Whittier Place in the Early 20th Century

      After the city of Indianapolis extended Whittier Place from Lowell Avenue to the corporation line (later Pleasant Run Parkway) in 1902, many couples and families moved into brand new homes along the street. Early twentieth-century photos from the Hackleman family, who resided at 5438 Lowell Avenue documented some of the families and homes in the area. 

321 North Whittier Place

     In December of 1909, a local attorney named Samuel W. Huls purchased a lot on Whittier Place to build a house, most likely on speculation. In January of 1910, he took out a building permit and constructed a new home at 321 North Whittier Place for $2,500. Another local attorney named Louis A. Robertson purchased the new residence from Huls. Perhaps Mr. Robertson was preparing for his future as he married Mary Josephine Delker on October 11, 1911. Soon the couple welcomed several sons into the world and remained in the two-story home for many years. Shortly after the completion of the house the Hackleman girls, who lived at 5438 Lowell Avenue, posed for photographs in their backyard. Behind the girls, you can see the Robertson home and other dwellings in the 300 block of North Whittier Place. 

Grace Hackleman posed with her doll c1911 near her home at 5438 Lowell Avenue. Behind her you can see the Robertson house at 321 North Whittier Place. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Florence Hackleman (on left) and her sister Grace Hackleman (middle) posed with a neighbor girl c1911. Behind the kids you can see the carriage house that used to sit behind 5438 Lowell Avenue and the Robertson home at 321 North Whittier Place. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Little Gladys Hackleman posed with her doll c1910. Behind her you can see several houses on the east side of the 300 block of North Whittier Place. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Grace Hackleman posed with her doll c1910. Behind her you can see several houses on the east side of the 300 block of Whittier Place. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

321 North Whittier Place on January 26, 2022

325 North Whittier Place

     In the summer of 1908, Clyde E. Springer, a contractor, took out a building permit on behalf of Sarah I. Bonar, a widow, to build 325 North Whittier Place. The unusual residence, built at a cost of $2000 was a blend of the shingle and Arts and Crafts styles. Mrs. Bonar and her widowed sister, Luthera Parr, along with other family members moved into the place in late 1908. The sisters only stayed in the home for three years before selling it to the Lawson family in 1911. 

A young girl posed with a boy who is holding a tennis racket c1912. Behind the kids, you can see 325 North Whittier Place. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

325 North Whittier Place on January 26, 2022

333 North Whittier Place

    Edward and Madeline Hind moved into 333 N. Whittier Place in 1905. The couple had five children. Mr. Hind was involved in the fruit business. The house has one of the most unusual front porches in the city of Indianapolis. Photos from the descendants of the Hinds reveal that the field-stone porch was not original to the residence but was added by Mr. Hind in the autumn of 1914. Images from two separate collections reveal the changes to the residence. 

     

Edward O. Hind, Sr. posed with his two youngest children, Edward, Jr. and Theodore in front of their home at 333 North Whittier Place on February 21, 1909. Mr. Hind had not yet added his fanciful stone porch. (photo courtesy of Linda Goff via Ancestry.com) 

Edward O. Hind, Sr. posed with his children, Edward, Jr., Theodore, and Madeline on February 21, 1909 in front of their home at 333 North Whittier Place. (photo courtesy of Linda Goff via Ancestry.com) 

An unknown young woman, possibly Florence Hackleman, posed with her bike in front of the Hind family home at 333 North Whittier Place c1914. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Florence Hackleman (middle) stands next to two friends at 333 North Whittier Place c1914. The other girls might be Edna and Madeline Hind who lived at the house. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

A young girl in a costume posed on the front porch at 333 North Whittier Place c1914. The Hind family lived at that address for many years. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

A young girl posed in front of the Hind family home at 333 North Whittier Place c1914. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

333 North Whittier Place on January 26, 2022

     I wish to thank Anne Gribble Spurgeon for the use of her incredible family photo collection. I also want to thank Lisa Abner for her research on 325 North Whittier Place. Paula Schmidt and Steve Barnett at the Irvington Historical Society helped me understand the early years of these three homes and Paul Diebold assisted me with understanding the architectural elements of 325 North Whittier Place. 

