USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Valley of the upper Maumee River, with historical account of Allen County and the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Volume II > Part 32
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Between the pumping house and Spy Run, a great basin was scooped out of the gravel, and several strong springs were struck at the bottom. From the run to this basin, influent pipes, fitted with rock filters were laid; some twenty miles of pipe were put down and the contractors for the reservoir worked with amazing zeal in raising the great clay embankment into which it was designed to force the water, and from which it would gravitate back and down as needed by the consumers. The elevation of the reservoir was so great that it was estimated that water from this source could easily be thrown upon the highest buildings in the principal part of the city by making a mere hose connection. The very first summer's drought that followed the completion of the works and the general use of the water demonstrated fully the inade- quacy of the supply, and water had to be obtained from the canal own- ers by tapping the aqueduct over Spy Run. This additional supply was never positively refused, and in cases of extreme drought when a con- flagration would have found the fire department helpless, it was always to be had, but the relation between the canal owners and the city govern- ment became strained and other means of re-inforcing the inconsiderable volume of water of Spy Run were sought. A long pipe was finally laid from the pumping basin to the St. Joseph river, and a large rotary pump was set at work forcing water into the pumping basin from the Rudisill pool, being that level of the river above the Rudisill dam. This plan proved to be only a temporary relief. The same interests that had sought to sell the canal feeder to the city, owned the Rudisill dam, and it was cut, and in the early summer, with a water famine staring the citizens in the face, the board of commissioners were brought to face their most serious perplexity.
As a last resort, in 1888, a series of wells were bored. They were put down along the channel of Spy Run, below the pumping basin, and pump connection was made with them as fast as they were com- pleted. The water in the pumping basin was falling rapidly under the steady consumption from the parched city, and it had actually fallen to but a few inches above the top of the big suction pipe when a few of the wells were made to yield and a strong stream of pure wholesome
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water began to add its steady volume to the basin. It was welcomed by the citizens as the traveler across the desert welcomes a well or river.
These wells are eight inches in diameter and are driven to an aver- age depth of fifty-two feet. They are thirty in number, and are all con- nected with a great suction pipe which leads directly to the big engines in the pumping house. Eight millions of gallons in twenty-four hours is a fair estimate of the amount supplied by the six wells first connected with a temporary suction pipe and when all have been so connected at least forty millions of gallons can be regularly relied upon. So fully satisfied are the water-works commissioners of the adequacy of this supply of pure spring water that they are now seriously considering the advisability of drawing the water from the pumping basin and cement- ing its bottom and sides so that none of the Spy Run water, once so much longed for, may enter. Thus has the problem of water supply for this growing city been settled at a great cost, but it is believed to the · entire satisfaction of the consumers forever.
During the summer of ISS9 a large addition was made to the pump- ing house at an expense of $16,000, and a triple expansion, low pressure Gaskill pumping engine, costing $30,500, has been put in service. This giant piece of machinery is warranted to pump 6,000,000 of gallons in twenty-four hours.
It was unfortunate that the original plan of pipe distribution was not on a scale sufficiently large for all demands, and many of the mains have been taken up and replaced by larger ones. Then, too, the growth of the city and the establishment of manufactories in the outlying wards, has demanded a general increase of the pipe service until now there are thirty-one miles of mains in the streets and alleys. When the reservoir shall have been completed and the direct pressure system will be aban- doned, the expense of operation will be greatly curtailed, and as perfect and economically managed water-works will be found in Fort Wayne as in any city in America.
After many changes in the board of trustees, the "old board," Messrs. McCulloch, Monning and Boseker was re-elected in 1889, because of the great popular confidence in their management of affairs, and Mr. Frank Iten remains as inspector. This gentleman supervises all the ex- tensions and repairs of water mains, which the city never lets to con- tractors, and it is said that no work he has approved has ever needed subsequent renewal. The water-works with all improvements up to the summer of ISS9, have cost the city $269,000.
