USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Pioneers resting in historic Lindenwood. 1989 > Part 4
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Mr. Paul was president of the Fort Wayne Electric Works of the General Electric Company from 1899 to 1905. He helped in organizing the Fort Wayne Drug Company and the Fort Wayne Corrugated Paper Company.
ACTIVE DIRECTOR IN MUSIC CIRCLES
Mrs. Isabelle McClure Peltier (1881-1961) was a former leader in Fort Wayne's Morning Musical, Community Concerts Association, and served on the boards of the Civic Symphony and Philhar- monic Orchestra. And for many years she was active in many phases of social and civic life in Fort Wayne.
Mrs. Peltier was a gifted artist and for a time taught piano. She was a dynamic leader and helped to bring some of the finest concert artists to Fort Wayne. She was a graduate of Westminster Seminary and European School of Music.
Mrs. Peltier's estate provided large gifts for Fort Wayne Fine Arts, First Presbyterian and Trinity Epis- copal Churches.
FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND CIVIC LEADER
William H.W. Peltier (1869-1941) was a member of Fort Wayne's oldest family and for many years a prominent funeral director. His great grandmother, Angeline Chapoton, was the first white woman to settle permanent- ly in Fort Wayne. His grandfather, Louis Peltier, was the first white child born in the old fort.
For over 25 years, Mr. Peltier was proprietor of the Peltier Funeral Home, established by his grandfather in 1832. He relinquished his holdings in the mortuary in 1938.
FOUNDED PERFECT WHOLESALE GROCERS
Arthur H. Perfect (1865-1946) was president and co- founder of the old A.H. Perfect & Co., wholesale grocers in Fort Wayne. A native of Delaware County, O., he came here in 1896, and with his brothers Harry A. Perfect, T. Guy Perfect and Henry H. Eavey, purchased the Mc- Donald & Watt Wholesale Grocery Co., reorganizing it into the A.H. Perfect & Co ..
He helped in the development of the YMCA and YWCA, and was a Lincoln National Bank director and a member of the bank's executive committee.
FOUNDED FORMER PETTIT WAREHOUSE
William L. Pettit, Jr., (1874-1929) native of Fort Wayne, was the founder of the former Pettit Transfer and Storage Company. The Pettit ware- house was housed in a six-story reinforced con- crete building at 414 East Columbia.
It was built in 1909, and remained a prominent landmark until the firm was relocated in Industrial Park to make way for part of The Three Rivers Rede- velopment project.
Mr. Pettit was a graduate of Lehigh University. He established his warehouse after serving as a sur- veyor for the Pennsylvania Railroad.
PIONEERED IN MODERN SURGERY
Dr. Miles F. Porter, Sr., (1856-1933) practiced here for 54 years and became a nationally known surgeon, pioneering in the advancement of modern surgery.
After 1900, he confined his practice exclusively to surgery and obstetrics. As chief of the old Hope Hospital medical staff, Dr. Porter built the first operating room on the hospital grounds, site of downtown Y.M.C.A. He is known to have per- formed the first gallbladder operation in the Middle West and to have performed one of the first ap- pendectomies in the history of surgery.
He was one of the original organizers of Indiana University Medical School, served for a time on its faculty, and was one of the founders of the Ameri- can College of Surgeons.
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SERVED 5 TERMS AS CITY'S MAYOR
Franklin P. Randall (1812-1892) was known as Fort Wayne's "Civil War" mayor. Elected in 1859, he served five successive terms with dis- tinction and honor.
He was educated in eastern academies and came here in 1838 to practice law. From time to time he held other governmental offices: County school commissioner, director of the State prison South, city recorder, city attorney and State senator. He was author of the city charter and designer of the city seal.
Mr. Randall played an active role in the develop- ment and building of railroads in this area. In the latter part of his career he conducted a successful legal, real estate and insurance business.