Irvington Historical Society

Sources: 321 North Whittier Place--Lou A. Robertson obituary--Indianapolis News, July 30, 1962; Mary Josephine Delker Robertson obituary, Indianapolis News, September 7, 1989; Lot sale--Indianapolis Star, December 25, 1909, 10; Building permit--Indianapolis Commercial, January 10, 1919, 3:5; 325 North Whittier Place--Building permit--Indianapolis Commercial, June 4, 1908, 4:6;   333 North Whittier Place--"For Rent," Indianapolis News. February 25, 1905, 22; Building permit to remodel--"Building Permits," Indianapolis Star, October 28, 1914, 12; I also used the 1910 Federal Census for all three homes along with Polk City Directories. 

Cottage Built in 1905 Along Whittier Place

      Many changes greeted the citizens of Irvington in 1902. The community had been independent with its own town board and marshall for thirty-two years, but all of that changed in February when the city of Indianapolis annexed the suburb. The neighborhood would now receive city fire and police protection along with other benefits like sewers and sidewalks. In the summer of 1902, the city announced the extension of Whittier Place from Lowell Avenue to the corporation line. (later Pleasant Run Parkway) Within a few years, several families started building their dream homes along that small section of the street.    

334 North Whittier Place Connected to an Indiana Historian

        In the winter of 1905, members of the Cottman family obtained a building permit to construct a frame house at 334 North Whittier Place for Julia Cottman, the widowed mother of historian George S. Cottman. City directories indicate that she lived there until1907, but she later moved in with her son's family at 336 North Ritter Avenue. George S. Cottman was a writer and historian. In fact, he founded the Indiana Magazine of History in 1905. He later wrote books, pageants and essays while continuing to serve as the editor for his journal. He married Vida Tibbott, a former teacher whose family had deep roots in Irvington. Mrs. Cottman, who was much younger than her husband, was very involved in local women's clubs. She frequently hosted meetings in her home.

     After the elderly Julia Cottman moved in with her son, they rented her Whittier Place home to the Jenney family and then the Cottmans moved to the Seattle, Washington area in September of 1908, likely surprising many of their Hoosier friends. They did not remain gone for long as an Indianapolis News blurb announced that Vida Cottman returned one year later and moved into Julia Cottman's Whittier Place home in September of 1909. Mr. Cottman followed soon thereafter. The 1910 Federal Census indicates that George and Vida resided at the Whittier Place home along with their two-year old son, Evans and with 84-year-old Julia Cottman. Presumably, they didn't return to their Ritter Avenue address immediately because they had also rented that home out in their absence. By 1911, the Cottmans were back at 336 North Ritter Avenue. Their son, Evans, later wrote a short memoir about growing up in Irvington although he does not mention his brief tenure along Whittier Place. 

    

Members of the Hackleman family, who lived at 5438 Lowell Avenue, lined up with other neighborhood children for a parade c1910 in front of the Cottman home at 334 North Whittier Place. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Grace Hackleman and Florence Hackleman rode their bikes while their sister, Gladys, posed in a nearby tree c1910. The Hacklemans resided at 5438 Lowell Avenue. Behind the girls, you can see the Cottman home located at 334 N. Whittier Place. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

George S. Cottman was a prominent Indiana historian of the early twentieth century. He authored numerous books and pageants. The Cottmans briefly lived at 334 N. Whittier Place although they spent most of their Irvington years at 336 North Ritter Avenue. (photo courtesy of RayBoomhower.blogspot) 

George S. Cottman authored an early history of the state of Indiana in 1925. 

The Cottman home as photographed by Google in July of 2019

     I wish to thank Anne Gribble Spurgeon for the use of her incredible Conner/Hackleman photo collection. I also wish to thank Paula Schmidt and Steve Barnett at the Irvington Historical Society.

