOR
Jesse A. Grice, (1852-1915) successful farmer, stock dealer, meat market operator, became an ardent Republican worker here before the turn of the century. In recognition of his faithful work for the G.O.P., he was nominated and elected sheriff in 1904, and re-elected two years later.
Shortly after retirement as sheriff, he was per- suaded to run for mayor. He ran and was elected November 2, 1909. During his administration, the city paved many additional miles of streets, side- walks; improved street lighting; enlarged the city park system; and completed negotiations for rail- road track elevation over Calhoun, Fairfield and Broadway.
WILLIAM M. GRIFFIN HEADED WAYNE PUMP
William M. Griffin (1870-1937) was president of the former Wayne Pump Company and for many years a prominent industrialist and civic leader. He attended school in Noble County and Tri-State Normal College.
He served with the U.S. Army during the Spanish- American War. After discharge he came to Fort Wayne and was engaged in commercial work until 1914, when he became president of Wayne Pump.
He was a director of Lincoln National Bank and member of Lincoln National Life's executive committee.
BERT GRISWOLD, CITY HISTORIAN
Bert J. Griswold (1873-1927) after years of research and writing, published in 1917 his "Pic- torial History of Fort Wayne." It is a comprehensive document of early Fort Wayne history and includes portraits, short biographical sketches of persons closely related to the community's early develop- ment.
Later, he published his "History of Fort Wayne and Allen County," containing vignettes of 750 professional and business leaders of the city. Mr. Griswold came here in 1902, and was for 13 years a cartoonist for local newspapers. He then opened an advertising agency.
His work in Fort Wayne civic life and historical field is a "monument more lasting than marble or bronze."
FORMER BOWSER VICE PRESIDENT
Herbert J. Grosvernor (1875-1963) a native of Fort Wayne, was vice president of Bowser, Inc. for many years, producers of gasoline pumps. He joined the Bowser firm as bookkeeper in 1899, and subse- quently rose through positions of purchasing agent, secretary-treasurer, and vice president general manager. He retired in 1945 after 46 years with the company.
Mr. Grosvernor was also a community leader and an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church where he served as a vestryman and warden. He was also president of the R & L Concrete Machinery Com- pany of Kendallville.
HEADED FORMER GROTH CO. STORE
John Earl Groth, Sr., (1878-1947) was one of Fort Wayne's leading citizens for 25 years, and presi- dent of the former Earl Groth & Co., department store. He came here in 1921 as general manager of the Rurode Store, and in 1925 moved to New York to manage the Kresge Department stores. In 1929 he acquired the Rurode Store and returned here. The store's name was changed to Earl Groth & Co.
Mr. Groth participated in many local civic affairs; served as Plymouth Congregational Church board chairman, and had a major interest in his South Wind Farms at Ossian.
HEADED WESTERN GAS FOR 30 YEARS
Olaf N. Guldlin, (1849-1932) was a nationally known gas engineer and president of the old West- ern Gas Construction Company in Fort Wayne for 30 years. A native of Norway, he came here in 1884, and had a prominent part in the development of the city and its industries.
He was first associated as an engineer with the Kerr- Murray Manufacturing Co. here, and later joined with W. A. Croxton and Frank D. Moses as gas con- sulting engineers, and in the development of Wes- tern Gas.
In 1917, Western Gas merged with Koppers Co. of Pittsburgh, and Mr. Guldlin remained with the firm until 1922.
FORMER PUBLISHER OF THE SENTINEL
Edward A.K. Hackett, (1851-1916) former owner and publisher of The Fort Wayne Sentinel, was a prominent and influential figure in Hoosier journa- lism. He was a native of Bloomfield, Pa., where he learned the printer's trade.
In 1874, he purchased half interest in The Bluffton, (Ind.) Banner and later became its sole owner. In 1880, he purchased The Fort Wayne Sentinel from William Fleming and developed it into a pros- perous newspaper. He was also publisher of the old Indianapolis Sentinel which he sold to devote his entire time to his Fort Wayne newspaper.
He was a prominent member of the First Presby- terian Church.
FOUNDER LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE
Arthur F. Hall (1872-1942) was founder of Lincoln National Life Insurance Company and for 37 years one of Fort Wayne's outstanding business and civic leaders. He entered the life insurance field in 1904 in Indianapolis, and in 1905 came to Fort Wayne to direct the organization of Lincoln Life. In the beginning he served as secretary and general manager, directed the sale of the $100,000 stock to organize, and wrote most of the firm's business. After the first 100 days, the company had $532,000 life insurance in force.
