VIDEO: On Saturday night Andrew Saalfrank became the first player born in Allen County to *pitch* in the World Series! Glenn Marini caught up with the Heritage High School grad ahead of game three tonight as the Diamondbacks host the Rangers.
After pitching tonight, Heritage grad Andrew Saalfrank has now appeared in three of four World Series games for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Not bad considering the Hoagland native just made his Major League debut on September 5.
Sagamore of the Wabash Award
The Sagamore of the Wabash award was created during the term of Governor Ralph Gates, who served from 1945 to 1949. Governor Gates was to attend a tristate meeting in Louisville with officials from the states of Ohio and Kentucky. Aides to the governor discovered that the governor of Kentucky was preparing a Kentucky Colonel certificates for Governor Gates and Senator Robert A. Taft, who to represent the State of Ohio. The Hoosiers decided that Indiana should have an appropriate award to present in return.
The term “sagamore” was used by the American Indian Tribes of the northeastern United States to describe a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe to whom the true chief would look for wisdom and advice.
Each governor since Gates has presented the certificates in their own way. It has been said that one governor even resorted to wearing full Indian headdress as he read the scrolls. The award is highest honor, which the Governor of Indiana bestows. It is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor. Among these who have received Sagamores have been astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians, and ordinary citizens who have contributed greatly to our Hoosier heritage.
It should be noted that the Sagamores have been conferred upon both men and women. There is no record of the total number which have been presented, as each governor has kept his own roll; just as each reserved the right to personally select the receipients. Copied from Sagamore of the Wabash Award at IN.gov and Sagamore of the Wabash at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
News director of WOWO radio during January 25, 1978 blizzard, twice-weekly call in sports show in 1977 with Ron Gregory. "Later, after leaving WOWO, he reprised the show in Auburn before returning to WOWO in November 1985." With Dean Pantazzi "Sports Talk was must-listening for sports fans in the tristate area. Because of WOWO’s 50,000-watt signal, sports fans across the eastern U.S. and Canada were grafted into the WOWO sports community." from Web letter by Bill Griggs: Saltsberg deserves a salute for his accomplishments, too published November 5, 2012 and After 25 years as an on-air personality at WOWO Radio, Art Saltsberg was among those chosen to be inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame on April 7, 2019. Saltsberg calls Hall of Fame honor overwhelming by Charlotte Stefanski published February 18, 2019 in The Journal Gazette newspaper. WOWO mainstay Saltsberg retiring by Ben Smith published March 21, 2020 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Sassmannshausen, Walter B. “Skip” Jr.
He was born in St. Anne’s Hospital, Chicago, Illinois on November 10, 1941 to Walter and Ethel (Boseck) Sassmannshausen. He died September 24, 2022 at the Towne House. He was a founding member of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society
Earlier this month, local railroad historian and one of our founding members, Walter "Skip" Sassmannshausen passed away. In the early 1970s, Skip originally gained the City of Fort Wayne's permission to access the steam locomotive display at Lawton Park and labored with a four-inch brush over many hours to repaint the locomotive. In later years, Skip started the Three Rivers Railroad Heritage Council to chronicle local railroad history beyond the steam locomotive and served on the advisory team that helped restore Fort Wayne's Baker Street Station. Skip was a mentor, coach, photographer, painter, and published author. To many in the local rail preservation scene, he was a mentor and a friend who generously shared his knowledge and passion. Read more on Skip's life here: https://www.legacy.com/.../walter-sassmannshausen...
He was born July 18, 1950 in Fort Wayne, to Edward and Irma (Fahling) Souder.
Mark grew up in Grabill, the area where his great-great grandfather settled in 1848. He graduated from Leo HS (1968), Indiana University at Fort Wayne (1972) and the Graduate School of Business at Notre Dame (1974). He also received honorary doctorates from Tri-State University, the Indiana Institute of Technology and the University of St. Francis.
Mark married Diane Zimmer of South Bend at the Bremen Apostolic Christian Church on July 28, 1974. Their first home was in Edina, Minnesota where Mark had taken a job as the marketing manager for Gabberts Furniture.
In 1976, he returned to his family business. Upon his return, he was recruited by Dan Quayle and played a key role in his upset victory for Congress that year.
In 1980, he assisted Dan Coats in succeeding Quayle in Congress.
After Mark's father died in 1981 and the furniture store closed in 1983, the Souder family moved to Washington for him to serve as the Republican Staff Director on the House Committee on Children, Youth and Families.
In 1988, Souder switched to the Senate with Coats, serving as his legislative director until mid-1993 when he moved back to Indiana.
Souder was hired by Thom Blake as Vice-President of Manufacturing of Our Country Home of Grabill.
Emmanuel Community Church has been their family church since 1993.
In the fall of 1994, Souder was elected to Congress. He was elected to seven more terms, becoming the second-longest serving congressman in history representing the Fort Wayne region.
Souder focused heavily on fighting for the core industrial jobs of the region as well as local interests such as saving the Veteran's Hospital and the Air Base.
He served on three committees and seven subcommittees each term.
He was the point person in the House on illegal narcotics, and co-founded the bi-partisan National Parks Caucus.
A major accomplishment was introducing and passing the National Lighthouse Preservation Program, which had the National Park Service manage the transfer of hundreds of lighthouses from the Coast Guard to non-profit organizations to preserve access to the public.
After Congress, he wrote regularly for Howey Politics Indiana, as well as in national books and publications on baseball and politics. His last book project was co-authoring Television in Fort Wayne, 1953-2018.
Mark was passionate about his Lord, family, and country. He was a veracious reader of the Bible, history, politics, and sports.
He adored his grandchildren and spent countless hours sharing experiences with them while teaching valuable life lessons.
For being such a strong and courageous leader, he had a very kind and generous heart. When he crossed the state line, every time he would sing the song, "Back Home Again in Indiana".
Souder is survived by his wife and best friend of 48 years, Diane and children, Brooke (Jeff) Lyons of Fort Wayne, Nathan (Sarah) Souder of Grand Junction, Colorado and Zach Souder of Albuquerque, New Mexico as well as grandchildren, Grant Lyons, Reagan Lyons, Elias Souder and Ethan Souder.
Funeral services are 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Emmanuel Community Church, 12222 W. US-24, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior.
Calling also 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 7, 2022 at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to A Hope Center, InAsMuch Ministries or Josiah Venture.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.fairhavenfortwayne.com.
Published on October 2, 2022
The Allen County Board of Commissioners is saddened to learn about the passing of former US Congressman, Mark Souder,...
The Allen County Board of Commissioners is saddened to learn about the passing of former US Congressman, Mark Souder, yesterday after a months-long battle with cancer. Congressman Souder cared about the success of Northeast Indiana and represented the interests of Allen County in Washington.
Locally, he will be remembered for his strong roots in Grabill, Indiana, his advocacy for federal funding for the Maplecrest Road bridge project, support for the National Park Service, and support for General Motors during the great recession. He saw early on the scourge of methamphetamine and worked to legislatively fight it. After his resignation, he did not seek personal gain but returned to a quiet life in Allen County.
Commissioner Nelson Peters, who served while Congressman Souder was still in office, shared that, “Mark Souder was a friend whom I grew to know and respect before he ran for Congress. He’s always had Allen County in his heart. As a small businessman from Grabill, it was clear that he understood the workings of county government.”
Commissioners Beck, Brown, and Peters express their gratitude for the life work of Congressman Souder and extend their condolences to his wife, Diane, and to his children and grandchildren.
Television in Fort Wayne 1953 to 2018 : a look back at 65 years of northeast Indiana history through the eye of the television camera & stories of the people who covered it (Book) : a look back at 65 years of northeast Indiana history through the eye of the television camera & stories of the people who covered it at the Allen County Public Library.
October 1, 2020 post by Melissa Longon Facebook:
Hey everyone, I’m excited to share with you a project I’ve been working on for the past 3 years with former WANE anchor Heather Herron and former congressman Mark Souder. The book has many great stories and lots of detail. It’s not available for sale yet but you can pre-order it here.
🚨 New Book Alert 🚨 “Television in Fort Wayne, 1953-2018” by Congressman Mark Souder with Melissa Long & Heather Herron. $42.50 This local history is packed with photos, personal stories from local journalists, and Fort Wayne history.
Join us on Sunday, January 2nd as the History Center presents the next George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series at the History Center, 302 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne. In this lecture, “Television in Fort Wayne: The Four Major Eras,” Mark Souder will look back at the four defining eras of Fort Wayne television: 1) early television 1953-1969, from the time WKJG went on the air on November 21, 1953 until the moon landing 2) the rise of Eyewitness News 1974-1983, which transformed local news 3) the fracturing of the domination by the Big Three network affiliates (beginning in 1975, the major local traditional TV alternatives were in place by 1981 locally) and 4) local news became local television (1983-2018). This presentation is done in conjunction with long-time anchors Melissa Long and Heather Herron. Book signing to follow lecture.
The lecture begins at 2 PM and admission is free to the public. Due to COVID-19, face coverings are required for all in-person attendees ages three and up. To attend the lecture virtually please contact the History Center in advance at administration@fwhistorycenter.org All George R. Mather lectures are made possible through the generous support of the Floyd and Betty Lou Lancia Family Foundation and Indiana Humanities.
A Maryland native who arrived in Maumee Township in 1836 and bought a lot near the Wabash & Erie Canal lock No. 1, the eastern most lock. He built a store and post office at the site and later became the lock's chief operator. Visitors can see remanants of the canal on the south side of U.S. 24. He is the namesake of the Saylor Cemetery in Maumee Township.
Page 312The Site of Saylor's Lock in The WPA Guide to Indiana: #19 - The Hoosier State. The Site of Saylor's Lock, 0.5 m, Indiana's easternmost lock of the Wabash Erie Canal, is now occupired by a gasoline station. Directly across the road is the SAYLOR HOUSE, built in 1837 by Ulrich Saylor. It was originally a two-story frame structure at the front and one and a half stories high at the rear, but its appearance has been altered by new shingle siding and a modern veranda.
Maumee Township: Ulrich Saylor, sr., settled on Knagg's reserve in the fall of 1835, and later moved to the state line building, a house which occupied space in both states. Subsequently he made his home upon the canal, near a lock which became known as Saylor's lock. This pioneer planted the first orchard, the first marriage was of his son Matthias to Ann Maneary, the first death was of his son John D., in 1836, and the old gentleman was the first postmaster, keeping it at his store, which he had established in 1853. Ulrich Saylor, jr., came with his parents in 1835, also Solomon Swisher, a son-in-law. In 1836, John Ashley and his son George, were here, and the father contemplated building a dam across the Maumee, and even began the erection of a mill, but abandoned the scheme. Copied from page 387 in Valley of the upper Maumee River, with historical account of Allen County and the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Saylor Cemetery
The allure of Saylor Cemetery, a small, 19th-century graveyard near the Ohio border, is in its ties to the Wabash and Erie Canal.
The cemetery was built near the home of Ulrich Saylor, a Maryland native who arrived in Maumee Township in 1836 and bought a lot near canal lock No. 1. He built a store and post office at the site and later became the lock’s chief operator.
At the lock, known as Saylor’s Lock, boats were raised or lowered seven feet as they moved up to the summit at Fort Wayne or down as they traveled toward Lake Erie, Allen County historian Tom Castaldi said. Visitors to the cemetery can see the remnants of the canal on the south side of U.S. 24.
The cemetery, which sits above the south bank of the Maumee River, has about 50 headstones, some of which belong to Civil War veterans. At least one of Saylor’s relatives is buried in the cemetery.
Elliot, of the History Center, says the Saylor Cemetery is one of his favorites. “It’s got a melancholy feel to it,” he says. “It has this ‘going back in time’ kind of feeling.”
According to some accounts, the brown, two-story house on the northwest corner of U.S. 24 and old Scipio Road was once an inn for the canal’s travelers. If visitors follow a wooded path toward the river, they can see the remnants of an old bridge that crossed the Maumee.
To get there: Take U.S. 24 east until you see Scipio Road on your left. Take a gravel road for two-tenths of a mile, and the cemetery will be on the right. If you’ve hit the state line, you’ve gone too far.
Here's how one devoted Fort Wayne resident, Jim Saxton, sparks an interest in the city's past, and preserves the glow of local history, one light fixture at a time.
Here's how one devoted Fort Wayne resident, Jim Saxton, sparks an interest in the city's past, and preserves the glow of local history, one light fixture at a time.
Fort Wayne landscaper, Jim Saxton, has a passion for rescuing historic lighting fixtures, which he traces back to his early teen years. That's when his job at the Paramount Theatre sparked an interest in lighting, as well as the city's rich past.
This work also familiarized Jim with the theatre's impressive lighting fixtures, which would prove helpful years after the building was demolished, when their crumbling remains were discovered heaped on a dirt floor, in and old warehouse.
To shed a bit more light on the subject, WBOI's Julia Meek invited Saxton into the studio to discuss where this ongoing passion has taken him, and the satisfaction he enjoys when an old fixture is refurbished, and finds a new home.
Had a fine time interviewing FW landscaper Jim Saxton for 89.1 WBOI on his passion for rescuing historic lighting...
Had a fine time interviewing FW landscaper Jim Saxton for 89.1 WBOI on his passion for rescuing historic lighting fixtures! If you missed it on Lisa's ATC, it airs on ATC w/ Zach (4:44 & 6:44) and find the extended version of our convo on our website later today (wboi.org) w/ more on the Paramount Theatre lighting refurbish & Jim's observations on the joy of this craft.
