The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-28
Mr.. Studebaker's Life.

Clement S%tudebaker was the second Of
three brothers whose w-agon-making house
has been famous in the commercial world
for several decades.
Clement was born at Gettysburg, Pa, on
March u, 1881, and at the age of eight be-
came apprentice in the blacksmith shop Of
his father at Ashland, o., whittier the
family removed five years after the birth
of Clement. John Studebaker, the father,
had five sons, of whom three became wag-
on makers.
When Clement Studebaker was twenty
years old he came to Indiana and taught
school for a year in st. Joseph county,
where he also became interested in a
threshing machine company. The thresh-
ing machine venture proved a failure, and,
firing of school teaching, Clement and his
elder brother Henry decided to go into
business for themselves.
With S2.65 in money and s65 in tools the
boys began turning out the wagons which
have since made their names known in
nearly every corner of the world, the house
having at present ten or fifteen repositories
and 300 agencies in the United States and
Europe.
The factory at South Bend now covers 10
acres and employs several thousand men.
other hundreds are employed in the deposit
tories in Chicago and other large cities, and
paid agents are scattered over the world.
The company was incorporated in 1868,
and Clement Studebaker has been it's pres
ident ever since, The Chicago depository
OF the COllpdny VI WHICH L T.. oluue-
baker, vice president and treasurer, be-
came the head, was established twenty-five
years ago.
for politics, and resolutely eschewing ambi-
ton for personal reward his counsels in
his party were always sought and his in
fluence was strong and widely felt. Repub-
lican in his affiliations, he was intimately
acquainted with the leading men in that
organization throughout the State and Ma
ton. He was a delegate from the South
Bend district to the national Republican
convention in Chicago in 1880 and a delegate
at large from the State in 1883. President
Harrison included him among the ten APP
pointees for the United States to the PAN
American congress held in Washington in
1SS9-9O, and he always accounted his assoc
citation with the distinguished men COM
posing { It body-Secretary Blaine, Andrew
Carnegie, Cornelius y. Bliss and others-as
one of the pleasantest experiences of his
life in a public way.
Mr.. Studebaker was one of the commits
sioners of the United States from Indiana
TO the Paris exposition in 1878, to the worlds
exposition at New Orleans and was presi-
dent of the board of worlds fair managers
at Chicago in 1898. He was a member of
the Carriage Builders National Associa-
ton and had served as the president. He
was a member of the board of trustees Of
the Chautauqua assembly for many years
and on the death of Lewis Miller. of Akron.
o., succeeded TO the presidency, which he
held at the time of his death. In fraternity
associations Mr.. Studebaker was a Knight
Bend Lodge of odd Fellows. He was a
member Of the Columbia Club of Indian
apolis and of the Indiana Club of South
Bend.
CHURCH INTEREST.
Joining the Methodist Church in his early
manhood, he always manifested an active
and helpful interest in that denomination
both locally and at large. He was twice a
delegate TO the General Conference of the
I- - - - ae.
Der of the book having charge Of
the national publication houses and allied
interests OF the church. He was also a
member Of the board of trustees OF ne
Paw University. at Greencastle. Locally
he was the most ardent and powerful
friend which the Methodist organization
had. He was a constant attendant on all
the services of the church. and to its tenn
his time, his business talents and his MON
ey. He was active in his sympathy and as
sistance when Mrs. Studebaker honored the
memory of her father, George Milburn. in
the erection of Milburn Memorial Chanel.
and when this church edihce was no longer
adequate 10 the needs Of the attendants in
that part Of the city he instituted plans
and mainly provided for the funds for the
erection OF ST. Paul's Methodist Church.
now nearing completion, on Colfax and
Iaporte avenues. and which will be the
most beautiful. admirably designed and
cOmmOdiOus place of worship in Indiana.
The last public ceremonial in which he took
part was the laying or the cornerstone of
this church. on a beautiful Sunday after
noon in May last. just previous TO the de-
parture OF himself and his wife for Europe.
The evident impairment Of his health was
particularly noticeable on this occasion.
Second only 10 his labor Of love and
philanthropy was the work with which
Mr.. Studebaker had been associated with
his wife in providing the city with the
new Epworth Hospital. This institution.
which is a model of appropriate design.
tasteful and elegant in finish and furnish
ing and modern and complete In its equip
ment. has cost many thousands Of dollars.
To the as yet comparatively small sub
scriptions by the public. Mr.. and Mrs.
Studebaker made generous additions. be-
sides which Mr.. Studebaker was person
ally nledssd as security for the rest of the