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PERRY A. RANDALL HONORED BY CITY
Perry A. Randall, (1847-1916) in a span of 43 years, became a successful Fort Wayne attorney, home-builder, manufacturer and leader in com- munity development. Shortly after his death, Fort Wayne citizens erected in East Swinney Park a bronze portrait bust of Mr. Randall, commemorat- ing his many civic achievements.
He began practicing law here in 1867, and in 1881, became a partner with William J. Vesey and their legal firm became most successful. Mr. Randall also owned and operated the city's first home building company, the Tri-State Building & Loan Co. He also owned and operated the old Randall Hotel, and had extensive holdings in wholesale lumber firms.
MANUFACTURER FOR MANY YEARS
William C. Rastetter, Sr., (1874-1940) was presi- dent of the old Louis Rastetter & Sons, Inc., furni- ture manufacturers, and prominent in Fort Wayne civic affairs. He was a member and former presi- dent of the Fort Wayne Public School Board.
Born in Fort Wayne, Mr. Rastetter attended public grade and high schools here. He played on the first football team organized in the schools in 1890. He entered the furniture business with his father as a young man.
Mr. Rastetter was president of the Quest Club; Rotary Club director; exalted ruler of the Elks; mem- ber of Third Presbyterian church; affiliated with Scottish Rite and Mizpah Temple.
FOUNDED REA MAGNET WIRE CO.
Victor F. Rea (1889-1959) was a prominent Fort Wayne industrialist and civic leader. He was presi- dent of Rea Magnet Wire Co., which he founded in 1933. He came here in 1910 to become general manager of the old Dudlo Co., which was merged with General Cable Co., in 1927.
Mr. Rea was a member of Plymouth Congregational church and trustee of that church; president of the YMCA for six years; trustee of the Associated Col- leges of Indiana, and assisted in fund raising cam- paigns for Parkview Memorial and Lutheran Hos- pitals, and United Fund.
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BESSIE ROBERTS, NOTED HISTORIAN
Mrs. Bessie Keeran Roberts (1886-1964) was a prominent Fort Wayne historian, journalist and school teacher. She was author of "Fort Wayne's Al- bum", "The Glorious Gate", "A Wayne Scrapbook", and an unpublished history of Abraham Lincoln's days in Indiana entitled, "The Frontier Line".
Mrs. Roberts was a reporter for the Evansville Courier and later society editor for The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. She was graduated by Fort Wayne High School and Indiana University. She also taught in Fort Wayne Public Schools.
Mrs. Roberts was the wife of the late Frank Roberts, former editor of The Journal-Gazette.
CIVIL WAR HERO, LAWYER, HISTORIAN
Col. Robert S. Robertson (1839-1906) during the last half of the 19th century became a successful lawyer, politician and historian in Fort Wayne. He was born and educated in North Argyle, N.Y.
In 1861, he joined the Union Army, serving throughout most of the Civil War, advancing from private to colonel. He became a staff officer be- fore the Battle of Gettysburg; was wounded in the Battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse; participated in the siege of Petersburg. He received the Congres- sional Medal of Honor for gallantry in action.
He settled here in 1866, to practice law. Active in Republican politics, he served as city attorney and then as lieutenant governor of Indiana.
LEADER IN EARLY CITY DEVELOPMENT
William Rockhill (1793-1865) came here in 1823, from Burlington, N.J., and for 42 years was one of the leaders in the commercial development and political life in Fort Wayne. Soon after his arrival he acquired a large tract of land in the Broadway area. It was recorded as Rockhill additions. He built the historic Rockhill house at Broadway and Main, which later became a part of St. Joseph's Hospital.
Rockhill was a member of the first board of county commissioners; served two terms as state repre- sentative; was one of the pioneers in the estab- lishment of the city's public school system; served as a member of the first city council. He was a state senator in 1844, and in 1846, was elected U.S. Congressman.
CHURCH FOUNDER IN FRONTIER DAYS
Henry W. Rudisill, (1801 - 1858) one of Fort Wayne's early pioneers, helped to lay the founda- tions of a thriving village. He and his family arrived here Christmas Day, 1829, from Lancaster, O., and were escorted to their new home by Samuel Hanna and Allen Hamilton.
