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 78
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
.
554
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
general athletics, and in connection with his profession he is a close and appreciative student of scientific subjects, his private library contain- ing many of the best standard scientific works.
Frank E. Stouder has proved specially circumspect and successful as a purveyor of amusement for the public and is president and general manager of the Palace Theater Company at Fort Wayne, the attractive and modern theater building of this company presenting the best class of vaudeville entertainments, through the medium of the celebrated Keith circuit, and its supporting patronage being of representative order. Mr. Stouder was born at Millersport, Fairfield county, Ohio, May 29, 1867, a son of Jacob H. and Catherine A. (Shoop) Stouder. The original American ancestors of the Stouder family came from Switzerland to this country in the early days of the republic, and the paternal grand- father of the subject of this review became one of the pioneer exponents of agricultural industry in Fairfield county, Ohio. There Jacob H. Stouder was reared and educated and in his young manhood served effectively as a pilot on steamboats plying the Ohio river. In later years he conducted a well-ordered hotel at Crestline, Ohio. In the mater- nal line Frank E. Stouder is of English and French descent, the original American progenitors of the Shoop family having settled in Maryland, and representatives of the name having later become pioneers in southern Ohio. The seventh in order of birth in a family of ten children, of whom seven are still living, Frank E. Stouder was about ten years of age when the family home was established in Fort Wayne, in 1877, and here his father was for a number of years proprietor of the old Tremont Hotel, his death having here occurred in 1900, and his wife having died, June 10, 1915. Frank E. Stouder continued to attend the public schools of Fort Wayne until he had profited duly by the advantages of the high school and, in 1885, he here became treasurer of the Temple theater. After serving in this capacity nine years he became the lessee of the house, of which he continued the successful proprietor and manager until March, 1915. His success in the field of popular entertainment led him to extend his operations, and, in 1910, he organized a stock company which purchased the Lyric theater. This likewise was successfully con- ducted under his vigorous and careful management until 1915, when the holding company sold the property. In 1913 Mr. Stouder organized what is now the Palace Theater Company and instituted the erection of this theater, which was formally opened to the public on January 25, 1915, and it has gained recognition as one of the most modern and attractive theaters in the middle west. It is conceded to be the finest house devoted to vaudeville entertainment in the entire state of Indiana, and the building was erected and equipped at a cost of two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. It is of thoroughly fireproof con- struction, has a seating capacity of two thousand, has the most approved appointments for lighting, heating and ventilating and the general equipment of the stage and general auditorium is of thoroughly metro- politan order, the house having been designed by C. W. and G. L. Rapp, the celebrated theater architects, of Chicago. In presenting the attrac- tions of the unrivaled Keith vaudeville circuit this beautiful house has not been denied the full measure of popular approval and support, and it has added much to the metropolitan prestige of Fort Wayne. Mr. Stouder has fine musical taste and appreciation and in former years brought his individual musical talent into effective play through his
555
FORT WAYNE AND ALLEN COUNTY
active identification with various singing societies in Fort Wayne. He has been active in bringing to the city the highest grade of musical attractions, including grand opera, and in the '90s organized several choral bodies for the effective presentation of standard oratorios. It was under his progressive direction that, in 1916, the Boston National Opera Company, with the celebrated Russian ballet, was brought to Fort Wayne for the presentation of a number of operas. No citizen is better known or enjoys a more gracious measure of popularity in Fort Wayne than does Frank E. Stouder, whose loyalty to the city has been shown in manifold ways and who has done much to promote its finer art appreciation. He was chairman of the committee that had super- vision of the fine historical pageant given in Fort Wayne in the spring of 1916, incidental to the centennial celebration of the admission of Indiana to the sisterhood of states. In the Masonic fraternity he has received the thirty-third and last degree of the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite, and the Shrine, and he is one of the vigorous and progressive members of the Fort Wayne Commercial Club, and the Rotary Club, besides being a member of the Country Club and the local lodge of Elks. He attends and supports the First Presbyterian church, of which his wife is an active member. In 1893 was recorded the marriage of Mr. Stouder to Miss Julia Wilson, daughter of George H. Wilson, a pioneer hardware merchant and honored citizen of Fort Wayne, and they have one child, a daughter, Jane.
