The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-30
The GREAT wAeoN.mAkER.

THE GREAT WAGONMAKER.
At South Bend. Indiana. Clement stu
debaker, the worlds greatest wagon
maker. died at so Wednesday morning
from heart and stomach trouble The
suffer passed away peacefully, with his
family gathered about his bedside. as has
been related previously In the dispatches
Mr. Studebaker had not been a we'll
man for more than a year. and last
March was compelled to take 10 his bed.
re recovered. however. and made a trip
10 Europe in hopes 10 ind permanent re-
lief from his trouble. He returned in
September. and on landing at New York
sustained a fall He never recovered
from the shock resulting from the fall
and again took to his bed November 10.
From the first the physicians believed
there was little hope for him.
He showed wonderful vitality during
his last Illness making q brave night for
life. Nearly every day saw a relapse
which. il was feared. would end in death.
but invariably a rally followed, giving the
watchers hore that his splendid consti-
tuition would triumph over the grim an
gel. He became unconscious Monday
night, but rallied Tuesday and recog-
nized those about him. He soon again
Ielapsed into Inconsistencies and re-
manned in that condition till he was re-
lieved by death.
Mr.. Studebaker was born in Adams
county. Pennsylvania. near the Gettys-
burg battlefield. seventy years ago last
March. He was one OF a family OF thir-
teen children. five brothers of whom.
including himself. formed the Studeba-
ker firm. OF these four but one sur
vives-J. NJ. Studebaker. The Studebaker
family was of German stock and form
erly spelled the name Studebacher. The
father, john Studebacher, was a black
smith and wagOn-maker by trade. and
every one of his sons learned this trade
at his fathers forge. In 1895. having met
with reverses. the family decided to shake
the dust of Pennsylvania from their feet
ana make for the great West. Packing
all Of their belongings into a prairie
schooner Cthe first "Studebaker'D, they
followed an OK team over the Allegha-
MES and settled in Ashland county, Ohio,
where another forge was set up and life
especially among the frugal sons Of large
families, the boys were early taught that
to live they must work.
Glenn was put TO work in his fathers
shop at the age Of s. and until he had
mastered the trade he worked there dur
ing the summers of his youth and spent
the winters in the pursuit Of knowledge
at the district school. At the age of %
Glenn had become a proficient blacksmith
learning as could be impaired by the
country schoolmaster. so he started out
for himself. lie located in St. Joseph
county, Indiana. where for a time he
taught school. earning 30 cents per diem
at this occupation. One term satisfied
him that he would not be contented with
tutors life, and he deserted il for a
position in thrashing machine factory.
short time at this made him ambitious
RI haCnne hig ~,
1852 he sent back home for his elder
brother, Henry. and the two. with a COM
bined cash capital of s2.65 (borrowed)
and S6S worth of tools, set up as black
smiths and wagOn-makers in South
Bend.
They put up a sign. III. & c. Stude-
baker" in February, 1852. and thus was
founded the firm that has since become
one of the greatest of it's kind in the
world. The first years output was two
wagons, last year saw nearly 1900 put
upon the market. The first two wagons
are still in existence. In 1851 the firm
received their first government contract.
calling for wagons for the United States
troops campaigning in Utah. One BY one
the other three brothers. J. NJ. p. r.
and ]. F., were taken into the firm. and
in 1868 it was Incorporated.
Glenn Stakeholder was delegate to the
field in 1880. He was a Grant man, and
one of the famous '3o6' who stood by
Grant at that convention. He was also
a delegate at large from his state to the
convention of 1883 and supported his old
friend, General Harrison.
Mr.. Studebaker's benevolences have
been manifold and widespread He was a
devout Methodist and a leader in the
church, and TO its institutions he gave
much He assisted materially in the
building of the Epworth Hospital at
South Bend, and erected MiIburn Chapel
in memory OF his wife's father. The
chapel has been sold. and the proceeds,
together with a further gift from him,
are now being used in the erection Of
larger place of worship Mr.. Studebaker
was at the head Of the great Chautaqua
summer system Of education, was trus-
tee and benefsctor Of Depauw University
at Greencastle. Ind. and was member
of the pan-American commission OF 1850.
He was also a commissioner to the Paris
exposition Of 1878.
Mr. Studebaker was twice married. He
had two children by his first wife. They
died in infancy, and their mother did
not long survive them. In 1864 he married
Miss Anna Mlburn OF Mishawaka, Ind.
the daughter of the late George Milburn.
founder Of the Milburn Wagon Company.
Mrs Studebaker still survives him, to-
gether with their three children-Colonel
George N. Studebaker, secretary Of the
company; Mrs. Charles Arthur Carlisle.
wife OF the general purchasing agent OF
the company. and Glen. Jr.. cashier OF
the company Seven grandchildren and
one brother. J. ". Studebsker the treas
urer of the company. also survive.
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