Rudisill assisted in the work of U. S. land agents, John T. Barr and John McCorkle, and later Rudi- sill's enterprises included a gristmill, sawmill, tan- nery and a woolen mill. He was a deeply religious man, directing the founding of St. Paul's Lutheran Church as well as Trinity English Lutheran Church. The pulpit in Trinity Church is a memorial to Henry W. and Elizabeth Rudisill, provided by their daughter, Eliza Rudisill, who died in 1929.
ERECTED MANY BUILDINGS HERE
Fred J. Rump, (1872-1965) was a general building contractor here from 1900 until retirement in 1941. Among the many buildings he erected were the main office of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Co., south wing of the Lutheran Hospital, old Wolf & Dessauer store, First Church of Christ Scientist, ITT building on East Pontiac, and several buildings in the G.E. complex.
Mr. Rump, a native of Germany, came to Fort Wayne in 1888. He was a charter member of Emmaus Lutheran Church, former chairman of the congre- gation, past Lutheran Hospital board member, and former Lindenwood Cemetery board member.
MANAGED RURODE STORE 65 YEARS
Ernst C. Rurode (1838-1925) was founder and president of the old Rurode Dry Goods Company and for 65 years one of Fort Wayne's leading merchants. A native of Germany, he settled here in 1860, and with John McDougal and L.B. Root, opened the New York Store, later to become the Rurode store. Mr. Rurode became sole owner in 1897.
He was a member of Trinity English Lutheran Church for 50 years and assisted in building old Trinity Church at Clinton and Wayne.
FIRST MEDICAL SOCIETY LEADER
Dr. Charles A. Schmitz (1809-1887) began prac- ticing medicine here in 1838, when Fort Wayne was still a small trading post. He was a successful physi- cian and cared for his patients until retiring in 1872. During his career he served on the Fort Wayne Board of Health, and in 1860 became first presi- dent of the Allen County Medical Society. Dr. Schmitz was born in Germany, and received his medical training at Bonn. Before coming here, he practiced in Philadelphia. He married Henriette Lans of Fort Wayne, in 1840. She was also a native of Germany.
Dr. And Mrs. Schmitz lived to see Fort Wayne emerge from the old fort days to the canal era, and to the establishment of railroads and factories.
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MICHIGAN'S GREAT ALL-TIME CENTER
Adolph "Germany" Schulz (1884-1951) Fort Wayne native, was one of the great all-time University of Michigan football players. He attended Fort Wayne schools, played high school and sandlot football, enrolled at Michigan in 1904, standing 6-foot-2, weighing 248, and had the strength of a blacksmith.
He revolutionized center play at Michigan, 1904- 1908, being the first pivot man to drop behind the line on defense. It was in the era of bone-crushing power play. Walter Camp named Schulz greatest center in football history. He was chosen All-Ameri- can in 1907; placed on Grantland Rice's All-Time Team, and in 1951, placed on the Associated Press All-Time College Football Team.
PROMINENT LAWYER, PUBLIC OFFICIAL
William H. Shambaugh (1856-1927) native of Allen County, was one of Fort Wayne's distinguished lawyers, state representative, and for twelve years Fort Wayne city attorney.
While city attorney, Mr. Shambaugh became so efficient in municipal law that he was chosen to write the 1894 Fort Wayne Municipal Charter. He served on the Fort Wayne School Board from 1910 to 1926.
Mr. Shambaugh attended Normal School at Lebanon, O., and Valparaiso University, before entering law practice here. He was a director and attorney for the Lincoln National Bank & Trust Co., and counsel for a number of manufacturing firms.
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"BIRD BOY" ART SMITH BLAZED PATH TO GLORY
Arthur R. "Art" Smith: 1890-1926. He is known as Fort Wayne's "Bird Boy", originator of sky- writing, king of the "loop-the-loop", and one of the Nation's early air daredevils.