David C. Stout may consistently be designated as a man of remark- able vitality, both physical and mental, and he has brought to bear his full powers in connection with the various and effective activities that have marked his career since the days of his youth. He is one of the well-known and distinctively popular native sons of Allen county, is now serving with characteristic efficiency as clerk of the county court, and is a broad-minded and progressive citizen who is eminently entitled to representation in this history. Mr. Stout was born at Monroeville, Monroe township, this county, on May 15, 1869, a son of George W. and Isabel (Murchland) Stout, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Allen county, Indiana, where her parents settled in the pioneer days; she passed to the life eternal in 1875, and of her three children the subject of this review is the eldest; Margaret is the wife of George Edward Corville, of Hoagland, this county; and Nannie is the wife of William Biggs, of Decatur, Adams county. The father, George W. Stout, now venerable in years, is living virtually retired in Fort Wayne-a sterling citizen whose circle of friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances. Prior to 1892 he was variously employed, and in that year was appointed deputy sheriff of Allen county, and in 1900 there came further recognition of his good faith and ability, in that he was elected sheriff, of which responsible office he continued the valued incumbent four years. After his retirement from the shrievalty he was engaged in the agricultural implement business about three years, the ensuing three years having found him a representative of the real estate business in Fort Wayne. He then went to Indianapolis, where for five years he held the position of custodian in the great Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument that is one of the most imposing objects in the Union and is one of the most important objects of general interest in the capital city of Indiana. Upon his retirement from this position in the employ of the state, in 1915, Mr. Stout returned to Fort Wayne,
556
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
where he has since lived retired. David C. Stout made good use of the advantages afforded in the excellent public schools of Allen county and remained at the paternal home until he was about eighteen years of age. Thereafter he devoted himself to successful service as a teacher in the public schools until he had attained to his legal majority, when he became a traveling salesman for dental supplies, as a representative of a leading wholesale concern in this line of trade at Chicago and Detroit. With this enterprise he continued his identification about thir- teen years, and thereafter was established in a substantial real estate and insurance business in Fort Wayne until November, 1914, when he was elected clerk of the court of Allen county, the duties of which office he assumed, January 1, 1915, his service in this position having been careful, circumspect and altogether satisfactory, as voiced by the esti- mate placed upon him by members of the judiciary and the bar of the county in general. Mr. Stout shows rousing enthusiasm in his advocacy of the cause of the Democratic party and has been influential in its local ranks. His popularity in his native county is of the most unequivocal order and he is actively affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He has served as secretary of the Fort Wayne lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose from the time of its organ- ization and, since 1910, has been chairman of the finance and auditing committee of the world's supreme lodge of this fraternal order. Decem- ber 30, 1896, recorded the marriage of Mr. Stout to Miss Emma F. Youse, who likewise was born and reared in Allen county, and they became the parents of five children-Frances, Howard D., John W., David C., Jr., and Mary Jane-all of whom are living except Frances, who died at the age of six years.
