USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River, Vol. II > Part 34
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her studies in the Fort Wayne public schools until she was gradu- ated from the high school, and in 1888 she was graduated Ph. B. in Buchtel College, at Akron, Ohio, an institution now known as Municipal University of Akron. She is a woman of most gracious personality, of distinctive culture and of high civic ideals. While in college she became affiliated with the Eta Chapter of the Delta Gamma sorority, and from a brief sketch of her life which appeared in a publication devoted to that organization are taken the following extracts: "Mrs. Guldlin is very active in club work, particularly in modernizing, simplifying and dignifying home work and home industries. Mrs. Guldlin has been on many boards and committees and has held in connection with club work many offices, both state and national. As chairman of the home- economics department of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, she was instrumental in making this department a vital and established division of the activities of the federation. In this work she traveled ex- tensively, during which time she lectured in many states, especially on the relation of home economics to the public schools and to all other institutions of a community." From still another source is drawn the following estimate of this noble and gracious gentlewoman: "After her marriage Mrs. Guldlin applied the same energy and study to mastering the intricacies of housekeeping and home-building, and the practical knowledge which she thus gained has led her to take an active interest in the domestic-science department of the women's clubs of Fort Wayne. It was her active interest in the home economics subject, which foresaw the great need of a scientific knowledge of home-making for the masses, which prepared her for her work. With this realization she studied the history of the movement in the United States, what it had done, what it hoped to achieve, and she became acquainted with the recognized leaders of home economics. With their active co-operation she was able to carry forward the work of her department and make it a vital thing in the home club and community life. She became an authority on this subject and was made chairman of the home-economic department of the Women's League of Fort Wayne. Later she was made chairman of the same department of the Indiana Union of Literary Clubs, and afterward chairman of the home-economic department of the Indiana State Federation of Women's Clubs. In 1906 came to her further and merited distinction, in being chosen the executive head of the same department for the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Both Mr. and Mrs. Guldlin have been specially active in their efforts to further civic improvements, and it was largely through their unselfish and well directed efforts that, in 1911, the children's playground on Van Buren street, Fort Wayne, was constructed and equipped. The idea origi- nated with Mrs. Guldlin, and through her club associations she dissemi- nated her views on the subject until the public became convinced of the merit of the proposition and funds were donated for the desired object. For weeks Mr. Guldlin personally supervised and directed the work of grading and equipping the land that had been obtained for the purpose, along the St. Mary's river, and in addition to this he and his wife contributed liberally to the fund needed for the achievement of the desired ends. The members of the committee of the playgrounds association, in token of the efforts put forth by both Mr. and Mrs. Guldlin in the furtherance of this admirable work, insisted on giving to the new resort for the children the title of the Mr. and Mrs. Guldlin Playgrounds."
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It is believed that by quotations from various sources may best be conveyed an idea of the personality and splendid services of Mrs. Guldlin, and thus in conclusion of this article the publisher finds pleasure and consistency in making excerpts, with minor elimination and paraphrase, from an appreciative article that was written by W. M. Herschell and that appeared in the Indianapolis News of October 14, 1911: "When the Indiana State Federation of Women's Clubs meets in annual con- vention at Indianapolis, October 24-6, there will be among those present an energetic little woman who proudly points to the fact that she is a citizen of Fort Wayne; and, in turn, Fort Wayne can proudly point to Mrs. Olaf N. Guldlin, for she has placed that city on the map of womanly achievement. Mrs. Guldlin is the chairman of the home- economics committee of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, and has spread the gospel of good housekeeping in every section of the United States. The rise of Mrs. Guldlin into prominence as an American club woman is the result of her belief in her own household philosophy. She first attracted national attention among women when she read a paper on household economics before the general federation when it met in Boston, five years ago. This live-wire Fort Wayne woman read her paper and instantly found herself in the club limelight. She was praised for her views on household economics and, following the introduction of a resolution to abolish the household-economics department