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 37
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Fort Wayne Branch bank, to the management and improvement of his estate, and to the enjoyment of his domestic and social relations ; accepting, occasionally, a seat in the legislature. At this time the roads leading to Fort Wayne were in a wretched condition most of the time and their improvement became a matter of vital necessity. The plan of "planking," which had come into vogue in the east, was seized by Judge Hanna with avidity and acted upon with his accustomed prompt- ness and energy. Through his efforts the Fort Wayne and Lima Plank Road Company was formed and money borrowed chiefly from the Branch bank was used to construct the highway. The first attempt to let con- tracts proved a failure. In order to give the work a start Judge Hanna took the first ten miles north of Fort Wayne and went personally into the work, superintending, directing and with his own hands assisting in the most laborious operations. Others followed his example and the road was built within the two succeeding years, to Ontario, a distance of fifty miles from Fort Wayne. This was the first work of the kind ever undertaken in northern Indiana. Judge Hanna then took active part in the construction of the Piqua plank road and others. When the builders of the Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad reached the town of Crestline, in Ohio, and it was proposed to extend it to Fort Wayne under the name of the Ohio & Indiana railroad, Judge Hanna was ready with his powerful co-operation. He was largely instrumental in inducing the people of Allen county to vote a subscription of $100,000 to its capital stock. This was the turning point of the great enterprise. In 1852, in connection with Pliny Hoagland and William Mitchell, he took the whole construction contract from Crestline to Fort Wayne, one hundred and thirty-two miles, and entered immediately upon the pros- ecution of the work. The funds of the company became exhausted. Doctor Merriman, president of the road, resigned, disheartened. Judge Hanna was elected to succeed him. In three days he was in the eastern cities, pledging his individual credit and that of his coadjutors, Hoagland and Mitchell, for funds. This effected, he hastened without delay to Montreal and Quebec to redeem railroad iron that had been forfeited for non-payment of transportation charges. Work was resumed. In November, 1854, the cars from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia came rolling into Fort Wayne. In the autumn of 1852, while encumbered with the building and financial embarrassments of the Ohio & Indiana railroad, the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company was organized and Judge Hanna was elected president. The financial difficulties of this road were also most burdensome, but the greater the pressure the greater Judge Hanna's resources appeared to develop and come to his rescue. Judge Hanna effected the consolidation of the three properties which formed the beginning of the great Pennsylvania Railroad system of today. The accomplishment of Judge Hanna is best understood from a review of the year's efforts. In the beginning it became apparent to many of the stockholders, as well as managers of the separate corporations extend- ing from Pittsburgh to Chicago, and which, in fact, for all practical and business purposes, formed but one line, that the interests and con- venience of each, as well as of the public, would be promoted by merging their separate existence into one great consolidated company. Judge Hanna early and earnestly espoused the cause of consolidation, and a meeting was called at Fort Wayne to consider and act upon the subject. Contrary to expectation, considerable opposition to the projected consol-
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idation manifested itself at this meeting, headed and managed by the shrewd and talented Charles L. Boalt, encouraged and assisted by others hardly less astute. The debate was animated and exciting. The best talent on both sides was warmly enlisted. The contest extended to con- siderable length and its issue appeared doubtful. Before the debate closed Judge Hanna rose for a final appeal. No one who heard that brief effort will forget it. It was a condensed array of facts and argu- ments-a splendid outburst of burning, earnest eloquence. The oppo- sition was literally crushed out. The vote resulted in a large majority for consolidation-many who had opposed it in the beginning voting in its favor. Thus, on the first day of August, 1856, the three minor corporations were obliterated on terms satisfactory to themselves and the great Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Company