Irvington Historical Society

Sources: Opening of Whittier Place north of Lowell Avenue: Indianapolis Journal, August 19, 1902; Building permit and construction of Cottman home: Indianapolis Commercial, February 1905; Cottman Seattle move: Indianapolis Star, September 27, 1908, 18; Indianapolis News, September 25, 1909, 22;  

Family Life Along Lowell Avenue in the Early 20th Century

     William E.M. and Pearl Conner Hackleman moved into their beautiful home at 5438 Lowell Avenue in 1903. The residence was both a blend of the Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles. Their four children, Florence, Grace, Edwin, and Gladys spent their early years in the house. Income from Mr. Hackleman's thriving religious music company allowed the children to enjoy the comforts of middle-class American life. All of the children graduated from high school and three of them later earned college degrees. The Hacklemans moved from the home in 1922 after nineteen years of living in Irvington. Their next home was located at 1201 North Alabama Street in the Old Northside neighborhood of Indianapolis. 

Gladys and Edwin Hackleman of 5438 Lowell Avenue teeter tottered in the side yard of their property c1911. You can also see a glimpse of 5442 Lowell Avenue. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

The sandbox in the backyard at 5438 Lowell Avenue also served as an arbor during the summer months. Gladys, Grace, and Edwin Hackleman posed for the photo c1910. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Mary Jane Conner, the grandmother of the Hackleman children, enjoyed a game of croquet with her grandchildren in the side yard at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1910. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Gladys and Edwin Hackleman played with miniature train cars on their front porch at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1910 (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

The Hackleman children, Grace, Edwin (in the carriage), and Florence, posed in their backyard at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1907. Behind the children, you can see the carriage house and a residence located at 333 Whittier Place. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Gladys and Edwin Hackleman posed with a wagon at 5438 Lowell avenue c1911 (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Edwin Hackleman posed near his front porch at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1910. Behind him, you can see the side of 5442 Lowell Avenue. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Little Gladys Hackleman sat for this snapshot on her front porch at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1910. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

Gladys Hackleman walked with her baby doll and carriage c1911. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

Gladys Hackleman drove her toy car in front of her home at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1911. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

Florence and Gladys Hackleman stood near their front porch at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1910. Behind the kids, you can also see the residence located at 5442 Lowell Avenue. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Edwin and Grace Hackleman posed with kittens on their front porch at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1907 (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

Florence Hackleman pulled her siblings, Grace and Edwin and the family dog c1907. Behind the family, you can see the carriage house located at 5438 Lowell Avenue and a distant barn located behind 5428 Lowell Avenue. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Edwin Hackleman beamed as he posed next to his tricycle near his front porch at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1909 (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

A large gathering of young girls met on the front porch at the Hackleman home at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1910. Behind the group you can also see the side of 5442 Lowell Avenue. Was this a birthday party? A Sunday School class? A Girl Scout meeting? We do not know. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

5438 Lowell Avenue c1905 (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

The Hackleman siblings of 5438 Lowell Avenue (in birth order): Florence, Grace, Edwin, and Gladys c1910 (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

    I would like to thank Anne Gribble Spurgeon for the use of her images and stories. She is the great grand daughter of William Edward Michael and Pearl Conner Hackleman and the granddaughter of Gladys Hackleman and Wayne Carson. 

The "Singing Evangelist" and His Family Move to Irvington

            On October 17, 1909, a forty-one-year-old choir director and composer, mounted a wooden box at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In front of him were around 30,000 people who silently awaited his direction. As soon as he gave the signal, eight cornet players stepped forward and dramatically performed for the crowd who had gathered from all corners of the United States. Some had come from as far away as Japan. They were there to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Disciples of Christ. So many people had showed up in Pittsburgh that the city had run out of hotel rooms. Many of the faithful lodged with families near the convention. Forbes Field had only recently opened as the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The crack of the bat and the cheers from the crowd were the most common sounds emanating out the park, but on that Sunday morning anyone strolling near the stadium would have heard thousands singing in unison, "Nearer My God to Thee," "Onward Christian Soldiers," and "My Country Tis of Thee" all organized and led by a talented musician from Irvington, Indiana named William Edward Michael Hackleman. 

