The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 July 1987 — Page 32

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., July 1,1987

Leo Druckamiller's grandfather owned, operated livery stable

By JACK ELAM In the mid-1800s, many Dutch families (from Holland) settled in and around New Paris in Elkhart County. One of these families was the Druckamillers. Today, a descendant of this Dutch family, and a native of Syracuse, lives on East Shore Drive. Leo Druckamiller was born in Syracuse on November 14, 1906. He was raised in the brick house “next to the standpipe on the hill.” Druckamiller’s grandfather was John (Clark) Druckamiller. The grandfather owned and operated a livery stable located on the corner of Washington and Huntington Streets. The site of the livery is now owned by the United Telephone Company. Leo’s father was Wilford Earl, known to everyone as “Bill.” They were of the Dunkard faith and Leo relates the story that Bill helped to haul stone with horses and wagon for the laying of the foundation of the Progressive Church that was located just west of the mill race. He said after the building was no longer used as a church it was turned into a storage shed for the Traster threshing machine. Druckamiller spent much of his boyhood years working at his

grandfather’s livery stable. Leo remembers when he was around 10 years old he and Bill, his father, were sleeping in the livery barn when a fierce summer storm came up with lots of thunder and lighting. Leo said he though lighting had struck the building for it almost knocked him out of bed. Further investigation showed that the livery was not damaged but the Church of God across Washington Street had been hit. The tall spire on top of the bell tower had been struck as it extended higher than any other structure around. The spire was never replaced.

< 1 ajgfo.- K »jh trade :rt t LEO DRUCKAMILLER In those easy days of the early years of this century, the local morticians very seldom owned their own horsedrawn hearse. When it came time for the last ride, the hearse and horses were rented from the local livery and maybe a fancy surrey for the bereaved would also be reserved. Leo tells that when his grandfather, John Druckamiller, died in 1917 that his remains were driven to the Baintertown Cemetery in his own horsedrawn hearse. When asked if he remembered anything about World War I, Leo told a story about the parade and big celebration in the streets of Syracuse. He said that the fire bell was rung so long and so hard that it cracked and by the end of the day sounded like it was hoarse. When Leo grew up, he married

Alma Heyde of Nappanee. They raised three boys and one girl. The boys were Eugene of Syracuse, Norman who is deceased, Arden of Indianapolis, and daughter, Delores, of Milford. Until bad health forced Leo to early retirement, he was a very able paper hanger. Alma is retired from Syracuse Rubber Co. It was certainly not lonesome in the Druckamiller household when Leo was growing up in the brick house “next to the standpipe.” Leo had an older brother, Emory, who is now 85 and remembered for his days as the Syracuse basketball star. Another brother of Leo’s is Leonard, who is the baby of the family at 71. The sisters are Georgia, age 77, and Mary, age 75. If someday you are bored with life and would like to take or just listen to a walking historical encyclopedia of Syracuse, just call on Leo. He was there! Art show to be held July 10 and 11 The Lakeland Art Association is sponsoring a show of art works by Kosciusko artists and members of the Lakeland Art Association on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The show/sale will be held in the Lakeland Youth Center in Wawasee Village. The show will consist of works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, pen and ink, pencil and sculpture. Many of the artists will have their own booths and some will be working on the spot. There will be art work for sale by some of the artists also. In conjunction with the show, the sesquicentennial committee will sponsor a auction of a sesquicentennial quilt made by Dot Wysong, approximately 90 Ken Harkless paintings and five commemorative sample china plates. Jake Bitner, Syracuse, has donated his time for the auction. The quilt and paintings are on display at J.A. Business, 101 Pickwick Place, Syracuse. There will be no admission charge.