Jim Saxton interview from City's Past Illuminated Through Historic Lighting Fixtures Julia Meek, February 1, 2017, Fort Wayne landscaper, Jim Saxton, has a passion for rescuing historic lighting fixtures, which he traces back to his early teen years. 10:33 minute interview discussing the Fort Wayne history items he has in storage from the Paramount Theater, Noll Mansion, old library, and others.
Schaltenbrand, Wayne
Veteran of Fort Wayne's acting scene died September 28, 2012. Born in Sunbury, Pa., he graduated from high school in Delmar, Md., in 1962. He went to Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1966. He received a master’s degree from Purdue in 1967 and soon afterward found work as a biochemistry researcher at the Fort Wayne State Developmental Center, according to his brother. From City acting community mourns loss of stage vet Schaltenbrand died before opening night October 01, 2012 by Archie Ingersoll of The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Scheele, Leonard Andrew
July 25, 1907 to January 8, 1993. The seventh Surgeon General of the United States, Scheele was appointed to the position by President Harry Truman in 1948 and also stayed in the role under President Dwight Eisenhower until 1956. Born in Fort Wayne in 1907, Scheele attended the University of Michigan and spent many years on the medical side of military locations. From 1943-1945 her earned the rank of lieutenant colonel and specialized in health-related governance in occupied territories with the Medical Department of the Army. After his time as surgeon general, Scheele traveled to Cuba on behalf of President John F. Kennedy during the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion. He died in 1993 at the age of 85. Copied from FORT WAYNE FIVE: Important medical figures published with photo April 9, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper. Leonard A. Scheele at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery. See his Find A Gravememorial.
Decades of sweet carbonation, pumped into glass bottles, all written on the walls of the Fort Wayne Pepsi bottlers plant. For more than 125 years, the Scheele family built their legacy inside an old building on Harrison Street.
Honorable Kenneth Robert Scheibenberger, 69, passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. Born on Sunday, January 16, 1949, in Fort Wayne, he was a son of Robert G. Scheiben berger and Marilyn J. Rouch. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. A Fort Wayne native, Scheibenberger was a graduate of Concordia Lutheran High School and IPFW. He received his law degree from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis and was a criminal defense attorney for Lebamoff Law Offices and a public defender before becoming a judge in Allen Superior Court from 1991 until 2010. He was a founder of the Allen County Drug Court. He was a founding member of the German Heritage Society and instrumental in creating a sister city releationship with Gera, Germany and was the President of Germanfest when he passed. He was survived by his wife of 46 years, Susan G. Scheibenberger; daughter, Abigail (John) Heidenreich; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Zachary) Walker; grandchildren, Juliet Gayle Walker, Jaeger Kenneth Heidenreich, and Veronica Ann Walker; sisters, Melinda Smith, and Laura Hillyard; brother, Timothy (Rena) Scheibenberger. He was also preceded in death by his son, Samuel R. Scheibenberger; and daughter, Kathryn E. Scheibenberger. See his Legacy.com obituary and Kenneth Scheibenberger, former Allen Superior Court judge, dies by Kevin Leininger published April 18, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Born July 30, 1924 in Fort Wayne, he died at age 78 August 11, 2002 in Fort Wayne. He was survived by his wife, Joanne of Ft. Wayne; two sons, Dr. Paul R. Schimmele of St. Louis, MO and Dr. Steven R. Schimmele of Ft. Wayne; three daughters, Mary Ann Fleisher of Ackworth, GA, Janet Schimmele of Park Rapids, MN and Kay E. Cuny of Indianapolis, IN; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; preceded in death by one brother, Glenn Schimmele and one sister, Delores M. Floering. Copied from his online obituary. He developed the first dental auxiliary program at IPFW and retired as professor emeritus of dental auxiliary education. He was recipient of the 1990 Ralph E. Broyles Medal and the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1970. He received his degree from Indiana University (D.D.S., 1952). Copied from Schimmele, Ralph G. from the University Archives. See his photo Ralph Schimmele, 1965 at IUPUI.org and Find A Gravepage.
Schmidt, Vivian Goodrich
80, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, died Sunday, January 17, 2016, of natural causes. Born October 14, 1935, in East Orange, N.J. (with her identical twin sister, Mary), she was a daughter of Laurence B. and Lois S. Goodrich. In 1971, she became the second woman to be elected to the Fort Wayne City Council. In 1980, she was elected by her peers to serve as Council President. She served as Councilwoman-at-Large for 10 years, until she and Bill moved to St. Louis in 1982. See Honoring Memories or FortWayne.com obituary. See also Leadership icons Schmidt, Helmke set public service example Editorial published January 23, 2016 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Crossroads of History: Strolling through Fort Wayne's Parks Paperback – November 22, 2022 by Joshua Schipper (Author), Lydia Reuille (Editor) on Amazon.com. 22-year-old history author Joshua Schipper has released a new book that dissects the history and names of each of the 87 city parks in Fort Wayne. ... Schipper’s research made an impact on one particular park well before the book’s online release. After analyzing old newspaper clippings and the gravestones of the donors, he realized that Sieling Park had been misspelled as “Seiling” for around 60 years. After presenting his evidence to the Parks and Recreation Department, the park signage soon changed to reflect the correct spelling. Copied from Strolling Through Fort Wayne’s Parks December 5, 2022 book review by The Waynedale News.com Staff. Was posted December 12, 2022 by The Waynedale News on Facebook.
Pages & Voices: Local Author PodcastWelcome to Pages & Voices: Season 2, Episode 6 featuring Traci Douglas. This podcast is created by the Allen County Public Library and dedicated to featuring the works of talented authors within our community. Self-made author Joshua Schipper is a local historian making a big splash with two nationally bestselling books about Fort Wayne, Indiana. Join us as we discuss his process for successfully writing and marketing his books.
Schirmeyer
Leo Schirmeyer obituary CLIPPED FROM Fort Wayne Daily News Fort Wayne, Indiana 01 Apr 1916, Sat • Page 14 mvsmyth23 Member Photo CLIPPED BY mvsmyth23 • 05 Dec 2016 on Newspapers.com.
Louis Schirmeyer raises pigeons CLIPPED FROM The Fort Wayne Sentinel Fort Wayne, Indiana 09 Sep 1916, Sat • Page 3 mvsmyth23 Member Photo CLIPPED BY mvsmyth23 • 05 Dec 2016 on Newspapers.com.
Schmitz, Charles
Born November 24, 1809 in Borlogh, Germany. One of Fort Wayne’s first physicians, with his wife Henrietta came to Fort Wayne from Germany in 1837. She was born January 13, 1809 and died September 3, 1889 in Massachusetts. They bought property in 1839 and built their house in 1840. He is credited with bringing the first Christmas tree to Fort Wayne in 1844. In 1866, he subdivided the property for the building of storefronts; a source of rental income for the Schmitz’s. He died March 10, 1887, his wife Henrietta Schmitz then commissioned architect Frank B. Kendrick to build the Schmitz Block on Calhoun Street in 1888. They are buried in Lindenwood Cemetery. See Dr. Charles Carl Schmitz and C Henrika Schmitz and their children: Charles Florence Schmitz 1842-1883, Lisette Schmitz Biewend 1846-1922, Caroline S. Schmitz Douglass 1846-1929 on Find A Grave.
Can you imagine celebrating Christmas, without a tree? According to the story, the tradition of displaying and decorating a tree at Christmas time in our city began when Dr. Charles Schmitz arranged to bring the first Christmas tree to Fort Wayne in 1840. A native of Borgloh, Schmitz had studied medicine in Bonn, and then came to America in 1835, arriving in Fort Wayne in 1837. A prominent member of the German-American community, Dr. Schmitz was reportedly dismayed to find no tradition of decorating Christmas trees in his new home. The forests of northern Indiana were deciduous, and there were no coniferous evergreen trees native to the area. He had to look outside the area to find a suitable tree. In June of 1840, knowing that it would take time for an evergreen tree to arrive, he made arrangements for a tree to be shipped from Cincinnati on the Wabash & Erie Canal. The tree apparently arrived in December, and Schmitz’s placed it in their house on Calhoun Street, next to what was later known as the Noll Building. On Christmas Eve, they decorated it with candles and an assortment of ornaments. Mrs. Schmitz placed their infant daughter in a basket beneath the tree. Then they invited guests to come and view the spectacle, and reportedly, a number of Native Americans were among the guests. Today the citizens of Fort Wayne continue to be astonished by decorated trees, whether in our homes or on public display. Happy Holidays from all of us at The History Center! #sociallyhistory.
Robert Schowe ObituaryRobert P. Schowe, 103, of Fort Wayne, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, January 26, 2024, at the Towne House. Bob was born September 1, 1920 in Toledo OH, the son of (the late) Edwin and Josephine (Grosjean) Schowe. He was a 1942 graduate of the School of Horticulture at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. He also pursued graduate studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Bob founded Cottage Flowers in downtown Fort Wayne in 1946 and in 1947, he married Eva (Gilles) Schowe, who preceded him in death in 2001 after 54 years together. Through the years, Bob expanded the shop several times. He remained CEO for over 60 years. He also taught flower arranging at IPFW, and he & Eva taught and judged 4-H flower arranging competitions. A downtown stalwart, Bob was an active member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club for many years. He was a lifelong Catholic, steadfast in his faith; was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and most recently, of St. Vincent DePaul Parish. After he sold Cottage Flowers to his nephew, Jerry Schowe, Bob continued to drop by and work into his 90's. Many people remember him advertising by dropping off his card and a rose blossom floating in a glass bowl at businesses all over the Fort Wayne area. After his first wife Eva passed away, Bob found love again with his second wife, Mary Josephine "Jody" (Weigand Kelker) Showe, whom he married in 2001; Jody preceded him in death in 2023 after 22 years together. He and Jody enjoyed great health well into their 90's and travelled extensively. Bob exercised regularly and loved working cryptograms. He was beloved as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, boss, and friend. Bob is survived by his son, Tom (Anne Cutter-Schowe) Schowe of Santa Barbara CA and granddaughter, Christina Schowe, also of Santa Barbara. In addition to his parents, and Eva & Jody, Bob was also preceded in death by his brothers, Edwin W. "Bill", Lester and Raymond Schowe. Funeral Services 11:00am Thursday February 1, 2024 at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. with visitation on Thursday from 9:00-11:00am. Burial in Catholic Cemetery. To honor his memory, Bob's family is establishing a scholarship fund at Purdue University. To share a remembrance of Bob or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.
Schrantz, Miss Virginia
1927-1998, see her photo and some information on her Find A Grave memorial. Philanthropist and founder of the Miss Virginia Mission House at 1312 Hanna St. Miss Virginia Memorial Parkway was named in her honor in 2015. Seventeen years after her death, Miss Virginia’s work was recognized when the Fort Wayne Board of Public Works approved a request to designate a portion of Hanna Street the "Miss Virginia Memorial Parkway" shown on Google map. The four-block portion of Hanna Street is between Lewis and Hayden streets just southwest of downtown. Coped from Part of Hanna Street to be named after Miss Virginia published June 3, 2015 and Street dedicated to woman who left mark of kindness published June 4, 2015 both by Dave Gong in The Journal Gazette newspaper. Miss Virginia was of the Catholic religion. Priests would often visit her home, however, religion played no part in who she welcomed into her home and she welcomed all who came. She dedicated her life to helping others. Her work was recognized by Mother Theresa in 1982. Copied from and where you can read more in MISS VIRGINIA – VOICE OF THE TOWNSHIP by Richard A. Stevenson Wayne Township Trustee, published December 20, 2013 in The Waynedale News.com. For more than 40 years, Virginia "Miss Virginia" Schrantz served Fort Wayne’s inner-city poor, leaving a lasting mark on the lives she touched. Her former home at 1312 South Hanna Street, on the corner of Hugh and Francis Streets, once known as Miss Virginia’s Mission House, is still operating as Miss Virginia’s Food Pantry, missvirginiafoodpantry.com, providing food to needy residents from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The pantry’s suppliers include Tim Didier Meats, the Community Harvest Food Bank and the St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, among others. She was discussed June 26, 2018 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook. Miss Virginia’s dream still growing as garden takes root by Bethany Beebe published July 26, 2022 in Today's Catholic.
Schwartz, Doug
Schwartz retired from the Air Force Reserve on Saturday after 35 years of service. He had been the commander of the 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base north of Kokomo since June 2014, leading the largest aerial refueling unit in the Air Force Reserve command. Copied from From Fort Wayne to the sky: Col. Doug Schwartz retires from Air Force Reserve by Douglas Hay published May 16, 2016 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Before a crowd variously estimated at from 10,000 to 15,000 people, Miss Blanche Stuart Scott, the first American woman to make a public flight in an aeroplane, made that flight at the Driving Park in this city.