William Edward Michael Hackleman (1868-1927) was a talented musician and composer. Besides being a talented vocalist, he also played the cornet. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

William E. M. Hackleman spent much of his life on the road directing and singing in choirs in the Disciples of Christ churches. In this photo (c1905), he posed next to an unidentified structure possibly in Irvington. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

     Born in 1868 near Orange, Indiana in Fayette County, young William Hackleman showed much musical aptitude at an early age. He attended the Central Normal College in Danville, Indiana and later the prestigious Toronto Conservatory of Music. In Canada he studied voice under Francesco D'Auria, an Italian composer of religious music. He returned to Indiana and immediately made a name for himself as a gospel singer, cornet player, choir director, and composer. He also became a music publisher. In 1896, he and another Disciples of Christ minister named Reverend E.B. Scofield purchased a bookstore at 15 Virginia Avenue in Indianapolis and called the new venture Scofield and Hackleman. They sold bibles and hymnals. In 1897, he started his own publishing company and one of his hymnals, Gospel Songs, was sold around the country.

     When he wasn't writing Christian hymns, William traveled the state and nation. His musical talents were in high demand at Disciples of Christ revivals and services. Local newspapers called him the "Singing Evangelist." He spent many of his summers working at Bethany Park in Morgan County, Indiana. At some point, he came in contact with the Reverend Americus Conner and his wife Mary Jane Conner. Reverend Conner came from a long line of ministers and was very involved at Bethany Park. The Conners also had a daughter named Pearl. William and Pearl were married by her father and two of her uncles on September 12, 1899, at the Conner home in Irvington.

     At first, the Hacklemans lived in the Conner house at 5522 East Washington Street, but all of that changed after 3:00 A.M. on November 20, 1901, when the home burned to the ground. Thankfully, neither the Conners nor the Hacklemans were home so no one perished; however, neighbors who arrived on the scene thought that Mr. Hackleman's mother might be trapped on the second floor. One brave young Butler University college student, James Baldwin, crawled upstairs to rescue her, but she was sleeping in another part of town. Not long after Mr. Baldwin exited, the two-story frame home began to collapse. A chimney narrowly missed Charles E. Newlin, a member of the fire brigade. 

     After the fire both families rebuilt separate homes at the intersection of Lowell Avenue and Whittier Place. The Conners built a large two-story home at 88 Whittier Place while the Hacklemans erected a beautiful two-story home at 5438 Lowell Avenue. Both dwellings were completed by 1903. Mr. Hackleman kept up his busy pace of writing and arranging hymns. Often he would compose the music while others would write the words. He also spent much of the year away from his beautiful home and his wife and four children. 

William E.M. and Pearl Conner Hackleman built this home at 5438 Lowell Avenue in 1903. You can also see the nearby residence of 5428 Lowell Avenue. (photo--c1905, courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Members of the Hackleman family at 5438 Lowell Avenue gathered for a photograph c1910 (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

William E.M. Hackleman's comfortable income from the sale of religious hymnals and other investments allowed the Hackleman family to live in this beautiful house at 5438 Lowell Avenue for many years.  (photo--c1905, courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Columns and fretwork framed the music room at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1905. Mr. Hackleman likely arranged or composed many of his pieces in this room. The ornamental fretwork was removed and stored in the attic by a later family. Later, the ornamental woodwork was removed from the house. Recently, most of the pieces have been returned to the current owners of the home. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

The Hackleman home at 5438 Lowell Avenue reflected the tastes of early twentieth-century middle class Americans. (photo--c1905, courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

The Hackleman family dining room at 5438 Lowell Avenue c1905 (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) 

     Locally, Mr. Hackleman attended Downey Avenue Christian Church and frequently led the choir there. He also became very active in the Irvington Citizen's League. Some of the more conservative members of the community became concerned by the number of locals who came into the neighborhood to picnic, often drinking beer. He called for an ordinance banning these merry afternoons, but nothing much came of it. In 1907, he had to retract a statement attributed to him in a Louisville, Kentucky Christian tract. In the brief article, Mr. Hackleman alleged that Butler University allowed Sunday baseball games when in fact the institution did not allow sporting events on that day. Mr. Hackleman quickly tried to tamper down the uproar and admitted his error in an Indianapolis Journal article. 

     The story didn't seem to damage his reputation as he was in higher demand than ever as a singer, director, and composer culminating in that historic moment in Pittsburgh in 1909 with 30,000 people singing in unison. 

