It’s #FirefighterFriday! Each Friday in January, we will be featuring photos and historical bios from our firefighter collection (Collection courtesy of Donald A. Weber).
Charles F.W. Walda was born July 30, 1858 in Adams County, Indiana to Karl Walda and Wilhelmine Schroeder. The family moved to Fort Wayne when Charles was a young boy.
Charles married Augusta Reinking in 1885 and they had five children: Arthur, Bertha, Laura, Emilie, and Albert.
Mr. Walda was a police officer before becoming involved with the fire department. He worked at Station No. 4 as a hoseman. In total, he spent 34 years working at the fire department.
Charles passed away at his home, 1021 Walter St in Fort Wayne on June 22, 1930 at the age of 71, after having suffered a stroke about six weeks earlier. Funeral services were held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Following the funeral, Mr. Walda was transported via firetruck to his final resting place at Concordia Cemetery.
Explore our Ft. Wayne Firefighter collection here: https://www.genealogycenter.info/fwacdb.php
1930, June 23). Veteran Fireman Succumbs. Fort Wayne News Sentinel, p. 3
Walker, Fran
Was WPTA's first black employee in the 1960's at the height of the Civil Rights movement. She was hired as a receptionist, but a new general manager wanted her to do more. "I told him if you don't like me out here - I was sassy then - make me a star and he said okay I'll do just that," she explained with a touch of that sass from her younger days. After presenting the community on-air calendar for a short time, the GM gave Grant her own program, the Fran Walker Show. See Native Hoosier young lady stars in her own TV show on page 13 in the Indianapolis Recorder January 8, 1972 on Hoosier State Chronicles Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Programand Hidden History: Curator highlights Allen County's African-American pioneers in online database by Kaitor Kposowa published February 19, 2018 on CBS WANE-TV NewsChannel 15.
So sad to report, tonight that Jay Walker...long-time weatherman and my friend, passed away today at the age of 74. Jay was one of the good people in the world. Loved his family, his job and his '57 Chevy. I will never forget Jay's "Snipe Nights" "Leaky skies" and most of all his little "heat wave/cold wave" waving hand with which he was mischievous! We love you and miss you Jay!
So many, many wonderful tributes to our dear friend Jay. A good portion of our 5pm show today will be devoted to...
So many, many wonderful tributes to our dear friend Jay. A good portion of our 5pm show today will be devoted to remembering him. We'll hear from many of you plus some of Jay's current and former co-workers. Here is a vintage photo of the 21 Alive News Team!
"Herbert W. Brabander, who was known as Jay Walker during more than four decades of broadcasting in Fort Wayne, died Wednesday afternoon. He was 74. Walker was born in Chicago and had worked as a disc jockey in Boston and Ann Arbor, Mich., before coming to Fort Wayne in 1966. He made his greatest mark as the weatherman for WPTA-TV, Channel 21, where, as fellow broadcasters put it, he became a beloved fixture on the news. Walker loved his job and his audience learned to love his sometimes unconventional way of presenting the weather. The former Marine didn’t predict rain. He predicted what he called spritzles and leaky skies. Instead of predicting a clear night he’d forecast a snipe night, perfect for snipe hunts." WPTA personality Jay Walker, 74, dies by Frank Gray of The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Documentary video Marge Wall: The Roller Dome Story available from PBS39 WFWA Fort Wayne. During live interview Marge's son said she wrote conduct rules 50 years ago and are now in Roller Dome Hall of Fame used nationwide. The only change to the rules is adding no cellphones allowed.
The story of Roller Dome owner Marg Wall a week before her 90th birthday Rink queen keeps on rolling October 14, 2012 by Frank Gray in the Journal-Gazette newspaper was posted October 15, 2022 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
March 15, 2022 on Facebook Roller Dome North posted: This is the newest project for the Walls in the skating industry. My brother Kevin is one of the investor in this project with the post Who Needs Ice? Roller-Skating Comes to Rockefeller Center. A wheel-friendly rink is opening in Midtown’s famous sunken plaza, part of a rebrand of the Art Deco complex to attract more New Yorkers. The roller rink opened in April 2022, see video below:
The Journal Gazette’s 2012 Citizen of the year. See previous Citizens of the Year. Her job at IPFW is executive director of university relations and has an extensive list of volunteer efforts. 2004 IPFW Mastodons on Parade celebrating the university’s 40th anniversary, the Fort Wayne 1994 Bicentennial gateway markers, Kids Crossing playground at Lawton Park, worked on the effort that won Fort Wayne the title of All-America City in 1998. In 1994, as a member of the Bicentennial Committee with Mike Hawfield, Patty Martone, and Irene Walters, they were named Citizens of the Year. IPFW’s popular Omnibus Lecture Series started by Walters has brought world-famous speakers to Fort Wayne since 1995 as well as starting IPFW’s annual Tapestry event. The late Patty Martone, who died unexpectedly in July [2012], was a close friend and a frequent companion in Walters’ community service endeavors. Martone once aptly described Walters as the P.T. Barnum of Fort Waynefor her unique ability to promote a cause and persuade people to contribute toward a goal.RiverFest started as a project of Friends of the Rivers, the local river advocacy group that began because of Invent Tomorrow. Walters was a founding member of both groups.Now she is working on an even more ambitious public art project to celebrate IPFW’s 50th anniversary in 2014. IPFW’s Sculpture with Purpose program is enlisting local artists to design 50 statues that also will serve as bike racks. Copied from Irene Walters by Samuel Hoffman a December 30, 2012 article in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Walsh, Bill
55 years service as Fort Wayne police officer. After more than 50 years, city cop prepares to ride off into the sunset Bill Walsh's longevity earns praise, but also raises questions by Kevin Leininger an August 5, 2014 article in The News-Sentinel newspaper no longer online.