Daniel L. Harding, mayor of Fort Wayne, was born January 8, 1843, in Kings county, Ireland, son of Robert and Dorethea (Minchin) Hard- ing, natives of Ireland. The father was born about 1793, and died in IS67, and the mother, who was born about ISor, died in 1847. Both passed their lives in their native land. Prior to coming to America Mr. Harding was engaged for five years in civil engineering, and this he continued after emigrating in 1866, for eight months, in the employ of the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville railroad. He then went to
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Omaha, and was engaged two years on the Union Pacificrailroad, until the road was completed. He remained in the active practice of this profes- sion in various parts of the country until 1877. He then embarked in the real estate and insurance business in Fort Wayne, and has been so engaged ever since, except one year spent in England. In this business he has been quite successful and has won the confidence and esteem of the com- munity. In politics he is a republican. In ISSo he was elected justice of the peace and re-elected in 1886. In the spring of 1889, Mr. Hard- ing was prevailed upon to accept the republican nomination for mayor, although there had been but one republican mayor elected since the organization of the city, and that was twenty-two years previous, and the regular democratic majority was about 2,000. The democrats nomi- nated C. F. Muhler for re-election, and the canvass which followed was very spirited, resulting in the election of Mr. Harding by a majority of 909. Mayor Harding signalizing his election by a proclamation demand- ing the rigorous enforcement of the laws regarding the closing of the traffic in intoxicating liquors on the Sabbath day, and this and the good results which followed, elicited laudatory comment in all parts of the country. Mayor Harding is prominent in Masonic circles, having been made a Mason at Tullamore lodge, Ireland, in 1865. He is also a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. He was married in 1869 to Mary A. Fleming, who was born in Ireland in 1850, and came to the United States in 1869. They have four children : Robert F., Emily, Grace and Edith.
Rudolph C. Reinewald, city clerk of Fort Wayne, is a native of this city, born March 22, 1857. He is the oldest son of William F. and Lousie (Reffelt) Reinewald, who were born in Germany, the father in Blah- sheim, Russia, and the mother in Bramshe, Hanover. They came to this country in 1855, and settled in Fort Wayne, and have resided here ever since. The father found employment in the Wabash shops, where he has been engaged during the past thirty-two years. Both parents are living, and in 1882 they celebrated their silver wedding. To them twelve children have been born, of whom nine are still living, five sons and four daughters: Rudolph C., John M., Henry W., William H., and George A. Reinewald, Mrs. William Bevesforden, Mrs. Charles Ostman, and Lotta and Mamie Reinewald. Rudolph C. Reinewald was educated in the Emanuel German Lutheran schools, and later took a business course in the Fort Wayne commercial college. At the age of fourteen he entered the employment of C. Wenninghoff, as an apprentice in the cigar trade. Subsequently, he began the manufacture of cigars for him- self. Through his business career he became widely known and respected, and his friends urged him to make the race for the office of city clerk, which he did, but was unsuccessful in obtaining the nomina- tion. In 1887 he again became a candidate for the same office, and was defeated by a small majority. In May, 1889, he was urged to make the race again, and this time was successful in securing the nomination over a number of candidates for the same office, and at the election on
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May 7th, he was elected by an overwhelming majority of 1,853 votes, the largest majority of any candidate on the democratic ticket, receiving a total vote of 4,078, the largest vote polled by any candidate at the election. Mr. Reinewald was married October 21, 1886, in this city, to Mary A. Meeks, of Greenville, Ohio, who was born in Huntington, Ind. Her father, Jeremiah Meeks, is still living at Greenville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Reinewald are members of the Emanuel Lutheran church.
Charles J. Sosenheimer, city treasurer of Fort Wayne, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., February 21, 1854, the son of John and Mary A. (Miller) Sosenheimer. The father was born in Germany, May 20, 1815, and coming to America in 1848 and settled at St. Mary's, Penn., finally making his residence at Fort Wayne in IS80. Charles J., when twelve years of age, served an apprenticeship at the tinner's trade with his father, and five years later he went to Crestline, Ohio, and was engaged with his brother one year. He then returned to Pennsylvania and worked with his father one year. At the end of that time he went to Crestline again and purchased a third interest in a hardware store, in which busi- ness he was successfully engaged for four years. But becoming dissat- isfied, he sold out his interest and removed to Fort Wayne with the intention of going into the hardware business. But sickness in his fam- ily prevented, and he obtained employment at the Wabash railway yards at $1.50 a day, and after four days went to the Pittsburgh shops at $1.60 per day, in the tin and copper department. He was promoted from time to time until he gained the position of assistant foreman under S. C. Henderson, which place he has held since. In 1887 Mr. Sosenheimer was nominated for city treasurer on the Union Labor ticket and was defeated, but in 1889 he entered the campaign as the democratic candidate for the same office, and having been nominated by a majority of ninety-four was elected by a majority of 1,026. He took possession of this office in September, 1889. He speaks both the English and German languages fluently, is well educated, and bids fair to be a popular officer. Mr. So- senheimer was married May 4, 1875, to Emma A. Myers, of Crestline, Ohio, and they have four children: Alice, Charles, Frederick and Lillian. He and wife are members of the Cathedral Catholic church.