Next Post: The Hackleman children grow up in Irvington....

The Hacklemans of 5438 Lowell Avenue had four children survive into adulthood: Florence (1900-1989), Grace (1902-1999), Edwin (1905-1975), and Gladys (1908-2000)  (photo--c1910, courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

     I would like to thank Anne Gribble Spurgeon, the great granddaughter of William E. M. and Pearl Conner Hackleman, for the images and stories about her family. I would also like to thank Brenda DeVries and Kyle Boot for a tour and additional information about the Hackleman home. 

Sources: Pittsburgh Convention--"Impressive," Evening Review (East Liverpool, OH), October 18, 1909, 1; "Rooms Wanted," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 23, 1909; Wm. E. M. Hackleman early years--"News and Notes," The Muncie Daily Herald, January 25, 1896, 8; "W.E.M. Hackleman Killed in Auto Crash," Indianapolis Star, October 4, 1927, 1; Bookstore and publishing--"Purchase a City Bookstore," Columbus Republican (IN), September 15, 1898; Ad for Silver and Gold in Song by W.E.M. Hackleman, Indianapolis News,  June 18, 1898 and Herald & Review (Decatur, IL), September 2, 1899, 5; Singing Evangelist title--"Big Revival at Christian Church," Knightstown Banner (IN), February 17, 1911, 1 and The Muncie Daily Herald, January 25, 1896, 8; Bethany Park--"Bethany Notes," Indianapolis Journal, August 1, 1902, 3; Marriage--Indianapolis Journal, September 13, 1899, 3; Fire--"Irvington House Destroyed," Indianapolis News, November 20, 1901, 8; Music composing with others like Mrs. Adelia Pope of Greenfield, Indiana--"Local Brevities," Rushville Republican, March 21, 1902, 4; Involvement with Downey Ave. Christian Church--"Series of Hymn Services," Indianapolis News, February 8, 1908, 22; Irvington Citizens League--"To Oppose Beer Picnics," March 26, 1900, 5; Butler University Baseball Controversy--"The Guide Retracts," Indianapolis Journal, August 21, 1902, 3; 

The Conners Built a Large Home on Whittier Place

      By the time that workers began building the large two-story home at 88 Whittier Place (then numbered as 100) in the spring of 1903, Reverend Americus Wood Conner and his wife Mary Jane Cadwallader Conner had already lived in numerous homes throughout Irvington, the state, the nation, and even in Canada. Mr. Conner spent most of his career preaching in Indiana. Sometimes he would be called to serve at several churches within one county. In Rush County, for example, he served as the minister to congregations in Milroy, Plum Creek, and Fairview. 

Reverend Americus Wood and Mary Jane Cadwallader Conner moved into their brand new home at 88 Whittier Place in 1903. They only lived in the house for two years before selling it to Eunice Macy in 1905. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) c1905

Reverend Americus Wood Conner preached in Disciples of Christ Churches throughout Indiana and beyond. He was described in a Fort Wayne Gazette article (September 6, 1900) as "tall and spare" and "full of humor and with a bright snappy way of speaking." (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

     In 1893, Americus and Mary Jane moved to Irvington, the home of Butler University (then called Butler College). The college was affiliated with the Disciples of Christ and would have been very important to the couple. Mr. Conner's brother,  Reverend James W. Conner already lived in the community. City directory research indicates that the Conners resided in numerous homes throughout the neighborhood during the 1890s although Americus spent part of the decade preaching in Danville, Indiana and in other smaller congregations.

     On June 21, 1899, the Indianapolis Journal announced a new corporation and publication called The Boys' Friend.  With a capital stock of $5000, Americus along with directors, James Conner, Pearl Conner (later Hackleman), William Redman, and William Doan launched what would become his life's work. Reverend Conner theorized that boys and young men needed strong male role models in order to succeed in life. He opened an office in the Majestic Building in downtown Indianapolis and then went on the Chautauqua Circuit. He spoke in churches, teacher institutes, and at revivals. Many of his talks were conducted at Bethany Park, a Disciples' campground in Morgan County, Indiana. He also wrote a corresponding book in 1899 titled The Boggs Boys or Corralling the Kids of Kiddsville, a fictional account of  what can happen if boys do not have proper male role models.  