91, born September 25, 1917 in Galveston, Indiana, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2008 at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. He was founder of Scott's Food Stores in 1954, eventually with 18 stores and 4,300 associates. He married Rose Botts in 1980, they had two daughters, Cheryl Scott (Tina Taviano) of Fort Wayne and Lee Scott of Venice, CA; one grandson, Chris (Emily) Irmscher of St. Charles, IL; two granddaughters, "T" Irmscher of Fort Wayne, and Ariel Hassman of Venice CA; three great-grandchildren; three step-daughters, Joan (Gary) McVoy of Fort Wayne, Linda (Tony) DeBenedetto of Jacksonville, FL, and Dianne Peterson of Fort Wayne; six step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren. Read more from his December 28, 2008 D.O. McComb and Sons obituary and Indiana grocer Don Scott dies at 91 published January 15, 2009 on The Produce News website.
Scott, Lewis Everett Deacon
November 19, 1892 – November 2, 1960, born in Bluffton, Indiana. He had two brothers and a sister. His father, Lewis, had moved to Bluffton from Warren, Indiana, shortly before Everett's birth. Lewis' brother, Frame, had been a baseball player when he was younger. Scott attended Bluffton High School, where he played for the school's baseball and basketball teams. He graduated in 1909. Scott married his high school sweetheart, Gladys Watt, in 1912. Nicknamed "Deacon", was an American professional baseball player. A shortstop, Scott played in Major League Baseball for 12 seasons as a member of the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds, from 1914 through 1926. After retiring from baseball, Scott became a professional bowler and owned bowling alleys. He died in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the age of 67. He was posthumously inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame and Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. Copied from Everett Scott on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia which has much more sports information.
Lewis Everett “Deacon” Scott, 19 Nov 1892 Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana, to 2 Nov 1960 (aged 67) Fort Wayne, on Find A Grave. Elm Grove Cemetery, section C lot 366, Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana.
In 1925, Everett Scott's Major League consecutive games played streak ends at 1,307.
Though not as well known as Lou Gehrig or Cal Ripken who held the record after him, the sure-handed ``Deacon'' became the first player to play more than 1,000 games consecutively from 1916 to 1925.
Born in Bluffton on Nov. 19, 1892, Scott graduated from Bluffton High School in 1909. His family moved to Auburn while Everett started his pro baseball career in Kokomo and then moved on to Youngstown, Ohio, to play in the Ohio-Pennsylvania League.
Though he was only 5-foot-8 and never weighed more than 148 pounds, Scott was an expert fielder. From 1916 to 1923 he led all American League shortstops in fielding. He once set the American League record for fewest errors in a season by a shortstop with 23 in a 154-game season in 1920.
Ironically, his consecutive-game streak started with an injury to Scott. According to a 1922 story in Baseball Magazine, Scott was spiked by Ty Cobb in 1916. He tried to play the next game wearing the larger spikes of his manager but suffered a sprained ankle, forcing him to sit out a few games. The streak began June 20, 1916, when Scott replaced a player in the ninth inning.
There was plenty of luck along the way to keep the streak alive. According to a 1922 story in the New York Tribune, Scott often played through injuries and illnesses. Scott often suffered from boils, and one time a boil almost forced one of his eyes closed.
Amazingly, Scott more than doubled the former record of 577 games by Dodgers third baseman George Pinkney. The streak didn't end until New York Yankees manager Miller Huggins benched him because of sore knees on May 5, 1925. Scott had played 1,307 consecutive games. Less than a month later, on June 1, 1925, Gehrig began his streak. He broke Scott's streak on Aug. 17, 1933, in a game against the St. Louis Browns.
Scott's record did not include 27 World Series games or about 200 exhibition games. He also played only 126 games in 1918 and 128 in 1919 because of World War I, when baseball played fewer games.
Also, in 1994, the Minnesota Twins play the Wizards in an exhibition game.
Also, in 1998, great Fort Wayne artist and baseball historian Bob Parker passes away at age 82.
On October 26, almost 100 years ago, Babe Ruth was in Fort Wayne, where he joined the Fort Wayne Lincoln Lifers in a game. According to the Indiana Historical Bureau, the Bambino hit two home runs where he helped the semi-pro team sponsored by the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company win the game. While the Bambino is fascinating, today's history is about another Yankee named Everett Scott who lived on Rudisill. Read on for more!
Lewis Everett Scott, known as Deacon, was born in Bluffton, Indiana, in 1892. Baseball ran in the family. Everett's father, Lewis Sr., was a catcher for independent baseball leagues and managed local teams for several years. Lewis Sr. had Everett playing in leagues from when he could throw a ball, and by the time he was ten years old, he was batting 300 in the little leagues and known as "Little Everett Scott."
While excelling at shortstop and eventually graduating from Bluffton High School (Go Tigers!), Everett decided to continue the baseball dream. He married his high school sweetheart, and in 1912, they made the journey together. At 5 foot 10 inches and 155 pounds, Scott only spent a few years in the minor leagues before getting his shot with the Boston Red Sox in 1914.
Scott continued playing shortstop for the Boston Red Sox until 1921. During that time, he led the league in fielding percentage and became known as an iron man for not missing any games. In 1922, he was traded to the New York Yankees, where he was the team's captain through 1925. While he had to retire in 1925 due to lame knees, he was considered one of the best shortstops and played on four World Series champion teams.
Eventually, Scott returned to Fort Wayne, owned a bowling alley, wrote a children's book, and lived at 119 West Rudisill. To this day, the Deacon ranks third in consecutive games played, behind Cal Ripken Jr. and his fellow teammate, Lou Gehrig.
Seaney, John Willard
The Seaney Fountain was erected in 1899 and destroyed in 1906 from a newspaper article "Horse Plunged Into the Fountain Monument and Broke it Into a Dozen Pieces" - "smashing the whole thing beyond repair" according to Find-A-Grave http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=79268786.
Seaney, Thomas L.
IN PICTURES: WORKING ON THE NICKEL PLATE ROAD by Betsy Cantwell story with photos about her grandfather who worked 60 plus years for the Nickel Plate Railroad in Fort Wayne published November 3, 2017 on GoRail.org.
Sebring, Blake
Remembering Not to Forget - A Story of Fort Wayne's Sports History by Chris Treft June 24, 2014 on YouTube A Short Documentary film about Fort Wayne Sport's history and the city's neglect of our great sport's past. Watch and see if you know all the great sporting events that have happened in Fort Wayne or were done by a Fort Wayne native. Blake Seabring and Kaleigh Schrock talk about how they think the city's sport's past should be remembered. This is a film by myself, Chris Treft, for which I completed it in his Memory, Culture and Identity graduate class at IPFW for my final project. To see more of my films and work as an aspiring sports broadcaster please visit my website ChrisTreftBroadcasting.com
About Blake Sebring at The News-Sentinel newspaperstates: Tailing the Komets. Blake Sebring has covered the Fort Wayne Komets for 25 years, covering more than 1,400 games, and is one of only four men to ever cover the team for The News-Sentinel. Besides legendary sports editor Bud Gallmeier's 35 years, no one in newspapers has covered the Komets longer. He was inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscaster Hall of Fame in April 2015. He is also the author of seven books, including ``Tales of the Komets,'' ``Legends of the Komets" and ``Live From Radio Rinkside: The Bob Chase Story.''
Fort Wayne Sports History Paperback – July 3, 2013 at Amazon.comis one of his book and Fort Wayne Sports History Facebook page of the same name posting highlights from the book. He has some items in our Baseball section. Amazon states: What would a Fort Wayne Sports Hall of Fame look like and who would it include? The author draws on a lifetime of knowledge – and plenty of research – to tell stories of famous sports figures from the Fort Wayne area and of memorable local events which had major influences on national and international sports. Local athletes have affected almost every level of amateur and professional sport, and many landed in their sports' halls of fame. The city itself has impacted the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, the Sullivan Award, the Olympics, NCAA championships, the French Open, NASCAR, the World Series, the NBA, the PGA, the LPGA, the Indy 500 and the World Cup along with numerous national and world championships. Rod Woodson, Bernard Pollard, DaMarcus Beasley, Lloy Ball, Mike Emrick, Eric Wedge, Jarrod Parker, Deshaun Thomas, Cathy Gerring, Tyler Eifert, Anthony Spencer, Jason Baker, Chris Schenkel, DeDee Nathan and Jason Fabini are some of the people who have represented their sport and the city of Fort Wayne. This book contains their stories – nuggets of sports history – in a calendar format that is easy to search by month and day, or simply enjoy reading cover to cover.
Eyes Toward Heaven: A physically challenged woman's visits with Jesus Paperback – November 20, 2022 by Blake Sebring (Author), Melody Foreman (Editor) at Amazon.com stated: Since she was diagnosed at age 4 with a degenerative neurological disorder, Tonia Graber has been confined to a wheelchair. She has limited use of her limbs and has undergone more than 100 surgeries and medical procedures. Though she has full cognitive abilities, constant spasms and tremors mean she can utter only one or sometimes two words at a time. But for more than three years, Tonia has experienced visions of heaven, regularly visiting with Jesus, talking with angels and receiving keys and gems. Besides telling her she will be healed and will walk again, the consistent messages are “Jesus is coming back soon,” and “Tell everyone everywhere.” Remarkably, Tonia can talk with some normalcy during her visions, of which her parents have documented more than 1,600. During these interludes with Jesus, Tonia walks, runs and leaps in fields of long grass, rows across a lake to eat fish and is told to prepare herself to become a worldwide missionary. “I ready! I go!” she always responds. As the experiences have progressed, Tonia has had visions in heaven and several places on earth, often seeing angels throughout her daily life.
Fort Report 06 23 13 30 minute video posted June 22, 2013 by The News-Sentinel on YouTube Kevin Leininger interviews News-Sentinel sportwriter Blake Sebring, who will discuss his lastest book, "Fort Wayne Sports Hiistory," and the Komets.
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we share the story of a woman commonly referred to by Fort Wayne residents of the early 20th century as “Mrs. Long Jim.” Wong See came to Fort Wayne from China in spring 1902. Her arrival was much anticipated in the city, and it was widely reported in the local newspapers. She was said to be the first Chinese woman to reside in Fort Wayne.
Wong See married a man called “Long Jim,” a common nickname of the period for someone of tall stature, whose real name was most often given as Jim Wah. Jim was a well-respected laundryman and merchant in Fort Wayne. He arrived here in the late 19th century and quickly made a name for himself as a prominent businessman and one of the proprietors of Wah Kee, a laundry and imported goods shop. While he was not the first Chinese man to reside in the city, he was certainly one of the most successful and well-liked, and he boasted a number of friends in the community.
In 1897, Jim Wah’s parents wrote to inform him that they had chosen a woman for him to marry. Jim explained to his Fort Wayne friends that his upcoming marriage was arranged by his and his bride-to-be’s parents. He left Fort Wayne for China in December 1897 with intent to marry. After spending a few years with his new wife in China, the couple arrived in Fort Wayne. Jim resumed his work and Wong See would “…enjoy the distinction of being the first Chinese woman in Fort Wayne.” Rumor spread that the pair had a baby as well, but this was proven incorrect upon their arrival. “Mr. and Mrs. Long Jim” made their home in the apartment above the laundry on West Wayne.
Wong See’s name was only mentioned in one article. Her age was given as 23 years, making her assumed birth year 1879. The papers spoke of her beauty and claimed that Jim was incredibly proud to have introduced his wife to Fort Wayne. Wong See did not speak English upon her arrival, but her intelligence and eagerness to learn proved that this would soon change. She settled into life in Fort Wayne, attended church, sported American fashions, and became a familiar face in the city.
Unfortunately, after her arrival there is almost no further mention of Wong See’s life. She and her husband moved to New Castle, Indiana around 1904, where hardly two years later Jim passed away after a sudden illness. After her husband’s death, Wong See’s name vanished from the historical record. Further research is being done to find out what became of Fort Wayne’s first Chinese woman resident, but as of now, her fate remains elusive. #sociallyhistory
Setser, Cliff
83, began racing in 1948, driving everything from dirt cars to asphalt and late models. Fort Wayne Racing Legend Cliff Setser Dies At 83 (NBC33 VIDEO) by Kent Hormann - NBC33 published June 9, 2014 on Indiana NewsCenter.
In 1933, Charles Seyfert left his home in PA and drove his pretzel truck to Chicago for the World's Fair. On his way back home, he passed through Fort Wayne, Indiana, liked what he saw of the northeastern Indiana town and stopped there to begin a pretzel-making business. Although pretzels were Seyfert's dream, Fort Wayne wasn't ready for pretzels at that time and the businessman went broke. After a trip back home to PA to gather equipment, Seyfert returned to Fort Wayne and started a potato chip operation. This time, the snack food entrepreneur was successful. Seyfert opened its doors August 20, 1934, the operation was much different than today's. Charles Seyfert did everything himself from peeling potatoes to making chips to delivering the finished product. Copied from Seyferts Company History at www.Troyer Farms.com of Waterford, Pennsylvania. This almost word for word an article written by Dawn Lisa Putt wrote for the Kokomo Tribune on page 9, 1989.
June 16, 1922-August 2, 2015, from his August 2, 2015 D.O. McComb and Sons obituaryobituary. He joined his father Roscoe in the Shambaugh and Son construction business for almost 50 years. He was joined in 1976 by his son Mark whereupon they further grew the business into a nationally recognized firm and the third largest of their type in the US. He was a son of Roscoe and Goldie Shambaugh and had two brothers, Bob and Gene, also deceased. Wife Sylvia, children Mark P Shambaugh, along with wife Sandie Shambaugh (Ruich), Cynthia Armbruster (Shambaugh) and husband Greg Armbruster and Rebecca Shambaugh; grandchildren Morgen , Madison, Sierra Shambaugh, and Nicole and Bryce Armbruster. Former councilman, businessman dies at home by Rebecca S. Green published August 4, 2015 on The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Share, Chuck
85, died June 7, 2012, Fort Wayne Pistons basketball player.