Art's career, during which he astounded millions at home and in the Orient with his flying skill, came to a tragic end on the night of February 12, 1926. He died when his U.S. Airmail plane fell in Ohio-not far from Fort Wayne, where at the age of 16 he built his first plane, and later became one of America's great pioneer aviators. Smith Field, the airport north of the city, was named for him.
ON FIRE FORCE FOR 50 YEARS
John C. Stahlhut (1866-1941) was a member of Fort Wayne's fire department for 50 years, and fire chief from 1925 to 1940. He became a fireman at No. 2 Station in 1890, and later promoted to captain. He was made assistant chief in 1908.
In point of service, Chief Stahlhut had the longest record of any city official at the time of his retire- ment. The last steam pumper was taken out of ser- vice in 1920, and it was then Chief Stahlhut's as- signment to retire the department's last team of horses.
He was widely known for his fire fighting ability and constant attention to up-dating fire equipment.
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EARLY MERCHANT IN FORT WAYNE
Nathaniel P. Stockridge, (1820-1896) native of Freeport, Maine, settled here with his young wife in 1843, and later became one of the community's prominent merchants. From 1843 to 1853, he managed the large H. Durrie & Co. hardware store, later to become the successful Morgan & Beach store. Then Mr. Stockbridge acquired the D. W. Burroughs store, a book and stationery outlet, the first es- tablishment of its kind in Fort Wayne. His store for 38 years provided books and stationery materials for a grow- ing town. He was a student of good music and literature.
Mr. Stockbridge was city treasurer in 1848-1849. His re- sidence at 225 West Wayne Street was for many years a Fort Wayne landmark.
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PIONEER DOCTOR IN FORT WAYNE
Dr. Charles E. Sturgis (1815-1869) was one of Fort Wayne's successful pioneer doctors. He was born and reared in Queen Anne County, Md. After gra- duation at Ohio Medical College he resided for a short time in Richmond, Ind., and Logansport, before coming to Fort Wayne where he practiced medicine for 30 years.
He represented Allen County in both houses of the Indiana legislature, and for many years was presi- dent of the Fort Wayne School Board. In 1868, Dr. Sturgis was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in New York that nominated Horatio Seymour for president.
Dr. Sturgis was married to Lavina Ewing, daughter of Col. and Mrs. Alexander Ewing, early Fort Wayne settlers.
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LIVED IN FIRST LOG HOUSE HERE
Mrs. Laura Suttenfield (1795-1886) was born in Boston, and at age 16, became the wife of a dashing young army officer, Col William Suttenfield. They were married in Detroit, and in 1814 settled in Fort Wayne. For a while, they lived inside the fort, and were the first to erect a log house here and it stood near Columbia and Barr. Mrs. Suttenfield was the first white woman to make Fort Wayne her perma- nent home.
Mrs. Suttenfield's sister, Eliza Taylor, became the wife of Samuel Hanna, prominent Fort Wayne pioneer. The Suttenfields helped found the First Presbyterian Church, and the colonel assisted in the incorporation of the Village of Fort Wayne in 1829.
Mrs. Suttenfield lived to be 91, and many of her rare recollections of early Fort Wayne have been preserved.
SWINNEYS LEAVE TWO MEMORIALS
Col. Thomas W. Swinney (1803-1875) was one of Fort Wayne's early settlers. Arriving here in 1822, from Piketon, Ohio, he found a small settlement surrounding the old fort. His successful career began a year later when he made his initial pur- chase of government land west of town. As his land holdings increased, he became prominent in farming, and widely interested in political affairs of Fort Wayne, state and nation.
He married Lucy Taber here in 1827, daughter of Capt. Paul Taber, also a prosperous land owner. Col. Swinney and his wife built the Swinney home- stead in 1844, and today it houses the priceless collections of the Allen County-Fort Wayne His- torical Society.