The Conners frequented Bethany Park in Morgan County, Indiana often for revivals. Reverend Conner also held his talks about the Boys' Friend Movement here. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) c1910

Bethany Park c1910: Reverend Americus Wood Conner led the Boys' Friend Movement in the state of Indiana. He frequently asked that both fathers and sons attend his lectures. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon)

Besides publishing a monthly magazine in the early twentieth century, Americus Conner also found time to write and publish the book, The Boggs Boys (1899). You will note that the book was published in Irvington! 

     Shortly after launching the business venture, Mary Jane and Americus joyfully hosted the wedding of their daughter Pearl to William Edward Michael Hackleman, a talented composer of Protestant music. The wedding made the society pages of the Indianapolis News on September 13, 1899, because of the fact that the bride's father and two uncles conducted the service. After their marriage, the Hacklemans lived with the Conners at their home at 5522 East Washington Street. However, a disastrous fire in 1901 at the home forced the families to find temporary housing. 

     1903 must have been an exciting year for both the Conners and the Hacklemans as both families moved into newly-constructed homes at the intersection of Lowell Avenue and Whittier Place. The Conners moved into 88 Whittier Place while the Hacklemans moved into 5438 Lowell Avenue.  Although they no longer lived together, the families could see each other every day. The life of a preacher in those days was always a bit nomadic, so it must have come to no surprise to the Hacklemans that Americus and Mary Jane Conner placed their beautiful home on the market in 1905 and moved to Lafayette, Indiana where Americus preached at a Disciples church there. 

      In later years, the elderly Conners returned to Irvington and lived out part of their final years with their daughter Pearl and son-in-law, William, at the Lowell Avenue home. Across the street, they would have noticed their former home later occupied by the Macy, Fay, Butler, Lucas, Hughel, Rumpler, and Ragsdale families and others. In 1909,William Fay turned the second story of 88 Whittier Place into a separate apartment. Mr. Conner passed away in 1932 while Mrs. Conner lived on until 1938. Both died at 1201 North Alabama Street in the home of Pearl Conner Hackleman, who had moved out of Irvington after the death of her husband, William in 1927. 

Pearl Conner Hackleman, the daughter of Americus and Mary Jane Conner, built a house at 5438 Lowell Avenue in 1903 on the opposite corner from the Conners along with her music-publishing husband, William Edward Michael Hackleman (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) c1905

Americus and Mary Jane Conner moved into their spacious Irvington home at 88 Whittier Place (then numbered as 100) in 1903. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) c1905

The Conners sold 88 Whittier Place to Eunice Macy in 1905 for $3000. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) c1905

Many families have lived in 88 Whittier Place since 1903. The Conner family was the first. This image was snapped in October of 2021. (photo by William Gulde)

     I wish to thank Anne Gribble Spurgeon, the great-great granddaughter of Americus and Mary Jane Conner, for the use of the photos and for the stories about her family. I also wish to thank Steve Barnett and Paula Schmidt at the Irvington Historical Society for their leads and research.

Sources:  Information about Rush County tenure as a minister--"Church News," Rushville Republican, June 27, 1893; Wedding of Pearl and W.E.M. Hackleman--"Unusual Wedding," Indianapolis News, September 13, 1899, 9; Incorporation of Boys' Friend Magazine--"Incorporated," Indianapolis Journal, June 21, 1899, 8; Lecture about Boyhood Movement--"Steuben County Teachers," Angola Herald, September 11, 1901, 4; Sale of 88 Whittier Place to Eunice Macy--"Real Estate," Indiana Tribune, September 24, 1905;  Obituaries for Americus Conner--"Former Local Minister Dies," Journal & Courier (Lafayette, IN), May 11, 1932, 11, and "Disciples Pastor Succumbs Here," Indianapolis Star, May 11, 1932, 10; Obituary for Mary Jane Conner--"Church Worker Dies Here at 82," Indianapolis Star, July 29, 1938, 3; Conversion of second story of 88 Whittier Place into an apartment--Ad placed in the Indianapolis Star, March 30, 1909, 12.