Some information is at Ancestry.com in their collection of family trees. The name changes frequently. One birth certificate says Shiek, but most of the family records have been Sheik. Most recently found information is under Schick which may be the correct spelling from Germany.
The Sheik family migrated from Germany about 1833 to Hocking County, Ohio and then moved to Paulding County, Ohio. Bertha Kline wife of William Sheik was the granddaughter of John Tanner who sold them his farm in Paulding County, Ohio and then he moved into Haviland, Ohio when he retired from farming. Upon the death of William Sheik, the farm was sold and Bertha moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Elmer Short and family migrated to Van Wert County, Ohio from Foosland, Illinois where my father was born. Grandfather Elmer Short son of John Short and Maria Phillip Alexander began in Salem, Washington County, Indiana and migrated to Leroy, Illinois. My grandfather Elmer Short married Iva Wolf and they lived in Foosland, Illinois. Upon the death of my grandmother, Iva, my grandfather remarried and the family moved to Van Wert County, Ohio to farm. I'm not sure if the original farm land remains in the family, but a descendent of the family is still farming there. I have found that the Short family name was originally Schwartz and that they came to America from Germany aboard the "Friendship" in 1727. Have not been able to confirm when the name changed.
Some information was sent to Decatur, Illinois ... mostly on the Short Family and is on file there only.
William Shiek was my grandfather on my mothers side and Elmer Short was my grandfather on my fathers side of the family tree. The Shiek family farmed in Paulding County, Ohio and the Short family farmed in VanWert Count, Ohio.
Submitted prior to 2009, by
Debi Short Baney debi@locl.net
Son of the Parker Lee and Effie (Steele) Shelton Sr. Karate Fighter and Instructor died September 28, 2012. Since the 1960s, the Pineville, Kentucky, native ran karate and judo schools around the city. From 1972 to 1974 he was the nation's No. 1-ranked karate fighter, traveling to Europe, Japan and Korea.
Longtime pals Terry Pembroke, Parker Shelton fighting cancer together For nearly half a century, they've taken on all comers September 25, 2012 and Fort Wayne martial arts grand master Parker Shelton passes World-renowned karate and judo master was 72 by Blake Sebring September 28, 2012 The News-Sentinel.
Shields, Jim
Founded WaterFurnace in 1983, then sold in 2014 to Swedish company NIBE Industrier AB. A 26-year member of Memorial Coliseum's board of trustees, Shields stuck up for local taxpayers. Was inducted into the Greater Fort Wayne Business Hall of Fame in 2009 as a laureate. See Jim Shields, businessman and philanthropist, dies at 93 by Sherry Slater published August 2, 2017 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
He was president of the Headwaters Park Commission during its 12 years of existence from 1897 to 1999 while the park was developed. He also was a member of the Fort Wayne Parks Board.
“He steadfastly shepherded the creation of Headwaters Park through the years it took to plan for it and build it,” Donnell said “And he was the one who saw that it needed to have a plan, that it couldn’t just be created on its own or organically.”
Shoaff’s grandfather Fred B. Shoaff was a member of the parks board from 1922 until he died in 1961. His grandfather donated the land known today as Shoaff Park.
His family traces back to the beginning of Fort Wayne’s history. Samuel Hanna, who settled in Fort Wayne in 1819 and is known today as one of the city’s founders, was Shoaff’s great-great-grandfather on his mother’s side. James Barnett, who settled in Fort Wayne in 1818, was his great-great-grandfather on his father’s side.
Barnett and Hanna were partners in a trading post outside of the military fort. The pair built the first local gristmill and Barnett was the city’s first marshal, according to an October 1999 Journal Gazette article.
Hanna played an important part in getting the Wabash and Erie Canal and the railroads in Fort Wayne, which was essential for the area’s development.
Born Gary Wayne Schelton, May 14, 1939, Fort Wayne, Indiana, he died January 7, 2016 at a nursing facility in Picayune, Mississippi. From his Gary Wayne Schelton Legacy.com obituary. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Schelton, Sr. and Virginia Curley Schelton; and his brother, Robert Schelton, Jr., his wife, Trina McClendon Schelton; his children, Laura Schelton, Lucinda (Rob) Horel, Brad (Amy) Schelton, and Gary (Heidi) Schelton; his step children, Tammy (Dale) Purvis, Teresa (Jay) Shugart, Ty (Sandy) Gill, and Jamin (Mandy) Seal; 23 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; and his sister, Beverly Hudson. Copied from his Gary Wayne Schelton obituary at the McDonald Funeral Home of Picayune, Mississippi. A 1957 graduate of Elmhurst High School, a teenage rockabilly and country music artist, his 1961 song "Kissin' at the Drive-In" became popular at drive-in movie theaters. His first song was record by Little Anthony and the Imperials. Troy sold over 3 million records including a million sales of his gold record "This Time" from Troy Shondell on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Singer Troy Shondell, Singer of 'This Time,' Dies at Age 76 by the Associated Press published January 8, 2016 on Abcnews.go.com. Photo and discussion March 29, 2017, December 6, 2018, April 4, 2019 and Shondell keyword search on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook. Troy Shondell - Dream Lover by John1948ThirteenA published on Oct 21, 2009 YouTube. Various photos were posted May 25, 2022 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
Shriner, Herb
A comedian, he was born in Toledo, Ohio on May 28, 1918, he died April 23, 1970 in an auto wreck and is buried in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was the son of Edith Rockwell and Peter Schriner, a tomb stone engraver. His mother left his father and they moved to the Fort Wayne area as a toddler. He learned to play the harmonica as a grade-schooler, played the harmonica in a music store window when he was a high school junior, formed a quintet, then expanded it to an octet and the eight made frequent local appearances. He then left the group and performed on his own. One night his lip gave out and he was stuck with time to fill so he told homespun stories. The comedy routines became more popular than his harmonica playing and he began entertaining audiences with tales of a fictional Hoosier hometown. In 1940, NBC picked up on his talents and booked him for occasional radio appearances. He became host of the television series, "Two for the Money" from 1952 to 1956, and host of "The Herb Shriner Show" from 1949 to 1956. He also appeared on several episodes of other television programs mentioned in the articles below:
On September 30, 1952, the game show Two for the Money premiered on NBC, hosted by Herb Shriner. Raised in Fort Wayne, Shriner played harmonica at the local music store during high school and briefly performed on vaudeville. In 1940, NBC hired him to perform comedy on the radio. During World War II, Shriner served in the special services unit and performed USO shows for two years in Europe.
When he returned from war, he performed on Broadway and achieved television fame with Two for the Money. Traces Magazine of Indiana and Midwestern History noted that "After a 'small-town Indiana' story or two, he introduced a pair of contestants who received five dollars for every correct answer given within fifteen seconds." For four years, Shriner hosted the show at the height of his professional success. He frequently returned to Indiana and, in homage to his home state, named his daughter Indy and son Kin, after Abe Martin cartoonist "Kin" Hubbard.
Born Decemeber 2, 1915 in Fort Wayne to Charles Wesley Shuler and Eva Nellie
Holden Hunter Shuler. See Jane Hunter Hodgson Project page for more information.
1917- Mr WOWO for 51 years, died September 3, 2007, hosted the early morning Little Red Barn program on WOWO radio followed by his own show from 7 to 10 am. The Bob Sievers Show on the 50,000-watt station was one of the highest rated morning programs in the country for a number of years. He retired from WOWO in 1987. See WOWO.
He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2017 which has a 25-second clip from his radio broadcasts at ROBERT S. “BOB” SIEVERS on the RadioHallofFame.com.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, Simon was a key city official and businesswoman, serving as city controller under Mayor Win Moses and as an executive with Lincoln National Corp. It was in her role as controller that she made history as the city’s first – and, so far, only – female mayor, albeit for only 11 days as interim mayor. 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. Discussed July 24, 2015 in You know you've lived in Fort Wayne too long when... Private Facebook group.
John R. Sinks Jr., a Fort Wayne teacher and guidance counselor for 38 years and a state legislator for 32 years, died Dec. 8 in Pennsylvania, where his son’s family lives. He was 83. Sinks taught government at Elmhurst High School until his retirement in 1993, and he served 32 consecutive years in the Indiana House and Senate until his retirement in 1996. “He had a profound effect on a lot of people,” John Sinks III said. “My whole life I’ve run into people he’s impacted.” ... Born in Fort Wayne, the elder Sinks graduated from North Side High School and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and later earned a master’s degree in education from Ball State University. Read the rest of the story John Sinks dies; served 32 years in House, Senate by Dan Stockman of The Journal Gazette newspaper December 15, 2012 .
Sitko, Emil
Central High School Class of 1942. Several Fort Wayne athletes were champions in the All-American Football Conference (1946-1949) with the Cleveland Browns discussed April 26, 2018 with his biography posted by The History Center on Facebook.
Slater
Auxiliary Alice E. Slater, 21, on furlough, visited Baer Field. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Slater Sr. who lived at 1517 Tilden Avenue, Fort Wayne. Anyone know any of the Slater family?
Auxiliary Alice E. Slater, 21, on furlough, visited Baer Field. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Slater Sr. who lived at 1517 Tilden Avenue, Fort Wayne. Anyone know any of the Slater family?
M. M. M. Slattery. Marmaduke M. M. Slattery,whose portrait is herewith presented, died at his residence at Fort Wayne, Ind., Wednesday afternoon, December 15th. The deceased had been in poor health for two years, but had been able to attend to his business most of the time. He contracted a severe cold on Thanksgiving day and two days after was compelled to take to his bed. He failed rapidly, but on Wednesday he rallied and sat up for a time. During the afternoon he had a severe hemorrhage of the lungs and died in a few hours. On Saturday, December 17th, the funeral services were held at Fort Wayne and were attended by a large concourse of people. The employes of the Fort Wayne Electric company attended in a body, and several local organizations of which Mr. Slattery had been a member were represented. There were many floral offerings. There were few men in the electrical fraternity better known than "Duke" Slattery, as he was generally styled. He had a bright, engaging manner and was everywhere welcomed. He was an exceptionally entertaining after-dinner speaker and possessed considerable literary ability. In scientific circles Mr. Slattery held a prominent position as the inventor of a successful electric lighting system. Most of his work in this line was done in the West, but he was well known in electrical circles throughout the United States and in fact had gained some distinction before coming to this country. Mr. Slattery was born in the city of Limerick, Ireland, in 1851. He attended the schools of that city and prepared for college. He was graduated at Marlboro college, Marlboro, Eng., in 1873, and received his B. A. degree. After leaving college he was associated with St. George Lane-Fox in experimental work and was thoroughly equipped as an electrical engineer when he came to this country in January, 1S80. He entered the service of the United States Electric Lighting company at New York and did valuable work in the engineering department of that company. He was prominent in the organization of the Sun Electric company of Boston. In 1887 he moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he developed his alternating current system of electric lighting, which was his most notable achievement. At the lime of bis death he was connected with the Fort Wayne Electric company, which manufactured his apparatus During the last few years he devoted considerable attention to the development of the storage battery and made many valuable improvements in that line. In Masonic circles Mr. Slattery was a prominent figure. He was a member of the Indiana consistory of Scottish Rite Masons and had received the thirty-second degree. He was also a Mystic Shriner and expresident of the Shrine club of Fort Wayne. At the time of his death he was valiant grand master of ceremonies in Darius Council, Princes of Jerusalem. In the Fort Wayne lodge of Elks the deceased also too't an active interest. Mr. Slattery was a member of the Chicago Electric club and the Society of Aits of Boston.
Slattery Alternating Current Dynamo Vol. V December 21, 1889 No. 25 Western electrician Publication date 1887 on Archive.org
He is mentioned in Light of the world by Kevin Leininger --Dec. 19, 1982 from the archives of The News-Sentinel. Fort Wayne's first electric streetcar was developed in 1891 by Jenney chief engineer Marmaduke Slattery. Slattery's trolley was considered too expensive and unreliable, though, and the transit system returned to horses - for a year, at least. The city's streetcar system was finally electrified by Fort Wayne Electric in July 1892 at a cost of $100,000.
He is mentioned in Electrifying Christmas by
Tom Castaldi, local historianposted May 24, 2016 on History Center Notes & Queries blog. During 1890s, Marmaduke Marcellus Slattery, an inventor working for Jenney Electric Company was experimenting with battery powered trolleys. Although a forward-thinking fellow tinkering with a technology whose time was yet to come, his experience was a little like Noah’s last dove sent from the Ark that full of energy never came back from somewhere in the “out there.” However, when Slattery sent his trial trolley out on a test run full of hope and vim, the battery drained of energy and the car failed to return.
He is mentioned in Transfer Corner by
Tom Castaldi, local historianon ARCH ( Architecture and Community Heritage). By 1890, efforts to electrifying the street railways became important. Marmaduke Marcellus Slattery, an inventor at the Jenney Electric Light Co. who was highly interested in battery technology, focused on the possibility of powering trolleys by battery. He gave up the effort after a failed experiment; he managed to propel a trolley along the “Belt Line” but it did not quite make the entire run of it.
