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Allen County, Indiana People
H Surnames
Hagan, Mollyhan
Born August 3, 1961, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth (née Henslee) and John Robert Hagan. She moved to Fort Wayne when she was 4 after her father, a commercial illustrator, accepted a job as art director for Eckrich. She attended Wayne then South Side High Schools, and attended Northwestern University. Was on television shows like “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Golden Girls,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “Columbo” and “Grey’s Anatomy” working with stars like Angela Lansbury, Dick Van Dyke, Peter Falk, William Shatner and Betty White. Read more In good company ‘Sully’ actress honed her talent here by Michele DeVinney published November 25th, 2016 in Fort Wayne Magazine. She co-starred in films Code of Silence (1985), Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), The Dentist (1996) and Election (1999), and also known for her roles in television on Herman's Head (1991–1994) and Unfabulous (2004–2007). From Molly Hagan on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. The article Catching Up with Trek's First Vorta, Molly Hagan published April 7, 2017 on startrek.com.
How do you pronounce our name: HAGerman or HAYgerman? Let's settle the debate! No matter how you say it, we are your Construction Solutions Provider. #BuildingABetterFuture
How do you pronounce our name: HAGerman or HAYgerman? Let's settle the debate!
No matter how you say it, we are your Construction Solutions Provider.
Haley, Bill
Bill Haley on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, and His Comets, was an American rock and roll band that was founded in 1952 and continued until Haley's death in 1981. Many sources claim Haley played in 1946 with the Down Homers a country western band based in Fort Wayne. This is disputed on The Bill Haley Vogue Myth that claims Kenny Roberst the lead singer surprised everyone in 1999 when he stated Bill Haley was Not on the Vogue session according to The Association of Vogue Picture Record Collectors. This was mentioned in the PBS WFWA program "Buck Lake Ranch: Nashville of the North" opened in 1947. Mentioned January 10, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
From Tears To Tiers: How Grayce Holloway Turns Her Grief Into a Succesful Bakery & Business, Icing For Izaac
Grayce says if you’re starting a business, “I would tell them to believe in themselves even though I know it’s so hard. Believe in yourself and build a circle of people that believe in you so when you don’t believe in yourself, they don’t let you quit. When I first started, I had some people in my life saying this would never work, 90% of restaurants fail, and this is a waste of money, which could have really distracted me from everything I have today. So eliminate those people from your life and surround yourself with people that support you, love you, and believe in you.”
You may be familiar with the statues of the Hamilton sisters in Headwaters Park but did you know the History Center is home to a collection of artwork by the Hamilton Family? Here are three pieces by Jessie Hamilton. Two are new to the collection as of this year and one has called the History Center home for many years. Enjoy!
Print Room Talks: The Hamilton Family by the Fort Wayne Museum of Art Premiered Nov 17, 2021 on YouTube Almost two thirds of the FWMoA permanent collection are prints and other works on paper. The processes and techniques of printmaking are vast and can be highly technical, making this medium both fascinating and mystifying for many. During Print Room talks we will examine examples of printmaking techniques up-close and learn about artists from the permanent collection, who chose to work with these different printmaking processes.
Print Room Talks are led by Curator of Prints and Drawings Sachi Yanari-Rizzo.
The processes and techniques of printmaking are vast and can be highly technical, making this medium both fascinating and mystifying for many. During Print Room Talks, we examine examples of printmaking techniques up-close and learn about artists from the permanent collection and their processes.
We explore the artistic side of Fort Wayne’s illustrious Hamilton family, including the prints and drawings by Norah (sister to Alice and Edith Hamilton), cousins Jessie and Agnes, and the museum’s great benefactor, James Hamilton.
The name Alice Hamilton is widely known due to her involvement with movements such as the Jane Addams Hull House. However, Alice is just one of many highly accomplished Hamilton women. Fort Wayne owes much to this artistic, activist family. Learn more in 200@200 - Iconic Fort Wayne: The Extraordinary Hamilton Women [1910s Margaret Hamilton Print]
One of the Hamilton Sisters. Alice Hamilton - February 27, 1869 – September 22, 1970, second child of Montgomery Hamilton (1843–1909) and Gertrude (née Pond) Hamilton (1840–1917), was born on February 27, 1869, in Manhattan, New York City, New York. She spent a sheltered childhood among an extended family in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where her grandfather, Allen Hamilton, an Irish immigrant, had settled in 1823. He married Emerine Holman, the daughter of Indiana Supreme Court Justice Jesse Lynch Holman, in 1828 and became a successful Fort Wayne businessman and a land speculator. Much of the city of Fort Wayne was built on land that he once owned. Alice grew up on the Hamilton family's large estate that encompassed a three-block area of downtown Fort Wayne. The Hamilton family also spent many summers at Mackinac Island, Michigan. For the most part, the second and third generations of the extended Hamilton family, which included Alice's family, as well as her uncles, aunts, and cousins, lived on inherited wealth. Copied from Alice Hamilton on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
She spent a privileged childhood in Fort Wayne in the 1870's and eventually enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1892 after studying anatomy at Fort Wayne College of Medicine the prior year. Hamilton went on to become a leader in the fields on industrial toxicology and occupational health. An activist for women's rights and peace, Hamilton became an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School in 1919 and later served as president of the National Consumers League from 1944-1949. She died in 1970 at the age of 101. Copied from FORT WAYNE FIVE: Important medical figures published with photo April 9, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
One of the Hamilton Sisters. Edith Hamilton was born August 12, 1867, Dresden, Saxony [now in Germany]—died May 31, 1963, Washington, D.C., U.S. The eldest child of American parents Gertrude Pond (1840–1917) and Montgomery Hamilton (1843–1909). Shortly after her birth, the Hamilton family returned to the United States and made their home in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Edith's grandfather, Allen Hamilton, had settled in the early 1820s. Edith spent her youth among her extended family in Fort Wayne.
Happy birthday to Fort Wayne's own Edith Hamilton, born on this day in 1867. She earned fame as "the greatest woman Classicist" with her books, including "The Greek Way," which Robert Kennedy turned to for comfort after the death of his brother John Kennedy. "I came to the Greeks early," Hamilton told an interviewer when she was 91, "and I found answers in them. Greece's great men let all their acts turn on the immortality of the soul. We don't really act as if we believed in the soul's immortality and that's why we are where we are today."
She earned fame as "the greatest woman Classicist" with her books, including "The Greek Way," which Robert Kennedy turned to for comfort after the death of his brother John Kennedy. "I came to the Greeks early," Hamilton told an interviewer when she was 91, "and I found answers in them. Greece's great men let all their acts turn on the immortality of the soul. We don't really act as if we believed in the soul's immortality and that's why we are where we are today."
Edith's grandfather, Allen Hamilton, was an Irish immigrant who came to Indiana in 1823 by way of Canada and settled in Fort Wayne. In 1828 he married Emerine Holman, the daughter of Indiana Supreme Court Justice Jesse Lynch Holman. Allen Hamilton became a successful Fort Wayne businessman and a land speculator. Much of the city of Fort Wayne was built on land he once owned. The Hamilton family's large estate on a three-block area of downtown Fort Wayne included three homes. The family also built a home at Mackinac Island, Michigan, where they spent many of their summers. For the most part, the second and third generations of the extended Hamilton family, which included Edith's family, as well as her uncles, aunts, and cousins, lived on inherited wealth. Copied from Childhood and eduction at Edith Hamilton on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
“It has always seemed strange to me that in our endless discussions about education so little stress is laid on the pleasure of becoming an educated person, the enormous interest it adds to life. To be able to be caught up into the world of thought—that is to be educated."
In American Classicist, Victoria Houseman tells the fascinating life story of Edith Hamilton (1867–1963), whose ideas were shaped by—and aspired to shape—her times. Preorder yours today!
Available in North America on October 3 (UK/Europe 28 November pub).
Out October 3, American Classicist by Victoria Houseman is a biography of Edith Hamilton, the remarkable woman whose bestselling #Mythology has introduced millions of readers to the classical world.
Edith Hamilton (1867–1963) didn’t publish her first book until she was sixty-two. But over the next three decades, this former headmistress would become the twentieth century’s most famous interpreter of the classical world. Today, Hamilton’s Mythology (1942) remains the standard version of ancient tales and sells tens of thousands of copies a year. During the Cold War, her influence even extended to politics, as she argued that postwar America could learn from the fate of Athens after its victory in the Persian Wars. In American Classicist, Victoria Houseman tells the fascinating life story of a remarkable classicist whose ideas were shaped by—and aspired to shape—her times.
Preorder your copy today! (UK/Europe 28 November pub).
Fort Wayne's Edith Hamilton (1867-1963), the "most important interpreter of the classical world for 20th-century Americans," is the subject of a new biography by VIctoria Houseman. The book, "American Classicist" is reviewed by Meghan Cox Gurdon in this weekend's Wall Street Journal.
From Fort Wayne to Munich: The Education of Edith Hamilton
Date(s) - Jun 2, 2024 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location The History Center
Presented by Victoria Houseman
We will see how aspects of Edith Hamilton’s writing were influenced by her education, which began at home in Fort Wayne. This was followed by her experiences at Miss Porter’s School and four more years of study at home before she was able to enter Bryn Mawr College in 1891. Her classics professors at Bryn Mawr, Paul Shorey and Gonzalez Lodge, both left a discernible influence upon her writing, as did her year of graduate study in Germany, where she ultimately became the first woman officially admitted to the University of Munich. This presentation will use Edith Hamilton’s letters to question some of the assumptions which have appeared in previous writings about Edith Hamilton.