Charles T. Strawbridge, vice-president of the Bass Foundry & Ma- chine Company, has literally grown up with this now extensive and im- portant industrial concern of Fort Wayne and his energy and executive ability have come effectively into service in the upbuilding of the exten- sive and well-ordered business. He established his residence in Fort Wayne in January, 1877, and became the first stenographer and type- writer operator in the newly established plant of the Bass Foundry & Machine Company. He had previously been employed about three years as a telegraph operator, and in the meanwhile had learned short-hand and typewriting, so that he proved a valued employe of Mr. Bass. Besides applying himself diligently as stenographer he installed in the office of the plant a telegraph equipment that gave direct connection with established commercial lines and proved of distinct value as an adjunct of the office equipment. From this minor executive service he has ad- vanced through various stages until he has become vice-president of the company, and his has been an influential part in the development of what is now one of the most important industries of Fort Wayne. Charles Thomas Strawbridge was born at Blooming Grove, Morrow county, Ohio, on January 7, 1857, a son of John and Mary Jane (John) Strawbridge, both natives of Richland county, Ohio, and representatives of sterling pioneer families of that section of the Buckeye State. John Strawbridge was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, but as a young man became a stationary engineer. In 1860 he removed with his family to Bucyrus, the judicial center of Crawford county, Ohio, and there continued to maintain his home until his death, which occurred
557
FORT WAYNE AND ALLEN COUNTY
in March, 1901, his widow having there remained until she too passed to the life eternal, in October, 1907, and both having been earnest mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their children, Elnora and George W., the first and third in order of birth, are deceased; Charles T., of this sketch, was the second; and the youngest, Phoebe S., of Bucy- rus, Ohio, is the widow of Patrick J. Carroll. When the Civil War was precipitated on a divided nation John Strawbridge went forth as a valiant soldier of the Union. In 1862 he enlisted in the Forty-fifth Ohio Infantry and with this gallant command continued in service until the close of the war, when he was mustered out and duly received his honor- able discharge. In later years he vitalized his interest in his old comrades by maintaining appreciative affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic. He took part in many important engagements marking the progress of the war and served in the commands of General Thomas and General Rosecrans. He was long one of the honored and influential citizens of Bucyrus, Ohio, loyally interested in community affairs and unflagging in his allegiance to the Republican party. Charles T. Straw- bridge was a child of about three years at the time of the family removal to Bucyrus, Ohio, where he was reared to adult age and duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools. While serving as mes- senger boy at the Bucyrus station of the Pennsylvania Railroad he began learning telegraphy and after becoming an expert in the art was em- ployed as a telegraph operator in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, from 1874 to 1879, in which latter year he entered the employ of the Bass Foundry & Machine Company, with which he has continued his close association during the long intervening period of thirty-eight years. He finally familiarized himself with the sales department of the business and through this and other means expanded his executive resourcefulness and influence. His experience has touched all depart- ments of the business with which he has been long identified and, in 1900, he was elected secretary of the company, of which position he has continued the incumbent, his election to the office of vice-president having taken place shortly afterward and his administrative functions having consequently been materially amplified. Mr. Strawbridge is vice-pres- ident of the Carroll Foundry & Machine Company, of Bucyrus, Ohio, this being a substantial concern engaged in the manufacturing of loco- motive cranes and other heaving machinery. As a broad-gauged and progressive citizen Mr. Strawbridge takes deep interest in all things concerning the welfare of his home city and in politics is aligned as a stalwart in the cohorts of the Republican party. In the Masonic frater- nity he has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is affiliated also with the Mystic Shrine. He is an influential member of the Fort Wayne Commercial Club, and he and his wife are commu- nicants of Trinity church, Protestant Episcopal. In November, 1879, Mr. Strawbridge wedded Miss Lillian Rogers, daughter of William Rog- ers, of Fort Wayne, and she passed to the life eternal in June, 1897. The two surviving children of this union are John and William II., the former being employed as salesman for the National Mill & Supply Company, of Fort Wayne, and the latter is, in 1917, a student in the University of New York. On the 14th of March, 1900, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Strawbridge to Miss Anna Rauner, daughter of Joseph Rauner, of Fort Wayne, and she is the popular chatelaine of the attractive family home.