suc- ceeded to their franchises and liabilities. While Judge Hanna, who was elected to serve as vice-president of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago (Pennsylvania) railroad, would never yield an iota of the inter- ests of the company to any outside consideration, he was not unmindful of the interests of Fort Wayne. Hence his untiring efforts in establishing the immense railroad shops and manufactories of his city. Upon the organization of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company, Judge Hanna was elected to serve as its president. He accepted with reluctance. He seemed to have a foreboding that his life's work was drawing to a close. When he was leaving his home to attend a meeting of the board of directors at Grand Rapids, less than two months before his demise, the remark was made that he would return president of the company. He replied, "No, that cannot be. The responsibility is too great; I cannot accept it." He was elected, however. Judge Hanna's efforts for the improvement of both town and country were not confined to those of a public nature, but his means were always freely advanced for the promotion of private and individual enterprise. In partnership with James Barnett he established the first grist mill on the St. Mary's river. The woolen factory of French, Hanna & Company, the extensive foundry and machine shops of Bass and Hanna (now the Bass Foundry and Machine Company's plant), the hub, spoke and bending factory of Olds, Hanna & Company, as well as many others, may be cited as instances of his wider interests. Many persons were essentially aided in their early efforts by the use of Judge Hanna's capital. With the utmost charity and good-will towards all Christian denominations, Judge Hanna's religious training was in the faith and spirit of the Presbyterian church of which his father was an elder for half a century. The organ- ization of the First Presbyterian church, in 1831, had his hearty co-oper- ation and support, though he did not become a member until 1843. He was then selected as a ruling elder, a position he held during the remain- der of his lifetime. The last illness of Judge Hanna was of short duration, covering only five days. His demise came on June 11, 1866. The city council passed resolutions of sorrow which found an echo in the heart of every citizen. The bells of all churches were tolled and, amid sombre draperies on every side, a procession two miles in length followed his mortal remains to their last resting place in Lindenwood cemetery. Thus ended the pure and noble life of one whose name will ever be cherished by the citizens of Fort Wayne. March 7, 1822, at Fort Wayne, Judge Hanna was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Taylor, who was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1803, the daughter of Israel and Mary Taylor,
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natives of Massachusetts. She came to Fort Wayne in 1820, from Dayton, Ohio, on a visit with her sister, Mrs. Laura Suttenfield. Mrs. Hanna possessed nobility of character, great personal courage and the ability to handle the affairs of home and society with ease. Although delicate in appearance, she possessed a strong constitution and was very active all her life. She died, February 12, 1888, at Fort Wayne in the Hanna homestead, still occupied by her daughter, Mrs. Fred J. Hayden. Fol- lowing are the children of Judge and Mrs. Hanna: Jesse Bayless, mem- ber of the firm of S. Hanna & Sons, general merchandise; Amos Thomas, also a member of this firm; Henry Clay, at one time engaged in the grocery business and also a partner in the firm of N. G. and H. G. Olds and Company; Charles, a partner in the firm of French, Hanna & Company, manufacturers of woollen goods; Samuel Teford, associated with his father in the railroad business as private secretary while he was president of the Grand Rapids and Indiana road; Samuel T., a public-spirited citizen who served at one time as a member of the city council ; Horace Hovey, a partner of John H. Bass in the firm known as Bass & Hanna; William Willis, a partner in the firm of French, Hanna and Company; Hugh Taylor, whose death occurred in 1915; and Eliza, the only daughter, the widow of Hon. Fred J. Hayden, the only sur- viving child of Judge and Mrs. Hanna. Mrs. Hayden retains the old homestead in the same manner as when her distinguished father and her respected mother welcomed and entertained their hosts of frinds in the years of the past. The air of hospitality and good fellowship is apparent today as in the yesterdays, and the fond memories of earlier years give to the splendid old mansion a value above that of the more common things which we call real treasures.