Book signing to follow lecture.
The Edith Hamilton Way A new biography provides a glimpse into the life of the celebrated classicist. Mary Norris, October 12, 2023 review in The New Yorkermagazine.
In 2000 the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, erected statues of two Hamilton sisters, Edith and Alice, along with their cousin, Agnes, in the city's Headwaters Park. These are the Hamilton Women of Fort Wayne memorial in Headwaters Park is found at The Historical Marker Datatbase HMdb.org. Edith (seated), scholar of Greek and Roman mythology, wrote the classic text, The Greek Way. Alice, Edith's sister (standing) is Dr. Alice Hamilton who made history by being the first woman on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, influential industrial physician, advanced the reform of unsafe working conditions in our nation's factories. Agnes (with young child), their cousin, accomplished painter and child advocate, worked in settlement houses and founded Fort Wayne's YWCA. The Hamilton women have made lasting contributions to the well being of citizens on both local and national levels. Fort Wayne is proud of them.
The other Hamilton sister Three authors mine local sources to detail Alice's contributions to public health
the new book The Education of Alice Hamilton: From Fort Wayne to Harvard reviewed by Jo Young Switzer retired president of Manchester University published January 5, 2020 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
We finish our salute to black officers during Black History Month with Chief Garry Hamilton. He was the first black officer to be promoted to the rank of Chief of Police.Chief Hamilton began his career with the Fort Wayne Police Department when he was commissioned on August 26, 1994. During his career he served as a patrolman and a detective. He spent most of his time as a detective in the cold case unit. He was promoted to Sergeant in March 2006 and served in the Internal Affairs Division until his promotion to Captain. As Captain he served in the Southeast Division and as liaison to the Allen County Prosecutor's Office. He was promoted to Deputy Chief in December 2010. As Deputy Chief he served in both the Northeast and Southeast Divisions. He was promoted to Chief in January 2014 and served as Chief until 2016. During his tenure as Chief he rejuvenated the Community Relations Division to promote transparency with the community and reach out to all citizens of Fort Wayne. He stepped down as Chief in August 2016 and was re-appointed to Deputy Chief of the Northeast Division/Community Relations Division. As of March 2017 Deputy Chief Hamilton has served in the Investigative Division but still remains active in community affairs.
HUNTERTOWN — The Hand family was recently recognized by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and other state officials for their northwest Allen County farm, which has been owned and operated by the family for 150 years.
Carroll and Shirley Hand stand next to a carved tree stump in their yard. When the tree was partially destroyed by storms, Carroll and Shirley decided preserve the stump.
The Hathaway Road farm, currently owned by Carroll and Shirley Hand, was established in 1853 by James Vandolah, the grandson of matriarch Phebe Hand, an early settler in Eel River Township.
Carroll and Shirley Hand are the sixth generation to take over the farm. Carroll just celebrated his 80th birthday.
Last month, Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Ted McKinney, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, presented the Sesquicentennial Award in recognition of the Hand family’s longtime commitment to agriculture. The awards are presented to farms owned by the same family for at least 150 consecutive years. The farms must consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year.
In Carroll and Shirley Hand’s dining room, the walls are adorned with photos and awards showcasing the family’s rich agricultural roots.
Carroll and Shirley Hand (right center) hold their state certification, surrounded by their children and grandchildren, after receiving the Hoosier Homestead Sesquicentennial Award at the Indiana State Fair in August. The award was presented by Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, far right, and Ted McKinney, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, in back, next to the flag. Also on hand for the ceremony was Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, third from right.
The couple lives in a new home built on the site of the original 1900 farmhouse which was torn down after sitting vacant for years and being deemed unsafe. The outbuildings are the original homestead outbuildings, but the original basement barn was destroyed by fire in 1949.
The farm, down a long lane and bordered by woods to the south, used to be considered very remote.
But development is rampant in northwest Allen County and the Hands are not immune.
“Notice right there where you can see through the woods? It was never like that before,” Carroll said, pointing at a clearing in the midst of the trees. “That’s Carroll Creek housing addition and they are in the second phase, getting ready to build more homes.”
“That woods used to be very thick,” he said.” My grandfather Jesse Hand used to grade Hand Road with a plow and team of horses and Fort Wayne was eight miles away.”
Fort Wayne’s border is now less than a mile away.
Not far down the road is the fairly new Carroll Middle School and just beyond that is the site of the proposed wastewater treatment plant for the town of Huntertown. If the town gets final approval from the state, the discharge will be pumped down Hathaway Road, past Hand’s farm, and into the Eel River off of Johnson Road. The Hands are part of the more than 50 people who have appealed the proposal.
“This place doesn’t look anything like it used to. We used to be pretty far from everything,” Carroll said. “Before the school was built, this was a gravel road,” he said of Hathaway.
Hathaway Road is now so heavily traveled that a traffic light was installed at the S.R. 3 intersection.
Despite the development, off the road and in the midst of Hand’s wooded property, time seems to have stood still.
In the yard, near the front door to the home is an old tree trunk that has been carved with the image of wildlife — owls and a squirrel — and an Indian. A story that has been passed down for decades in the Hand family is that one day Carroll’s great-great grandfather, George Washington Hand, was up late one night and was startled to look out the window and see an Indian resting against the tree.
His grandfather went outside and offered the Native American a drink of water, which he accepted. He spoke a little English — enough that Carroll’s great-great-grandfather knew that he was following the Eel River to join up with his tribe.
The tree was struck by lightening years ago and Carroll had secured it with a cable so that it would not fall on the house. But another severe storm destroyed most of the tree, and the Hands knew it had to come down.
They decided to save as much of the trunk as they could and hired a local artist to carve the image of an Indian and wildlife into the trunk.
Carroll is one of eight children and although he no longer farms his own property — it is farmed by Gregg Nelson — he often works on his brother-in-law’s 2,000-acre farm in Wells County. Another brother farms in Huntington County.
Answering the question Carroll hears most often, he said, “Yes, Hand Road is named after our family. But no, I am not named after Carroll Road.”
The Hands plan to place the new Hoosier Homestead Sesquicentennial Award in a place of honor next to the Centennial Award they received 50 years ago.
The Hoosier Homestead Award program was established in 1976 by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to honor the state’s rich agricultural heritage. Throughout the history of the award, more than 5,000 farms have received the honor.
The awards were presented on Aug. 15 at the Indiana Farm Bureau building during the Indiana State Fair. Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Ted McKinney, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, presented the awards to 67 families including, in Allen County, a Sesquicentennial Award to the Hand family, a Centennial Award to the Ott farm and a Sesquicentennial Award to the Mooney-Grodrian farm.
Ellspermann, who is also the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said the Hands and other award winners are part of Indiana’s prolific farming heritage. [Hoosier Families Honored at the Indiana State Fair Three families received award for 200+ consecutive years of ownership].
“For nearly 40 years, the Hoosier Homestead program has provided a wonderful opportunity for our state to recognize the rich heritage of farming in Indiana and how Hoosier family farms have been passed down from generation to generation,” Ellspermann said in a statement.
“It’s even more fitting that we are celebrating the Year of the Farmer at the Indiana State Fair as a way to honor and thank Hoosier farmers for being an integral part of our states legacy and future,” she said.
Shirley Hand agreed. “It was really nice that we received the award during the Year of the Farmer at the Indiana State Fair,” she said.
Carroll and Shirley have three sons, Greg, Bryan (Julie) and Darwin (Kelly) and one daughter, Susan (Mike) Stockel, and six grandchildren. In his spare time, Carroll enjoys competing in tractor pulls.
Although none of their children farm the land, the Hands are hopeful that the family will retain ownership of the farm and pick up another Hoosier Homestead recognition — this time a Bicentennial Award — in 50 years.
March is Women’s History Month! Each Friday this month, we are featuring stories to highlight the contributions and work of Fort Wayne women over the years! Today, we are featuring Ruth Hanna, a Fort Wayne singer and aerialist!
Ruth Budd was born Ruth Carpenter in 1895 to Wallace and Eva in Sandwich, Illinois. Ruth also had a younger brother, Giles. The family moved to Cleveland, Ohio and along the way, they changed their name from Carpenter to Budd, which they used as a stage name. Ruth and her brother, Giles were part of the family’s vaudeville act, which they called the “Aerial Budds”. She and her brother had a double trapeze act, singing and performing stunts while on the trapeze.
“The family then moved from Ohio to Aurora, IL. They family traveled around and the sibling duo performed in places like the Hammerstein Theater and the Hippodrome in New York. They performed overseas in Europe and aboard the ill-fated Lusitania”.
In 1909, Ruth met Ray Hanna. He worked as an electrician at the Paramount Theatre in Fort Wayne. The two began a long-distance relationship.
In 1914, Ruth’s brother Giles was injured when he missed Ruth’s hands and broke his hip. He could no longer perform so Ruth continued solo, swapping out the trapeze for a “rings” act. In 1919, Ruth made her film debut - she starred in the 1919 silent film “A Scream in the Night”. “She wore a monkey costume and swung on the trapeze. She broke three bones, dislocated her collarbone and a shoulder, and sprained her knee”. That was her last film.
18 years after beginning a long-distance relationship with Ray Hanna, Ruth retired from performing and settled in Fort Wayne with him. She ran grocery stores and cigar stands in the city.
Ruth Hanna died December 11, 1968 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne at the age of 73. She is buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne with her husband.