558
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Herman Strodel has become one of the successful business men and influential citizens of his native city of Fort Wayne, where he was for a long period actively identified with the meat-market business and is now serving with marked efficiency as superintendent of streets, his loyalty and punctilious care being manifest in the excellent condition of the thoroughfares of the city. Mr. Strodel was born at Fort Wayne on March 31, 1874, a son of John G. and Christina Katherine (Werston) Strodel, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter was born and reared in Fort Wayne, a member of a well-known family of this city, where she continued to reside until her death, which occurred, August 14, 1911. John G. Strodel was a butcher by trade and vocation and was long identified with the saloon business on East Main street in Fort Wayne, the same being the famous Nimrod Hall saloon, known to people in several states. His death occurred, December 27, 1914, both he and his wife having been earnest communicants of the Lutheran church. They became the parents of eight children: Emma died in childhood; Martha is the wife of Charles Jacobs, of Fort Wayne; Pauline is the wife of George Jacobs, of this city; Emma, second of the name, is deceased; Herman, of this sketch, was the fifth child; Otto F. and Frank B. still reside in Fort Wayne, as does also Emma, the third daughter to be given this name, she being now the wife of Henry Schell. Herman Strodel attended the Lutheran parochial schools in his boyhood and when but thirteen years of age began to learn the butcher's trade under the direction of his uncle. With this line of enterprise he con- tinued to be actively identified for twenty-three years and in the mean- while opened a meat market which he individually conducted three years. Thereafter he was for eight years in the employ of the Bash Packing Company and then associated himself with the firm of Coverdale, Archer & Company, of whose finely equipped Fort Wayne market he was made assistant manager. Of this position he continued the incumbent until February 1, 1914, when he was appointed superintendent of streets for his native city, his admirable administration having resulted in his un- interrupted tenure of this significantly important municipal office. Prior to his assumption of this position he had served three years as a member of the city council, in which body he effectively represented the Ninth ward. Mr. Strodel is a Democrat in his political adherency, and is affil- iated with the National Union and with Fort Wayne Lodge of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, of which he served four years as treasurer. On September 29, 1898, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Strodel to Miss Clara T. Brossard, who likewise was born and reared in Fort Wayne, and of their two children the elder, Casilda C., is living, the younger, John George, having died in infancy.
Justin N. Study .- The reputation of the public schools of Fort Wayne constantly draws to the city representatives from other municipalities who seek to know the means whereby the institution has gained place in the highest rank among the free educational establishments of Amer- ica. The people of Fort Wayne know that the advanced status of the schools of the city is due to splendid leadership and earnest co-operation. To no one person alone is to be accorded the gratitude and praise of the people, but to the late Justin N. Study, superintendent of the schools from 1896 until his death, which occurred on the evening of August 29, 1917, goes without question the honor of that high degree of leadership which produced the most fully developed and harmonious working of
559
FORT WAYNE AND ALLEN COUNTY
all forces for the most praiseworthy results. Justin N. Study was born in Wayne county, Indiana, son of Samuel and Sarah Study. Following the period of his studies in the public schools of Hagerstown, Indiana, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and in this insti- tution was graduated with the class of 1871. Immediately after leaving the university he entered upon his long period of teaching-in the accept- ance of a position as superintendent of the schools at Anderson, Indiana. The success attendant upon his work at Anderson attracted the attention of the school authorities of Greencastle, Indiana, the seat of DePauw University, and he was chosen superintendent of the schools there. After a service of three years in Greencastle, he was elected to the super- intendency of the schools of Richmond, Indiana, seat of Earlham College. Here he served with marked success until, in 1896, he was called to Fort Wayne, as the successor to Dr. John S. Irwin in the office of super- intendent of schools. To attempt even to suggest the steps whereby the schools of Fort Wayne were developed through the leadership of Superintendent Study and his co-workers would be an impossible task. It is sufficient to say that the great result came through a conscientious application of principles known to be for the best interests of the com- munity-principles recognized by the board of trustees and the instruct- ors who served within the long period of the superintendent's ineum- bency. During this time, the schools, while keeping pace with all forward steps in educational methods, were free from hasty and unwarranted changes of system. All was accomplished through the quiet application of tried methods and rules. Evolution, not revolution, steady develop- ment, not spasmodie effort, marked the progress of the schools. Hun- dreds of students have been graduated