Wardlaw is The Journal Gazette's Citizen of the Year in 2011, " a senior vice president for account services with the Asher Agency, a local advertising and public relations firm. He is also a devoted community volunteer who has served an astounding list of civic, charitable and fine arts organizations." from an article in The Journal Gazette newspaper no longer online. See previous Citizens of the Year. Larry Wardlaw named a ‘Sagamore of the Wabash’ August 30, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Born September 19, 1870 and died in August of 1936 at the age of 66. He was the first African-American allowed to live on Douglas Street. He was a real estate investor and he owned a 21 room house at 450 Montgomery Street which was later changed to Douglas Street. He rented rooms to black performers who were refused lodging at any white hotels in the Fort Wayne area. In Addition, he had a contract with Pennsylvania Railroad to provide room and board to black waiters who worked in dinning cars for the railroom. Warfield was also very talented musically, he composed the song, "We Love Old Fort Wayne", which was performed at the opening of the Lincoln Tower in 1930. For more information, visit the Fort Wayne African-America Historical Museum on Douglas Street.
Thank you Input Fort Wayne and Kara Hackett for such an excellent article on legacy of Black leaders in Fort Wayne history, featuring William E. Warfield and his diaries, a collection that lives digitally within our Community Album.
February is Black History Month - each Friday this month, we will be featuring stories to recognize and highlight Fort Wayne's African American heritage.
Considered the city’s first black real estate investor, William E. Warfield was born in Maysville, Kentucky on September 19, 1870. When Warfield was twenty, he came to Fort Wayne and worked as a waiter in the dining room of the Randall Hotel for several years. On Valentine’s Day 1898, he married Edna Underwood – the couple had two children: William and Velma.
Warfield acquired and invested in a number of properties. In 1899 he purchased and moved into a twenty-one-room house at 450 East Douglas Avenue. He was the first of his race to live on the street. This served as both his family home as well as lodging. Discrimination was prevalent at the time, so African Americans were not able to stay in hotels or eat at the local restaurants. Warfield rented rooms in the Douglas Ave. house to local people and traveling performers - the rooming house was very popular.
Other properties that Warfield acquired included 501 E. Brackenridge St (Holman). He also owned a farm, an additional rooming house on Calhoun St. and several other properties.
Mr. Warfield had many interests. He was a writer, poet, and composer. He published Fort Wayne’s first Black newspaper, The Vindicator.
He died on August 6, 1936, survived by his wife, children, and four grandchildren.
Beatty, J. D., & Robb, P. (2006). History of Fort Wayne & Allen County, Indiana, 1700-2005. M.T. Pub. Co.
(1936, August). Warfield. Fort Wayne News Sentinel, p. 2
The nineteenth century saw African-American migration to Fort Wayne and elsewhere in Allen County. Whether removing themselves from the post-bellum South, seeking jobs in the more economically stable North, or simply moving because they now had the freedom to do so, by 1900, 276 Black residents had relocated to Fort Wayne and many more traveled through the city on their way to Canada seeking as much distance between them and the post-bellum South as possible. William Warfield, born on September 19, 1869 in Kentucky, came to Fort Wayne in 1890. He worked as a waiter in the various hotels in town and is considered to be the city’s first Black real estate investor. He owned properties throughout downtown and the county. In 1909, he purchased and moved to 450 Montgomery St, (today East Douglas) a large 21 room home, which served as a family home and rooming house. He later also purchased 501 Holman Street, a farm on Bass Road, land near Southgate Plaza and others. Warfield is known for keeping extensive diaries on city life and also published the first Black newspaper in our city, The Vindicator. After 46 years, William Warfield died at Methodist Hospital on August 7, 1936. #sociallyhistory
Waterfield, Richard Dallas
Born in Fort Wayne IN in 1944, the youngest of the three children born to Richard Hobbs and Anne Kendrick McGill Waterfield. See his Mr. Waterfield bio on Waterfield Capital, LLC. Mr. Waterfield attended South Side High School, graduating in 1962.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the art of photography grew in popularity and Fort Wayne saw the establishment of several photography studios during this time. Paul Watters, a 1947 graduate of Central High School, began his photographic career in 1949 while working at A & I Leather & Camera Shop. In 1949, he purchased his first camera, a Crown Graphics 4 x 5 (pictured here), which he donated to the History Center in January of 2011. Watters had three studios in Fort Wayne beginning in 1950: 2223 Miner Street, 3121 South Calhoun Street and 3635 Lake Avenue. His work included weddings and commercial business; however, after 1972 the Watters Photography Studio focused primarily on portraiture, with a concentration on school photography. Paul Watters retired in 2000, leaving a 50 year legacy of premium photography in Fort Wayne. Here we share Watters continuing legacy within our community of budding photographers. #sociallyhistory
Charles Weatherhogg was an American architect who was known for his role in the modern development of Fort Wayne, Indiana and the structures he designed throughout the Northern Midwest of the United States. He was born on April 15th, 1872 in Donington, Lincolnshire, England, to Henry and Jane Weatherhogg and attended school in Donington. Read his October 18, 1937 obituary, then the rest of his story including a list of some of his buildings at Charles Weatherhogg by ARCH ( Architecture and Community Heritage) . Charles R. Weatherhogg lists his work on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. His local projects listed here link to Wikipedia pages:
Hoagland High School (Heritage Elementary). Set to be demolished in 2020
Baseball player at Northrop High School, play at Wichita State and briefly in the major leagues before pursuing a career as a manager with Cleveland Indians from 2003 to 2009, earning American League Manager of the Year in 2007, and the Seattle Mariners from 2011 to 2013. 2017 new position with Toronto Blue Jays as field coordinator. See Eric Wedge takes break from Blue Jays for Fort Wayne camp by Reggie Hayes published January 27, 2017 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Body Exhumed Near This City: and Found to be Petrifed.
