Dispatch from the Ruhsenberger Family--1937

Ann Hart Stewart was one of the first contributors to this blog. Her grandparents, Charles and Hattie Ruhsenberger, resided at 5930 East Washington Street. Other relatives lived nearby on Burgess Avenue. Ann's photos and stories have chronicled life near the corner of East Washington Street and Arlington Avenue. She contributed a fun story about a famous cat, who lived across street.  You may read more about her family by clicking the "Ruhsenberger" or "Stokesberry" links below. Recently, she found another historic photo of her family members snapped in 1937.

The Ruhsenbergers occasionally took breakfast picnics. Mr. and Mrs. Ruhsenberger had three children, Roger, Henrietta, and Patricia. Sometimes, the families would get up early and drive to Christian Park to enjoy the beauty of nature and each other's company.  They had to reserve a grill ahead of time for cooking. Not everyone loved the experience. A very young Ann Hart noted that she was not so keen to be up so early and away from the warmth of her kitchen at 5930 East Washington Street. The Ruhsenbergers are all now gone from Irvington and even their family home was demolished in 1957. Thankfully, folks like Ann Hart Stewart help us to remember.

Ruhsenberger Family Picnic at Christian Park in 1937: Pictured (top left to right) MaeClaire "Tottie" Whidden Ruhsenberger (1911-1981), Lt. jg. J. Roger Ruhsenberger (1900-1993), Charles  A. Ruhsenberger (1869-1959), Hattie Jones Ruhsenberger (1872-1973), Henrietta Ruhsenberger Hart (1896-1969),  Paul J. Hart (1899-1989) Bottom rows: Roger Henry Ruhsenberger (1932-2004), Ann Hart Stewart, Patricia Patricia Ruhsenberger Dillard (1910-1954) The photo was snapped by Larry J. Dillard (1930-1993)

The Ruhsenbergers resided in a beautiful Dutch Colonial Revival home at 5930 East Washington Street. The grand home was built in 1906. It was later demolished for a filling station on the northwest corner of East Washington Street and Arlington Avenue. 

Photos and stories for this post are courtesy of Ann Hart Stewart.

Birthday Celebration--1943

One of Irvington's lost intersections is that of East Washington Street and Arlington Avenue.  Local families built beautiful homes on each corner.  With the need for filling stations, developers eventually demolished or altered all four corners throughout the mid-twentieth century.  On the northwest corner of that now forlorn gathering of streets, sat two regal homes at 5930 and 5934 East Washington Street.  The Ruhsenberger family occupied 5930 and thankfully one of our faithful readers, Ann Hart Stewart, has sent us several images of what the area used to look like.  Today, we are transported to March of 1943, when three cousins gathered to celebrate the birthdays for the girls--Ann Hart and Mary Ellen Stokesbery.  A third cousin, Larry Dillard, joined the party.  All three children shared the Ruhsenbergers as their grandparents and young Larry and Ann actually dwelled at 5930.  Mary Ellen could easily walk from her home at 352 Burgess Avenue.  It must have been a cool day as the children were wearing coats and sweaters.  The home most visible in the photo is that of 5934 East Washington Street, which actually stood on the corner.  To see more images from this interesting Irvington family, click on the Ruhsenberger link below.  This historic image is courtesy of Ann Hart Stewart, who just celebrated a milestone birthday.  Happy birthday, Ann!

Cousins--Larry Dillard, Ann Hart, and Mary Ellen Stokesberry gather for a birthday party at 5930 East Washington Street (demolished) in March, 1943.  Behind them you can also see 5934 East Washington Street. (demolished)

The Geislers of Colorado Avenue

Where is Irvington? This might seem like a simple question, but you can ask five different people and receive five different responses. Purists quote the National Register nomination completed in late 1980s as the definitive source. However, it might come as news for folks who live on the east side of Arlington and the westside of Emerson that they are not in Irvington. So where do we do draw the line? Many people who lived far from Emerson or Arlington considered themselves Irvingtonians. They attended Irvington churches, shopped in Irvington businesses, and attended schools in the area. I prefer, what one writer from the early twentieth century penned, when he stated that Irvington was a "state of mind."