in the high school-fully equipped to enter upon their collegiate courses without question of fitness. For the student who wills it to remain in school to the close of the course, the superintendent had the highest admiration, and to him was ever given the most helpful encouragement; but to the one who deemed it im- possible or impracticable to continue to the end of the prescribed period, the superintendent gave of his deepest thought, for he looked upon the public schools as the means to fit the boy and girl for the battle of life, and he recognized nothing as more harmful to the individual and to society than the youth who enters upon life unprepared to meet the prob- lems which must demand acceptance and solution by every individual. So, in order to meet the problems of the one who leaves school before the prescribed course is completed, Superintendent Study pointed the way to success through the medium of the vocational department of the school system, which is open to all legally qualified to enter. It is the design of the vocational schools to provide equipment for life's work to those who feel the handicap of a lack of educational preparedness. Within the period of his incumbeney Superintendent Study saw the opening of the Lakeside and the South Wayne schools, in 1897; within his regime six old buildings-the Hanna, Washington, Jefferson, Rudisill, Bloomingdale and Harmar schools-gave way to splendid modern structures; the James H. Smart school was ereeted; a large number of the other buildings were remodeled or enlarged; the magnificent High and Manual Training school building was erected; and a site for a south side high school was purchased, at the corner of Darrow and South Calhoun streets. The board of trustees also purchased property in other parts of the city, in anticipation of the growth of the needs of the public schools. In every
560
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
department the schools were provided with the most modern equipment. In the year 1897, through the re-establishment of the normal school, with an extended course of work, a new and higher standard of qualification for teachers was defined, and the same was thoroughly upheld. Refer- ence has been made to the vocational departments. The original school was opened in the Washington building, but the widespread recognition of the value of the plan as applied to the needs of Fort Wayne soon made necessary the separation of the departments. Finally the former plant of the Kerr-Murray Manufacturing Company became available for school use, and this was fully equipped for giving the widest opportunities for education to those who need it in largest measure. In addition to his services in the schools, Superintendent Study took a deep personal in- terest in many of the movements for the betterment of general condi- tions. His enviable standing among the representative educators of America is suggested by his connection with the National Educational Association as its vice president; the Indiana State Educational Asso- ciation as its president, and the Northern Indiana Educational Associa- tion as its president, in addition to his active efforts as a member of the Northern Indiana Superintendents' club. As the superintendent of the Fort Wayne schools, he was a member of the State Board of Education. Superintendent Study was for many years prominent in the Masonic activities of Indiana. He was a past master of Webb Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 24, of Richmond, Indiana ; past eminent commander of Fort Wayne Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templars, and his influential status in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Masonry was indicated by his having received therein the thirty-third, and ultimate, degree. He was a Past Grand Regent of the Royal Arcanum of Indiana and a member of the Senate of the National Union Assurance Society, the governing body of that organization. In 1874 he was married to Miss Belle Wig- gins, of Hagerstown, Indiana, and to this union five children were born, four daughters and one son, one daughter and the son having died in infancy. The eldest daughter, Mrs. Joseph D. Harper, lives at Dallas, Texas. The second, Mrs. Gibson E. Sisco, lives at Toledo, Ohio, and the youngest, Miss Margery, is at home. Mr. Study was a member of the Wayne Street Methodist Church of Fort Wayne. He also held mem- bership in the Commercial Club of Fort Wayne, and in other civic societies and literary organizations, among them being the Delta Tau Delta College Fraternity.
Elmer W. Stump .- A native son of Allen county and a son of one of the pioneer settlers of this district is Elmer W. Stump, born in Lafay- ette township on October 16, 1869. His parents were Jonathan and Elizabeth (Bowman) Stump, who came from Ohio to Allen county in 1848, entered a government tract of 160 acres and settled down to grub a home out of the wilderness. Their experience was similar to that of practically every other pioneer of that time, and much credit is due them for the courage and tenacity of purpose that made possible their worthy accomplishments of later years. Mr. Stump added seventy acres to his original holdings and in time a prosperous stock farm took the place of the uncultivated tract he settled on. He was a Republican and served his township as assessor and supervisor for some years. He was an adherent of the Dunkard faith and reared his family in that religion, and no more honored or esteemed man was found in his community in his day than he. A brief period of two years was spent as a resident of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.