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; 

An American Four-Square on Ritter Avenue

      The Reverend Americus Conner and his wife, Mary Jane Cadwallader Conner, lived all over the state of Indiana and in Irvington. In 1912, the couple along with their foster daughter, Mary Seeger, returned to the neighborhood to reside at 340 North Ritter Avenue. Also living nearby was their daughter Pearl Conner Hackleman and her family at 5438 Lowell Avenue. 

     Their newer home at 340 North Ritter Avenue was built on speculation in 1908 for the Reverend John P. Findley, who then rented the place to Gilbert and Stella Laymon. The Laymons resided in the house briefly and watched as their new home at 351 North Ritter Avenue was under construction across the street and completed in 1909.  Jason and Gertrude Baker also lived in the house from 1909 until 1911.  The Conners came next and resided in the two-story dwelling for about five years before moving out in 1917. During their time in the home, the family spent much of their lives on the road as Reverend Conner was an evangelist and in high demand among Protestant churches as a speaker. An Indianapolis News article indicated that the Conners along with their foster daughter started a new business called the Boys' Friend Chautauqua Company with a capital stock investment of $7500 in the summer of 1912. 

     Americus has been lecturing Hoosiers for years over the dangers of what could happen to boys if they were not given proper instruction. In the new campaign, he added a separate talk for girls led by his foster daughter, Mary Seeger. Mrs. Conner traveled with the group to assist with logistics. Sometimes the troupe would spend as long as a week in one town. Their Ritter Avenue neighbors likely seldom saw the family as in 1912 alone, they held revivals in New Albany, Muncie, Huntington, Seymour, Franklin, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

     Although the Conners were members of the Disciples of Christ, they preached wherever they were invited. In little Windfall, Indiana in 1914, both the Methodist and Disciples hosted the family, while in that same year, they preached to the Presbyterians of Rushville. In Greenfield, some local businessmen paid their fee so that Hancock County Protestants could attend the daily talks for free.  The Conners charged each venue for their revivals as it was after all, a family business. 

     In 1917, the Conners and Mary Seeger started the year with their ministry in southern Indiana. They preached in Evansville, Boonville, and Mount Vernon.  A post in the Martinsville Reporter-Times (March 21, 1917, 1), noted that all three of them vacated their Ritter Avenue home and moved into the sanitarium at Bethany Park in Morgan County, Indiana for the summer. They continued their ministry well into the 1920s and eventually the elderly Conners moved in with their daughter Pearl Conner Hackleman at her Lowell Avenue home. 

The Reverend John P. Findley built 340 North Ritter Avenue on speculation in 1908. Gilbert and Stella  Laymon moved into the house in 1909. The Conners arrived in 1912. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble  Spurgeon) c1915

Built in the American Four Square style in 1908, 340 North Ritter Avenue has housed numerous Irvington families over the years. The woman in the photograph might be Mary Jane Conner. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) c1915

Americus and Mary Jane Conner along with their foster daughter, Mary Seeger, resided at 340 North Ritter Avenue from 1912 until 1917. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) c1915

In this photograph, you can not only see 340 North Ritter Avenue, but you can also see 338 North Ritter Avenue. The Conners lived at 340 in 1915 while the Agnew family lived next door at 338. (photo courtesy of Anne Gribble Spurgeon) c1915

     I would like to thank Anne Gribble Spurgeon, the great great granddaughter of Americus and Mary Jane Conner, for her family stories and the use of her photographs. I would also like to thank Steve Barnett and Paula Schmidt at the Irvington Historical Society for their assistance with research.

Sources:  Articles related to the Conner Chautauqua Circuit from 1912 to 1917: "Youth Camp," Muncie Star-Press, February 10, 1912, 5; Huntington Herald,  April 8, 1912, 3; Seymour Tribune, May 4, 1912, 1; Franklin Evening-Star, September 7, 1912, 1; Fort Wayne Gazette, December 17, 1912, 3; Greenfield Reporter, March 15, 1913, 1; Elwood Call-Leader, April 5, 1914, 3; Boonville Standard, January 5, 1917, 1; Evansville Courier-Press, January 30, 1917, 3. Details about topics that the Conners covered in revival and Mary Seeger's role: "The Boys' Friend," Greenfield Daily Reporter, March 11, 1913, 1

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.