Colorado Avenue is generally not considered Irvington by purists, but that might have come as a surprise to the Geisler Family, who lived along this street in the 1940s. Ed and Isabelle Geisler, both natives of Louisville, Kentucky moved to Colorado Avenue with their three talented daughters Fannie, Martha, and Carol. The young women became well known in the city of Indianapolis for their beautiful voices. All three of them sang in the Messiah at the Irvington Methodist Church in the 1940s. Ed and Isabelle were friends with the Ruhsenberger Family of 5930 East Washington. Mrs. Geisler and Mrs. Ruhsenberger were best friends. On January 16, 1942, Mrs. Geisler asked Mrs. Ruhsenberger if she would like to go with her to hear a presentation by Carol Lombard, the famous Hollywood actress. Ms. Lombard was in town to encourage her fellow Hoosiers to buy war bonds. Mrs. Ruhsenberger was not able to go, but Mrs. Geisler went on to the event. Later both families learned of the actress's death in a plane crash. Mrs. Geisler was devastated by the news. The Geislers and Ruhsenbergers remained close for many years even playing matchmaker for some of their children and friends.

In this historic picture, the Geislers gather for a photo in front of their home at 529 North Colorado Avenue. Pictured: (L to R) Fannie, Martha, Carol, Ed, and Isabelle Geisler. Both homes seen in this photo are still standing although somewhat altered. The stories and historic images are courtesy of Ann Hart Stewart.

An Amazing Irvington Pet

What do a British Prime Minister, a US President, a US Senator, and Irvington all have in common? A Cat! In the following account, Ann Hart Stewart recalls her childhood in the Ruhsenberger Home at 5930 East Washington St. (demolished) and of a beloved cat who lived across the street. Mrs. Stewart is a frequent contributor to Vintage Irvington. Her wonderful account not only tells the story of "Gussie," but she also provides interesting insights into her neighbors of the 1940s. The three photos show a possible likeness of Gussie, Senator Arthur Raymond Robinson, and his house, which now faces 18 South Arlington. The builders of Texaco Company moved the home to the back of the lot and turned it when they put in a gas station at the southwest corner of East Washington Street and Arlington Avenue in the 1950s.

Gussie The Famous Cat

By Ann Hart Stewart

Long, long ago when the world was much more innocent, particularly Irvington, and east Washington Street was only slightly commercial, there lived a United States Senator, Arthur Raymond Robinson, Republican. Oh, he didn’t live there most of the time, he stayed in Washington DC, but his wife, Frieda, did live there, in a big white frame four-square on the southwest corner of Washington and Arlington. Mrs. Robinson was very big in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, but still served wine for important occasions, because, after all, her husband was a senator and wine was “not spirits”. I know this because she would borrow table linens from us, we didn’t have silver or crystal, but we did have “important” table linens, inherited from long gone relatives. “We” were the Ruhsenbergers, Harts, and Dillards, and we lived directly across Washington St. from the Robinsons. There were three Robinson children, all grown, the eldest approaching 40.

Their daughter, Katie Petross, was the youngest, pretty, vibrant, full of fun and a very good golfer. She played regularly at Pleasant Run Golf Course, just up Arlington Avenue. Katie was a young Navy wife, and her husband, “Pete” was away at sea, which was one reason she stayed at home with her mother, and her eldest brother, Ray, who was single and divorced. (Ray had married into another of Irvington’s prominent families, the Zoerchers, but it didn’t last.) We knew Ray because our dog, Tuffy, absolutely adored him and slept regularly during the summers in the Robinson’s yard, next to Ray in his tent. We knew Katie because she loved to come over and visit with my mother and grandmother, and because she, my dad, and my mother’s brother, who was also a Naval officer, would play golf together whenever they could. Katie’s husband, Lt. L.C. Petross, (Pete to all of us), had graduated from Annapolis in 1925, just a year after my uncle, Lt. J. Roger Ruhsenberger.

As I said, Katie’s husband was away at sea - he was stationed aboard the USS Augusta. The Augusta was a very important ship! Early in 1941, (about the time I turned eight), Roosevelt and Churchill chose her as their meeting place, where they wrote the North Atlantic Charter, which eventually became NATO. It was still a peacetime Navy, at least where the US was concerned. Roosevelt snuck out of Washington DC on his yacht, and eventually transferred to the Augusta, Churchill braved the Atlantic on the HMS Prince of Wales, and then he too transferred to the Augusta, then lolling about off Nova Scotia. She was a heavy-duty cruiser. An important member of her crew, besides Lt. Petross, was the ship’s cat - Gussie, a large marmalade and white ex-tomcat with a loving disposition. After the conference was concluded, the ship received word that they might be going into harm’s way - the Orient, they’d been there before, and the situation was tense. Great Britain and Germany were already at war. No one knew what might happen. No one wanted to put Gussie at risk, so when Lt. Petross got leave and came home to Indianapolis, he brought Gussie with him, and he, that is, the cat, came to live at the Robinson’s. Well, it wasn’t long before Gussie discovered our house! He had to be very careful because E. Washington was a very wide street, and there were streetcars in those days, but he always made it across, and up the steps to our house. No animal was ever turned away. Bummy (Mrs Ruhsenberger, my grandmother) welcomed them all, she even crumbled peanut butter cookies on the hall runners so the squirrels could have treats! She adored cats, Gussie knew this, and he would come in, get up on the furniture, sit in our laps, play with toys, and roll sillies on the catnip enhanced living room rugs. Of course we all adored him too, well, maybe my grandfather did not, but Gussie wisely did not stay late in the afternoon. He was always a welcome visitor.