A Slattery Induction Meter along with lots of Fort Wayne meters are shown on the Meter Gallerypage and discussed under Fort Wayne Electric (1881-1915) at watthourmeters.com. Slattery Induction Meter (Single Phase) (1889-1892) Not much is known right now about this meter, but it was a lamp-hour meter to go with the electric system developed by Marmaduke Marcelus Michael Slattery (whew!) for the Fort Wayne Electric Company. This meter was designed and sold prior to Thomas Duncan's arrival at Fort Wayne, and was discontinued after Slattery passed away in 1892 (all the equipment he had developed was quickly discontinued in favor of better equipment developed by J. J. Wood and others at Fort Wayne). Photo: GE at Ft. Wayne: 110 Years.
In Western electrician an Electrical engineering publication. On page 38 July 20, 1889The new factories of the Fort Wayne Jenney Electric Light company at Fort Wayne. Ind., will be formally opened the latter part of July. The structures are commodious and possess admirable facilities for electric manufacturing. The opening ceremony will take the form of a reception, to which the company's friends in Fort Wayne will be invited. Music and dancing will be the order of the evening. Mr. McDonald will have his phonograph on exhibition, and Mr. Slattery will give the guests an opportunity to test his electric tricycle.
M. M. M. Slattery's Electric Tricycle. M. M M. Slattery, of the Fort Wayne Jenney Electric Light company, now glides through the streets of Fort Wayne on an electric tricycle. The machine was built to order, and is so con- structed that it will stand rough usage. Current is supplied by 13 cells of storage battery which are placed in a box located under the saddle. A compact little motor gears on the axle of the rear wheels. The pedals are rlemoved so that the rider cannot work even if he should so desire. The machine with motor and cells, weighs ,525 pounds. The storage batteries are charged for a nine hours' run. Copied from page 27 Western electrician Publication Vol. V July 20, 1889 No. 3 on Archive.org.
Current affairs of the trike riderOther innovators in the infant field of electrical technology were attracted to Fort Wayne. The first to come was Marmaduke Marcellus Slattery, a wizard in generator and battery inventions. In the late 1880s, he regaled the folks of Fort Wayne with his motorized tricycle powered about town by "Slattery's Battery." In the field of electrical power, however, Slattery was better known as the father of the theory of alternating current (AC). Copied from CITYSCAPES City was home for many inventionsby Michael Hawfield from the archives of The News-Sentinel. Most references credit Nikolas Tesla as the father of alternating current. The War of the Currents: AC vs. DC Power November 18, 2014 at Department of Energy.
Marmaduke M. M. Slattery on lamptech.uk said his obituary was on page 607 of the December 21, 1892 The Electrical Engineer. OBITUARY. The news is received of the death of Marmaduke M. M. Slattery, whose name is known generally throughout America in connection with the Fort Wayne system of lighting. He was born in Limecick, Ireland, in 1851, and was educated at Marlborough College, obtaining a B.A. degree in 1873. He was associated in the early days with Mr. Lane Fox in experimental work, and went to America at the time of the electric lighting boom in 1880. He joined one of the prominent New York companies, but afterwards went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he developed the very successful alternating-current system which was associated with his name. Mr. Slattery had lately given much attention to storage battery work. He was greatly liked among the electrical fraternity, and, possessing considerable literary ability, was a well-known member of the Boston Society of Arts.
"Emancipation," starring Will Smith, arrives in theaters today. The film was inspired by a story published in Harper's Weekly magazine in 1863, the same year the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. The article featured illustrations (based on photographs) of a man identified as Gordon, who was said to have reached a Union Army encampment in Baton Rouge in March 1863 after escaping the custody of his enslaver in Mississippi and running for days on end. "In order to foil the scent of the bloodhounds who were chasing him he took from his plantation onions, which he carried in his pockets," the article states. "After crossing each creek or swamp he rubbed his body freely with these onions, and thus, no doubt frequently threw the dogs off the scent." The most widely circulated of these images, which shows the scarring on Gordon's back from being whipped, helped illustrate the brutality of slavery to the masses, which historians say fueled a growing public opposition to it. The article goes on to say that Gordon (sometimes referred to as Peter, Smith's character's name in the new film) later joined the Union Army himself. The film follows Peter's journey from his escape to his enlistment. There are many more Civil War-era photos & documents to explore in the Library's Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs (http://go.loc.gov/SPmN50LTQtw) & President Lincoln papers (http://go.loc.gov/1ULz50LTQtx).
On December 10, 1802 , just before settling in the Indiana territory, William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark expedition, filed a document in Jefferson County, Kentucky that released Ben McGee from enslavement. The following day, Clark turned McGee's enslavement into an indenture of thirty years servitude before making the move to Indiana.
The practice of emancipating enslaved persons who had been brought into Indiana Territory, and then forcing them to enter into long-term indentures was commonly practiced to circumvent territorial laws prohibiting slavery. Indentured servitude remained common practice until the Indiana Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional in 1821.
In the image below, the cabin in the foreground is a reconstruction of the cabin in which the Clark brothers lived at the Falls of the Ohio. Behind the main cabin is a reconstruction of the McGee cabin, in which Ben McGee and his wife Venus lived for over 20 years. Photo courtesy of Historic Louisville and the National Park Service.
On this date in 1802, elected representatives of the four counties that made up the Indiana Territory sent a petition to Congress at the behest of Territorial Governor William Henry Harrison. They requested changes to governing ordinances that they hoped would attract more settlers to the territory, setting it on the path to self-government and statehood. However, one of these requested enticements to white settlers was the temporary legalization of slavery.
The representatives requested a ten-year suspension of Article VI of the Ordinance of 1787 that outlawed slavery, arguing that settlers were bypassing the Indiana and Illinois Territories and moving west of the Mississippi because they could not bring the enslaved people they relied on and profited by. The petition went further, requesting that these enslaved people and their children would remain in bondage even after the suspension ended. Congress refused to allow slavery in Indiana Territory, but residents circumvented the restriction through indenture laws, essentially slavery by another name. Learn more about indentured servitude in Indiana: Mary Clark
The image below is courtesy of the Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian, William Henry Harrison and Jacob Piatt Dunn, Slavery Petitions and Papers.
From 1831 to 1865, William Lloyd Garrison, a white social reformer, produced the most widely circulated anti-slavery newspaper of the time titled “The Liberator.” A weekly publication of articles by both white and black abolitionists, male or female. This diversity of authorship and the newspaper’s radical ideas about immediate and uncompensated emancipation earned it very little popularity with white readers, attracting threats on Garrison’s life, as well as, a $5,000 bounty on his head in the state of Georgia. Garrison, who long condemned the U.S. government and constitution for upholding slavery, came to support Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and published his last issue of The Liberator in 1865 after the war had finished and the Thirteenth Amendment had finally been ratified. In his final issue, Garrison announced to his readers, “…my vocation as an abolitionist is ended.”
A REUTERS SERIES Slavery’s Descendants The ancestral ties to slaveholding of today’s political elite
Slavery's Descendants | part 1 America's Family Secret More than 100 U.S. leaders – lawmakers, presidents, governors and justices – have slaveholding ancestors, a Reuters examination found. Few are willing to talk about their ties to America's “original sin”
An active member of the field of behavioral genetics, Smalley grew up in Fort Wayne before heading off to the University of Michigan and then studying at UCLA and the the University of California. Over time working at UCLA after graduation, Smalley focused in on ADHD, where her lab produced more than 40 publications on the disorder. After being diagnosed with early state melanoma in 2002, Smalley went on to to found the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center and is the co-author of "Fully Present: The Science, Art and Practice of Mindfulness." She resides in Los Angeles with husband, Kevin Wall, another former Fort Wayne resident. Copied from FORT WAYNE FIVE: Important medical figures published with photo April 9, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper. She has a Susan Smalley, Ph. D. website: www.suesmalley.com. Susan Smalley at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Steve Smeltzer
Local cartoonist Steve Smeltzer has just published a retrospective collection of his work for Fort Wayne Magazine, called Fort Wayne in a Nutshell.
Born in Meridian, Mississippi - April 29, 2013, 69, longtime campaigner for civil rights. Wife of 51 years, Louise; a daughter, Ramona (Darrell) King; a son, Anthony Smith; a sister, Sylvia Bright; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives. Read more in Civil rights activist George Smith dies May 03, 2013
by Frank Gray and Julie Crothers of The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Smith, Jaylon
A Parade All-American and Indiana’s 2012 Mr. Football at Bishop Luers high school February 2013 signed national letter of intent to play for Notre Dame.Helped the Bishop Luers Knights win a fourth straight Class 2A High School state championship while playing outside linebacker and running back. The Bishop Luers linebacker wins two big awards on the same day – the Euell A. Wilson Award for the top athlete in the Summit Athletic Conference and the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top high school linebacker. Then, later in the week, the Indianapolis Star names him Mr. Football. From Decemeber 8, 2012 Weekly Scorecard on journalgazette.net. In the 20-year history of the Indiana Mr. Football award, there had never been a winner from northeast Indiana. That all changed Thursday when the sponsoring Indianapolis Star announced Bishop Luers senior Jaylon Smith had been named the 2012 Mr. Football. The honor, presented annually since 1992, is given to the state’s outstanding high school senior. Read the rest of the story Luers star grabs history, Mr. Football by Greg Jones December 7, 2012 Journal Gazette High school sports editor. Since 1985, the top college linebacker in the nation has received the award. In the last few years, the Butkus Foundation took over the award and since then Butkus has gone to the winner’s hometown, and often their homes, for the presentation. Read the rest of the story Butkus a ‘wow’ moment for Luers star by Greg Jones of the Journal Gazette December 16, 2012.
Jo Ellen Hemphill Smith: Iconic Artist & Community Builder
This documentary tells the story of artist Jo Ellen Hemphill Smith and her 50 years of painting. The film also documents her lifelong creative impact on the West Central Neighborhood and Fort Wayne’s Art Scene. Throughout her life, she inspired countless artists and through the Castle Gallery she helped change the region's landscape through the Art Collectors she inspired. This documentary has various accounts of Jo Ellen’s impact including from lifelong friend and art collector, Jim Davis the Creator of Garfield. Follow her incredible lifelong pursuit to make Fort Wayne a more creative place. Castle Gallery Fine ArtMark Paul Smith Jody Hemphill Smith Maxamillian StudioJulia MeekMaxamillian J Meyer
Jo Ellen Hemphill Smith: Iconic Artist & Community Builder April 26, 2024 Maxamillian Studio on YouTube CASTLE GALLERY This documentary tells the story of artist Jo Ellen Hemphill Smith and her 50 years of painting. The film also documents her lifelong creative impact on the West Central Neighborhood and Fort Wayne’s Art Scene. Throughout her life, she inspired countless artists and through the Castle Gallery she helped change the region's landscape through the Art Collectors she inspired. This documentary has various accounts of Jo Ellen’s impact including from lifelong friend and art collector, Jim Davis the Creator of Garfield. Follow her incredible lifelong pursuit to make Fort Wayne a more creative place.
If you ask an artist in Fort Wayne about who inspired or encouraged them to pursue the arts, there’s a good chance the...
If you ask an artist in Fort Wayne about who inspired or encouraged them to pursue the arts, there’s a good chance the name “Jody” will come up.
Jo Ellen “Jody” Hemphill Smith, who passed away in the fall of 2023 at the age of 78, was an artist, curator, and educator who devoted her life to promoting and improving the arts scene in Fort Wayne while mentoring numerous other creatives.
Jody, alongside her husband Mark Paul Smith, was co-owner and curator of Castle Gallery Fine Art located in the heart of West Central.
In March, Jody was posthumously awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from Arts United. In a statement, Arts United said Castle Gallery “introduced nationally known artists and collectors to the Fort Wayne arts scene…and it has been a springboard for many more visual artists.”
After Jody’s passing, her husband Mark got to work finding ways to preserve her legacy. His efforts culminated in the Hemphill Smith Art Foundation. Mark says the foundation serves two primary objectives: the creation of public artworks that celebrate Fort Wayne's cultural heritage and the support of local artists through scholarships and residencies.
At the forefront of the foundation's initiatives is a commemorative sculpture inspired by one of Jody's own paintings.
Zac Bow posted his biography October 9, 2019 on the Lost Muncie (Delaware County, Indiana) Facebook page and it was then shared August 9, 2019 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook: Snider was born in 1898 in a log cabin located in DeSoto and graduated from DeSoto high school in 1914 at the age of 16. During the 1914-1915 school year, Snider took courses at the Muncie National Institute and in the following fall, taught at the rural Delaware Township 6 school house near DeSoto (all of which occurred before the Snider turned 18). Following a one year stint at this schoolhouse, Snider enrolled at Indiana State Normal School in Terre Haute for an additional year of schooling and then returned to Delaware County to teach at DeSoto Elementary (he was promoted to a high school position after one year). After two years at DeSoto, Snider enrolled at the newly formed Indiana State Normal School-Eastern Division, where he would graduate in 1922 with his B.A. As an aside, Snider taught (and coached basketball) at Eaton High School during his time at ISNS. Upon graduation, Snider moved to Fort Wayne to become principal at Jefferson School (becoming the youngest principal in the city as a result), followed by a short stint as principal at James H. Smart School. Finally, in 1926 at the age of 28, Snider became the principal of Fort Wayne Southside High School, a position he famously held for 37 years (retiring in 1963). In 1964—a mere year after his retirement— the R. Nelson Snider (Ft. Wayne Snider High School) High School opened on the northeast side of the city. Snider's basketball profile from 1922 is shown above from page 79 with his photo from page 33 in the Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division (founded in 1918, became Ball State University in 1965) in the Orient yearbook on Archive.org. Questa Education Foundation was Established in 1937 by R. Nelson Snider, principal of South Side High School, and later incorporated as the Fort Wayne Educational Foundation, Questa Education Foundation continues the tradition of providing affordable student loans and generous scholarships to support students in northeast Indiana as they pursue their first associate or bachelor’s degree. Copied from Questa Education Foundation About page. Sunday October 2, 2022 a special Questa Education Foundation insert was published by The Journal Gazette newspaper for their 85th anniversary.