Edward Happel is a scion of the second generation of the Happel family in Allen county, with whose industrial and civic affairs the family name has been identified for approximately seventy years. The parents of Mr. Happel established their home on a pioneer farm in Lake town- ship, this county, about the year 1848; the father reclaimed from a semi- wilderness a productive farm, and here he and his wife passed the re- mainder of their lives, sterling and industrious citizens who wrested from the hands of fate a due measure of prosperity and independence and at all times merited and commanded the confidence and respect of all who knew them. He whose name initiates this paragraph has not only upheld but expanded the prestige of the family name in connection with the basic industries of agriculture and stock-growing in his native county. He was born on the old homestead farm of his parents, in Lake township, and the date of his nativity was April 4, 1855. He is a son of Frederick and Henrietta (Bitting) Happel, both of whom were born and reared in Berks county, Pennsylvania-representatives of sterling old German fam- ilies that were early founded in the Keystone State. The parents of Mr. Happel were married in their native county and, as before stated, came to Allen county, Indiana, about the year 1848. Frederick Happel contributed his quota to the industrial and social development and prog- ress of the county, and both he and his wife attained to venerable age. Of their five children the eldest is Mrs. Catherine A. Anderson; and the second in order of birth is Mrs. Amanda Onick, both being still residents of Indiana; Minerva and Edward were twins and the former is now deceased, she having been the wife of George Blessing; and Mrs. Sylvia Draker is the youngest of the number. The parents were life-long and
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zealous communicants of the Lutheran church. . The early educational ad- vantages of Edward Happel were limited to a somewhat irregular attend- ance in the rural schools of Lake township and he continued to be asso- ciated with the work and management of his father's farm until he finally purchased the property. He remained on the old homestead for three years after his marriage, which occurred in 1880, and then sold the prop- erty and purchased a farm of one hundred and eleven acres, eligibly situated on the Goshen road. Later he added forty-six acres to the area of his estate, which is situated in Sections 2 and 3, Lake township, and his energy and good judgment have been shown in the installing of many improvements on the place and in keeping the same up to a high modern standard. Eighty-eight acres are under a high state of cultivation and devoted to diversified agriculture, and Mr. Happel also gives attention to the raising of live stock, which he has made a profitable department of his farm enterprise. He is loyal and progressive as a citizen and has been influential in community affairs of a public order. The secure place which he holds in popular esteem is indicated by the fact that he served four years as township trustee of his native township. His political alleg- iance is given to the Republican party and both he and his wife are com- municants and active and valued members of St. John's Lutheran church in Lake township. On November 11, 1880, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Happel to Miss Louisa Lamley, who likewise was born and reared in this county, a daughter of the late Gottlieb and Margaret Lamley, of Lake township. Of Mr. and Mrs. Happel's interesting family of children it is gratifying to note that all are living except the youngest, William, who died in infancy, and Katherine, the eldest, who was the wife of J. W. Rapp; Rosa is the wife of George Felger, and they reside in Lake town- ship; John is engaged in farming in Lake township; Lavina is the wife of Ed Hagan, of Lake township; Anna is the wife of Ed Blessing, of the same township; Arthur remains at the parental home and assists in the management of the farm; Ruth is the wife of William Schmidt, of Lake township; Dave is at home, and Lena and Jacob are also members of the gracious family cirele of the parental home.
Frank J. Harber was born in Pleasant township, Allen county, Indi- ana, on April 24, 1860, and his life thus far has been passed practically within the borders of his native community. He is the son of Nicholas and Margaret (Tracy) Harber, both of whom came from Germany as young people, and who settled in Allen county soon after their marriage. They were industrious young people and, desirous of owning land and a home of their own, entered land under the homestead laws, thus coming into ownership of one hundred and sixty aeres of wild land in Pleasant township. Nicholas Harber had courage and young energy, and his wife was his equal in those sturdy qualities. They knew many hardships in those early years while they were making a farm out of that tract of wild land, and frugal living was the order of the day. For years the elder Harber was wont to tell, he saw little or no money, year in and out. They literally got their living from the soil. Salt, at one time during those years reached a record price of sixteen dollars a barrel, and he relates that they distilled salt from the black ash trees that grew abundantly on the land, and so supplied that ever present need without the outlay of actual money. Wild game abounded in the woods, and venison in those days was every man's legitimate food. Mr. Harber tells that he has sold venison in the villages for one cent a pound, and