Yesterday Andrew and John Weis, the former of Sandusky City and the latter of Garrett, came to Fort Wayne for the purpose of removing the remains of their mother, Mrs. Nicholas Weis, from her place of burial, on the Kepps farm, near the Penn House, to Lindenwood cemetery. Upon opening the grave, the coffin was found to be under water and in a remarkable state of preservation, and when it was opened, it was discovered that the remains of Mrs. Weis were in a perfect state of petrifaction! The body had lain in the grave for twelve years, notwithstanding which no signs of decay were visible. Mrs. Weis was about sixty years of age, and a very portly person; she died of suffocation; and the absence of discease, together with the action of water is supposed to be the cause of the strange phenomenon. When interred, the weight of the body was about two hundred pounds; when taken up, yesterday, it required the almost united efforts of six strong men to lift the coffin containing the remains, and it is estimated that the weight could not have been less than eight hundred to one thousand pounds. Strange to say, the clothing had entirely decayed and mouldered away. The remains were subsequently interred at Lindenwood. As the remains of several other members of the Kepps, family are buried at the same place, and they are soon to be removed, we shall not be surprised to hear of other cases similar to this one. Mrs Weis was the mother of Mr. John Vordermark's first wife.
Oscar died in 1989 at the age of 98, they were married for 30 years, but had no children. Ophelia died on the day after Christmas in 2012 at the age of 93. Oscar Weitzman started working at Fort Wayne General Electric in 1904 when he was 13 years old, earning 7 1/2 cents an hour. He worked there for nearly 50 years while his wife, Ophelia, was a school teacher at Fort Wayne Community Schools. The couple worked hard and saved, and both died in their 90s. August 25, 2014 IPFW Chancellor Vicky Carwein announced that the Weitzmans had left the university $3.4 million for student scholarships. Read their story IPFW gets $3.4 million bequest Late couple’s gift for 2 annual scholarships by Vivian Sade published August 26, 2014 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
Age 27, anchorwoman and reporter for 21AliveNews.com, died September 26, 1981 after three operations at Parkview Hospital. She was hospitalized August 8 with a rare bacterial infection that affected her intestinal system. Miss Welday was known for her broadcasts of "Trouble Shooter" and "Wednesday's Child." In each of the broadcasts she was trying to help people. " Trouble Shooter " helped people with any sort of problem. "Wednesday's Child" was developed to give homes to unadopted children. When Miss Welday died, it was a great shock to the viewing audience. She has definitely left her mark upon our city, one which will not soon be forgotten. Copied from page 26, Class of 1982 Legend Yearbook of North Side High School. The Arlington, Va., native started at the station in 1977 as a reporter. Also from National News Brief published September 26, 1981on UPI Archives. She is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery with her parents Robert J. (1920-2013) and Jane C. Welday (1922-2004) in Columbarium 1 M-31-5 on Find A Grave. Susan was discussed July 3, 2017 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook.
The death of Captain Wells by Dougall, Allan H., Publication date 1958, on Archive.org. FOREWORD The character of William Wells remains an enigma, for his life has long been obscured by conflicting accounts of his role in Indian affairs. At one time, William Henry Harrison, governor of the Indiana Territory, thought him untrustworthy and believed that he should be removed from his position as Indian agent. Wells often appeared to his contemporaries as a turncoat and a traitor to his own people because of his sympathy with the red men. Other accounts, chiefly by his military associates, are earnest tributes to his strength and valor. Captain Allan H. Dougall, author of the following article, considered Wells only a "celebrated Indian fighter. "Captain Dougall relates the death of Wells at the Massacre of Fort Dearborn, on the site of the present city of Chicago. His account first appeared in the FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE, December 18, 1887. The Boards and the Staff of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County reprint the item in the hope that it will interest and inform local readers. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation have been changed to conform to current usage.