(1968, December 12). Ruth Hanna, Ex-Aerialist Dies at 73. Journal Gazette, p. 13.
(1992, March 4). Founding Mothers. Journal Gazette.American Association of University Women, Fort Wayne Branch. (1988). Memorable fort wayne women: A women's history project of american association of university women, Fort Wayne, Indiana branch.
By the middle of the 19th century, many of Fort Wayne’s founding generation had passed away. On June 13, 1866, Hanna’s funeral was held in Fort Wayne in the Hanna Homestead. The funeral was one of the largest ever seen in the region and was estimated by the Fort Wayne Daily Gazette to be attended by 4,000 people. Following the funeral, 1,200 people proceeded from the home to the family burial plot at Lindenwood Cemetery. The report in the newspaper the following day ended with these words: “May his memory ever be cherished fresh and fragrant, as the leaves of June, beneath which we lay him down to rest.”
Samuel Hanna was one of the first associate judges, the other associate judge was Benjamin Cushman. They were both elected and served at the same time. Hanna served only briefly, from 1824 to 1827, while Cushman served from 1824 to 1833. Neither was a lawyer. Copied from History is in session Courthouse,occupants getbook treatment published May 12, 2019 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
He brought the Wabash and Erie Canal, railroads and more to Fort Wayne. Residence of Judge Samuel Hanna Lewis Street 1876 published in Illustrated historical atlas of the State of Indiana on Dave Rumsey Map Collection.
Hanna Homestead now Hanna Homestead Park was located at the intersection of Gay Street and Lewis Street. The Hanna homestead by Kevin Leininger published September 19, 1982 in Cityscapes archives of The News-Sentinel newspaper. Hanna Homestead Park website states it is located at the intersection of Gay Street and Lewis Street. In 1962 the old Hanna Homestead house was torn down. The home, on what was originally a 10-acre tract, was built in 1839 by Samuel Hanna. Before the Homestead was torn down it was used as the home for crippled children. Efforts were unsuccessful to preserve the home as a historic landmark. The property was donated to the Fort Wayne Community Schools by Eliza Hanna Hayden, in memory of her father, Samuel Hanna. The Fort Wayne Community Schools gave Hanna Homestead to the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department by Quit Claim deed on January 10, 1966. The property was then developed into a park. See article about the Hanna Family portrait Off the Cuff: Fort Wayne's Past in a Portrait by K Thompson published August 13, 2018 on Articulate From the Fort Wayne Museum of Art blog. The life and character of Hon. Samuel HannaGoogle 51 page ebook. HANNA FAMILY COLLECTION, CA. 1880-1920S, Collection # P 0789 BV 5461-5462 at the Indiana Historical Society.
This notable Queen Anne brick house, built c.1880, is on East Lewis Street in Hanna’s 1st Addition, platted in 1837....
This notable Queen Anne brick house, built c.1880, is on East Lewis Street in Hanna’s 1st Addition, platted in 1837. Samuel Hanna was the most successful of a small group of early Fort Wayne investors and entrepreneurs. He was one of the directors in the company that started the first system of public transportation in 1872. One of the streets on the first horse-drawn streetcar line was East Lewis as far as the Bass Foundry. It made commuting to work and shopping much easier. This brick Queen Anne has a lovely oculus window in the gabled wall dormer. We know in the early 1900’s boiler maker Christian Narwold and his wife Sophia moved in and lived here for over 20 years. ARCH is proud to present this edition of Throwback Thursday, part of its work as the historic preservation organization serving the greater Fort Wayne area, made possible by ARCH members and donors. Thank you.
Capturing the people and world around us has long been an aspiration for humanity. Through photography families were able to preserve images of their members for future generations. Photography grew in Fort Wayne, with the first recorded photographers (numbering 3) being found in the 1858 Fort Wayne City Directory. These early local photographers were engaged in the process of making ambrotypes. They later moved on to producing Carte de Visites and Albumen prints. One family that availed themselves of this new medium was the Samuel Hanna family. Samuel Hanna come to Fort Wayne in 1819 and became a successful and prominent businessman. The Hanna Family Album, which includes these images, was donated to the Historical Society this month. It records members of this prominent family, which includes the Hanna, Hayden and Shoaff families, from the mid to late 19th century. #sociallyhistory
The complete album, recently digitized by the Allen County Public Library, can be found in their Allen County Community Album:
Auburn University, is fielding interview requests from around the world, following last weekend’s death of an American hero. As author of the only authorized biography of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, Hansen has been asked to share anecdotes with audiences in Australia, China, Chile and Turkey. The Fort Wayne native also was interviewed Tuesday evening at his sister’s local home by a crew from the Discovery Channel, which is putting together an hourlong special on Armstrong that could air as early as tonight. From Historian, city native earned Armstrong’s trust to pen bio August 30, 2012 Sherry Slater | The Journal Gazette. See James Hansen page on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Movie based on the book Ryan Gosling to Portray Neil Armstrong in Universal Biopic 'First Man' by Robert Z. Pearlman published December 30, 2016 on Space.com. Simon & Schuster page.
Happy the Hobo
Happy's Place - local television clown on channel 55 WFFT had 4 different "hobos" - Happy the Hobo on Facebook. Former channel 55 WFFT television show, from 1981 to 1997 was a live program, so no recordings of Happy's Place were saved by WFFT, however there are some episodes on You Tube. See Mike Fry.
Spoiler alert if you haven’t read the book yet, but today is the 227th anniversary of Hardin’s Defeat. Here’s a photo of where it happened, just south of Churubusco on Carroll Road along the Eel River.
Wednesday, October 19, is the 232nd anniversary of Hardin's Defeat also known as the Battle at Eel River. American Survivors that retreated back to General Harmar's camp would have found him at an Indian village called Chillicothe. This location would have been south of the Catholic Cemetery on Lake Avenue on both sides of the Maumee River west of Coliseum Blvd., possibly where the retention ponds are now located. [current Lakeside Neighborhood. ]
Saturday is the 232nd anniversary of The Battle of Kekionga, also known as Harmar's's Defeat that took place in the Lakeside neighborhood stretching from the Maumee River to the St. Joseph River north of the Tennessee Ave. bridge today, and spilling into the St. Joe River.
On this date in 1790, Chief Little Turtle surprises and defeats Col John Hardin on the banks of the Eel River (13 miles northwest of present day Fort Wayne, Indiana) south of present day Churubusco Indiana. Hardin was leading a scouting detachment after an army under Josiah Harmer arrived October 15th at the large Miami city of Kekionga (other various nations of Native American's lived there as well), where present day Fort Wayne Indiana is located. Harmar discovered it deserted so Hardin was sent to scout the area and find the Miami. Hardin's force would consist of over 200 men versus Little Turtle's approximately 100 warriors. Little Turtle would utilize strategy and stealth to inflict heavy casualties on Hardin's force (about 62 dead and 12 wounded), before Hardin withdrew back to the main camp.
Born September 8, 1942 in Fort Wayne, son of Lowell and Florence Hargan, excelled in basketball and football at South Side High School, professional baseball player signed with Cleveland Indiana in 1961. See Wikipedia. Discussed May 21, 2017 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook.
Hargrave, Eugene Franklin Bubbles
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia shows Eugene Franklin "Bubbles" Hargrave (July 15, 1892 – February 23, 1969) was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Yankees. He won the National League batting title in 1926 while playing for Cincinnati. Bubbles' younger brother, Pinky Hargrave, was also a major league catcher.
Famous pioneer Daniel Boone's younger brother Edward Boone had a son Joseph Boone. Joseph Boone marched into battle October 22, 1790 at the Maumee Indian Village, present day Fort Wayne. He was shot and left for dead. Read his story at Harmar's Defeat in Saving Private Boone Joseph Boone at "Harmar's Defeat" by Jeffery L. Johnsonon on the Wayback Machine.
68, of Leo, Indiana. passed away on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Born September 18, 1944 in Fort Wayne, Indiana he was the son of the late Harvey and Bernice Rodermund Harmeyer. December 21, 1968 in Mansfield, Ohio he was married to the former Kathleen M. Ball. He was Chief Photographer at WANE TV in Fort Wayne where he worked for 48 years. Surviving are his wife, Kathy Harmeyer of Leo; two children, Joel Matthew (Andrea) Harmeyer of Fort Wayne; and Jenna (Adam) Shepard of Kansas City, Mo. Remembering Ron Harmeyer by Mark Mellinger published October 1, 2012 CBS WANE-TV NewsChannel 15 blog. See his September 30, 2012 obituary at Legacy.com. See his Memorial at Find A Grave.
July 14, 2024 discussion on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook. Summarizing several comments: Herb took lots of photos from the 50s thru 70s. He had a collection of glass negatives he inherited from the Bowser Corp, was the official photographer for the FWPD, and a police officer. His collection was donated for eventual posting on the Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library, which hasn’t happened yet for lack of funding, but a grant is in the works. It’s a huge collection, roughly 130,000 images, plus other things such as the yearbooks they did for the city police and fire departments, the Bowser material, and some railroad material. There were only two images in the library for Herb Harnish at this time.
My great-grandfather, Edward (shown here), was born the son of Irish native William Harper.
William emigrated from County Tyrone, Ireland in 1831 and settled in Jefferson Township, Allen County, Indiana in 1836.
William was born in Ireland on March 10, 1810. His son, Edward, was born March 26. 1856.
Edward's older brothers served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Grateful and humbled to be presented the 2024 Mayor Tom Henry Inclusive Service Award at Saturday's Marjorie D. Wycliffe Freedom Fund Banquet of the Fort Wayne / Allen County NAACP Branch 3049.