because of lack of interest in it, made a stand for its retention that reflected credit on her. She declared the women's clubs of the United States could not afford to abolish any department of interest in the upbuilding of home life. So emphatic was she in her stand for the principle of home economics that she was elected chairman of the department, and, to-day, there is no branch of womanly effort that is receiving more attention. This energetic Fort Wayne woman who tackled the job of making the work effective has made the work effective! When the general federation met in Cincinnati, in May, 1910, no woman was as pleasantly discussed as Mrs. Guldlin. Her name was heard in committee meetings, in the lobbies and in every place where clubwomen gathered to talk. When the hour set aside in the convention for the discussion of household economics arrived, Mrs. Decker, a leading clubwoman of Denver, took the platform and the writer heard her pay a tribute to Mrs. Guldlin that must have made the heart of every Hoosier woman throb with pride. This talk fairly brought the convention to its feet in approving Mrs. Guldlin's work. Mrs. Guldlin is a little woman, but she is a dynamo of energy. Her rise as an American clubwoman has not been self-sought. She has gone on doing her work and her friends have done the boosting. As an advocate of right living she has worked so earnestly that to-day her mail is almost as heavy as that of any business firm in Fort Wayne. From every quarter-town and country-she gets letters asking for information concerning home economics. She collects ideas from clubs all over the country and then passes them on. She keeps no good ideas to herself in order to trade on them when the next general federation meets. Day in and day out she and her fellow-laborers in the cause are seeking to have domestic science taught in every American public school and to amplify the work in every other consistent and practical avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Guldlin spread the spirit of their home happiness over Fort Wayne. For instance, there is a large playground that bears their name, a testimonial to their worthiness as citizens. Mr. and Mrs.
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Guldlin are childless, but they have several children in their keeping for rearing and education. They love children, and every boy and girl in Fort Wayne knows it. Their beautiful home-extends its gracious hospitality and good cheer to old and young alike, and the most intimate friends of the popular chatelaine of this home know her heart is bent on bettering conditions in American homes and making life brighter for all humankind." It may further be added that Mrs. Guldlin is state director and district chairman of the Woman's Franchise League, was a member of the centennial committee of the Indiana State Federation of Women's Clubs at the time of the centennial anniversary of the admission of Indiana to statehood, is president of the Fortnightly Club, a member of the executive committee of the Women's League, and in her home city is an active and valued member of the College Club, the City Franchise League, the Art Association, the Associated Charity and Rescue Mission, and of the advisory committee of the vocational school board.
George C. Gump .- One of the fine farms of Perry township is that owned and occupied by George Calvert Gump, and his prominent status as one of the substantial and progressive exponents of agricultural and live-stock industry in his native county is the more interesting by reason of the fact that his present homestead is the one on which he was born and reared, the date of his nativity having been July 31, 1868. His par- ents were young when they came to Allen county, where their marriage was solemnized, and it was about the year 1856 when they established their residence on the well improved farm now owned by the subject of this review. At that time the land was little more than a forest and the father set to himself the herculean task of reclaiming the farm from a virtual wilderness. Indomitable energy and determination brought steady progress in their train and eventually the farm yielded forth its generous increase from season to season, and peace and prosperity found here an abiding place. The parents, George and Harriet (Agenbroad) Gump, were honored pioneer citizens of Allen county, Indiana, at the time of their death. George Gump was a man of strong individuality and ma- ture judgment, was influential in community affairs and commanded the unqualified esteem of all who knew him. He served two terms as trustee of Perry township and was always ready to lend his co-operation in the furtherance of measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community. Of the fine family of thirteen children, two died in infancy ; Frank, eldest of the number, is engaged in farming in Nebraska ; Mrs. Priscilla Jackson is a resident of Churubusco; Mrs. Margaret Pulver is deceased ; Mrs. Alice Flannigan resides in Perry township; Mrs. Jane Hursh maintains her home in Perry township ; Madison and Marion reside respectively in Auburn, Indiana, and in Perry township; George C., of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; Mrs. Effie Belot is deceased ; Mrs. Cora Shambaugh is a resident of Fort Wayne; and Celestia is de- ceased. George C. Gump was reared to manhood on the old home farm, early began to contribute his quota to its work, and his youthful educa- tional advantages were those of the common schools of the locality and period. The old homestead has continued as the stage of his vigorous and effective activities of independent order, and the property, compris- ing one hundred and eighty-four acres, in Section 15, Perry township, came into his possession after the death of his father, he having pur- chased the interests of the other heirs. He has made numerous and valu-