Namesake for Wells Street. Remembered with the William Wells Celebration starting in August 2010. Text below was from Wells Street festival celebrates namesake by Aaron Organ published August 7, 2010 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
"adopted son of famous Miami Indian chief Little Turtle who would go on to serve as a spy for city namesake Gen. Anthony Wayne. As an 11-year-old boy, Wells was found in Kentucky during a Miamian raid of settlers. According to lore, Wells vigorously fought off the Miami, prompting Little Turtle to intervene and order the boy not be harmed, but taken hostage. Soon later, Little Turtle adopted the young Wells. As a man, Wells asked to leave the tribe, which Little Turtle allowed. Wells became a courier and spy for the army of Anthony Wayne, the city's namesake. He would eventually marry Little Turtle's daughter, and one of the couple's descendants would become a mayor of Fort Wayne. Wells died Aug. 15, 1812, when, while leading settlers from Fort Dearborn near Chicago to Fort Wayne, the troupe was attacked by Miami warriors. Wells was killed and beheaded, and his heart was cut out and eaten – by foes hoping to gain his courage, lore says. His name appears in the form of Wells Street, as well as Spy Run Avenue and Spy Run Creek, made notorious by Wells and other spies who legend says used the creek as a trail while shuttling between settlements on behalf of Gen. Wayne."
William Wells William Wells had a knack for gathering intelligence that made him indispensable to the U.S. military during the early years of the Republic by Joshua Shepherd published January 15, 2019 in the WarFareHistoryNetwork.com.
William Wells’ tale captivates author by Rosa Salter Rodriguez about a 2008 book and upcoming 2013 biography published August 2, 2012 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
William Wells to be honored Saturday on namesake street 2012 celebration was the subject of the newspaper article by Hana HawashAugust 3, 2012 The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Wells Street (Chicago)Wells Street is a major north–south street in Chicago. It is officially designated as 200 West, and is named in honor of William Wells, a United States Army Captain who died in the Battle of Fort Dearborn. Between 1870 and 1912, it was named 5th Avenue so as not to tarnish the name of Wells during a period when the street had a bad reputation. Copied from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia which references: Ask Chicagoist: Wells Street or 5th Avenue? by Thales Exoo in Miscellaneous on Mar 28, 2007.
Wheel of Fortune
Several Fort Wayne people have been on the television game show and recenlty promoted on social media.
May 8, 2023 Christian Dixie returns to Wheel of Fortune and stuns us — AGAIN
August 7, 2023 Winning once wasn't enough for Christian Dixie
Whistler, George Washington
Was born May 19, 1800 at the military outpost of Fort Wayne son of commandant Major John Whistler (1756–1829) and his mother Anna Bishop. His father, helped build the 1816 fort on what was then the western frontier a part of the great Northwest Territory. His father, John Whistler, had been a British soldier under General Burgoyne at the battles of Saratoga in the revolutionary war, later enlisted in American service. See George Washington Whistler on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. His son James Abbott McNeill Whistler was the artist who painted Whistler's Mother. For more see John Abbott McNeill Whistler on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. There is a book about Whistler's Fatherthat can be borrowed for 14 days from Internet Archive.
Whistler, John
Born in Ireland, he was a Major in the United States Army, (1756-1829) . He was sent on the Harmar Campaign of 1790, and was severely wounded in St. Clair's Defeat of 1791. He was a lieutenant in the Legion of the United States, promoted to captain on 1 July 1797, and breveted to major during the War of 1812, and was the fort commander who helped build the 1816 Fort Wayne. See John Whistler and Fort Wayne (Fort) with a list of Commanders on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
The Civil Rights leader 1955-2001 leader home is a local historic landmark. The Journal Gazette newspaper published an article about it April 20, 2010. Reverend Jesse White, Sr.'s Memorial is at the Southeast corner of Lafayette and Wallace Streets, it also includes a "Prescription for Living the Good Life" by Dr. Rudy Kachmann.
Prolly driven by this memorial hundreds of times. We were "Out in the Field" recently, and took this photo of the Reverend Jesse White, Sr.'s Memorial at the Southeast corner of Lafayette and Wallace Streets, it also includes a "Prescription for Living the Good Life" by Dr. Rudy Kachmann.
White Loon (Wa-pe-mung-ah)
Chief of the Miami Indians was a resident of southwestern Allen County and died in 1876 at Roanoke at the age of 107.
White, Solomon
One of, if not the, last African-American to play on a professional baseball team until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier 50 years later. That professional team was Fort Wayne’s entry in the Western-Interstate League. ... His work with New York’s Cuban Giants in 1894 apparently caught the attention of the Fort Wayne organizer/manager, C.F. Jewell. Jewell hired White to play second base for the city’s entry into the new Western-Interstate League. ... By White’s own historical account of the early Negro Leagues he was the last African American to play on a professional white team in the East. Read his story Batter Up! by Mark Meyer on The History Centerblog February 7, 2013.
Pioneer days captain of an canal boat between Cincinnatti and Toledo, and Toledo and Fort Wayne. He brought many people and goods to early Fort Wayne. In the early 1860's he became a Fort Wayne businessman. His June 14, 1895 Fort Wayne News obituary had been on Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana on Facebook.
Wichman, Sharon Lynn
Born May 13, 1952 in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated in 1970 from R. Nelson Snider High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. During the Mexico City Summer Olympics 1968 Wichman won the gold medal in the 200-meter breast stroke, set an Olympic record with a time of 2:44.4 and won a bronze medal in the 100-meter breaststroke. She practiced at the local Club Olympia Pool one of only 4 pools in Indiana certified as an Olympic pool. Club Olympia closed April 28, 2009. She married David Jones in 1973, and lives in nearby Churubusco, Indiana. She has two sons.