Grateful and humbled to be presented the 2024 Mayor Tom Henry Inclusive Service Award at Saturday's Marjorie D. Wycliffe Freedom Fund Banquet of the Fort Wayne / Allen County NAACP Branch 3049.
On May 13, 1800, President John Adams appointed William Henry Harrison as governor of the Indiana Territory, which at that time included parts or wholes of the future states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. Harrison served in this role for twelve years, during which he sought local recommendations for appointees, encouraged the development of representative government in the new territory, and sought to extinguish American Indian claims and remove them from the territory. Harrison, a Virginia-born patrician, tried unsuccessfully to introduce slavery into the territory, despite the Northwest Ordinance’s prohibition against it. In 1811, he led a military force against Tenkswatawa near Prophet’s Town. Tactically, the battle is often viewed as a draw, but the outcome had significant geopolitical ramifications which affected the strength of the pan-Indian alliance, influenced the forthcoming War of 1812, and many years later led to Harrison’s ascension to the presidency with the memorable campaign slogan, “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.”
#OTD in 1841, William Henry Harrison, former Governor of the Indiana Territory, and his family visited a Washington D.C. studio to sit for this silhouette portrait, created by the famous French artist August Edouart. President-elect Harrison had arrived in the capital just over a week earlier to deliver his inaugural address to Congress in which he promised lawmakers not to impede their progress with his own agenda. He stated: “Indeed, I hold all the above principles subject to the will of the majority and shall conclude this partial development of my plan of government with the assurance that whatever measure a majority of your community may propose will receive my sanction, as I do not allow my oath to support the Constitution to lay me under any foolish scruples in opposition to the Legislative will.” [Punctuation edited for clarity]. Harrison was the only president elected from the Whig Party and he promised to be a popular one, having won almost four times as many electoral votes as his opponent Martin Van Buren, as well as the popular vote in nineteen (out of twenty-six) states. President Harrison took office March 4, 1841 but served for only thirty-two days before his death from pneumonia. However, this was not the end of the Harrisons’ presidential ambitions. Also pictured in the portrait here, second from left, was William Henry Harrison’s seven-year-old grandson, Benjamin Harrison, who would become the 23rd President of the United States in 1889. Learn more about William Henry Harrison through the University of Virginia’s Miller Center: https://millercenter.org/president/harrison.
He died April 4, 1841 after serving only 31 days, historically claimed due to pneumonia. Funeral service was held April 7, 1841 in the East Room of the White House. He was the first Congressional delegate from the U.S. Northwest Territory, governor of the Indiana Territory, and a decorated brigadier general in the War of 1812.
What Really Killed William Henry Harrison? by Jane McHugh and Philip A. MacKowiak published March 31, 2014 in The New York Times. Was one of only five Presidents to have a beard, and all were Republicans. Indiana claims two Hoosier presidents – William Henry Harrison and his grandson, Benjamin Harrison.
An original member of the Fort Wayne Daisy baseball tean in All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the 1940s and a champion sheep breeder, died November 9, 2015 in Reading, Pennsylvania. She was 89. She was a member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Local story Former Fort Wayne Daisy dies at 89 by Associated Press published November 11, 2015 in The Journal Gazette newspaper. Longer story with photo Remembering Ruth Hartman: 'In a League of Her Own' publshed November 11, 2015 and updated story Ruth Hartman dies after weekend accident publshed November 12, 2015 both by Dan Kelly in the Reading Eagle newspaper
He’s a motivator. He’s an inspiration. He’s a Michigan Man.
You may have heard of Michigan Basketball's Austin Hatch, who survived two plane crashes. For Austin, his incredible story of perseverance is only just beginning.
Motivational speaker Austin Hatch shared his story with high school students this morning.
Hatfield - McCoy Feud
Connection in nearby Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana. Hazel Thompson of Columbia City has a photo showing Devil Anse Hatfield with Thompson’s father, Isom Daniels and grandmother Allie Hatfield Norden in the newspaper article Offspring won’t shy from infamous feud by Frank Gray of the Journal Gazett June 17, 2012.
Haudenschild, Mark A. II
Washington Township volunteer firefighter killed November 2012 in a fire truck crash. His line-of-duty death was the first in the Washington Township Fire Department's 67-year history. The last Fort Wayne-area firefighter killed in the line of duty was Harry Stapleton with the Wayne Township Fire Department in 1975. On Sunday night, Haudenschild was driving a tanker truck south on Hillegas Road on his way to a brush fire in the 4300 block of Butler Road. He tried to make a right turn to go west on Butler, but the truck rolled several times, hitting utility poles. The truck came to rest on its side, just off Hillegas, about 100 yards south of the intersection. Haudenschild, a 26-year-old husband and father of two young children, was ejected and pinned under the wreckage. He died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. A Fort Wayne native, Haudenschild had been with the volunteer department for five years and held the rank of assistant chief engineer. From Services Saturday for volunteer firefighter November 14, 2012 by Archie Ingersoll
The Journal Gazette newspaper. Mark A. Haudenschild II. Procession and Funeral Procession and Procession from The Chapel church to Riverview Cemetery — Mark A. Haudenschild II. Procession (44 photos) on D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Home Facebook photo albums. See his D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Home obituary and Legacy.com obituary. November 18, 2012 3:00 a.m.The third and final bell 1,000 people pay their respects to fallen volunteer firefighter by Jaclyn Youhana of The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Larry Hayes – a retired Journal Gazette editorial page editor whose work earned him a spot in the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame – died Saturday night. Hayes spent more than two decades as The Journal Gazette’s editorial page editor before retiring in 2000. He continued to contribute to the opinion pages for years, however, through columns and letters to the editor. Although Hayes wrote more than 5,000 editorials and columns throughout his journalism career, he apparently still had more to say – particularly on the issues of juvenile justice and mental health. Distinguished Journal Gazette retiree Larry Hayes, advocate for the underdog, dies, Ashley Sloboda February 12, 2024 and Hayes’ influence was life-altering for all he touched Bonnie Blackburn-Penhollow Feb 14, 2024 The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Larry Hayes, a member of the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame who spent 26 years writing editorials at The Journal Gazette, died Saturday night.
On this day in Indiana Jewish History 1820: John Jacob Hays, the grandson of Solomon Hays, a member of the early Sephardic Jewish Community of New York, arrived today in Fort Wayne, where he began serving as an Indian agent for the Potawatomi and Miami tribes making him the first known Jew to settle in the Indiana city. Hays was known for his level-headedness, sobriety, and calmness.
Singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She won a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and a Drama Desk Award. Born October 5, 1974 in Trinidad the daughter of Hannah (Barbadian) and Eric Headley. In 1989, she moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in the United States at the age of fifteen with her mother and brother Iric when her father was offered a job as pastor of the McKee Street Church of God. She attended Northrop High School, and was a member of their show choir, Charisma, and starred as Fanny Brice in the school's production of Funny Girl. In 2003, Headley married Brian Musso, formerly of the New York Jets football team. Both attended Northwestern University. Their first child John David was born on December 1, 2009, and second son Jordan Chase August 18, 2014. Heather's brother, Iric is the director of the Fort Wayne United initiative. See Heather Headley.com. Heather Headley returns to Fort Wayne for Youtheatre fundraiser by Cindy Larson published October 22, 2014 in The News-Sentinel newspaper. Spotlight: Heather Headley, 'The Color Purple' on Broadway: The Northrop grad begins performances Tuesday night by Keiara Carr published May 9, 2016 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Hearn, Reggie
Snider High School basketball star with Northwestern University
Allen County Sheriff Officer Eryk Heck was shot and killed August 15, 1997 and another officer was shot and wounded while investigating a burglary in progress. He left his wife Deb, Taylor an 11 month old daughter, parents and seven sisters. State Road 3 between Interstate 69 north to the county line was dedicated the Eryk T. Heck Memorial Highway in his honor. See photo and memorial at Supporting Heroes web site.
26 years gone but never forgotten. As we honor and remember Officer Eryk Heck today, let us recommit ourselves to the ideals he embodied. Let us not forget his memory by working together to honor his unwavering service to the well-being of our community.
We offer our deepest condolences to Officer Heck's family. They, too, have sacrificed and shared their loved one with us in the service of the greater good. May his memory continue to inspire us all.
Was born April 15, 1918 in Marathon, Cortland County, New York and died March 23, 2014 in Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee.
Burial in Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA. He is found as Chas B Heffron in the World War II Prisoners of War, 1941-1945, database at FamilySearch and has a detailed obituary on his Find A Grave
Memorial ID 128535032about his 3 1/2 years in a World War II Japanese prison camp and weighing only 82 pounds when he returned to the United States. He recovered and eventually worked at Magnavox in Fort Wayne, earned 14 patents in electronics. He was a life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, and the DAV. His children and grandchildren graduated from Snider High School. His wife Eva and daughter Beth are buried in Lindenwood Cemetery.