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able improvements on the place, including the erection of his commodious and modern residence, which is of cement construction, and which is one of the model farm homes of Perry township. Mr. Gump is progressive and liberal in his civic attitude, is a Democrat in politics, but has never desired or held public office of any description. September 3, 1896, re- corded the marriage of Mr. Gump to Miss Ivy B. Moudy, who was born and reared in Cedar Creek township, this county, a daughter of the late Martin and Martha (Updyke) Moudy, who passed their entire lives in this county, where the respective families were founded in the early pioneer period. Mrs. Gump is one of a family of seven children, and the only other surviving members of the same are Mrs. Sylvia Van Zile and Mrs. Nora Treese. Mr. and Mrs. Gump have seven children, all of whom remain at the parental home, namely : Russell J., Forrest R., Clara B., Martha E., George E., Walter C., and Eva F.
Charles H. Gumpper is a native son of Fort Wayne, a scion of one of the sterling old families of Allen county, and through his energy, ability and well-directed endeavors has gained a position of prominence as one of the representative business men of the city that has been his home from the time of his birth and to which his loyalty is of the most intense order. He is president of the Grace Construction Company, which has developed a substantial and important business in the installing of asphalt and other types of street paving and which has successfully completed many large contracts, both in Fort Wayne and elsewhere. The company has done the street paving in virtually all of the new additions to the city of Fort Wayne, including the Harrison Hill, the Driving Park and the Weisser Park additions, besides the asphalt paving on State street and other thoroughfares of the city. The company gives employment to an average force of two hundred and fifty persons and is essentially one of the strong and important industrial concerns of the Summit City. The company was incorporated in 1910, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, and its official corps from the beginning has been as here noted: Charles H. Gumpper, president; Mrs. Martin J. Grace, vice-president; and Martin J. Grace, secretary, treasurer and general manager. Charles H. Gumpper was born in Fort Wayne on December 6, 1867, and is a son of Christian C. and Sarah C. (Arnold) Gumpper, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Christian C. Gumpper established his residence in Fort Wayne about the year 1865, and for about a decade thereafter continued in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He then engaged in the con- fectionery business, with which he continued his connection about thirty- five years, within which period he built up a large and prosperous enter- prise that marked him as one of the representative business men of the city. He passed the closing years of his long and useful life in well- earned retirement, his death having occurred in 1896, and his venerable widow still maintaining her residence in Fort Wayne. Mr. Gumpper was a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party and was a zealous member of the Grace Reformed church, in which he was an elder at the time of his death and of which his widow continued an earnest communicant. Of the three children, Ada is the wife of Harry A. Keplinger, of Fort Wayne; Charles H., of this review, was the next in order of birth ; and Frederick C. is now a resident of Detroit, Michigan. After having duly profited by the advantages of the public schools Charles H. Gumpper completed an effective course in the Fort Wayne
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Business College, and for one year thereafter was in the employ of the Keystone Grocery Company. For the ensuing seven years he held a clerical and executive position in the offices of the Nickel Plate Railroad, and for a quarter of a century thereafter was associated with Conrad Neireiter in the insurance business in Fort Wayne. In 1910 he became one of the organizers and incorporators of the Grace Construction Com- pany, of which he has since been the president and to the affairs of which he gives the major part of his time and attention. In politics Mr. Gump- per holds himself aside from strict partisan lines and as an independent gives his support to the men and measures meeting his approval as a liberal and progressive citizen. He is affiliated with the Masonic fra- ternity, including the Mystic Shrine, and he and his wife are active members of Grace Reformed church. On December 9, 1891, was solemn- ized the marriage of Mr. Gumpper to Miss Emma Neireiter, daughter of Conrad and Harriet (Lepper) Neireiter, of Fort Wayne, and the four children of this union are Ruth J., Howard, Ada and Dorothy.