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would sometimes get as much as fifty or seventy-five cents for the hide. The wild turkey, plentiful then, but now practically extinct, would bring twenty-five cents in the village market. It was by such means as these that the early settlers found a means to secure those necessities that could not be coaxed from the soil during the early years when they had not cleared enough land to enable them to farm in real earnest. Nicholas Harber had three brothers and two sisters, and with him they shared in the pioneer life of their day and contributed their full share to the development and upbuilding of the communities in which they settled. Mr. Harber's success is a fair sample of what they were able to accomplish in their lifetimes. He added a good deal of land to his original holdings. First was a tract of a hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid the sum of $1.25 per acre. Later he secured a half section, so that his holdings aggregated one section, or 640 acres. To Mr. and Mrs. Harber were born five children: Martin, John H., Gerhard, George and Frank J., the last named being the immediate subject of this review. All were educated in the common schools of their community and in the parochial school, and they received better educational advantages than many of the youth of their native community. Up to the age of twenty- six Frank Harber stayed on the home farm as his father's assistant. On the death of his father he inherited one hundred and eighty acres, and he has there carried on successful farming down to the present time. Modern and commodious dwelling and barns manifest the progressive character of Mr. Harber's farming, and in addition to being one of the successful young farmers in the township he is identified somewhat prominently with business enterprises of the community. He has served as president of the local telephone company for five years, a concern in which he holds considerable stock, and is interested in a mining ven- ture in Nevada that promises well for future gains. Mr. Harber and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church, and he is Re- publican in his politics. He was married on May 25, 1886, to Miss Maggie Buff, daughter of Anthony and Susan (Reiniger) Buff who were early comers to Allen county from Pennsylvania. The day of wolves and Indians was in their time, and they shared in the privations and the pleasures that marked the lives of every pioneer of their period. Mr. Buff was a farmer, but he kept a tavern, as it was called then, for years. They were prominent and estimable people in their day, and their chil- dren have followed them in the worthy ambitions they manifested. Mr. and Mrs. Harber have four children and one grandchild. Callistus, the eldest, is married and has a daughter, Thelma. The others are Dorothy, Ethel and John G., all living at home.
Martin Harber .- The Harber family is of German ancestry and the parents of Martin Harber came from Germany in their young life. They were Nicholas and Theresa (Gerhard) Harber, and they settled in Marion township in the early days of its development. They were ambitious and industrious people and came to be among the well-to-do farmers of their community. Mr. Harber bought and sold land and at the time of his death was owner of about seven hundred acres in the county, being counted among the wealthy men of his community. He was a Democrat, active to some extent in party politics, and the family were adherents of the Roman Catholic faith, with membership in the local church. More extended mention of them and of their children will be found in a sketch of Frank J. Harber. Martin Harber was born in Allen county,
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Indiana, November 4, 1852. He acquired his education in the public and parochial schools of this county and has engaged in agricultural pur- suits practically all his life. For some years, however, he has been living retired in Fort Wayne, having won a competency during his active career to enjoy a well deserved rest. On June 10, 1880, he married Miss Cath- erine Mischo, a daughter of Michael and Catherine Mischo, who came from Germany to New York, and thence to Allen county, settling in Fort Wayne, where the father was engaged as a stone mason for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Harber were born eight children: Anna M. Clara M., Edward N. M., Albert J., Frances M., William G., George C., and Bertha M. The mother of this family died September 7, 1900. Mr. Harber, al- though retired from active business, is one of the progressive and enter- prising men of Allen county, and is numbered with the substantial citi- zens of Fort Wayne. He owns two hundred and three acres of well im- proved land in Pleasant township as well as a comfortable home in Fort Wayne, where he resides.