Heilbroner, Louis Wilbur
"Louis Wilbur Heilbroner, Born in Ft Wayne, Indiana (July 4, 1861 – December 21, 1933), was a professional baseball secretary and business manager who managed the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1900 season." "Heilbroner was also a pioneer in baseball statistics. In 1909, he founded Heilbroner's Baseball Bureau Service, the first commercial statistical bureau dedicated to baseball, and began publishing the Baseball Blue Book." "In the middle of the season, Patsy Tebeau resigned as the Cardinals' manager. Team president Frank Robison publicly offered the job to the third baseman John McGraw, who declined despite his boss' insistence. Robinson then gave the manager title to Heilbroner, who was serving as his secretary and had no particular baseball qualifications. By many accounts, the diminutive Heilbroner (4'9 or 1,44m) never imposed his authority. McGraw was the de facto manager of the team and was candidly acknowledged by the team owners.After managing the last 50 games in 1900, Heilbroner was replaced by Patsy Donovan at the start of 1901. During his short stint as manager, Heilbroner led the Cardinals to 23 wins, 25 losses, and 2 ties. He remained with the team as a business manager until 1908 and later served a two-year term (1912–1914) as president of the Central League." He died in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on December 21, 1933." Louie Heilbroner on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. From an August 7, 2022 post by Indiana Jewish Historical Society on Facebook.
Second wife Mayla, first wife Gertrude died in 2010, five children: Colleen Peters and Dave of New Haven, Chuck of Toledo, Ohio, Stan of Angola, and Gwyn Mannion of Syracuse, N.Y. Their Thanksgiving 2013 family garthering of 60 members was featured in Brood of 60 gathers for dinner in thanks by Vivian Sade published November 28, 2013 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Heins, Courtney Leigh
A singer-songwriter and Fort Wayne native won best country song of the year at the International Music and Entertainment Association Awards November 2, 2013 in Ashland, Ky. From City native Heins wins song award published November 5, 2013 on The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Heiny, John
Our "Plat of the Week" is HEINY'S FIRST ADDITION. It is in Plat Book 12 page 43 in the Office of the Recorder of Allen...
Our "Plat of the Week" is HEINY'S FIRST ADDITION. It is in Plat Book 12 page 43 in the Office of the Recorder of Allen County. It was prepared by A.K. Hofer and recorded on August 4, 1926. It is on the corner of Cass and State, 1 block East of Wells.
Heiny, Nick
Nicholas L. Heiny, May 5, 1914 – January 18, 2011, Obituary of Nicholas L. Heiny, IN THE CARE OF Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home
Nicholas (Nick) Lawrence Heiny, 96, passed away Tuesday, January 18, 2011, after a brief illness. Nick was born May 5, 1914, in Ft. Wayne, IN, the eldest child of Stella and Lawrence E. Heiny. In his early years, he helped his father in the grocery business started by his grandfather. He graduated from South Side High School in 1932, at the peak of the Great Depression. He attended Anthony Wayne Business College, Ft. Wayne, and Gregg College Chicago, and was a Court Reporter for the 1934 Allen County Grand Jury. In 1935, he began a career with General Cable Corporation, New York, and rose to Chief Statistician. Prior to and during World War II, he managed General Cable’s wartime contracts, allocating scarce metals and vital materials to 8 manufacturing plants operating 24/7, and was the liaison to the War Production Board and other government agencies in Washington. The firm received notable achievement awards from all branches of the military. While at General Cable, Nick earned a B. S. degree in Commerce, Accounts and Finance from New York University, graduating in 1941. In 1943, at age 29, he was named to an executive Board of Directors, charged with planning for the company’s transition to a post-war economy.
Nick returned to Ft. Wayne in 1945 and took over management of the family gourmet food market with his brothers Joseph and Robert Heiny. He took pride in his business and knew most of his customers personally. With the grocery business as his second career, he settled down and married Dorothy Callahan in 1946. Nick and Dorothy raised nine children, and instilled in all the importance of education and faith. One of Nick’s greatest sources of pride was seeing all nine children earn college and post-graduate degrees.
Nick sold Heiny’s Grocery in 1981 to retire and began a third career as an energetic community volunteer. He was a certified volunteer IRS income tax preparer for AARP from 1983 to 2005; an alternate delegate to the White House Conference on Aging, an Older Hoosier Delegate to the Indiana State Assembly; a delegate to the National Silver Haired Congress at the Capitol; a member of the Mayor’s Senior Advisory Council, an active board member for Aging and In-Home Services of N.E. Indiana, the Allen County Council on Aging, the Council on Senior Services, the Allen County Genealogical society and other agencies. He received a Distinguished Alumni Award from South Side High School, was named an Allen County Older Hoosier of the Year, and was honored by the Allen County Council on Aging for his dedication to seniors of Allen County. He was a member of St. John The Baptist parish for 58 years, where he served as usher, member of the Parish Pastoral Council, and the parish finance committee. Nick loved gardening, traveling and genealogical research, and authored a number of books on his family history.
Survivors include, his wife of 64 years, Dorothy M., of Ft Wayne; children, Paul N. (Rose) Heiny, of Springboro, OH, Judith A. (Piotr) Heiny-Chomczynski, of Cincinnati, OH, Mary E. (Carl) Kowalski, of Long Beach, IN, Vincent J. (Ellen) Heiny, of Ft Wayne, Rosalie A. Jarvis, of Indianapolis, IN, Edward J. (Grace Han) Heiny, of Louisville, KY, Elizabeth A. Heiny-Cogswell, of Kalamazoo, MI, Martin J. (Debora) Heiny, of Ft. Wayne and Charles J. (Ann) Heiny, of Ft Wayne; 23 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; brother, Robert Heiny, of Ft Wayne and sister Victora Fahey, of Glenview, IL; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by siblings Joseph, Lawrence and Rosemary Heiny Bucklin, and great-grandchild Dominic Kowalski.
Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 am Monday, January 24, 2011 at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4500 Fairfield Ave. with calling 1 hr prior. Visitation is 1-3 and 5-7 pm Sunday at Klaehn, Fahl and Melton, Winchester Rd Chapel, 6424 Winchester Rd. with a Vigil service at 5 pm. Burial in Catholic Cemetery. Preferred memorials to Masses at St John's or St Mary's Soup Kitchen.
Local basketball star born in 1922 to Lawrence and Stella Loos Heiny. A World War II veteran, and a father of three, who started working in the Heiny Grocery Store bagging potatoes at age 5 years old. See his story including family photos in the video above from After 95 years, there is only one thing he would change by Brett Thomas posted November 09, 2017 on CBS WANE-TV NewsChannel 15 earned the the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for Feature Reporting in the Small Market Television division of the Radio Television Digital News Association. See Feature on vet's 'hall of fame' life wins national award by WANE Staff Reports June 18, 2018.
21 years, 1991-2012, as executive director of Vincent Village serving homeless families is covered in Rest after building Village by Rosa Salter Rodriguez of The Journal Gazette newspaper January 3, 2013.
Helmke, Mark
1951 to November 1, 2014, a North Side High School graduate, brother of three time mayor Paul Helmke of Fort Wayne, son of Walter P. Helmke, worked for Senator Lugar on and off between 1981 and 2012, Ex-Lugar aide Mark Helmke dies by Brian Francisco published November 2, 2014 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Allen County prosecutor, state senator and father of former Mayor Paul Helmke. Born in Fort Wayne on Dec. 28, 1927, he was a graduate of North Side High School, and died January 20, 2016. He was survived by children Paul (Deborah) Helmke of Fort Wayne and Bloomington, and Marsha Shirk of Oriental, N.C.; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and and one sister, Carolyn Helmke Stoltz. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Rowene, who died Dec. 24, 2015, and son Mark, a former News-Sentinel reporter and aide to Sen. Richard Lugar, who died in November. 2014. For more read Walter P. Helmke, former prosecutor and state senator, dies at 88 by News-Sentinel staff published January 21, 2016 in The News-Sentinel newspaper. See his Walter Helmke page on Helmke Bems Attorneys at Law. See also Leadership icons Schmidt, Helmke set public service example Editorial published January 23, 2016 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Henney, Jane Ellen
Born 1947 in Woodburn. Shown here in the Oval Office of the White House in 1998 with President Bill Clinton, Henney was the fist woman to serves as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as appointed by Clinton. A native of Woodburn, Henney attended Manchester University, Indiana University and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She served with the FDA from 1992-1994 and then from 1998-2001. In 2003, she was named the University of Cincinnati's senior vice president and provost for health affairs. Copied from FORT WAYNE FIVE: Important medical figures published with photo April 9, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper. Jane E. Henney, M.D. 1/17/1999 - 1/19/2001 at U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Jane E. Henney on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry has died, his office announced Thursday evening shortly before 9 p.m. He was 72.
Earlier Thursday, the mayor's family announced that Henry was under the care of hospice nurses after experiencing a medical emergency related to his stomach cancer diagnosis.
The Honorable Thomas C. Henry, Mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, 72, passed away at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne on Thursday, March 28, 2024, surrounded by his large and loving family. The “People’s Mayor,” Tom was first elected to the seat in January of 2008, an office he held for more than16 years. Tom also served on Fort Wayne’s City Council from 1983-2003.
Born on November 8, 1951 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Tom was the second child of Jerome F. and Marganelle (Applegate) Henry. He was a 1970 graduate of Central Catholic High School and received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne. Stationed in Africa, Tom proudly served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1973. He served in the US Army Reserves until 1977.
As Mayor, Tom’s accomplishments are too numerous to fully detail. He was proud of each project that moved Fort Wayne forward. His vision shaped the skyline, the waterways and the neighborhoods that make Fort Wayne a truly livable city. Most notable are the completion of Harrison Square, the Ash Skyline Plaza, the Dr. Martin Luther King Bridge, the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, the trail system, and of course, the Riverfront Development, which led to the creation of Promenade Park, the second phase of which is underway.
Tom was a statesman. He was best known for his diplomacy, his willingness to work across any aisle, and for his team building – all of which resulted in the Fort Wayne we know and love today.