In 1968, Sharon Wichman wins the gold medal in the 200 breast stroke.
When Sharon Wichman started competing in the mid-1960s, there was a boys swimming team at Snider High School, but not one for girls. A few years later, Wichman said she was the only female swimmer she knew of at the time.
Quickly Wichman became a role model for other female athletes, as she won a gold medal in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics in the 200-meter breast stroke. Her time of 2:44.4 set an Olympic record, and she also won a bronze medal in the 100-meter breast stroke. Besides being the first American woman to win a gold medal in the event, at only age 16, Wichman became the first Fort Wayne athlete to earn an Olympic gold medal.
``For about a year, my world was wonderful,'' she remembered in 1997. She married David Jones in 1973. ``I gave a lot of talks. People were so excited back then that I would tell them, when they asked me to speak, that I could do a Q & A. They'd ask questions for two hours. That keeps you going and excited.''
After competing in the U.S. Nationals in 1971, Wichman decided not to defend her gold medal in 1972, saying she wanted to experience the normal life of a teenager.
``I didn't realize how goal-orientated I was until I tried to swim afterward,'' she said. ``I had already done the only thing I ever wanted to do in swimming. Just to swim for swimming's sake was not what I wanted to achieve the rest of my life.''
Wichman-Jones lives in Churubusco and has two sons. She often speaks to local groups about her athletic career and her 1985 decision to become a born-again Christian.
Page 8-9 of The safari by R. Nelson Snider High School (Fort Wayne, Ind.) Publication date 1969 on Archive.org The XIX Summer Olympics varied from jello rights to battles for both a bronze and a gold medal for Snider Olympic champion Sharon Wichman. Sharon, a junior, returned from Mexico City in the wake of her Olympic victories in the 100 and 200-meter breast stroke events. Never before has R. Nelson Snider High School been so honored by the performance of one of its students. And never before has the entire student body and faculty been so proud of anyone. Because of her dedication not only to Snider, but the entire United States, Snider is proud to name her as its representative. The Fort Wayne community has paid tribute to Sharon through various radio and television broadcasts, assemblies, and ceremonies. ABOVE: The senior section sounds its praise of Sharon's accomplishment with a mighty round of applause. LEFT: Sharon beams rather shyly as her fellow students honor her with a standing ovation during the special homecoming ceremonies for her at Snider.
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1968 gold on International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees states: If you had two wishes that might come true, what would they be? This was the question Sharon was asked on a guidance questionnaire in 1965 at Chester T. Lane Junior High School. Sharon's first wish was, "To get a gold medal in the Olympics." Little did she know that her wish would come true.
This Hoosier Homestead farmhouse on Leesburg Road preserves both an example of how a middle-class farm from the late 19th century looked and the heritage of the F. Wiehe family that lived and worked there. This Queen Anne T-plan home was built c. 1885 and has been unaltered. The brick structure has a cross gable roof and features two interior chimneys and one exterior chimney. It has front and back porch, the front porch with a projecting slant roof with decorative spindles. Originally owned by Ferdinand Wiehe, the farm is recognized as a Hoosier Homestead Farm by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. ARCH is proud to present this edition of Throwback Thursday, part of its service as the historic preservation organization serving the greater Fort Wayne area, made possible by ARCH members and donors. Thank you.
For Black History Month on February 12, 2019 the Fort Wayne Police Department recognized Officer Arthur Williams by posting his photo with this information on their Facebook page: Officer Williams was born in Fayetteville, NC, October 12, 1877. He was hired as a patrol driver on February 14, 1918. During his career Officer Williams served in the capacity as a patrol driver, a patrolman and detective. He wore badge #94. He worked protecting the city until his death on August 11, 1940.
Williams, Henry Martyn
January 24, 1843-August 11, 1917 from Find A Grave, one of the original lot owners in Lindenwood, he is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery. In 1890, Henry M. Williams with his wife Mary Hamilton donated the land that would become Williams Park. Interestingly, it was first called Piqua Park before it was given its current name in honor of Henry Williams in 1907.
Mentioned on page 109 of the book Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office Volume 85 by United States. Patent Office · 1899 and page 565 in Electric Railway Review Volume 8 1898 with photos Tracks Bent by Heat By the courtesy of Henry M. Williams, of Fort Wayne, Ind., we have received photographs, two of which are here reproduced, showing the tracks of the Fort Wayne Consolidated Electric railway as bent by the heat on July 8, last. It was necessary to change the grade of the street, and as soon as they were uncovered the heat of the sun so expanded them as to kink them as shown. in Google ebooks.
Chief engineer for the Wabash and Erie Canal in 1832. Born May 6, 1807 near Danbury, North Carolina, grandson of Judge John Lynch, founder of Lynchburg, Virginia. Parents, Jesse and Sarah, members of the Society of Friends moved to Cincinnati early in the ninetieth century and to Wayne County, Indiana by 1819. A devoted member of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne. At age 26, he was elected to be an elder of his congregation. In 1854, Williams was appointed chief engineer for the Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Williams to be a government director of the Union Pacific in the great transcontinental railway project. He died in 1886 and was buried in Lindenwood Cemetery. Read more in The Master Engineer of the Wabash and Erie Canal by Tom Castaldi published June 5, 2014 in the History Center Notes & Queries blog.