Diedrich Meyer was first elected to a position on the police force of the city of Fort Wayne in 1866, and he served twelve years, five of which were spent in the capacity of jailor. The faithfulness and ability he had displayed in important positions led to his appointment May 12, 1881, as deputy marshal. He held this position three years, nearly, and then, upon the resignation of Marshal Frank Falkner, Mr. Meyer was appointed to fill the vacancy, and in 1884 was elected marshal, and re-elected in 1887. He has been a trustworthy and popular official. Mr. Meyer has long been a democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He is a native of Germany, born July 15, 1829, son of John and Margaret Meyer, who spent their lives in that, their native land. Diedrich was the youngest of seven children, of whom three are living. He was educated in Germany, and there learned
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the miller's trade. In IS56 he immigrated and settled in Fort Wayne, and was for a time engaged on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad, and then for two years at boating on the Wabash & Erie canal. He was married in 1882 to Lucretia M. Munson, who was born in 1845 in this city. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church.
Dennis O'Brien, street commissioner of the city of Fort Wayne, was born in county Wexford, Ireland, March 25, 1834. His father, William O'Brien, was born in 1782, and married Mary Brady. In 1852 the family came to America, and settled at Huntington, Ind., where the father died in 1865, and the mother in 1873, at the age of ninety-three years. The youngest of their four children now living is the subject of this mention. On coming to America he was first employed in railroad work, and for twelve years was in the employment of the Wabash & Erie canal, being for eight years foreman of the state boat. Since 1865 his residence has been at Fort Wayne. In politics he is a democrat, and in 1877 his integrity and industry were recognized by election to the position which he has held continuously ever since. He was mar- ried in 1872 to Nancy Sheridan, who was born in this county in 1846. They have seven children: John D., William P., Robert E., Frank B., Albert, Helen M., and Annie. Mr. O'Brien and family are members of the Catholic church, and he is a member of the Catholic Knights.
The functions of weigh-master and wood-measurer of Fort Wayne have been efficiently discharged since 1875 by one person, Patrick Ryan. He is a native of Ireland, born March 15, 1832, the fifth of nine chil- dren of James and Johanna (Bohan) Ryan. His parents were natives of the Emerald Isle, the father born 1774, died 1845; his mother born 1782, died in quarantine below Quebec, 1847. In the latter year Mr. Ryan settled in Massachusetts, and remained there fifteen years, coming to Fort Wayne in January, 1862. While in the east he had learned the trade of shoemaker, and this he followed here until 1875, with the ex- ception of one year in military service. He enlisted in 1864 in the Ninety-first Indiana infantry, and was honorably discharged in 1865. Mr. Ryan is a worthy and popular citizen; is a democrat in politcs, and he and family are members of the Catholic church. He is a Catholic Knight and member of St. Joseph and St. Patrick benevolent societies. He is a strict temperance man and has been a member of Father Matthew's society since 1873. Mr. Ryan was married in 1853 to Mar- garet Sheedy, who was born in Ireland in 1832, and they have had four- teen children, of whom eight are living: Mary E., James, Hannah, Patrick H., Margaret A., Agnes, John and Joseph.