BUILT BRIDGES, RR ELEVATIONS
Herman W. Tapp (1857-1928) was for many years a prominent construction contractor. His large con- tracts included the construction of the West Main Street bridge, State Street boulevard bridge, Coombs Street bridge, and track elevation work for the Pennsylvania, Wabash and New York Central railroads.
Mr. Tapp was born in Germany, but came here when a small child. The Tapp residence was loca- ted at the northeast corner of Hanna and Lewis, now occupied by American Legion Post 148.
INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN GEOLOGIST
Frank B. Taylor (1860-1938) was an internationally known geologist. A graduate of Fort Wayne High School, he attended Harvard, where he studied geology, mineralogy, chemistry, meterology. He became a noted geologist and author of 70 articles on the glacial period, mainly in the region of the Great Lakes, the Niagara River, southwestern On- tario and western New England.
He was recognized world-wide for his history of the Niagara, the falls and the gorge. As a result of his scientific studies and discoveries, he was given honors by several geological societies.
Mr. Taylor was active in the Fort Wayne Historical Society, Fortnightly Club, and Fort Wayne Art School and Museum.
FOUNDED WAYNE KNITTING MILLS
Theodore F. Thieme (1857-1949) was one of Fort Wayne's early prominent manufacturers. He was founder of the old Wayne Knitting Mills and of the full-fashioned hosiery industry in America. A native of Fort Wayne, he attended Concordia College and College of Pharmacy in New York.
He was engaged in the drug store business here for a short time before opening Wayne Knitting Mills in 1891. Mr. Thieme with his own funds beautified West Main parkway from Main Street bridge to Swinney Park. This was later named Thieme Drive in his honor.
The Thiemes donated large sums for cultural projects and gave their home at 1026 West Berry for founding of the Fort Wayne Art School and Museum.
FOUNDER IN 1833 OF THE SENTINEL
Thomas Tigar (1807-1875) was co-founder of The Fort Wayne Sentinel in 1833, and first local news- paper editor. For 32 years he recorded events of the frontier village and its expansion.
He was born in London where he learned a printer's trade. Coming to America, he followed his trade. While at The Indianapolis Journal he met S.V.B. Noel, also a printer. They were encouraged to start The Sentinel here by Samuel Hanna and Jesse L. Williams. The Sentinel prospered, merging with The News in 1918.
Tigar has been referred to as "the best editorial writer ever to come to Indiana."
FORMER OPERATOR OF TRIER'S PARK
George F. Trier (1876-1942) was a prominent dancing in- structor and operator of old Trier's Park and amusement center in West Swinney Park until 1940. Born here, Mr. Trier attended the Lutheran parochial schools and Inter- national College. At age 18 he became a stenographer in the law firm of the late James B. Harper.
Later he became secretary and general manager of the National Telephone Company with headquarters here, and then held the same position with the Delaware and Madison County Telephone Company. Mr. Trier operated the Mulqueen Dancing Academy at Calhoun and Wash- ington, and later headed the dancing academy in the old Minuet Building. He also leased and operated a dancing pavilion in 1905 at Robison Park.
His success at Robison Park led to his venture in West Swinney Park where he presented a variety of outdoor amusements for picnics and celebrations.
FORMER BUSINESS COLLEGE HEAD
J. Lyle Tucker, Sr., (1885-1950) was president of In- ternational Business College from 1929 to 1950. A native of Orono, Ontario, Canada, he came here with his parents in 1893 and was graduated by Interna- tional College in 1901.
After graduation he worked for the old White Na- tional Bank and in 1911, he became bookkeeper for International College, and in 1920 he was named treasurer. He was a Rotarian, Scottish Rite Mason, and member of Mizpah Shrine, Plymouth Congre- gational Church and Orchard Ridge Country Club.
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PIONEER BUILDER OF PLANK ROADS
Jesse E. Vermilyea (1809-1846) came to Fort Wayne in the early 1820's from Duchess County, N.Y., to farm and trade with the Indians, and later became a successful building contractor.
He was one of the original directors of the Fort Wayne Branch Bank, and contractor on the Wabash and Erie Canal. He worked with Samuel Hanna in building the Lima Plank Road for a distance of 50 miles.