This unique one and a half-story gable-front home is in the Historic West Central Neighborhood. Built in 1872, its first owner was James C. Wilmot, his wife Ellen and four children. From England, Wilmot owned a paint shop on Clinton Street. He also did house, sign, banner and ornamental painting. By 1904, Maurice L. Jones, founder of the Jones Camera Shop, 112 West Wayne Street, was living at that address. He lived there until 1935. This home is laid on a stone foundation, the house is sided with wood clapboards, and a wide band of trim accents the front gable. A shed roof porch is supported by turned posts. ARCH is proud to present this edition of Throwback Thursday, part of its service as the historic preservation organization serving the greater Fort Wayne area made possible by ARCH members and donors. Thank you.
Wilson, Euell A.
All-American career at Bishop Dwenger Saints high school football team. He planned to play at Indiana University, but enrolled at Triton Junior College in River Grove, Ill. In November 1992, Wilson died in his sleep. Justice B. Hill, former sports editor at The Journal Gazette had been looking for a signature moment for the annual SAC football/volleyball banquet that evolved into a sort of high-school version of the Heisman trophy award. The December 25, 2012 Carrying on his legacy Euell Wilson lives on through center’s work and SAC award story by Greg Jones High school sports editor of the Journal Gazette newspaper lists the Euell Wilson Award Winners. The Euell A.Wilson Center (EAWC) History says: was founded May 1993 in honor of Euell A.Wilson who was a standout athlete in the city of Fort Wayne. Euell, the son of Christopher and Shirley Woods, was born December 5, 1972, and died November 13, 1992, at the age of nineteen. He touched many lives through his humble and caring nature. There is a Euell Wilson Center Facebook page. Throwback Thursday: Euell Wilson published October 8, 2015 on CBS WANE-TV NewsChannel 15.
Although named as a police matron Miss Fannie M Winch is really a policewoman She frequently patrols the downtown district at night and takes charge of young girls found loitering about The girls are either sent home or ordered into the matron's office More than one young girl has been saved from the downward path by the prompt action of Miss Winch The patrolmen are all under instructions to work with the matron when she requests it but they are seldom called for she prefers to obtain results by other than strong arm methods She investigates all cases called to her attention especially those regarding delinquent girls and her office and home hours are always at the disposal of those under her charge.
Trivia: there is a Winch Street on the east side of Fort Wayne. No idea if related.
THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE INDIANA
by B.J. Griswold published 1917, page 616,
HERMAN WOEBBEKING
Herman Woebbeking, born in Adams county,
Indiana, November 15, 1875, is a son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Buuck) Woebbeking, one of the well known families of their section of the country, concerning whom mention is made in a sketch devoted to the life of another of their sons, William Woebbeking, a successful Maumee township farmer. Herman Woebbeking had his education in the common schools of Adams county and he might be said to have been meagerly educated in view of his five years of schooling. However, he was one who ever made the best of such opportunities as come his way and is today one of the well informed men of his community despite his early
disadvantages. He began farming in Maumee township when he was about ten years old and has been active in that township and occupa-
tion from then to the present time. Today Mr. Woebbeking is the owner of a farm of 160 acres in Maumee township, on which place he has made all modern improvements consistent with progressive and successful farming. Mr. Woebbeking was married on November 16, 1900, to Miss Minnie Lessenhop, daughter of William and Minnie Lessenhop, both native Germans. Mrs. Woebbeking came to Fort Wayne in 1893 with her mother, following the death of the husband and father. Seven children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Woebbeking -- Herman, Jr., Hilda, Arthur, Melinda, Laura, Herbert and Martin. Mr. Woebbeking has held no offices and is a member of no lodges. He is a Democrat in politics and with his family has membership in the German Lutheran church.
THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE INDIANA
by B.J. Griswold published 1917, page 618,
WILLIAM WOEBBEKING
Three generations of the family here named
have contributed to the agricultural and industrial development of the state of Indiana in their respective localities, and a fourth generation is growing up to take its place in the world's work. William Woebbe-
king is the son of Henry and the grandson of the first American ancestor, the latter coming to America, in 1844, and bringing his family with him. They settled in Adams county and the German immigrant became one of
the substantial and successful farming men in his community. After his death, his son, Henry, who had hitherto been engaged in carpentering business, turned his attention in the operation of the home farm and continued actively in that work until his death, in 1913. Henry Woebbeking was born in Germany, in 1832, and was twelve years of age when he first saw America. He married Wilhelmina Buuck, who was born in
Adams county of German parents, and who survives her husband at this writing. They were parents of eleven children, named Mary, Fred, (deceased), Carl, Ernest, Theodore, Henry, William, Herman, Paul, Martha,
and Sophia, all living but the first, third and fourth. William Woebbeking was born in Adams county on September 21, 1873, and with his brothers and sisters had his education in the common schools of Adams county and the Lutheran school in Adams county. He began farming in Maumee township, Allen county, and it is there he is to be found active in his chosen enterprise at this time. He is the owner of a well developed farm of one hundred acres and his enterprise, industry and general good management have won him a place among the successful farming men of the township. The place is well equipped according to the best modern standards in agriculture and general farming is carried on, with special attention to the breeding of Shorthorned Durham cattle. On October 16,
1902, Mr. Woebbeking was married to Miss Minnie Rekeweg, a daughter of Deiderick and Louisa (Korte) Rekeweg, and they are the parents of two children -- Luella and Welma, the latter deceased. Mr. and Mrs.