Robert F. Harding, a representative of the younger active citizens of Fort Wayne, has given freely of his talents and energy to the better- ment of his home city. His responsible place in the development of the world-famed Fort Wayne plant of the General Electric Company has been filled with a degree of completeness which tells plainly of his value to this important center of industrial activity. Mr. Harding is a native of Logansport, Indiana, where he was born, September 9, 1870. He is a son of Daniel F. and Mary A. (Fleming) Harding, who came to America from the north of Ireland in 1869. The value of the elder Mr. Harding's contribution to the upbuilding of Fort Wayne is shown by the honors bestowed upon him by the people of Fort Wayne in his election to the office of mayor. At the beginning of his career, however, Mr. Harding, who reached Fort Wayne in the early '70s, found his services in demand as a civil engineer, and latterly he was connected in this capacity with what is now known as the Lake Erie & Western Railroad at the time of its construction. Following his connection with the Lake Erie & Western road, he became connected with the Pennsylvania rail- road, then known as the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, and served with this important concern for a period. When he gave up railroad work, Mr. Harding entered upon a prosperous career in the insurance business in Fort Wayne and became an important factor in this field. Mr. Harding's death occurred in 1912. The widow, who has devoted her best life to the betterment of those about her, has been a leader in many religious efforts for the good of the many. Robert F. Harding attended the public schools of Fort Wayne and then was em- ployed in a dry goods store as salesman until his true field of effort was opened in one of the departments of the present General Electric Com- pany's plant, formerly known as the Fort Wayne Jenney Electric Light Works, the Fort Wayne Electric Corporation and the Fort Wayne Electric Works. After serving in various clerkships, Mr. Harding became the superintendent of an important department and has, for several years, served as purchasing agent of the company's immense Fort Wayne plant.
Edward Harper, an honored citizen and representative business man of New Haven, Adams township, has been established in the undertaking and funeral-directing business in this village for nearly thirty years and the enterprise is now conducted under the firm name of Edward Harper & Son, his only son being his able coadjutor. The incidental equipment
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of the Harper undertaking establishment is of the best modern type, with scientific embalming facilities and with automobile hearse and ambu- lance service. Edward Harper is a native of Allen county and a repre- sentative of a family that here settled in the pioneer days-more than sixty years ago. He was born on the pioneer farm of his father, in Jef- ferson township, and the date of his nativity was March 26, 1855. In this county his parents, William and Mary (Hunter) Harper, continued to reside until their deatlı, and their names merit enduring place on the roll of the sterling pioneers of the county. The father was born in Ireland and the mother in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Of their twelve children the eldest, Rebecca, died in 1865; John was a resident of Allen county at the time of his death, in 1913; John, Hamilton, James and Samuel were gallant soldiers of the Union in the Civil war and all are now deceased, as are also William, Hugh, Mary and Matilda; William and Mary and Matilda having all died in the year 1854; Edward, the immediate subject of this review, was the eleventh in order of birth; and Robert Emmett, the youngest of the number, owns and resides on the old homestead farm in Jefferson township. The childhood and youth of Edward Harper were compassed by the environs and influences of the home farm, in the work of which he early began to assist, and in the meanwhile he made effective use of the advantages of the public schools of the locality and period. After leaving the farm he learned the carpenter's trade, to which he continued to devote his attention for a period of twelve years. He finally met with a fall that resulted in permanent injury to his right hip and prevented his further activities as a carpenter and builder. Under these conditions he established his home at New Haven and engaged in the undertaking business, which has continued to receive his attention during the long intervening years, the enterprise having been founded by him in March, 1889, and the highest standard of service having been maintained at all times. The close and sympathetic relations that have been promoted between Mr. Harper and the other citizens of the community have given him specially secure place in the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and it may consistently be said that his circle of friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances. His political views are indicated in the loyal support which he gives to the cause of the Republican party. On Janu- ary 1, 1883, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Harper to Miss Martha A. Shull, daughter of Jacob and Melinda (McCulloch) Shull, who were well known residents of Grant county until Mrs. Shull's death, when the father moved to Jefferson township, and whose three surviving chil- dren are Mrs. Florence E. Burkhold, Mrs. Harper and Mrs. Mary Ross, of Fort Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. Harper have two children, Emmett E., who is associated with his father in business and concerning whom more specific mention will be made; and Etta May, who remains at the parental home, being employed as bookkeeper in the office of the Rice Cereal Company in Fort Wayne. Emmett E. Harper was born in Jefferson township, this county, September 18, 1884, and his early educational discipline was acquired in the public schools of New Haven. Later he completed a course in the International Business College in the city of Fort Wayne. From the time of initiating his active career he has been closely associated with his father in the undertaking business and he is the junior member of the firm of Edward Harper & Son, which holds license No. 732 issued by the Indiana State Board of Embalmers. October
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