Jacob D. Gumpper has made a splendid record in connection with business affairs of broad scope and his activities have touched many and varied lines of enterprise during the course of his long and pro- ductive business career. He has maintained his residence in Fort Wayne for nearly forty years, was for nearly a score of years one of the most successful traveling salesmen for the Bowser Pump & Tank Company, which is one of the most important industrial and commercial concerns of Fort Wayne, and he is now retained as instructor of salesmen for this representative corporation. He is one of the well-known and highly esteemed citizens who specially merits recognition in this history. Mr. Gumpper was born at Chicora, Butler county, Pennsylvania, on April 26, 1848, and is a son of Christian C. and Dorothea (Aldinger) Gumpper, both of whom continued their residence in the old Keystone state until their death and both of whom were earnest communicants of the German Lutheran church. Christian C. Gumpper was born and reared in Ger- many and came to the United States about the year 1816. He was for many years one of the sterling citizens and prominent business men of Chicora, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred, and for years he was there engaged in the hotel business. Of the children, Christian C., Jr., Gottlieb and Henry C. are deceased; Frederica is the widow of Theodore Craig and resides at East Butler, Pennsylvania; and the subject of this sketch is the youngest of the children. Jacob D. Gumpper gained his youthful education in the schools of his native town and as a lad of thirteen years initiated his association with the practical affairs of busi- ness by taking a position in a general store at East Brady's Bend, Pennsylvania, where he remained thus engaged four years. For six years thereafter he was a traveling salesman for a Pittsburgh wholesale grocery house, which he thus represented through northeastern Pennsyl- vania. After retiring from this position he was for five years indepen- dently engaged in the general merchandise business at Carbon Center, Pennsylvania, and for five or six years thereafter was identified with the oil-producing industry in the Pennsylvania fields. He was connected with the Bradford District Oil Exchange in the old Keystone state during the period immediately prior to his removal to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he established his residence in 1879 and where he was successfully established in the retail grocery business until 1897. It is specially worthy of record in this connection that he purchased for use in his
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store the first oil tank that was manufactured by S. F. Bowser, founder of the great manufacturing business that has since been developed from a modest nucleus. This purchase was made by Mr. Gumpper on Sep- tember 5, 1885, and indicated his early appreciation of the value of the invention upon which has been built up the extensive business of the Bowser Company of the present day. In September, 1897, Mr. Gumpper sold his grocery business and became a traveling representative for the Bowser Company, the oil tanks and pumps of which he introduced into many different states of the Union. In this connection he made a splendid record as a salesman, and in his travels he visited nearly all states of the Union. His services as a traveling representative continued until September, 1914, and it may well be understood that his broad and varied experience makes him a valuable factor in his present executive position with the Bowser Company, that of instructor of salesmen. Mr. Gumpper is aligned as a loyal supporter of the cause of the Republican party, is affiliated with Home Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and with the Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Third Presbyterian church of Fort Wayne. June 26, 1888, recorded the marriage of Mr. Gumpper to Miss Laura M. Dickinson, daughter of Philomen C. and Emma (Thompson) Dickinson, of Fort Wayne, and the one child of this union is Harold D., who is in the employ of the Buda Electric Company in the city of Chicago.