Woebbeking are lifelong members of the German Lutheran church and Mr. Woebbeking is Republican in politics. He is not active in local politics, though fulfilling all the demands of good citizenship, and has no
lodge memberships. He is content with his home life and finds occupation in the many duties afforded by the proper operation and management of his home and farm.
In 1913, Fort Wayne, Indiana, invents the first refrigerator for home use, a small unit mounted on top of an old-fashioned icebox and requiring external plumbing connections. Copied from Household Appliances Timeline on greatachievements.org from a post October 10, 2015 on Facebook by Stucky Brothers.
Wolf, Samuel
Was co-founder with Myron E. Dessauer in 1896 of the Wolf & Dessauer store.
Della May Wolfcale Sparks born 23 Jan 1881 Wells Co.,IN died 15 Mar 1966 Ft. Wayne,Allen,IN buried 17 Mar 1966 Prospect Cemetery Wells Co.,IN-daughter of James Wolfcale & Mary Ann Sowle /
Mary Ann Sowle Wolfcale born 18 Feb 1840 Trumbull Co.,OH died 6 Feb 1919 Wells Co.,IN buried 7 Feb 1919 Prospect Cemetery Wells Co.,IN-daughter of Isaac Sowle(1810-1887) & Victory Cotton(1818-1895)-widow of James Wolfcale(1832-1886) /
on edge of porch l-r /Thelma Ilean Sparks born 11 Feb 1908 Wells Co.,IN died 18 Apr 2002 Gunnison,Gunnison,CO buried 22 Apr 2002 Lindenwood Cemetery Ft. Wayne,Allen,IN-daughter of Lucion Otis Sparks & Della May Wolfcale /
Lucion Otis Sparks born 6 Jun 1879 Hancock Co.,IN died 15 Mar 1918 Wells Co.,IN buried Prospect Cemetery Wells Co.,IN-son of Emerson Barber Sparks(1850-1919) & Lovicy Gunn(1854-1921) /
Hadley Sparks born 12 May 1906 Wells Co.,IN died 22 Nov 1977 Ft. Wayne,Allen,IN buried 23 Nov 1977 Greenlawn Memorial Park Ft. Wayne,Allen,IN-son of Lucion Otis Sparks & Della May Wolfcale /
James Orval Wolfcale born 6 Oct 1890 Wells Co.,IN died 13 Oct 1955 West Palm Beach,Palm Beach,FL buried Sunrise Memorial Gardens Muskegon,Muskegon,MI-son of Isaac James Wolfcale(1871-1937) & Mary Ellen Shady(1866-1945) /
on steps l-r /Flossy Ivonne Shady Summers born 7 May 1882 Wells Co.,IN died 15 Oct 1970 Ft. Wayne,Allen,IN buried Greenlawn Memorial Park Ft. Wayne,Allen,IN-daughter of William Henry Shady(1858-1937) & Victory Eliza Wolfcale(1861-1940)-wife of Ira Abraham Summers(1884-1951) /
Maynard Waldo Sparks born 30 Apr 1905 Wells Co.,IN died 3 Jun 1977 # Elkhart,Elkhart,IN buried 6 Jun 1977 Horeb Cemetery Wells Co.,IN-son of Lucion Otis Sparks & Della May Wolfcale /
Eschylus Hillard Sparks born 26 Jul 1902 Wells Co.,IN died 31 May 1947 Warsaw,#Kosciusko,IN buried 3 Jun 1947 Oakwood Cemetery Warsaw,Kosciusko,IN-son of Lucion Otis Sparks & Della May Wolfcale
Everyone Listed In This Photo:
Della Sparks
Eschylus Sparks
Hadley #Sparks
Lucion Sparks
Maynard Sparks
Thelma Sparks
Flossy #Summers
James Wolfcale
Mary #Wolfcale
Born in 1836, died in 1925. Union Army nurse and one of Fort Wayne’s better-known Civil War personalities. She nursed wounded in military hospitals in Cincinnati, Louisville and Nashville, publicly received by both President Lincoln and General Grant, received a citation for bravery from Gen. Logan for service to the wounded, and attended patriotic gatherings of Civil War heroes for over 20 years after the war’s end. Read more in In Celebration of Women's History Month: Fort Wayne Women remembered at Lindenwood Cemetery by Nancy McCammon-Hansen published March 12, 2014 in History Center Notes & Queries blog.
James J. Wood was born in Ireland in 1856. His family left Ireland and immigrated to the United States in the 1860s. Wood moved to New York City in 1864. He established himself as an accomplished and innovative electrical engineer, patenting his first invention in 1880. By 1885, Wood was installing the first floodlight system for the Statue of Liberty. In 1888, Fort Wayne Electric Light acquired the factory of Excelsior Electric Company in Brooklyn, New York. The factory was operated by what was referred to as the “Fuller-Wood Company,” a business of which Wood was an integral part. In 1890, Wood’s operations in Brooklyn were transferred to Fort Wayne under the direction of Ranald T. McDonald, one of the founders of Jenney Electric. Wood moved to Fort Wayne and worked with McDonald until his colleague died in 1898. The Fort Wayne Electric Light Company was purchased by General Electric and became Fort Wayne Electric Works. Wood became the factory manager and continued to produce inventions that changed the way modern American’s lived and worked.