Sad things happened then, a little old lady on Shank Avenue saw cats in her yard, and as she raised chickens, she poisoned them all. My kitten died, but Gussie, being very large, just got very sick. He went to the vet, who rescued him: my dad, who could be very intimidating, went to the little old lady, and no more cats were poisoned, but Katie decided that was enough, and went out west to be near her husband’s next posting, taking Gussie with her. Lord, we all missed that cat, he was so much fun, and so loving and affectionate. I got other cats, and they all fell victim to the traffic, until I was eleven, when my dad brought home another kitten, a very wise soul even when he was young. He lived until I was twenty-seven!

But Gussie was probably the most important visitor our home in Indianapolis ever entertained - after all he had been witness to one of the most important events in world history, had met both Roosevelt and Churchill, but preferred to roll around and inhale catnip on our living room rug. We were very honored.

The Robinsons, that is, the Senator and Mrs. Robinson are interred at Washington Park East, Katie lived to be 90 and died in Mesa, AZ, Pete died in 1978, but Gussie lives on in my memory.

Memories of the Attack Upon Pearl Harbor--70 Years Later

Ann Hart (Stewart), one of our contributors to Vintage Irvington, recalled where she was seventy years ago on this date, December 7, 1941. The day began as all of her Sundays had with a trip to the Irvington Presbyterian Church. After lunch, she was allowed to go over and play with her friend Alice Hunt, who lived just north of Washington Street on Arlington Avenue. It was not long before her Mother came over and walked her back across the street to her childhood home at 5930 East Washington Street. As soon as they walked into the house, her mother burst into tears and began to tell Ann about the Pearl Harbor attack.

Ann wondered and worried about many things on that day including the fate of her Uncle Roger Ruhsenberger, who was in military service. (He made it through the war and had a successful career with the US Navy.) There is no question that life changed for Irvington families after that "day of infamy," but Ann recalls wonderful memories of planting Victory Gardens and canning vegetables. The family was so efficient that Ann remarked that they ate the last of the canned tomatoes in 1958! Irvington families made the best of the war shortages. Ann noted that when a Christmas lightbulb burned out, it was not replaced. People made do with the rations. Since her father was a doctor, they were allowed extra gas rations. She also noted that her father went hunting and brought home quail and rabbit to supplement the family meals. Patients who could not pay her father cash for the medical calls frequently rewarded him with butter, cream, and farm raised chickens. Ann's mother went back to teaching as labor was scarce in many sectors of the economy.

Seventy years later that day is still a vivid memory for Ann Hart Stewart. She can even recall walking through the back gate and into her childhood home. Thanks to her descriptive note, we too, are walking through that gate and into the past.

The historic image was taken of Ann Hart (Stewart) and her cousin Roger Ruhsenberger in 1937, four years before the attacks on Pearl Harbor. I am indebted to Ann for her memories of that fateful moment in US History.

An Elegant Gathering at the Stokesberry Bungalow

This early color photo reveals an elegant birthday gathering at the Stokesberry Home at 352 Burgess Avenue. Veta Cannavan Stokesberry sits at the head of the table. Her husband, Chester likely took the picture. Sitting to Veta's right are Charles and Hattie Ruhsenberger of 5930 East Washington Street. Across the table are Isadora Louiso Cannavan (324 Burgess Avenue) and in shadow, May Louiso Markmeyer. The occasion was the birthday celebration of the two sisters Hattie and "Dora." In my attempt to make the photo larger, I have lost some of the resolution, but the photo still reveals so many interesting details. It was likely taken around 1945.