Christopher F. Hettler, now assistant purchasing agent for the Pennsylvania company, was born in Hohenhaslach, county Vaihingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, April 1, 1834. He received a liberal education in that country, and in 1857 he emigrated to the United States, landing at New York city August 8 of that year, and then proceeded to Preble county, Ohio, where he remained until the fall of 1861, when he came to Allen county and for one year lived at New Haven, and then in 1862
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located in Fort Wayne and accepted a position at the Pennsylvania shops. Considered by Gov. O. P. Morton as being a true, loyal Ameri- can citizen, he was appointed recruiting officer at Fort Wayne in 1864, in which position he enlisted a large number of recruits. In Septem- ber, 1864, he selected a company from these recruits, of which he was commissioned captain, and his command was assigned to duty as Com- pany C, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment, and was given place in the army of the Cumberland. The regiment was mustered out July 14, 1865, after which Captain Hettler resumed his position with the Pennsylvania company, and since 1871 he has been assistant purchasing · agent for that company. Since 1862 he has been prominent among the citizens of Fort Wayne, and has taken a leading part in public affairs, whenever he could work for the general good. From 1873 to 1882 he represented the second ward in the city council, and during his service he was ever on the alert to obtain the greatest possible advancement for the city with the lowest possible per cent. of taxation. He was in- strumental in the introduction of the fire alarm telegraph system and other improvements for the fire department. In 1876 he delivered the first speech in the interest of city water-works and in which he advo- cated the idea that the city should build, own and control her system of water-works instead of their being in the hands of private companies. The question came before the people in 1879, and received a majority vote of 2,533 as against a minority vote of 561. Mr. Hettler has held the position of treasurer of the Fort Wayne building and loan fund and saving association, the largest organization of the kind in Indiana. He is a prominent member of Harmony lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F., Sion S. Bass post, No. 40, G. A. R., and Fort Wayne saengerbund. Captain Hettler was married March 26, 1861, to Catherine Furthmiller, then of New Haven, but was born in Stark county, Ohio, August 26, 1840, and they have one son, Herman Henry, born June 17, 1862, now exten- sively engaged in the lumber trade in Chicago. Mrs. Hettler is a mem- ber of the W. R. C., the Evangelical association and is an active, energetic member of various charitable and benevolent interests. Mr. Hettler possesses an untiring energy and in all his business transactions he has been very successful. Though of foreign birth he is thoroughly American in all his views and emphatically advocates allegiance only to that grand old flag, the stars and stripes.
Henry Hilbrecht is a native of Germany, born January 4, 1828, the son of Diedrich and Louisa Hilbrecht. In his native country he attended school until he was fourteen, after wnich he learned the trade of a black- smith. In 1848 he emigrated and after spending three days in New York and a week in Buffalo, came to Fort Wayne where he has now been known as an upright and useful citizen for more than forty years. Here he found employment as a blacksmith, an occupation, which owing to his knowledge of the locksmith's trade, he soon was proficient in. He followed blacksmithing for a period of thirty years. Since 1878 he has served two years as deputy trustee, three years as deputy assessor
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and two years as trustee of Wayne township, and with these exceptions, has led a quiet retired life. Mr. Hilbrecht was married August 16, 1848, to Miss Sophia Mesing, a native of Germany who came with her parents to America when a child. They have had five children: Henry, Lisette, Louisa, Sophia and William, of whom only Henry and Louisa are living. Mr. Hilbrecht is a member of Emanuel's German Lutheran church. Mrs. Hilbrecht, who was also a member of that church, died December 24, 1879. In politics Mr. Hilbrecht is a democrat. He was elected a member of the city council in the fifth ward in the spring of 1888, and at present holds that position. In public life as in private, he is the same reliable, trustworthy man in whom the people place full con- fidence. In 1873 Mr. Hilbrecht visited his native land, where he spent about three months with his father and other relatives and friends.
William D. Meyer was born in Germany in 1848, the son of Conrad and Louisa Meyer. His childhood and youth were spent in Germany, where he was raised on a farm and taught the shoemaking trade. In IS67 he immigrated to America, and made his home at Fort Wayne. Here for one year he was engaged in teaming, and during eleven years following worked at his trade, conducting a shop of his own during the latter eight years of that period. In 1881 he engaged in the grocery business to which his attention has since been given. In politics Mr. Meyer is an ardent and influential member of the democratic party, and in 1887 he was elected to the city council from the first ward, an office which he holds at present. Mr. Meyer was married in 1869, to Mary Dicke, a native of Germany, who came to this country in 1867. They have three children: Louise, Henry F., and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are members of St. Paul's German Lutheran church.