He also built his famous Vermilyea Mansion in 1839, on his farm near the Village of Aboite. Mr. Vermilyea also served as Aboite postmaster for many years.
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ATTORNEY, JUDGE AND CIVIC LEADER
Judge William J. Vesey (1857-1940) was a promi- nent attorney, jurist and civic leader here for more than 60 years. Born and educated in Lagrange county, he taught school briefly, studied law, and was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1878.
He entered the law firm of Ninde and Ellison, and then at different times practiced law with Perry A. Randall, Owen Heaton, Allen J. Vesey and Fred J. Shoaff. He was judge of Allen Superior Court in 1899-1900. He was attorney for a number of banks and industries, and an early leader of the Chamber of Commerce.
PASTOR AT TRINITY FOR HALF CENTURY
Rev. Samuel Wagenhals, D.D., (1843-1920) served as pastor of Trinity English Lutheran Church here from 1868 to 1920 - an unparalled record of Christian service to the church and community. Born in Lancaster, O., he was educated at Capitol University, Columbus, O., and Theological Semi- nary, Philadelphia.
Enlisting as a private and becoming a lieutenant, Wagenhals served with the Union Army throughout the Civil War. After the war he completed his seminary education, and became pastor of Trinity, June 10, 1868. The church had a membership then of 92. His long pastorate was one of con- tinued progress and congregational growth.
Rev. Wagenhals was one of the founders of Chi- cago Lutheran Theological Seminary.
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WARD SCHOOL NAMED FOR HIM
Louis C. Ward (1878-1931) was one of Fort Wayne's outstanding school administrators. He became instructor at Central High in 1907, its prin- cipal, 1915, superintendent of schools, 1920 to 1931. Under his dynamic leadership, new schools were erected, and the system climbed scholastical- ly, ranking with the best in the Nation.
Mr. Ward is buried in Lindenwood as are other noted Hoosier educators including Margaret M. MacPhail, John S. Irwin, and Chester T. Lane.
SOLDIER, EMINENT MERCHANT, BANKER
James B. White, (1835-1897) wealthy Fort Wayne merchant, Civil War veteran, congressman and banker, settled here in 1854. He came from Scot- land. The last leg of his journey was by packet boat over the Wabash-Erie Canal from Toledo.
He began work as a tailor with Nirdlinger and Op- penheimer's clothing store. He married Maria Brown of Fort Wayne, and in 1859, opened his own tailoring shop. In 1861, he sold his prosperous business to join the Union Army. Serving as a captain, he fought at Pittsburg Landing and was wounded at Shiloh.
After the war, White formed a firm which later be- came the successful White Fruit House, a super- market of its time. Active in politics, he served one term as U. S. Congressman.
LONG SERVICE IN JOURNALISM
Harry M. Williams (1866-1942) was a widely known and highly respected newspaperman in Indiana during a long career in journalism. He also served as a state senator from Allen County for a four-year term, having been elected in 1930.
He was long indentified with Fort Wayne news- papers. He was best remembered as editorial writer for the Journal-Gazette, of the Evening Press and managing editor of the Evening Sentinel.
As an editorial writer, Mr. Williams was known for his wide knowledge of politics, history and literature. His son, the late Park D. Williams, was also a prominent Journal-Gazette reporter and editor.
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BUILT CANALS AND RAILROADS
Jesse L. Williams (1807-1886) was educated in Cincinnati, and at 21, began a highly successful civil engineering career, surveying and construct- ing canal systems in Ohio and Indiana. In the mid 1800's he became one of the Nation's foremost engineers in building railroads in the Midwest and far west.
He came here as construction engineer for the Wabash-Erie Canal. In 1836, he was appointed the State's chief engineer of all canal routes in In- diana. He served as governor director of the Union Pacific Railway under Presidents Lincoln, Johnson and Grant. It was Williams who established the best location and lowest grade through the Rockies for this railroad.
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