The table has a lace cloth over it and Veta Cannavan Stokesberry has pulled out lovely tea cups and plates for the event. You will also note the beautiful candles and delicious looking birthday cake. One of Chester Stokesberry's paintings hangs over the buffet in the dining room. It is also great to see the color of the wallpaper. This wonderful image is courtesy of Ann Stewart.

Birthday Gathering at the Stokesberry Bungalow at 352 Burgess Avenue

Sometime around 1937, Hattie Jones Ruhsensberger (1872-1973) and her sister Isadora Jones Louiso Cannavan (1868-1955) gathered in the living room at the home of Chester and Veta Cannavan (1905-1985) at 352 Burgess Avenue. Veta was the daughter of "Dora" and hosted the event. The two sisters had remained close over the years, and they loved to celebrate their January birthdays. Hattie dwelled at 5930 E. Washington Street and Dora lived in several places before moving to Irvington to be near her daughter and sister. Dora worked as midwife and upon her death in 1955, the local newspaper called her "an angel on horseback." She also attended wounded World War One veterans at a military hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. You may learn more about the Ruhsenberger family by following the link listed below.

Chester Stokesberry moved into this two-bedroom bungalow in 1927 with his first wife Marie. The home was only a year old at the time and was likely built by contractors Keith and Effie Stonehouse in 1925. The Indianapolis newspapers reported dozens of new bungalows for sale in the Irvington area in the mid-1920s. Most contained a long living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, and one bath. Some like this one had a breakfast nook and built-in features next to the fireplace. After their marriage, Veta Cannavan Stokesberry took up residence and the Stokesberrys would live in this house until the 1980s.

Chester Stokesberry (1895-1984) was a jeweler, watchmaker, clockmaker, and an artist. Some of his work appeared at various exhibitions including at the John Herron Art Institute. His paintings are highly collectable in 2011. He specialized in landscape scenes. In the photo you can see two of his works on the walls of the Burgess Avenue bungalow. The Ellenberger Park painting hanging above the ladies in the photo eventually moved to the Ruhsenberger home and is still in the family's possession. The other three works featured on this post recently sold at a local art auction. The scene depicting snow is called "January Thaw." These paintings were completed in 1956.

Be sure to study the black and white photograph. Veta Stokesberry kept a beautiful home and she loved antiques. The exterior photo of the home was taken on July 24, 2011. The historic image and the stories are courtesy of Ann Stewart.

Irvington Quest Club--1941

Irvington had numerous clubs for women and men to join throughout the 20th century. Many women actually joined more than one club. They were usually literary in nature, but there were an array of choices for the discerning member. Meetings were generally held in various homes throughout the neighborhood although some organizations met in churches or in lodges.

In this photo officers of the Quest Club pose in front of 5930 East Washington Street in March of 1941. The three women are identified as Mrs. McKay (5910 Lowell Avenue), Mrs. Ruhsenberger (5930 East Washington St.), and Mrs. Hughes. The house that is visible behind the ladies belonged to Charles and Helen Owen at 5934 East Washington St. (demolished) This photo is courtesy of Ann Stewart.

Charles and Hattie J. Ruhsenberger--1955

Charles and Hattie Ruhsenberger lived at 5930 East Washington Street for decades. They were married on April 17, 1895, in Clarksville, Indiana. On her wedding day, Hattie carried violets and for the remainder of her time with Charles, he gave her that flower on each anniversary. This is one of the last photos taken of the couple on April 17, 1955, on the day of their sixtieth wedding anniversary.

In this photo, the couple pose in their Irvington dining room. You can see violets on the table and what looks like a cake in front of Charles. This faded color photograph also shows the vibrant blue dress of Hattie and the interesting wallpaper behind the couple. This image and the touching story is courtesy of Ann Stewart.

Cousins in the Garden--1937

This is a beautiful shot of Roger H. Ruhsenberger (1932-2002) and his cousin Ann Hart (Stewart) sniffing some flowers in the backyard of 5930 East Washington Street. This would make a wonderful painting! You may learn more about the Ruhsenberger family by clicking on the link below. This image is courtesy of Ann Stewart.

Ruhsenberger Grandchildren--1935

Charles A. Ruhsenberger stands next his three oldest grandchildren in the summer of 1935. The Ruhsenbergers dwelled at 5930 East Washington Street. The children in the photo (left to right) are Ann Hart (Stewart), Larry J. Dillard, and Roger H. Ruhsenberger. It appears that the young boys might be getting ready to play croquet in their grandparent's backyard. Behind the children is a very large playpen used by the Hart family. Mrs. Hart grew very worried about child kidnappings after the infamous Lindberg baby story so she frequently placed her daughter and her playmates in the pen for protection. The garage pictured in the photo belonged to Behrendt family who lived next door. You may read more about the Ruhsenberger family and this Irvington corner in previous posts. This image is courtesy of Ann Stewart.