"Izler Solomon (January 11, 1910 – December 6, 1987) was a Jewish American orchestra conductor, active mainly in the Midwest.
Career
Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Izler Solomon's first position as music director was from 1936 to 1941 with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. While there, he premiered more than 150 American works. Subsequently, he was music director of the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra (1941–1949) and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (1956–1976). As a guest conductor, Solomon appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Israel Philharmonic, and Indiana University Philharmonic Orchestra. His career was cut short by a stroke in 1976. He died in 1987 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
He made several respected recordings, including the world premiere of Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 2, with the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra, and Jascha Heifetz as a soloist, in 1954."
A Republican, Souder served the region in the House of Representatives from 1995 to 2010, serving eight terms. After winning a six-way GOP primary election in 1994, he defeated Democrat Jill Long amid a wave of other Republicans – known as the Class of ’94 – who were elected that year. Copied from Former Congressman Souder dies after cancer battle by Jim Chapman and Brett Stover published September 27, 2022, Mark Souder was not a predictable politician opinion by Sylvia A. Smith Sep 27, 2022, and Sagamore of the Wabash bestowed on Souder by Niki Kelly Mar 6, 2022, updated Jun 3, 2022 in The Journal Gazette newspaper. Locally, he will be remembered for his strong roots in Grabill, Indiana, his advocacy for federal funding for the Maplecrest Road bridge project, support for the National Park Service, and support for General Motors during the great recession. He saw early on the scourge of methamphetamine and worked to legislatively fight it. After his resignation, he did not seek personal gain but returned to a quiet life in Allen County. Copied from a longer post September 27, 2022 by Allen County INfo on Facebook. Mark Souder Google search results. Mark Souder on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Mark Souder obituary at Legacy.com and Fairhaven Funeral Home..
Special Olympics
Olympics Indiana is a nonprofit founded in 1969 and receives no federal or state-appropriated funds, is not a United Way Agency, and relies entirely on corporate, civic and individual donations. https://soindiana.org. Special Olympics Polar Plunge - Fort Wayne: www.facebook.com/FWPlunge
Spangler, Iva
Born on Valentine's Day February 14, 1898 on the family farm in Adams County, died in 1986. She was a teacher in a one-room schoolhousei in Decatur beofre moving to Fort Wayne to teach biology at Central High School and then biological sciences at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne until 1976. In 1961 she wrote the Flowers of Pokagon: A Field Guide. Read a brief history Iva Spangler: Profile of an Early Park Naturalist by Terri Gorney on page 3 in the IMNature March-May 2018 Spring edition newsletter and page 7 in the Summer 2018 Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society newsletter.
In 1901, the home at 2432 Hoagland Avenue was built by Charles and Belle Sperry. The house is an uncommon variation of the Queen Anne style known as a “half-timbered Queen Anne.” While Charles and Belle lived in the home for less than a decade, they created something even more beautiful today. Today is the story of the Sperry family.
Charles and Belle, originally from Iowa, met at a young age in the most rural of areas. Charles, the son of Jedediah Bushnell Sperry, was one of four brothers. Unfortunately, his brothers all passed away at a young age. His father lived to be 89 years old, passing away in 1903 as the oldest resident of Fayette, Iowa. Charles and Belle moved to Fort Wayne some years earlier for better opportunities.
It was there that Charles started the Sperry Manufacturing Company in the early 1890s. Although they lived in Fort Wayne, Charles found the perfect opportunity in a nearby community. In New Haven, he helped build one of the largest manufacturing operations in Indiana. The company specialized in wood products, primarily wood handles for other machines for use in agriculture. However, the operation was also used for baseball bats at some point—the Sperry Sizzler, as they call it.
Eventually, Charles sold the operation and moved to 2707 Fairfield Avenue with his wife, Belle. Originally from Iowa, Belle was responsible for raising their three children, Jed, Lavon, and Maude. Jed made a living in advertising and marketing, working in Chicago, New York, and Detroit. Maude married and moved to New York City, where she was a prominent writer, lived a lavish lifestyle, and, with her husband, was responsible for preserving thousands of acres of land they purchased in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Lavon, the only child who stayed in Fort Wayne, made a career working for the Red Cross and passed away in 1961
RUTH ANNE (STEINER) SPRUNGER, 93, of Fort Wayne, died on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at home. She was born on Nov. 23, 1930, in Bluffton Ohio to the late Sidney and Ruth (Amstutz) Steiner. She received her Bachelor's degree from Bluffton University in 1951 and her Master's degree from St. Francis College in 1968.
Ruth Anne began her career teaching in Fort Wayne community schools for six years in 1951. She left teaching to raise her daughter as one of her most treasured life accomplishments was being a mother. Most of her professional life was devoted to removing the stigma of mental illness. In 1972, she began serving as the Executive Director for the Mental Health Association in Allen County for 40 years working tirelessly with the governor and state legislation to pass laws to ensure unique needs of the mentally ill were legally considered. For this, Ruth Anne was awarded the state's highest honor, Sagamore of the Wabash. During that time, she helped many local families find help for mentally ill loved ones. She developed an Officer Assistance Program that was recognized for providing training to officers in dealing with those in crisis. She was the Coordinator of the Fort Wayne Panel of American Women in the 1960’s which brought awareness of discrimination based on race and religion. She was a long-time member of P.E.O. Chapter AN, a philanthropic organization celebrating the advancement of women through education. She was a board member for the West Central Neighborhood Committee as well as numerous other boards focused on helping communities learn how to better assist those dealing with mental crisis and drug abuse. Ruth Anne received numerous other awards which included the Liberty Bell Award from the Allen County Bar Association, Outstanding Alumnus Award from Bluffton University, as well as many awards from the Fort Wayne Police Department. The city of Fort Wayne declared January 12, 2012 Ruth Anne Sprunger Day in recognition of her commitment to the community and her life of service. She was recognized in September as a 70-year member of Plymouth Congregational Church.
In her retirement, Ruth Anne enjoyed listening to audio books, working the NYT Spelling Bee, spending time with her daughter and entertaining at her home and at Pretty Lake. For her 85th birthday party, over 100 people attended a celebration at Plymouth Church. A last-minute race for more tables and chairs occurred when everyone invited attended. This showed the absolute love and devotion the community had for Ruth Anne.
Surviving are her daughter, Kathy Sprunger of Houston, Texas; nieces, Sue (John) Baker of Fort Wayne, Bambi Honer of Castle Valley, Utah, and Heidi (Dan) Vetter of June Lake, Calif.; nephew, Hans (Carol) Steiner of Exeter, Calif.; and sister-in-law, Sigrid Steiner in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Kenneth Sprunger; brother, Robert Steiner; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Orel A. and Ellen Sprunger; and nephew, Stephen Sprunger.
Kathy wishes to thank current caregivers, Christy Brown, Nan Butler, Carol Hille-Klem, Nicole Schulert, Kaye Seelye, Chyenne Wilson, Lolita Young, and the caregivers at the home instead. In addition, thanks go to Rita Collins, Peggy McLaughlin, Mary Chevillot, and the late Michelle Scott for helping care for Mom in the past. Finally, to Sue and John Baker, thank you for your love and support.
A memorial service will be held on January 20, 2024 with details to follow. Preferred memorials to Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana www.MHAnortheastindiana.org.
I was saddened to hear that Ruth Anne Sprunger passed away late last week. Though some around the state may not know her name, few people have done more for Hoosiers battling mental illness than Ruth Anne has for the past 40 years. She was a leader in northeast Indiana and in the halls of the Statehouse in the fight against mental illness, even earning a Sagamore of the Wabash for her efforts. Ruth Anne will be missed.
Stahl, Charles Chick
See his Charles "Chick" Stahl Cleats at
200 @ 200 2016 Bicentennial items at
The History Center. Born: January 10, 1873 Avilla; died: March 28, 1907 at West Baden Springs, IN. Charles Sylvester Stahl was born on January 10, 1873, in Avilla, Indiana, the sixth child of Reuben and Barbara (Stadtmiller) Stahl, Catholics of German descent. During his early childhood, his father supported the growing Stahl clan as a peddler, but in 1885 the family moved to Fort Wayne, where Reuben found work as a carpenter. In an 1898 interview, Charles reported that he had 23 siblings. “We had just enough in our family to make a couple nines – eighteen boys and half a dozen girls.” Copied from Chick Stahl a long article by Dennis Auger on Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).
He hit .354 as a rookie in 1897, had a lifetime batting average of .305, and helped lead Boston to the first World Series title in 1903. Fort Wayne’s Charles “Chick” Stahl could have been a Hall of Famer – if he didn’t die at the age of 34. Stahl was born in Avilla to a large Catholic family (wide-ranging accounts list him as one of nine children up to one of 24), but moved to Fort Wayne at the age of seven when his father, Reuben, relocated his carpentry business. After taking up baseball, Stahl signed his first professional contract in 1895 with Roanoke of the Virginia League. After advancing to Buffalo, Stahl got his shot at the majors in 1897 with the National League’s Boston Beaneaters, hitting .354 as a rookie. A star outfielder, Stahl played for the Beaneaters through 1900. Nicknamed “The Husky Hoosier” for his stocky 5-foot-10, 160-pound frame, Stahl was reportedly popular with fans for his strong play, earnest attitude, and good looks. While at spring training – which was held in Stahl’s home-state of Indiana at West Baden, Stahl committed suicide at the age of 34 by drinking carbolic acid. By many news accounts, his last words that day of March 28, 1907 were “It drove me to it.”While there was great speculation as to what Stahl’s final words referred to, his friend, David Murphy, committed suicide in Fort Wayne two days later also by drinking carbolic acid. A note left by Murphy reportedly wrote, “Bury me beside Chick.”Stahl, who was married just months before his suicide, left behind a wife named Julia who was murdered under suspicious circumstances in Boston a year and a half after Stahl’s death. Copied from a longer article with video Throwback Thursday: Chick Stahl is the Summit City’s forgotten star by Glenn Marini published April 16, 2020 on CBS WANE-TV NewsChannel 15. See also Chick Stahl on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.Chick Stahl Great Talent 7 Tragedy on Celebrate Boston.com and the Chick StahlFind A Gravepage for his burial site in Lindenwood Cemetery.
Stanczak, Ed
August 15, 1921 to May 30, 2004. Born to a family of Polish immigrants, was orphaned at an early age, the family was involved in the lucrative rum-running trade during the days of Prohibition running booze between Fort Wayne and Chicago. He played basketball at Central Catholic High School where they twice won the national Catholic high school basketball championship, with Ed named the MVP of the tournament. Eventually Ed joined a foundry in Fort Wayne that sponsored basketball and softball teams known as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons forerunner of the current Detroit Pistons franchise. In May 1950, Ed got a letter from coach Red Auerbach, asking him to play for the Boston Celtics, only four years old at the time. He played around 17 games in the 1951-’52 season before hanging up his sneakers. He returned to Fort Wayne, where he spent 32 years as a technical writer for the International Harvester agricultural equipment company. He and his wife then retired to the town of Alamo in south Texas, where he died in 2004. ... When you take a look at what he lived in ... He was raised in a garage and the only thing there was a coal stove. You had coal that you put there and that kept you warm. You did your cooking on it. They carried the water in from a well, went to the bathroom in an outhouse, and then you take a look at the world that he left in 2004. He saw the space shuttle, he saw the landings on the moon. Just amazing, Ed, Jr. said. Paraphrased from Former Celtic left treasure trove for surviving son March 18, 2009 by BJ Corbitt no longer online. Stats at Basketball-Reference.com.
Standish, Norman P.
Photographer, born in 1877 in Jackson, Michigan, reportedly opened a photo studio in downtown Fort Wayne in 1909, possibly at 115 1/2 W. Main St. or 113 W. Wayne St. Standish reportedly moved his studio the next year to 828 S. Calhoun St. and then in 1915 to 706 S. Calhoun St. he also opened and operated a photo studio near the carousel at Robison Park. Locally known for his 1913 Flood photos found in 1975 at his former home on Delaware Avenue as a well-preserved collection of glass-plate photo negatives in the attic. Read more at Fort Wayne photographer's legacy: A visual record of 1913 flood March 21, 2013 by Kevin Kilbane of The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Stavreti, Chris
Inducted into the Indiana Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1991. Considered by many to be the godfather of local high school baseball, legendary coach Chris Stavreti passed away on Friday. Stavreti was 73 years old. Last year, Stavreti was diagnosed with A.L.S, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He was the head coach for the Northrop baseball program from 1972-1997. Prior to his time at Northrop he coached at East Noble high school. Stavreti was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1991. He retired with a career record of 559 wins and 255 losses. Stavreti led Northrop to the 1983 state title. That team included current Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge. - Read the rest of the story Legendary Coach Stavreti Passes Away by Glenn Marini on WANE.com November 16, 2012. See also Beloved Northrop coach Chris Stavreti dies, leaving rich legacyNovember 17, 2012 and read about Chris Stavreti Field the baseball field at Northrup High School May 3, 2002: Field of dreams now has a name by Ben Smith in the Journal Gazette newspaper.