Of his many achievements, his greatest reward was in the life he built with his wife, Cindy (Kocks), whom he wed on June 21, 1975. Together, they raised their son, Benjamin Jerome, and daughter, Elizabeth Anne. Theirs was an extraordinary love, and where Cindy was, Tom was never far behind. It is somehow fitting then that Cindy preceded Tom in death on January 20, 2024.
A true visionary and lifelong public servant, Tom lived by the tenets of the Westpoint maxim: Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.
We believe he would ask us to best honor him by living the same way. Tom was preceded in death by his cherished wife Cindy, his parents, Jerome and Marganelle, and his brother, Timothy. Surviving are his children, Benjamin J. Henry and Elizabeth A. Guevara; grandchildren, Anastasia and Nikolas Henry and Alexandria and Angelina Guevara; brothers, Jerome F. Henry, Jr. (Becky), Anthony (Susan), Erik (Courtney Tritch), Matthew (Anne), Martin (Vicki), Kurt (Teresa), Karl, Louis (Brenda), and Christopher (Carolyn); sisters, Paula (Bill) Bentley, Andrea (Ramon) Navarro, Denise (Bill) Wenzel, Sonya Witte (Dave Herport) Lisa (Mark) Canada, and Jessica (Nate) Henry-Johnson; mother-in-law, Martha M. Kocks-Hamrick; siblings-in-law, Kevin, Barry, Scott (Amy), and Mark Kocks and Angela Kocks-Schmidt; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; a devoted staff of both city and campaign workers (including his beloved nephew, Adam Henry) and an entire community of colleagues and citizens, in whom he believed with all his heart.
The family asks that, despite our collective broken heart, we all carry forth the work begun by Tom. He laid a foundation on which we will continue to build the City of Fort Wayne. May we all be inspired by his legacy of treating others with dignity and respect. For that is what made Tom so special.
The Mass of Christian Resurrection will be celebrated Friday, April 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1105 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 with visitation from 9:00- 10:00 a.m.in the church. Visitation is also from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the Allen County Courthouse. Interment in Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements through Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir (fwcchoir.org) or by mail to 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. Ft. Wayne, IN 46805 or Humane Fort Wayne (humanefw.org) or by mail to 4914 S. Hanna St., Fort Wayne, IN 46806.
Cindy Henry, the wife of Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and former owner of The Green Frog Inn, has died after living with pancreatic cancer for more than a year. She was 67.
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” (Thomas Campbell, Hallowed Ground) Blessing to all whose lives Cindy has touched & embraced as her spirit guides you along your journey.
And many thanks to Gregg Bender for this loving tribute.
Cindy S. Henry, 67, of Fort Wayne, passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born on June 4, 1956 in Fort Wayne to Clifford O. and Martha M. (Rearick) Kocks.
Cindy was a 1974 graduate of Heritage High School and attended the International Business College.
On June 21, 1975, she married the love of her life, Thomas C. Henry, and together they raised two beautiful children, Benjamin Jerome and Elizabeth Anne.
Cindy was the beloved owner and operator of the Green Frog Inn for many years. There, she never knew a stranger and had a remarkable way of making every patron feel at home.
She was a member of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, past member of the Embassy Theatre board, the Civic Theatre board, and the ABWA (American Business Women’s Association). Cindy was active in the Democratic Party, serving as Vice chair of the Allen County Democratic Party; the Fourth District Democrats; the Indiana Democratic State Central Committee; and the Democratic National Committee.
Additionally, throughout her life, she was tirelessly committed to numerous causes for which she cheerfully and successfully raised funds.
Cindy will forever be remembered for her joyfulness, her style, her beauty, and her warmth. She lived and loved fully and fearlessly, taking great care to treat everyone she met with dignity and respect. She had a deep faith in God and embodied grace and strength all the days of her life.
She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Thomas C. Henry; children, Benjamin J. Henry and Elizabeth A. Guevara; mother, Martha M. Kocks-Hamrick; grandchildren, Anastasia, Nikolas, Alexandria, and Angelina; and siblings, Kevin Kocks, Barry Kocks, Scott (Amy) Kocks, Mark Kocks, Angela Kocks-Schmidt, Jeff (Yvonne) Hamrick, and Jason (Stefani) Hamrick.
Cindy was preceded in death by her father, Clifford O. Kocks. Mass of Christian Resurrection will be Friday, January 26, 2024 at 11:00am at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 1515 Barthold Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808 with visitation from 10-11am. Visitation is also from 1-3pm and 7-9pm Wednesday, January 24 and Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. Burial in Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Healthier Moms and Babies or Cancer Services.
Share fond memories and condolences at DivineMercyFuneralHome.com
We feel it’s time to announce this. We will carry flags across the finish line of the Fort4Fitness Fall Festival on 9/28/24 in memory of TOM HENRY - US Army, Mayor of Fort Wayne and CINDY HENRY - mother of 2, grandmother of 4
Herman, Mark
Fort Wayne native and nationally known theatre organist played the inaugural program on the recently restored Wurlitzer-composite theatre organ in Wagenhals Hall at Trinity English Lutheran Church in 2014. Copied from Restoration project ends in debut of theatre organ by Garth Snow published June 25, 2014 on INFortWayne.com.
Hey, Byard By Dwight
Age 91, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2019. Born in 1928, he was a son of the late Minnie and Truman Hey. A native of Fort Wayne and graduate of Concordia Lutheran High School, where he played on the basketball team, as he did at Indiana University where he was also a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. In 1952 he married his Concordia classmate, Elfriede (Fritzie) Friedrich, and together they had four children: Heidi, Tina, Byard Jr., and Karla. He was basketball coach for 31 years at North Side High School, going to the state finals in 1965, and winning over 550 games. He was selected into the Indiana High School Athletic Association Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. North Side honored him by naming its new gymnasium the By Hey Arena. Information coped from his December 17, 2019 Fort Wayne Newspapers Legacy.com obituaryand By Hey's death recalls passing era by Ben Smith published December 17, 2019 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Henry Hilbrecht Jr. was born about 1850 to Henry Hilbrecht Sr. and Sopie Muesing. His parents hailed from Prussia and his father supported the family working as a blacksmith in Fort Wayne.
Henry began his career as a laborer in a shop and around 1873, he became a firefighter. He was married to Christina Dreibelbiss in 1876 and they had three children together: Robert, Clara, and Florence. Robert died as an infant and Clara passed away at the age of 18 in 1901.
Henry began his firefighting career as a horse drive in 1873 and quickly moved up the ranks. By 1882, he was named Fire Chief and remained in this role for over 40 years!
As the Fort Wayne Sentinel reported, “after once getting a taste of a fireman’s life, he could not desert the avocation and his ability as a firefighter and as a director or men soon became apparent. His administration of the business affairs of the department has been equally as successful as his work in saving property and lives and he has combined all the qualities to make an efficient chief”.
His wife, Christina died at the age of 48 in April 1903 of cancer. Her obituary described her disposition as “kindly, cheery, and helpful” and that she was “very widely known and universally esteemed”.
Henry Hilbrecht died March 16, 1925 of liver cancer. He is buried at Lindenwood Cemetery in Fort Wayne.
Copied from a January 13, 2023 post by the Genealogy Center on Facebook where each Friday in January it’s #FirefighterFriday where they will be featuring photos and historical bios from their firefighter collection (Collection courtesy of Donald A. Weber).
They included photos: (1903, April 27). Wife of Fire Chief Succumbs to Cancer. The Fort Wayne Sentinel, p. 8. (1906, February 4). A Tale of Sixty Years of Firefighting. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, p. 11.
Fort Wayne has a long tradition of producing talented voices and Addison Agen is our community’s latest great vocalist! Today we remember the lead vocalists of two famed 20th century musical groups with local roots.
Joe Taylor and the Redbirds: At the age of 15, Joe Taylor moved to Fort Wayne in 1936 and by 1948 had formed Joe Taylor and his Indiana Redbirds. The Redbirds performed throughout the country from 1948 until their retirement in 1998.
Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers: Sam & Nancy DeVincent moved to Fort Wayne in 1945. In that year, Sam became the music director of WOWO and the couple founded Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers. The Hilltoppers performed weekly on WOWO News/Talk 1190 AM & 107.5 FM's popular “Little Red Barn” program from 1945 until 1994. #sociallyhistory
Sam DeVincent was born January 8, 1918, and lived primarily in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He collected sheet music and related materials during most of his lifetime. His interest included both the music and the cover art. Because he had little money to support his collecting, DeVincent gathered most of his material through careful searches and travel.
DeVincent and his wife used the music he collected in their musical group, Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers. The group performed regularly on radio station WOWO in Fort Wayne, Indiana, from 1945 to 1955. After 1955 (and the emergence of rock and roll), Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers played weekly on the radio station. At this time, DeVincent worked as an all-night disc jockey at WOWO. In 1960 he became music director and music librarian at the station. His position as music librarian helped him to add to his collection.
DeVincent retired from WOWO in 1983. He and his wife continued to perform publicly including their weekly radio show on WOWO. The National Museum of American History acquired the DeVincent collection in the spring of 1988. Sam DeVincent passed away November 29, 1997. Posted December 12, 2011 on the original Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana page on Facebook.