James Hager Haberly .- Among the many rising young men of affairs in Fort Wayne today James Hager Haberly stands well in the foreground. He identified himself early with the Fort Wayne Electric Works and there received a general training that fitted him for his present position as general manager of the Fort Wayne Engineering and Manufacturing Company, with which he has been identified since 1908. Mr. Haberly is the son of George W. and Frances M. (Stimpson) Haberly, and he was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, on December 16, 1879. George W. Haberly was a native Ohioan and the mother was of New York state birth and ancestry. They were the parents of five children-Frances M., Louise Elizabeth, George W., Samuel S. and James H. Haberly of this review. When he was a small lad the father died and, in 1898, the mother married Col. Robert S. Robertson, who died in 1906. Mrs. Robertson is now a resident of Fort Wayne. James Hager Haberly had his early schooling in the schools of Terre Haute, at about the age of fourteen entering Howe Military Academy at Howe, Indiana, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1898. He was then nineteen years old, and instead of carrying his education through a university course he chose to identify himself at once with life's work as a student in the Fort Wayne Electric Works. He continued with that concern for ten years, filling various positions in the factory and as a member of the sales force. It was his aim to neglect no phase of the business, and the ten years he spent with that concern were filled to the full with the task of gathering experience. This diligence and ambition brought a timely reward, for when the Fort Wayne Engineering and Manufac- turing Company was incorporated he was elected treasurer and general manager of the company. This was in 1908. The products of the Fort Wayne Engineering and Manufacturing Company consist of water sys- tems, farm lighting plants and garage air systems. The business began in a small way, it may be said, and now has a plant covering about three acres of ground, with eight large and modern factory buildings. It
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supplies electric lighting systems for farmers, also current for the oper- ation of their small power motors, and it is safe to say that this firm has contributed largely to the comfort and well being of the farming element of Allen county. Mr. Haberly was married October 23, 1906, to Miss Alma Elizabeth Paul, the daughter of Henry C. Paul, of whom extended mention will be found elsewhere in these pages. Mr. and Mrs. Haberly have one son, Henry Paul. The family have membership in Trinity Episcopal church and Mr. Haberly has served the church as vestryman. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and is now president of Anthony Wayne chapter of the local body. He is a member of the Country Club, the Quest Club, and is president of the Fort Wayne & Decatur Traction Company. He is a Republican in politics.
Edward A. K. Hackett .- A man of noble character and splendid ability, the late Edward Alexander Kelly Hackett lifted himself to the plane of high and worthy achievement and became one of the prominent and influential figures in Indiana journalism and in the directing of popular sentiment and action. By his forceful individuality and fine intellectuality he became a leader in the newspaper business in the Hoosier state, and from 1880 until his death, which occurred August 28, 1916, he was owner and publisher of the Fort Wayne Sentinel, which under his able supervision was maintained at a high standard and became one of the most influential daily papers of the state. For a number of years he was also the owner of the Indianapolis Sentinel, which reached its greatest success and influence under his control, and above all this he was dominated by the exalted integrity of purpose and the high ideals that make for enlightened and useful citizenship. He was one of Fort Wayne's most distinguished and honored citizens, and this history would stultify its consistency were there failure to pay within its pages a tribute to his memory and to offer at least a brief review of his career. His final illness was of very brief duration and renal calculus was the immediate cause of his death. Mr. Hackett was born at Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1851, and was a scion of one of the old and honored families of the historic Keystone state. He made the best possible use of the advantages afforded in the public schools of his native state and in his youth was enabled to supplement this discipline by a course of higher study in Bloomfield Academy, in his home county of Perry. It has consistently been said that the discipline of a newspaper office is tantamount to a liberal education, and this further reinforcement came to Mr. Hackett, for as a young man he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Perry County Democrat, a weekly paper published at New Bloomfield. After thus gaining working facility in the "art preservative of all arts" he was employed at his trade in leading news- paper offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and other eastern cities, and at the age of twenty-three years came to Indiana and established his residence at Bluffton, judicial center of Wells county. There he pur- chased a half interest in the Bluffton Banner, and within a short time came into sole control as editor and publisher of this paper. Energy and progressiveness characterized his entire career, and thus it may read- ily be understood that he made of this enterprise a definite success, thus opening the way to broader and more influential activity in connection with the newspaper business in northern Indiana. In 1880 Mr. Hackett came to Fort Wayne and purchased from William Fleming the plant
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