Mr. Hall became Lincoln Life president in 1923 and board chairman in 1939. He lived to see the firm expand beyond a billion dollars in ordinary life insurance in force. He was a brilliant leader of men, a business genius, a lovable friend.
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PIONEER BANKER, COMMUNITY LEADER
Allen Hamilton: 1798-1864. He came to Fort Wayne in 1823, and rose to become a man of wealth and a leader in the commercial development of the community. He was Allen County's first sheriff and aided in negotiating a treaty with the Miami Indians.
Mr. Hamilton in 1835, was named president of the Indiana Branch Bank here, and in 1853, he along with Hugh McCulloch and Jesse L. Williams formed the Allen and Hamilton Co., forerunner of a number of Fort Wayne banking institutions.
A GRACIOUS LADY OF PIONEER DAYS
Mrs. Emerine Jane Hamilton, (1810-1889) wife of Allen Hamilton, prominent Fort Wayne pioneer merchant and banker, was one of Hoosierland's great ladies. She loved good literature, worked and gave generously in community charities, and was a devoted member and leader in the First Presbyterian Church.
She was the daughter of Judge Jesse L. Holman, chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. After her marriage she came here with her husband in 1827, and they first resided in the Old Fort. Mrs. Hamilton started the first public reading room, fore- runner of our public library, and was a pioneer in the woman sufferage movement.
CITY OWES MUCH TO SAMUEL HANNA
Samuel Hanna, 1797-1866. Fort Wayne owes much to the pioneering leadership of Judge Han- na. His enterprising adventures in fur and Indian trades, land speculation, and promotion of the Wabash-Erie Canal, plank roads and railroads, contributed greatly to the population increase and economic growth of this region.
He settled here in 1819, a year before the troops evacuated the Fort. Soon after opening a trading post at Barr and Columbia, Hanna's long and suc- cessful career was underway. He also took an active role in governmental policy-making, serving as associate judge of Allen County, state repre- sentative and state senator.
LEADER IN DRUG STORE BUSINESS
Gottlieb H. Heine, (1878-1953) was for many years presi- dent of Meyer Brothers Company, pioneer, retail drug es- tablishment in Fort Wayne and northeastern Indiana. A native of Fort Wayne, Mr. Heine attended Lutheran paro- chial schools and Concordia College.
He became associated in 1897 with Meyer Brothers as stenographer, and later he was the key man in reorgani- zation and expansion of the firm. Meyer Brothers was sold in 1969 to Hook's Drug Stores.
Mr. Heine was active in the early development of the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the building committee in the construction of Trinity English Lutheran Church and served on the city school board.
NOTED FIGURE IN BASEBALL
Louis Heilbroner (1861-1933) was a unique figure in the world of organized baseball. In 1909, he founded and operated here Heilbroner's Baseball Bureau Service and published the annual baseball Blue Book. He was recognized by the late Judge Kenesaw M. Landis, baseball commissioner, as the greatest authority in the world on major and minor league baseball players and their records.
He supplied records and statistics on all profes- sional, semi-professional and college players. The bureau kept an accurate daily record and history of every player, and gave clubs reports on sales, trades, and lists of eligible players.
His baseball career began as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1900.
HEADED HOSIERY COMPANY HERE
Henry J. Herbst (1888-1947) was for many years one of the city's leading industrial and civic leaders. He was organizer of General Hosiery Co. in 1926, and served as secretary-treasurer and general manager until the plant was sold in 1945 to Got- ham Hosiery.
His career began as cash boy at W & D Store, and then he worked for Fort Wayne Electric, Western Gas Construction, Fort Wayne Knitting Mills, and Thieme Brothers Silk Hosiery Mills.
He was active in Fort Wayne civic affairs, and was chairman of the Fort Wayne Plan Commission.
CITY'S FIRST ORAL SURGEON
Dr. Victor H. Hilgemann (1886-1972) life long resi- dent of Fort Wayne, was the city's first oral surgeon. He practiced here from 1909 to 1958, and was one of the original members of the Duemling Clinic. He was influential in having fluorine added to Fort Wayne's water, making Fort Wayne the first Hoosier city to make the addition.
Dr. Hilgemann attended Michigan University and was graduated by Indiana Dental College. He was an active member of the Izaak Walton League.
BUILT RAILROAD, WABASH-ERIE CANAL
Pliny Hoagland (1810-1884) was one of Fort Wayne's outstanding pioneer businessmen. He was associated with Samuel Hanna and William Mitch- ell in building the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chi- cago Railroad from Crestline to Fort Wayne.
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