87, of Fort Wayne, owner/operator of Music Manor on Fairfield since 1959, died Friday, Feb. 1, 2002, at Hospice Home of Northeast Indiana. The Bremen native was founder/musician of Shorty Cook and The Downhomers. Surviving are his wife, Millie; a daughter, Karen Persen of Palm Springs, Calif.; stepdaughters Marilyn Daffron and Karen Sciriha, both of Taylor, Mich., and Barbara Jeffery of Fort Wayne; a son, Larry of Texarkana, Ark.; stepsons Robert Kirtley. See UC Santa Barbara LibraryDigital Collections for a sample album. A member of the Down Homers in 1946 along with Bill Haley. Cook later co-wrote "Four Leaf Clover Blues", which was one of Haley's first recordings with the Four Aces of Western Swing. Cook worked at a music store in Fort Wayne, Indiana until his death in 2001. From Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Photos posted January 9, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
Hines, Sheldon
In 1942 & 1943, a Lincoln photographer serving in the US Navy, developed a method for producing 3-D photos that allowed fighter pilots to look at the terrain they would fly over prior to an air raid, from an April 10, 2011 90 Fun Facts from The History Center on Facebook.
Hisner, Harley Parnell
88, born November 6, 1926, a son of Nelson and Edna Hisner, near the small town of Maples, died March 20, 2015, wife of 65 years Anna B. Cain died in 2013. 1976 inductee into the Northeast Indiana Baseball Association's Hall of Fame, a board member for 12 years and in 2010 received the Colin Lister Award, the Monroeville native gave up Joe DiMaggio's last regular-season hit from Local baseball legend Parnell Hisner diesby Blake Sebring published March 21, 2015 in The Journal Gazette newspaper. Surviving were his daughters, Deborah A. (Gary) Spry of Monroeville and Beverly J. Hoffman of Hoagland; son, Randy P. (Cheryl) Hisner of Decatur; eight grandchildren, Angela Spry, Joshua (Jennifer) Gibson, Trisha Spry, Erik (Jessica) Hisner, Ashley (Brian) Brames, Ryan Hisner, Shane Hisner and Gavin Hisner; and seven great-grandchildren, Lily Brames, Taylor Davis-Gibson, Emmett Gibson, Kaydence Thompson, Blakeley Hisner, Evelyn Gibson, and Brayden Hisner. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna; three grandchildren, Adam Gibson in 1995, John Gibson in infancy, and Jennifer Spry in infancy; sister, Marvine; and three brothers, Rowland, Gerald, and Gordon. from his DecaturDaily Democrat obituary or Fort Wayne Newspapers March 22, 2015 obituary.
Bottom of page 476 of The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River by Griswold, B. J. (Bert Joseph), 1873-1927; Taylor, Samuel R., Mrs, Publication date 1917 on Archive.org.
Activities of 1865 - Royal Baking Powder, one of the most widely known products for household use, had its beginning in Fort Wayne in 1865, when Joseph C. Hoagland, druggist, compounded a combination of chemicals to meet the needs of the housewife. Samples of the powder, distributed to the homes of Fort Wayne, were found to meet with popular favor. Mr. Hoagland later removed to New York and entered upon the manufacture and sale of the article. In 1893 he declined an offer of $12,000,000 for his holdings. Later a syndicate of which William Ziegler was the head purchased the business. Thomas M. Biddle and Cornelius N. Hoagland were associates of Mr. Hoagland in the beginning of the manufacture of the product in Fort Wayne. . . .
His great great great granddaughter is Clare Balding, the BBC TV presenter, journalist and jockey. Joseph C. Hoagland at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
The Royal Baking Powder Company was one of the largest producers of baking powder in the US. History. It was started by brothers Joseph Christoffel Hoagland and Cornelius Nevius Hoagland in 1866, It later came under the ownership of William Ziegler, and then his adopted son, William Ziegler Jr. In 1929, the Royal Baking Powder Co., along with four other companies including the Fleischmann's Yeast Company, merged to form Standard Brands, the number-two brand of packaged foods in America after General Foods. Through a further merger, Standard Brands itself became part of Nabisco in 1981. In 2012, Nabisco is a subsidiary of Mondelez International. Copied from Royal Baking Powder Company at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Hoagland starts around 32:30, 42:00 discusses baking powder, 44:11 shows Fort Wayne City Directory BIDDLE & HOAGLAND Royal Baking Powder, in Clare Balding Explores Her Family Secrets In America May 9, 2024 on YouTube.
Sports presenter and broadcaster Clare Balding has always been curious about her maternal great-grandfather and the 'thing that has been sort of whispered in the family - could he have been gay?' Getting to the truth of the matter is a challenge when all the evidence comes from a time when homosexuality was illegal.
Digging into her father's side of the family takes Clare to New Jersey and New York, where she uncovers an extraordinary dynasty and American roots stretching back generations.
Comment about the video was posted May 12, 2024 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook: I recently watched an episode of the show Who Do You Think You Are with Clare Balding, a British broadcast journalist. At about 40 minutes into the show, it included information on one of her great grandfather, Joseph Hoagland. He is the man who invented baking powder in Fort Wayne and then moved to New York to manufacture it.
As shown below the Hoagland discussion begins around 32:55 minutes. Around 44.12 it mentions Biddle & Hoagland Fort Wayne, Indiana and Royal Baking Powder from an Allen County Gazetteer shown below.
Screenshot of BIDDLE & HOAGLAND wholesale and retal druggists Royal Baking Soda 109, 111 and 113 Columbia, corner of Calhoun Street.
Page 50 of the 1868-1869 Fort Wayne, Indiana, city directory by R.L. Polk & Co. cn shows an advertisement for Royal Baking Powder by BIDDLE & BRANDIFF CASH DRUGGIST. A March 25, 1904 newspaper article titled Zeigler Began with Hoaglands said William Ziegler went in the baking powder business way back in 1868 with the Hoaglands, a firm of druggists at Fort Wayne, Ind.
Hoagland School in 1946, when it was almost 50 years old. The school was named for Pliny Hoagland, a pioneer businessman and construction engineer for the Wabash and Erie Canal. #TBT
Hoagland School in 1946, when it was almost 50 years old. The school was named for Pliny Hoagland, a pioneer businessman and construction engineer for the Wabash and Erie Canal. #TBT
An eminent civil engineer of early 20th century Fort Wayne. He was born October 23, 1888 in Fort Wayne. His father Theodore Hofer was born in Bavaria, Germany and came to this country in 1880 where he married Catherine Schug. Adolf attended the Bloomingdale School in what was known as the German Room. He later went to Central High School. Adolf with his photo was one of about 230 people featured in Bert J. Griswold's 1926 book "Builders of Greater Fort Wayne". A.K. was 38 years old at the time, and would leave his mark on Fort Wayne for another 42 years!
My dad gave this map of Fort Wayne to my grandfather in 1963 with some of his subdivisions highlighted marking 50 years since he graduated as a Civil Engineer from Purdue in 1913.
About a year ago, Mr. Marvin Thayer of Yuma, Arizona inquired if Hofer Avenue had any ties to the "surveying" Hofers. In...
About a year ago, Mr. Marvin Thayer of Yuma, Arizona inquired if Hofer Avenue had any ties to the "surveying" Hofers. In case you missed our answer, we feature Lincoln Court Addition as our Plat of the Week! Lincoln Court Addition is found in Plat Book 9 page 8 in the Office of the Recorder of Allen County as prepared by A.K. Hofer on November 26, 1919. It was prepared for Theobald Hofer, A.K. Hofer's father, who immigrated from Zweibrucken, Germany. It is located on Goshen Road (Lincoln Highway - plat) just East of Sherman. The original Hofer Homestead can still be seen on Lot 1.
Our friend Craig Leonard gave us this article from the Journal Gazette from May 18, 1919. We have a picture in the Wall of Fame with A.K. and Mr. Larimore in those offices at the Bass Block. Thank you Craig! Stop by one of these days and we will give you the full tour! Now there is a "Throwback Thursday" on Friday!
For "Throwback Thursday" we present this 1967 photo taken at the old office at 414 Utility Building of A.K. Hofer on the left and Carl A. Hofer on the right.
Shared December 1, 2022:
I don’t know why the post says 1967, the map is the 1963 edition. My father on the right presented my grandfather on the left with this map stating “CONGRATULATIONS A.K. FOR THE FIRST “50” SOME PRODUCTION”.
My grandfather graduated from Purdue in 1913 and Dad highlighted his larger plats.
The picture is hard to read, but I still have it. Some of the plats signed by my grandfather include
HIDDEN VALLEYS,
SUNNYBROOK ACRES,
KIRKWOOD PARK,
BRENTWOOD PARK,
FOREST HILL,
KENSINGTON PARK,
SOUTH KENSINGTON PARK,
HOFERS FIRST,
NORTH HIGHLANDS,
TOWER HEIGHTS,
INDIAN VILLAGE,
SOUTHWOOD PARK,
HARRISON HILL,
WOODHURST,
LINCOLNSHIRE,
LIBERTY GARDENS,
WAYNEDALE GARDENS,
and many more.
For "Throwback Thursday" we reshare this from our FACEBOOK infancy in 2010. This is company founder, A.K. Hofer, who was one of about 230 people featured in Bert J. Griswold's 1926 book "Builders of Greater Fort Wayne". A.K. was 38 years old at the time, and would leave his mark on Fort Wayne for another 42 years! We certainly have had some big shoes to fill, along with our fathers, Carl A. Hofer and William S. Davis. Posted June 22, 2010 and shared again June 24, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
In 2015 our family owned business was honored by The State of Indiana and Governor Michael Pence of serving citizens for 100 years before being sold in 2018.