Over the course of his career Wood was granted 240 patents placing him on the same level as many great inventors in American history. On this day in 1904, Wood was granted two of those patents. The first for an improved Electric Arc Lamp which reduced the noise of operation and provided greater efficiency; the second invention was a bending machine which bent metal tubes and bars to specified shapes more quickly and easily. This bending machine allowed for greater maneuverability around obstructions when designing electrical devices. Attached are photos of the patents granted to Wood on April 12, 1904 with sketches of his originally conceived idea. #sociallyhistory
Born March 10, 1965 in Fort Wayne, played defensive back and a variety of offensive skill positions at Snider High School. Named Parade and USA Today All-American, all-state his junior and senior seasons and Indiana Mr.Football in 1982. Full scholarship to Purdue University. Held 13 individual records, tying the school record with eleven career interceptions. Ranked in the top ten in career interceptions, solo tackles, total tackles, passes deflected, and kickoff return yardage as a Boilermaker. Played cornerback and safety in the National Football League (NFL) for seventeen seasons. 10 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and on January 28, 2001 the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV championship team. Also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, wearing the jersey number 26 throughout his career. Holds the NFL record for interception returns for touchdowns (12), and named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. 71 career interceptions is third-most in NFL history. Inductee of the Class of 2009 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 8, 2009. From his retirement in 2003 to February 2011, Woodson worked as an analyst for the NFL Network on NFL Total Access and Thursday Night Football, and as a color-commentator for the Big Ten Network. He spent the 2011 season as the Raiders' cornerbacks coach. Copied from Rod Woodson on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
The WPA In Indiana (5/6/21) published May 6, 2021 by Indiana Historical Society on YouTube. If you look hard enough around Indiana, you can see the legacy of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and other New Deal agencies at almost every turn. Created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the effects of the Great Depression, this program put thousands of Hoosier back to work. Join historian Glory-June Greiff as we travel around the state to explore some of these lasting projects.
The Works Progress Administration was established by Executive Order No. 7034, dated May 6, 1935. This action was taken by the President under the authority of the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, approved April 8, 1935. from The Works Project Administration in Indiana which started August 1, 1935. A search of the Indiana University Archives shows over 600 pages with something related to the WPA.
The National Archives has a large collection of WPA and HRS records for Indiana with over 12,000 results on file. The National Archives has branch offices across the country, so requested files can be sent to a district office in your region. Also, check the Library of Congress for manuscripts and HRS records. Copied from THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION AND THE HISTORICAL RECORDS SURVEY by Joy Neighbors, (South Central District) in THE WPA AND THE CCC IN INDIANA page 21 of Indiana Genealogist Vol. 32 No 02 June 2022 by the Indiana Genenealogical Society.
Wife of 62 years, Bettina Worthman of New Haven; sons, Jeffery R. Worthman of St. Croix and Martin L. (Donna) Worthman of New Haven; daughters, Lisa L. Chiddister of Fort Wayne, Alice L. (Fritz) Martin of Columbia City, and Faith E. (Craig) Wise of Grabill; a sister, Joan (Ron) Flohr of Fort Wayne; 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren from Former County Commissioner Jack Worthman dies Business background benefited public, friends say by Kevin Leininger published November 15, 2013 by the The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Patricia (“Pat”) Jean Koch Wright, 97, passed away Feb. 16, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida. Pat is survived by her daughter Gail, grandson, Steven (Michelle) Duerst, great-granddaughter, Emma Duerst, and granddaughter Jenna Duerst (fiancé Phil Baier). Also surviving is her son, Timothy (Ann) Wright, and grandchildren Heather and Eragon Vick, Amy, Jasmine, Kayla Taylor and Ava Ridge.
Pat was born March 24, 1925 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Benjamin Lafeyette Koch and Maria Paulina Stein, the baby of eleven siblings who all preceded her death.
Pat was a successful amateur competitive golfer, winning nine Fort Wayne Women’s Golf tournament titles. She still holds the record today for three back-to-back wins. Pat also won the Indiana State Women’s Golf Tournament in 1968. She achieved 11 holes-in-one and played many golf courses around the world.
In the early 1950’s Pat and her then-husband Bill, opened Wright’s Driving Range and Miniature Golf in Fort Wayne which is still operational today under current owner Bobick’s.
In the early 1950s, Wright and her husband founded Wright’s Driving Range and Miniature Golf in Fort Wayne, which later became Bobick’s Golf under different ownership, according to an obituary sent to WANE 15.
1878 Nov 4 Born to William Wybourn and Maria Catherine McKeeman in Allen Co IN
1880 Census with parents
1896 Graduated high school Monroeville, IN
1896-1898 Taught school
1898-1902 Attended Fort Wayne Medical College. See David Wybourn page.
Wybourn, John A.
1876 May 10 Born to William Wybourn and Maria Catherine McKeeman in Madison. See John A. Wybourn page.