The present representative of the second ward in the city council is Frederick Schmueckle, a worthy citizen. He was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, January 3, 1839, of parents who lived and died in their native land. The father, Gottlieb, was born in 1800, and died in 1877, and the mother, whose maiden name was Fredericka Ferber, was born in 1805, and died in 1880. The eldest son of their three living children is Fred- erick, who received his education in Germany, and at the age of four- teen years began work at the tanner's trade, which was his occupation until 1859, when he emigrated to the United States. He resided for one year at Milwaukee, Wis., and then came to Fort Wayne, which has since been his home most of the time. He is now engaged in the hotel and restaurant business, and doing well. In politics he is a democrat, and in 1888 he was elected to his present position on the ticket of that party. He is a member of Goethe lodge, K. of P. Mr. Schmueckle was married in 1867 to Mary Edringer, of Chicago, who died in 1870, leaving one child, Albert. In 1873 he married Louise Clemens, a native of Germany, by whom he has one child, Frederick.
Among the leading men of the city council of Fort Wayne should be named George W. Ely. He became a citizen of Fort Wayne in 1863, engaging at that time in the grocery business, which he conducted until
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1875. In 1884 he was elected to the council as an independent, from the fourth ward, and in 1886 was re-elected, but on account of a contest occu- pied a seat in that body only five months. In 1888 he was again elected. Mr. Ely was born at Owego, N. Y., June 22, 1836, son of Daniel and Lois (Kelsey) Ely, natives of New York. The father was born in 1802, served as postmaster at Owego, by appointment of President W. H. Harrison, was colonel at one time in the militia of the state, and died at Owego in 1845. The mother was born in ISII and died at Wooster, Ohio, in 1887. George W. was the third of five children, of whom three are living. He received a common school education, and at fourteen years of age removed to Wooster, Ohio, and entered a clothing store as clerk. In 1863 he was married to Theresa R. Ander- son, who was born in Ohio, August 11, 1842, daughter of Calvin and Rebecca Anderson, old settlers of this city. Mrs. Ely is a member of the First Presbyterian church.
William Doehrmann, a successful business man of Fort Wayne, is also worthy of note as a prominent member of the city council, to which he was first elected for the eighth ward in 1881, and has since been three times re-elected. He is the oldest member in years of service, is chairman of the committee on finance, and is also a member of the board of police commissioners. He is a deservedly popular citizen. Mr. Doehrmann is a son of Conrad and Minnie (Zwick) Doehrmann, who immigrated from Germany and settled in Adams county fifty years ago. He, the fifth of their children, was born in Preble township, Adams county, December 27, 1850. After receiving a common school education he came to Fort Wayne and began clerking in a grocery store. Five years later he became a grocer on his own account, at Decatur, and after two and a half years, in 1875 returned to this city and has continued in the business. In 1880 he was married to Sophia Schroeder, born in Marion township, February 8, 1862, to William and Caroline (Kroemer) Schroeder, natives of Germany. They have four children: William C., born 1881; Frederick H., born 1884; Martin H., born 1886, and Alma C. M., born 1889. Mr. Doehrmann and wife are members of the St. Paul's German Lutheran church.
Peter J. Scheid, assistant foreman of the machine shops of the Pitts- burgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad company, was born in Lancas- ter, Penn., October 18, 1847. He attended the public schools there, and began learning the trade of machinist when fifteen years old with Nor- ris Bros. In 1863 he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Nine- ty-fifth Pennsylvania infantry, for three months, and afterward enlisted in the Seventy-ninth regiment, and served to the end of the war. He then returned to the establishment where he had begun his trade, and finished it. In 1867 he secured a position in the shops of the Pennsyl- vania company, at Pittsburgh, and in 1869 came to Fort Wayne. After many years' faithful service he was made assistant foreman in 1881. Mr. Scheid is prominent as a citizen and as a member of the democratic party, and was elected to the city council for the seventh ward in 1881,
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again in 1884, and again in 1888. He is a member of the church of the Holy Trinity, of Wayne lodge, F. & A. M., and of Sion S. Bass post, G. A. R. Mr. Scheid was married in 1867, to Mary Ruck, of Lancas- ter, Penn., and they have had seven children : Frank, William, George, Clark, and Lotta (deceased), Crover C. and Cecilia.
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