If a business is to last 100 years it has to endure The Great Depression and many recessions. Adam Center Landfill was no joy to work at, but it keeps the doors open in the recession of the early 80’s.
It's Wall of Fame Wednesday Folks! Check out this 8" x 10" glossy photo from The Journal-Gazette article on the Adams...
It's Wall of Fame Wednesday Folks! Check out this 8" x 10" glossy photo from The Journal-Gazette article on the Adams Center Landfill in 1984 of Hofer and Davis! While employed by our fathers at that time, we visited the landfill once a month to measure the amout of waste put into a pit to determine when it would be full.
Hogestyn, Drake
Born September 29, 1953 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he graduated from North Side High School. From Drake Hogestyn on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Portrayed John Black since 1986 on the NBC daytime show “Days of Our Lives” star discusses his workout routines in Actor, city native keeps moving by Kimberly Dupps Truesdell published January 6, 2014 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
One of my favorite childhood memories is walking along the St. Joe River with my dad to Johnny Appleseed Park to play a little one-on-one baseball...because it was spring and it was the first ball of the season and I had my dad all to myself.
Actor Drake Hogestyn, known for his role as John Black on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” has died following a battle with cancer, his family announced on Saturday. He was 70 years old.
Actor Drake Hogestyn, known for his role as John Black on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” has died following a battle with cancer, his family announced on Saturday. He was 70 years old.
RIP Fort Wayne North Side grad Drake Hogestyn (1953-2024).
Known for his role in Days of Our Lives, also played 2 years in the Yankees minor league system as well as this game against the Colorado Silver Bullets as a member of the Hollywood Stars celebrity team in 1995. pic.twitter.com/TU6z0Npjag
RIP Fort Wayne North Side grad Drake Hogestyn (1953-2024).
Known for his role in Days of Our Lives, also played 2 years in the Yankees minor league system as well as this game against the Colorado Silver Bullets as a member of the Hollywood Stars celebrity team in 1995.
Holden Hunter Shuler Long, Eva Nellie
Born July 17, 1873 in Findlay, Ohio to Pearson B. & Flora A. (Barnhill) Holden. See Hunter Shuler Long Holden.
Born in Indiana Terrritory, daughter of one of the first members of Indiana’s Supreme Court. She married Allen Hamilton when she was 17 and they moved to Fort Wayne where Allen became Allen County’s first sheriff. Emerine had 11 children and two of her granddaughters, Edith and Alice Hamilton, would become famous for their work. Personal friends with Susan B. Anthony, she used to stay at the ‘Old House’ (the Hamilton home that stood where Central High School was later built) when her travels brought them to Fort Wayne. Learn more in The Extraordinary Hamilton Family. Read more In Celebration of Women's History Month: Fort Wayne Women by Nancy McCammon-Hansen published March 11, 2014 in the History Center Notes & Queries blog.
In the spring of 1838, Jesse Hoover died unexpectedly at age 28. His energy and devotion helped shape the foundation of the Fort Wayne Lutheran community. Jesse Hoover and St. Paul’s Lutheran May 28, 2013 by Carmen Doyle on the History Center Notes & Queries blog.
George Hopple, b 1-24-1791 PA, d 12-6-1871 Allen Co., IN, m Margaret, b 7-8-1790 KY, d 7-24-1869. The Hopples moved from Allen Co to Adams Co, before 1839, when they sold some land to their dau and her husband, Hugh & Sarah O'Hara.. See Hopple Family. Back to top
Few transplants to Fort Wayne have had careers has varied as Horton, 65, who moved to the city in 1970 from Erie, Pa., to be deputy director of the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission. He later worked for Fort Wayne Community Schools as director of human development in the wake of desegregation. An active tennis player and coach, he served stints as tennis coach at Saint Francis College and IPFW’s men’s and women’s teams. Read the rest of the story Where are they now? Success follows former area newsmakers to their new locales Editorial page staff of The Journal Gazette January 6, 2013.
Hosey, William J.
20th mayor, and four-term mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana succeeded in his final term by Harry W. Baals. c. 1909 Born May 5, 1854, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana to Michael and Jean Frayne Hosey, immigrated to the United States from County Wexford in Ireland. Died September 10, 1937 Fort Wayne. Between 1905 and 1934 he served four non-consecutive terms of office. Hosey Dam on the Maumee River is one lasting reminder. His January 6, 1914 family photo in The Journal Gazette newspaper posted February 27, 2017 on the original Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana page on Facebook. Mayor William Hosey championed the elevation of the railroad beds through the city when he took office in 1909, arguing that the trains snarled traffic and impeded growth. While he succeeded in fashioning a plan for the Pennsylvania and Wabash railroads to raise their track beds - as shown here in 1911 near the Weber Hotel at 1601 S. Calhoun Street - the city would not realize a midtown elevation until the 1950s. quote from Scott M. Bushnell, Historic Photos of Fort Wayne, Turner Publishing Company, 2007 posted with photo December 25, 2022 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook. William J Hosey Section C, Lot 307 in the Catholic Cemetery at Find A Grave. William J. Hosey on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
February is Black History Month - each Friday this month, we will be featuring stories to recognize and highlight Fort Wayne's African American heritage.
Today, we are featuring Margaret Howell.
Margaret (Palmer) Walker was born in 1902 and came to Fort Wayne in 1920 from Atlanta, GA.
Margaret came with her husband, Fred Walker and their children. Mr. Walker later passed away.
Margaret quickly became involved in her new community. She was a member of the Union Baptist Church, taught Sunday School, and was active in the Pastor’s Aid Society. Margaret also held several positions over the years. She worked part-time for Dr. Adams, a physician with a practice on Calhoun St. and later she worked at the Kindler Hotel as a private maid to the owner. In 1924, she began working for the Republican Party, distributing election materials and later worked at party headquarters, recruiting members and showing people how to operate voting machines. Later, she was hired at the Wayne Pump and worked there until 1949.
Thirman Howell and Margaret Walker were united in marriage on April 13, 1946.
At this time, discrimination was still quite prevalent as African Americans did not have equal access to restaurants, hotels, or a number of other facilities. Mr. and Mrs. Howell decided to open a hotel to provide access to lodging for African Americans. Opened in the late 1940s at Hanna and Wallace Streets, the Howell Hotel was the first recognized African American hotel in Fort Wayne. The hotel operated until 1966.
After the hotel’s closure, both Mr. and Mrs. Howell remained active in the community. Thirman worked for a detective agency and later opened his own upholstery business. He also served within the Turner Chapel AME Church. Margaret served for 18 years on the board of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, as vice chairman of the Republican Committee and was a member of the Margaret Howell Club which was named in her honor. In addition to this, she was involved with several other local organizations.
Thirman died in 1989 and Margaret followed him in death a year later in 1990. They are buried together at the Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne.
African/African-American Historical Museum. (2005). Miscellaneous biographical articles about African Americans in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Civil War Union Soldier. He was the youngest Civil War soldier to serve the longest amount of time in the Union army. He enlisted, at the age of 9, on May 7, 1861 as a drummer in the 12th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He later re-enlisted for three more years. At the end of his service young Tommy was not yet 14 years old. Although his Find-A-Grave Memorial says he was born in Warsaw,
Kosciusko County, The Recollections of a Drummer-Boy by Harry M Kieffer, 1881 shown below say he was born in Fort Wayne and moved to Warsaw when he was two years old.
Hunt, Diann - local author, 58, died November 29, 2013 after several years of trying to beat cancer. She wrote approximately 25 books, mostly romantic comedies. Hunt's book For Better or For Worse was published in January 2008. She was contacted by a film producer in spring 2013 and the movie premiered July 19, 2014. Read more in Local premiere party celebrates late local author's book being made into Hallmark Channel TV movie by Kevin Kilbane published July 16, 2014 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Humbarger, Judy
In the 1960s and 1970s, swimmer Judy Humbarger put Fort Wayne on the map as she broke record after record, winning city...
In the 1960s and 1970s, swimmer Judy Humbarger put Fort Wayne on the map as she broke record after record, winning city titles, then national ones and then competing in the Olympics. She grew up at 3410 Portage Blvd. in Wildwood Park.
Judith K. "Judy" (Humbarger) Babis, 73, of Seminole, FL, passed away on April 1, 2024, at her home. Judy was born in Ft. Wayne on Sept. 20, 1950. She graduated from Indiana University and Ball State University. Judy was an exceptional person in everything she did or was involved in. It didn't matter if it was for fun or for work-she excelled in everything. Judy was a very friendly and social person with a heart of gold. She was everyone's best friend and always made you feel at home. Judy loved to cook and entertain just like her mother did. Judy's accomplishments were far and wide but her best accomplishments were in swimming. She was part mermaid in the pool at a young age. Judy was a member of the U.S. National Swim Team and the U.S. Olympic Swim Team. She traveled all over the world, competing in Russia, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland and more. She acquired a multitude of first place ribbons and other awards from all over the world during her competition in national and international swim meets. Most significant, are her five first place U.S. National Records set by Judy in 1966 and that the City of Ft. Wayne awarded her the "Citation of Honor" for outstanding athletic achievement. Judy was inducted into the 1975 International Women's Athletic Hall of Fame. Judy was one of a kind and everybody loved her. She was her husband's best friend and the love of her life. Her passing will be felt by many people for a long time.
In addition to her husband, Barton "Bart" Babis, Judy is survived by her sisters, Vicki McBride and Valerie Brabbs, and other family members and close friends. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Donna Humbarger. Per Judy's wishes, there will be no services. She has chosen to donate her body to medical science.