Stearns, John
One of three photographers who began The News-Sentinel's staff photo department in 1953, Longtime News-Sentinel photographer John Stearns dies at 86 by Bob Caylor published February 20, 2015 in The News-Sentinel newspaper. His wife, Janet, of Fort Wayne, sons David of Fort Wayne, John of Redmond, Wash.; and Steven of Dayton, Ohio; daughter Linda Johnson of Denver, Colo.; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Steere, Allen Caruthers
A professor of rheumatology at Harvard, Steere is a leader in the study and identification of Lyme disease. Originally from Fort Wayne, Steere studied at Yale and, along with colleague Stephen Malawista, is credited with the discovery and naming of Lyme disease, a topic that he has published just under 200 scholarly articles about since 1977. While working at the Tufts School of Medicine in Massachusetts, Steere led the research effort for the vaccine Lymerix. Copied from FORT WAYNE FIVE: Important medical figures published with photo April 9, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper. Allen Steere at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. His father was 102 year old Allen Caruthers Steere, Sr. August 13, 1908 – October 11, 2010 obituary at Klaehn, Fahl, Melton Funeral Home.
Born October 21, 1927, died January 15, 2004. He was owner/broker of Century 21 Fairfield, 5th District city councilman 1960s- 1970s, treasurer for the Allen County Republican Party, 40-year member and soloist at Plymouth Congregational Church and the 25 years at Achduth Vesholom Temple. He is perhaps best remembered as the locally famous Wolf & Dessauer Santa Claus from the 1950s through 1970s discussed on the Fort Wayne's Santa Claus on Child of the Fort blog. He first dressed up as Santa Claus in high school in 1942. He had three daughters, Marcia A. Steigerwald (R.J.Melton), Laura J. McCoy (Michael D.), Elizabeth L. Walker (Larry W.), all of Fort Wayne; a son, Philemon C. Steigerwald (Constance Martin) of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Andrew M. McCoy, Matthew D. McCoy, Jonathan P. McCoy, Katherine L. Walker, Christine E. Walker, Emma P. Walker, Lauren L. Steigerwald, Amy N. Steigerwald, Meg. E. Steigerwald, Rebecca M. Martin, Charles P. Martin, all of Fort Wayne; a niece, Cheryl (John) Maxwell of Fort Wayne; a nephew, Mark (Chris) Wasson of Irving, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia L., in 1990. Copied from Philemon A. Steigerwald on his Fort Wayne Newspapers Legacy.com obituary.
December 24, 2018 photos of his Santa Claus uniform, boots and more posted by The History Centeron Facebook stating: Visiting Santa Claus has been an ageless tradition for many residents of Fort Wayne. For local children in the 1950s through the 1970s, there was only one Santa worth visiting, and that was Phil Steigerwald. He began his professional “Santa” career in the early 1950s at the former Sears & Roebuck store on Rudisill Boulevard. By the mid-1950s, he had become the official Santa Claus at Wolf and Dessauer, W&D, the largest and most well-known department store in the area. The owners of W&D did Christmas big every year! Steigerwald’s performance as Santa Claus became very popular and as many as ten thousand children a week would visit him during the holiday season. Although Wolf and Dessauer was sold to L.S. Ayres in 1969, he served as Santa in the new store for several years. After leaving L.S. Ayres, Steigerwald continued to portray Santa at various functions, including the annual downtown lighting ceremony until 1985. Due to ill health, Steigerwald retired from his beloved Santa role in 1996. Today we share images of Fort Wayne’s favorite Santa, Phil Steigerwald; his full costume and other materials are on display at the museum through the end of the season. Happy Holidays from all of us at The History Center!
Born December 10, 1916. A retired teacher, she was the first woman to serve as president of Congregation Achduth Vesholom, the city’s Reform Jewish congregation. She served as president of the Friends of the ACPL and president of the library’s building corporation. Her awards include the Sagamore of the Wabash, the Father Tom Light of Christ Award from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the 2010 Tapestry Dedication Award and Fort Wayne Community Schools named its middle school speech contest trophy the Betty E. Stein Award. She received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Saint Francis in 2014.
Many thanks to Betty Stein for her praises in the article in The News-Sentinel! Congratulations to another one of "the county's greatest"--she just celebrated her 100th birthday!
For many years, Betty Stein has given us numerous great columns and tidbits about Fort Wayne's past. Read her farewell column.
BETTY STEIN COLUMN: “We have become friends – and I am far richer because of that” - her farewell column and announcement of her forthcoming book September 28, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Betty Stein, who wrote more than 2,000 “By the Way” columns for The News-Sentinel, has collected some of her best into a book and will sign them for her readers Friday, Dec. 7. Copied from Betty Stein’s familiar ‘By the Way’ columns are now a book; signing Friday published December 5, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Happy Birthday to former
News-Sentinel columnist Betty Stein!
Today is Betty Stein’s 102nd birthday. So here is my birthday card to her. Betty is best known to News-Sentinel readers for her columns that appeared in the newspaper beginning in 1982, the year I became sports editor. But she became much more special to me when I became editor of the paper in 2007, because along with that responsibility came the distinct pleasures of editing her columns and interacting with her on a regular basis. Copied from
KERRY HUBARTT COLUMN: “By the way,” Betty Stein, your many friends are richer for having known you published December 10, 2018.
By The Way, the Columns of Betty E. Stein Paperback – October 30, 2018, by Betty E. Stein (Author), Blake Sebring (Author) on Amazon.com states: During the summer of 1982, in her role as assistant to the principal, Betty Stein gave The News-Sentinel’s Stewart Spencer a tour of Memorial Park Middle School. The paper’s incoming editor, Spencer was looking for his daughter’s new school."We just hit it off beautifully," Stein said. "He loved the school, and he liked me." Spencer suggested Betty write a guest column, and her first was published Nov. 12, 1982. She continued every other Tuesday until July 31, 2018, and including her Afterwards and Page Turner submissions, Betty wrote more than 2,000 columns in The News-Sentinel.As selected by Betty, here are more than 100 of her best columns, highlighting Fort Wayne and national history, felines, books, movies, music, teaching and, of course, quizzes. – all including Betty’s signature humor, 100-year perspective and self-deprecating style. Here’s your chance to reminisce about some of your favorite Betty Stein memories.
YEWELL WILLIS STEINMETZ, passed away Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, surrounded by his devoted family after a courageous 10 month battle with, Blastic plasmo-cytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, a rare form of leukemia. He was born in Evansville, Ind. on Dec. 20, 1946. He lived 10 years in Springfield, Ohio moving to Fort Wayne after attending Bowling Green University. He enlisted in the Army and served in Vietnam. Yewell was a fixture in the local arts community. He was a master craftsman who helped restore the Scagliola in the Allen County Courthouse. His passions were the Allen County Library, Starbucks downtown, art, and his cat, Booboo. He touched many lives in Fort Wayne and was known as a kind and loving "special character". He took pride in restoring his home "house of Do Dads".
He is survived by sisters, Manelle (Geoff) Williams and Von Marie (David) Eklund; brothers, Sam (Zaya) Steinmetz and Jim (Kim) Kephart; a daughter, Allison (Paul) Lehto; granddaughter, Madison; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, at Columbia Street West, 135 West Columbia St. All who knew and were touched by Yewell are invited to come and share the memories. www.covingtonmemorial.com
Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Oct. 17, 2015.
91, born August 13, 1922 in Florence, South Carolina, raised in Tampa, Florida, died January 2, 2014 in Carmel, Indiana. He was drafted during World War II and was sent to Baer Field ( Fort Wayne International Airport). He decided to stay and raise his family after marrying Maxine in 1944 and had two sons Reginald and Ronald. He started his entertainment career as a child performer in a five-member jug band. At age 12, he took a bus to New York City with a 9-year-old jug band partner, Nathaniel Reese. Without their parents' knowledge, they auditioned and played on CBS Radio's “Major Bowes Amateur Hour.” They won the show's talent contest. Read the rest of his story in Longtime entertainer, community leader Al Stiles has died published January 9, 2014 in The News-Sentinel newspaper. Al Stiles, 91, dies; performed at Apollo by Julie Crothers January 10, 2014 in The Journal Gazette newspaper. ALBERT STILES at The History Makers the Digital Repository for the Black Experience has a short video on the Digital Archive tab. ALBERT STILES OBITUARY Fort Wayne Newspapers Legacy.com obituary and over 30 comments to the Dignity Memorial Lindenwood Cemetery obituary.
Stith, Hana Lee (Bryant)
Born August 25, 1928 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was a graduate of Central High School and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Saint Francis. She became active in the NAACP in 1946 before she graduated from Central. In 1960 she was among the first black teachers hired by Fort Wayne Community Schools, she retired in 1996. She served on the Executive Board of the local chapter of the NAACP and with the Fort Wayne Urban League. With her late husband, Harold, she co-founded founded the African/African American Historical Society in 1998 and the African/African American Historical Museum a year later, it officially opened February 1, 2000. She served as the museum's CEO, Manager and Director until 2013. Hana Stith interview biography published July 30, 2002 on former The History Makers website now on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
She left her daughter Robin S. Stith of Columbus; granddaughter, Hanani Taylor of Los Angeles, brother, Danny Jones; sister in law, Minnie Bryant; brother in law, Warren Stith of New York City; devoted nieces, Danita Jones and Karen Bryant; devoted nephew, Stanley (Beth) Robinson; special cousins, Joanna Patterson Finch and Rosalyn Stith (Columbus, OH); special and caring friends, Theronia Starks, Condra Ridley, Patsy Brewer, Lola Curry, Marsha Woods, Patricia Woods Causey, Audrey Woods and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Stith; parents, Miles and Viola Mew Bryant; sister, Wilma Ferguson and brother, Samuel (Bubby) Bryant. Laid to Rest in Covington Memorial Gardens. Copied from her September 5, 2018 obituary at the
Ellis Funeral Home no longer online.
Was nationally known as an ornithologist. He was born January 16, 1856, to parents who had come on the newly opened Wabash and Erie Canal. His father owned one of the first bookstores in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Charles worked in the bookstore before becoming a letter carrier in Fort Wayne for many years. He lived at 2323 Webster St. and was married 55 years to Ada Ashley. First paragraph copied from a longer Charles Stockbridge page of the Stockbridge Audubon Society website. 1856-1934, son of one of the first bookstore owners in Fort Wayne, longtime letter carrier and nationally known bird expert. President of the Fort Wayne Audubon Society, birding organization, active in taxidermy, his large collection of mounted birds was donated to Earlham College in Richmond. The local Audubon group changed its name to the Stockbridge Audubon Society in his honor. He is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery. Fort Wayne woman discovers interesting stories while researching area's early conservationists by Kevin Kilbane published February 15, 2014 in The News-Sentinel newspaper is posted on the Fort Wayne Audubon Society News page.
Stone Custom Drum, LLC www.stonecustomdrum.com, 2701 South Coliseum Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana. An independent drum craftsman, building everything from Civil War re-enactment drums to complete “one-off” custom drums. Bernie operates his sole-proprietorship business out of a building at the old Fort Wayne headquarters of International Harvester.
Stoner, Richard Dick
Dick Stoner Magicomedian by Stoners FunStore posted March 22, 2014 on YouTube Dick Stoner performing closeup magic Nashville Network for the Statler Brothers Show. Watch his playing card magic tricks.
Magician and entertainer, his father Albert H. Stoner was an amateur magician who passed away in 1995, his mother Lydia L. Stoner, 101, passed away February 23, 2006 from her Feb. 25, 2006 Fort Wayne Newspapers Legacy.com obituary. He opened Stoner's Magic Shop in 1949, and traveled the world doing trade and stage shows, appeared on National TV on The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, with Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton which led to continuing roles on both The Nashville Network and The Statler Brothers Show. Stoner’s Funstore Offers Year Round Thrills published November 11, 2016 in the IPFW Communicator newspaper is no longer online. Dick's Bio - Dick Stoner already entertaining at 13! , Dick’s Videos and more on dickstoner.com.
He was selected to perform at Muhammad Ali's 50th birthday party shown on page 82 of Legendary Locals of Fort Wayne, by Randolph L. Harter, Craig S. Leonard .
A July 17, 2015 post by
Randy Harter, Fort Wayne historian and authoron You know you've lived in Fort Wayne too long when... Private Facebook group stated: From the book: Legendary Locals of Fort Wayne..... Richard “Dick” Stoner Albert Stoner was an amateur magician and all the inspiration his son Dick needed when in 1948 he became a professional magician. Opening Stoner’s Magic Shop in 1949, he has been in the prestidigitation/comedic magic business ever since. He traveled the world doing trade and stage shows, and shared the limelight with notables like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton, which led to continuing roles on both the Nashville Now and Statler Brothers shows. Nationally known, he was the entertainment for Muhammad Ali’s 50th birthday party. (Courtesy of Stoner’s Fun Store.)