Children's Party (1938)--5930 East Washington St.

Although we are not close to Halloween, I could not resist posting this fun photograph. Children gathered at the Ruhsenberger home at 5930 East Washington St. in 1938 for a costume party. We may need help identifying some of the kids in the picture. We do know that Ann Hart (Stewart) is pictured second from the left in the front row. Larry Dillard, a cousin to Ann Hart, is the first child on the left in the top row. Larry also dwelled in the house. Their neighbor Bob Vial (20 N. Arlington) is the second child from the left in the top row. He is a wearing a World War One uniform.

Unfortunately, this home is no longer standing, (see previous posts) but we get a great view of the main parlor in the house. Note the beautiful fireplace, the Oriental rug on the floor, and the upright piano. The landscape painting hanging above the fireplace remains in the family. It was painted by Chester L. Stokesberry. Mr. Stokesberry, a cousin (once removed) to Ann Hart, was a watchmaker, jeweler, gunsmith, and an accomplished artist. He and his wife Veta Cannavan Stokesberry and his daughter Mary Ellen lived at 352 Burgess Avenue. The painting won a first prize ribbon at the Indiana State Fair in either 1932 or 1933. Be sure to look for the mantel clock on the fireplace as that piece also remains in the family as of 2011. The photo and the interesting information are courtesy of Ann Stewart.

Northwest Corner of East Washington St. and Arlington Avenues--Then and Now

These four photos show the significant changes that have taken place at 5930 and 5934 East Washington Streets over the years. The tiny image from 1936 (click on it to make it a little larger) shows Hattie Jones Ruhsenberger (1872-1973) and Charles A. Ruhsenberger (1869-1959) with their granddaughter Ann Hart (Stewart). The larger photo was taken in 1957 before the two homes were demolished for a filling station. The photo reveals that 5930 was a beautiful Dutch Colonial Revival home (1906). A tall tree obscures the view of 5934, but you can click on a previous post to see a 1920s era photo the front facade.

The newer "now" photos taken in the winter of 2011 reveal that the filling station has been closed and is now a tax service business. Irvington residents know the property well because of the dancing Statue of Liberty who boogies down along the sidewalk during tax season. You may see a photo of him taking a break to chat with a friend who has pulled into the lot. The historic images are courtesy of Ann Stewart.

Color Photo--Backyard, 5930 E. Washington St.

Henrietta Ruhsenberger Hart (1896-1969) stands next to her daughter Ann and her niece Mary Ellen Stokesberry in 1955. The Harts lived at 5930 E. Washington Street (no longer standing) and Miss Stokesberry dwelled on Burgess Avenue. Both Ann and Mary Ellen went on to have successful careers away from Irvington.

In this photo, the ladies stand in the backyard of 5930 E. Washington St. Behind them is 20 N. Arlington Avenue. (still standing). In the 1950s, Mr. and Mrs. Solon Vial lived in the Arlington Avenue bungalow with their son Bob. You can tell it was springtime as a flowering tree buds behind the women along the property line. This lovely image is counter to the present day parking lot in 2011, but perhaps in the future this lot shall be pretty again. A special thanks to Ann Stewart for providing this photo.

Ruhsenberger Family--East Washington St.

In this rare photo taken sometime between 1921 and 1924, you can get a glimpse of the northwest corner of East Washington Street and Arlington Avenue. Three homes occupied the site where a former filling station and parking lot now stands in 2011. The Ruhsenberger family dwelled at 5930 East Washington. Charles A. Ruhsenberger was a salesman and manager of Levinson's Store on Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis. His wife Hattie was a homemaker and active clubwoman in Irvington. The Ruhsenbergers lived on this corner for at least three decades.

In this photo Hattie Ruhsenberger poses with her two children Roger A. and Esterbelle. Roger had just graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He would later have a long life in public service for the United States government including a stint as the Deputy Commander for NATO! A graduate of Harvard University, he also helped to build the first radio station at the Pensacola, Florida naval base. You can see a small section of the porch of 5930 East Washington, but the photo provides a wonderful view of 5934 East Washington Street. Charles and Helen Owen lived in this house for decades. This image and information is courtesy of Ann Stewart. More will be coming about this interesting corner in Irvington.