Randy commented to the post stating: After getting out of the Army he started on TV as the local host for the Mickey Mouse Club, and then beginning in 1966, the Laurel and Hardy's Magic Castle with Dick Stoner on WANE-TV. Dick was always a natty dresser with a sport coat and matching tie and handkerchief in his pocket. He'd tell folks that "Handkerchiefs are expensive! Twenty dollars and up! But I buy mine for only $2.99 at Wal-Mart" as he pulls a pair of ladies underwear from his pocket. A lot of great stories that go with Dick, but unfortunately the book publishers format required the profiles to be kept short and let the images be the heroes.
January 7, 2023 post on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook: Fort Wayniacs!! I’m back- and once again need YOUR help on the upcoming biography on our local magician, my grandfather Dick Stoner!! In my research I’ve come across numerous magicians who were active in the Fort Wayne area and a part of Fort Wayne’s Magic Club in the 1940s-50s. I’m hoping that you all can help me identify living relatives of these magicians, and help me to get in contact with them. This is a lost, unique aspect to Fort Wayne History!! I’ll give a list of names of interest. First Photo: Back Row: Tom Rockhill - Ed A. Gallmeier. Front Row: Dick Stoner - Albert H. Stoner. Second Photo, from left to right: Ed Franke, Marvin Crouse, Dr Eugene Bulson, Ed Gallmeier, Mr Lampton. Other names I have come across are: Vernon Carr, John Andrews, Paul Hitzeman, Paul Richter, Grover Hollis, Charlie Doell, and Maxine Wedertz. I thank you all for your help with this project. I hope to have the book out sometime in 2024, and your support will make that possible!! -Colin Haines
December 23, 2022 post on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook: Hello, Fort Wayne Friends! I need YOUR help! I am Colin Haines, grandson of Dick Stoner. Founder and Proprietor of Stoner’s Funstore, Host of The Mickey Mouse Club & Laurel & Hardy’s Magic Castle, and Legendary Comedy Magician. I am currently writing a book on his life, and want to collect as many stories as I can. If you have any photos, memories, or stories, please don’t hesitate to send me a message and we can chat to include your story in the book!! Thanks to all- and have a very Merry Christmas. Stay safe out there today!!
March 16, 2023 post on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook with photo: The Fort Wayne Magicians Club - 1937. In the center of the Bottom row is Doctor Eugene Bulson, medical professional who also served as President of the club from 1929 until he died in 1954. Directly above the doctor is my Great Grandfather Albert Stoner (Father of Dick Stoner, and Co-Founder of Stoner’s Funstore.) ”Al” actually ran a small magic shop out of his basement in the late 40s before expanding operations at 712 S Harrison where Stoner’s still stands today. He worked for GE a number of years (which surprisingly had about 15 employees who were magicians!)
POSITIVELY FORT WAYNE: Colin Haines is the grandson of the famous Dick Stoner. The USF student is currently working on the first biography about his legendary grandfather and his journey through the magic world. And guess what? He wants input from YOU!
Born in Kendallville on April 8, 1895, died July 6, 1958 and buried in Kendallville. He opened his own architectural practice in 1918 and gave Northeast Indiana four decades of great architecture. His office was at 809 Calhoun Street. Alvin M. and nephew Herman Strauss were among the region’s most influential architects of the twentieth century. From the time A. M. Strauss founded a firm in 1918, to the time his nephew Herman retired in the 1990s, the firm completed nearly 2,500 projects. The Strauss firm created a large portion of the downtown landscape, and many of the churches, medical facilities, schools, theatres, office buildings, and stores in Fort Wayne. The Lincoln Bank Tower is probably the most-recognized of his works, but many public buildings and private homes came from his desk.
Alvin M. Strauss Born in Kendallville, Indiana in 1895, A.M. Strauss served as an apprentice in the offices of prominent architects in Chicago and Fort Wayne, Indiana. He established his own architectural practice in 1918 in Fort Wayne and became one of Indiana’s leading architects of the twentieth century. He worked in a number of popular styles, and many of his works are major public, commercial, or residential landmarks in cities throughout Indiana and northwest Ohio. Many of his works survive in Fort Wayne. Examples include small bungalows and mansions and public and commercial buildings such as the St. Vincent Villa, the Embassy Theatre and Indiana Hotel, and the Lincoln Bank Tower. Strauss died in 1958. (Source: Fort Wayne, Indiana Interim Report: Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. Indiana: 1996.) Copied from WestCentralNeighborhood.org.
Born in Kendallville, Indiana, in 1895 and based in Fort Wayne, renowned Jewish Archtech Alvin M. Strauss designed around 13 buildings at Indiana University Bloomington campus, including the Showalter fountain. He created facilities such as the Mauer School of Law, Woodburn Hall and Swain Hall and the School of Music, Jordan Hall, Myers Hall, Field House, Ballantine, and the campus Auditorium.
71, died April 6, 2012 Fort Wayne Board of Public Works and former union leader.
Surbeck, John
Allen County Superior Court Judge 1st Hoosier to win Rehnquest Award. Allen County Superior Court Judge John Surbeck received a national award for judicial excellence Thursday for achievements he said were born of frustration. In a ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court attended by more than 250 people, Surbeck was presented the William H. Rehnquist Award by the National Center for State Courts. The award was given to Surbeck by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. The honor is named for Roberts’ predecessor, who died in 2005. Surbeck is the 17th recipient of the Rehnquist award and the first from Indiana. He was saluted for starting the Allen County Re-Entry Court in 2001 and promoting the program since then. The court allows for the early release of prison inmates in exchange for closer court supervision – including random drug tests and ankle bracelets that monitor an offender’s whereabouts – than is typical in traditional parole and probation programs. - Read the rest of the story Surbeck 1st Hoosier to win Rehnquist award by Brian Francisco Washington editor of the Journal Gazette newspaper November 16, 2012.
Surack, Chuck
In 1979 he founded Sweetwater, a retailer selling professional audio gear and music equipment, professional recording services in Sweetwater Studios and music instruction from the Academy of Music. He also owns several other companies.
Born April 18, 1997 in Indianapolis, a son of Tanya and Carl Swanigan, Sr.. Caleb was living in a troubled home in Utah when he came to Fort Wayne in 2011 with Roosevelt Barnes a retired professional football play and prominent sports agent. Roosevelt adopted the 13-year-old Caleb Biggie Swanigan who became a local high school basketball star who grew to 6'9'', then played two years at Purdue University before he entered the NBA draft in 2017. Caleb was drafted as No. 26 in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers. Caleb Swanigan ESPN player profile. See Purdue's Caleb Swanigan has changed his body and his life by Myron Medcalf published March 18, 2017 on ESPN.com and the video From Homelessness To Basketball Star published May 3, 2017 on Steve HarveyTV.com. Purdue's Caleb 'Biggie' Swanigan escaped brutal childhood, but story ends too soon Opinion by Gregg Doyel Indianapolis Star published June 21, 2022 on USAToday.com.
What comes to mind when you think of celery? It is probably not as a cash crop in Allen County or as a status symbol to be displayed as decoration in your home. So today, in honor of National Celery Month, we share celery related items from our collection and the story of local celery production. Starting in 1896, the Sweet Family began to grow celery for the local and national markets in Southwest Allen County. Celery grows best in what is commonly known as “muck soil”, a heavily wet, nutrient rich soil. Sweet’s Celery Farm was originally located on Freeman Street and Portage, roughly where Portage Middle School now stands. In 1929, production was moved to Macbeth Road, now the current Republic Landfill, and remained there until the late 1950s. Following the death of his father in 1905, George Sweet took over the running of the family farm. Initially they grew two varieties of celery, White Plume (summer variety) and Winter Queen (winter variety), later switching to Pascal (variety we find in our supermarkets). Workers on the celery farm in the early 20th century were primarily immigrants from Eastern Europe, specifically from Romania. By 1931, Sweet’s Celery was so widely known that at the National Convention of Vegetable Growers, George Sweet was dubbed the “Celery King” of the United States and Canada. He held this honorary title throughout the remainder of the 1930s and the 1940s. While growing celery was a volatile enterprise, it provided well for the Sweet Family, who were known to vacation in Hawaii, Mexico, and various Caribbean nations. Shortly after George Sweet retired in 1958, celery growing ceased in Allen County. #sociallyhistory
Thomas Swinney came to Fort Wayne shortly before 1824. Born in Piketon, Ohio in 1803, Swinney was a land speculator who developed a large part of west end Fort Wayne. Soon after his arrival in the pioneer town he married Lucy Taber, daughter of Paul Taber, also a land speculator. Taber’s principal holdings in Fort Wayne were on the east end of the town. The west end lands that Thomas Swinney held, including the present –day West Swinney Park, were often the center of large community gatherings. Copied from Swinney Home by
Tom Castaldi, local historianpublished April 3, 2014 in the History Center Notes & Queries blog. The book above gives his birth as November 18, 1803 and says his father came to Fort Wayne in 1822. See Swinney Homestead.
Our community has a long tradition of welcoming new immigrant groups, providing the foundation on which they can build a new home. Some of the most influential groups are those who came from geographical locations under the rule of the Ottoman Empire or formerly under its rule. These groups include, but are not limited to, the Lebanese-Syrians, Romanians, Macedonians, and Greeks. While there are many differences in the origins of these immigrant groups, they have three things in common: they were Christians of various Eastern and Orthodox denominations, their homelands were all under the rule of Islamic Law in the Ottoman Empire, and the first wave of immigrant groups that came from that region primarily arrived during the decline and after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th and 20th centuries. #sociallyhistory
By 1900 there were vibrant Arabic-speaking communities across Indiana, including in Indianapolis, Terre Haute, and Michigan City. But Fort Wayne was special, at least according to its Syrian residents. Alixa Naff, who developed the Smithsonian Institution’s collection on Arab American history, wrote that Fort Wayne “was among the largest and most flourishing [Syrian] peddling settlements in the United States.”
The immigrants who settled in Fort Wayne, like other people from Greater Syria, which included modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, were part of a mass immigration of perhaps half a million people—one out of every five Syrians—from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Americas before 1920. The reason they arrived in Fort Wayne was because it was a quickly growing community that offered economic opportunity, especially for those going into the peddling business.
Some of the best known family and business names in Fort Wayne – Azar, Bojrab, Bedree, Bonahoom and Tazian – belong to immigrants who made their way here from Syria. Some of those families have been part of the community since the early 1900s. Copied from Syrians a part of Fort Wayne history Linda Lipp
llipp Jan 15, 2016 Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly.
New article in Traces, the magazine of @IndianaHistory, on the origins of the Syrian-Lebanese community in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
By 1900, hundreds of immigrants landed in this "peddling settlement," many from around Rashaya, Lebanon.
Happy Arab American Heritage Month! Most people know that Indiana’s 49th Governor Mitch Daniels served two terms in the state’s highest office from 2005-2013. Less people might know that the Daniels family has Syrian roots. The former governor’s grandfather Elias Daniels was a bookmaker who immigrated to the U.S. from Qalatiyah, Syria, in 1905. Elias Daniels first settled in Monessen, Pennsylvania, where he opened a pool hall that offered local factory workers the opportunity to “play the numbers,” a kind of informal lottery. In a 2011 speech to the Arab American Institute, Mitch Daniels joked: ““I’m sure, as a good Syrian, he ran a very honest numbers racket.”
After Elias married Afife in 1921, Mitchell Daniels Sr. was born in 1923. Mitchell attended college, served in WWII, and married Dorothy Wilkes in 1948. Mitch Daniels Jr. was born in 1949 and the family moved to Indianapolis in the 1950s.
Learn more about Mitch Daniels’ Syrian heritage and where his views have diverged from those of many Arab Americans via Arab Indianapolis: Mitch Daniels’ Syrian Roots “I’m sure, as a good Syrian, he ran a very honest numbers racket.”.
Sylvester, Curt
The Bloomington native was a Methodist minister for 35 years in Valparaiso, Goshen and Fort Wayne, retiring in 2003 as minister of St. Joseph United Methodist Church after 20 years at the northeast-side church. He taught speech and drama at schools in Walkerton, in northwest Indiana, before becoming a minister. Sylvester has been an AARP volunteer since 2006 after answering an invitation that appeared in the group’s magazine. He became a member of the AARP Indiana executive council in 2010, representing the state’s 3rd Congressional District, and is among 23 members of the national AARP Volunteer Leadership Institute. Copied from Sylvester, Curt Retired city pastor to lead state AARP by Brian Francisco the Washington editor published January 16, 2013 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
6/25/2024.....Early Settlers of Monroe County by Dr Curt Sylvester... Indiana Geneological Society. June 30, 2024 Monroe County History Club on YouTube Dr Curtis Sylvester, Immediate Past President of the Indiana Geneological Society gives a program titled "Early Settlers of Monroe County". Dr Sylvester reviews transition of property ownership from the Miami Tribe through treaties, land grants and purchases. He discusses the reasons that people moved to Monroe County. He also selects some families for a more detailed discussion. For these we learn of their countries of origin, the first person of that family to arrive in the American Colonies, the first person of that family to arrive in Indiana, and the first person of that family to arrive in Monroe County.There are lots of pictures, maps and certificates displayed. He encourages everyone to research their own ancestors and shows how to do that by using legal documents, census records, newspapers and DNA.
