Otto Stechhan  

Heinrich Otto Ludwig Stechhan Birth: 15 Apr 1851 - Germany Baptism: 18 May 1851 Parochial, Berlin Stadt, Brandenburg, Prussia Death 19 Jan 1922 Pasadena, California son of August Ludwig Stechhan and Henriette Amalie Marie Schmidt

He is known as the father of the state law which made possible the establishment, of Emmerich Manual High School and was once the largest furniture manufacturer in Indianapolis

Otto Stechhan - Is a native of Prussia, was born in the city of Berlin, on April 15, 1851. He came to Indianapolis in 1857, and worked at the upholstering business with his father, Louis Stechhan. He is at the time manufacturing and dealing in parlor alone,at No. 128 Fort Wayne avenue. Mr. Stechhan, like many other natives of Germany, came to the United States for the purpose of making a living, but are not only making a living but a fortune. I am sure his great enterprise in this city deserves encouragement. He manufactures as fine furniture as can be found in the west, if not as good as any similar establishment in the United States. His large and fine establishment is not only a credit to him by an honor to the city, and goes far to show to what perfection Indianapolis has arrived as a manufacturing city. Mr. Stechhan was married in November, 1872, to Miss Rosa Sahm, daughter of Ludwig Sahm, an old citizen of this city. May they live long and prosper. -- Sketches of prominent citizens of 1876: a few of the pioneers of the cit and county who have passed away Indianapolis: Tilford & Carlon, printers, 1877, 559 pg.

OTTO STECHHAN, AGE 72; DIES AT PASADENA, CAL.
FATHER OF THE LAW THAT MADE M. T. H. S. POSSIBLE.

WIDOW AND SON SURVIVE

Otto Stechhan. age seventy two, pioneer resident and manufacturer of this city and known as the father of the state law which made possible the establiehment of Manual Training High Schools died Thursday at the home of his son, H. O. Stechhan, in Pasedena, Cal., according to word recelved by Albert Sahm, of the State Life Insurance Company, a brother-law.

Mr. Stechhan is survived by his widow. and one son.

Mr. Stechhan began his business career in Indianapolis as an upholsterer and soon became engaged in the manufacture of lounges

His business was developed until at one time It regarded the largest of its kind In the country, Sahm said.

Mr. Stechhan was a member of the city council in the eighties, where he introduced and obtained the passage of an ordinance creating the street center part plots, the first of which was placed in Christian avenue, now Eleventh street Later he was representative from Marion county in the state legislature Here he introduced and fought through to passage the bill which made possible the starting of a trade school in Indisnapolis, the Manual forerunner of Training the present Emmerich School.

Mr. Stechhan spent more than a year touring Europe in search of facts about trade schools before submitting his proposal to the state legislature, Mr. Sahm said.

Noted Sportsman.

Mr. Stechban was a devotee of the outdoor life, and was widely known as a hunter and angler.

He had hunting and fishing lodge at Lake Maxinkuckee, one of the first, ever bullt at the lake.

One of his personal hobbies was the building of boats of every sort to be used in his fishing and sporting activities.

He also wrote poetry, some of which was published in a volume.

One of the fine qualIttes of his personal life is indicated by the word 1 meaning "welcome, which was written over the doorway of his home in this city.

Mr. Stechhan and his wife left Indianapolis about two years ago, after about sixty five years of residence in this city, to live with their son California.

Two brothers-in-law of Mr. Stechhan live in Indianapolis. They are Mr. Sahm, 1607 Broadway, and Albert H. Krull, 525 East Eleventh street.

Grew Up With City.

"In the fullest sense, Mr. Stechhan grew up with Indianapolis and was one of her self-made men." Mr. Sahm said.

A less selfish and more ready and willing helper of his needy fellowman it would be hard to find.

Engrossed as he was with bustness affairs, nevertheless he found time to devote himself to the needs of the community.

His happiest domain, however, was that of feld, forest and stream.

He was a quiet, modest, unassuming man who met in the truest sense the duties of citizenship. His life was full to overflowing of good, There has gone beyond soul of great honor." -- Indianapolis News , Fri, Jan 20, 1922


AUTHORITY ON SCHOOL WORK IS DEAD
Otto Stechhan Father of Prominent Local Man Dies in Pasadena

Otto Stechhan, for many years a leading citizen of Indianapolis, Ind., passed on here yesterday at the age of 72 years.

He came to Pasadena, with Mrs. Stechhan, two years ago, to pass his declining years in Southern California, with his son, H. O. Stechhan, of the Community playhouse staff.

A pioneer of the Hoosier state, Mr. Stechhan established one of the largest furniture factories in America there.

Subsequently, he engaged in the drop forging business and prior to his retirement a decade ago held other Important interests.

He was elected to the city council of the Hoosier capital and In this connection Introduced the street center parking system which has been adopted by many cities.

Mr. Stechhans hobby was the public system, and he pioneered the movement to establish manual training instruction in it. To accomplish this, he studies the subject exhaustively. Leaving his large manufacturing interests, he spent a year in European travel, making inveetigations In various countries.

Returning home, he launched a campaign of education, for the public needed enlightening.

Then came a struggle with the labor unions, who vigorously op posed what they believed to be an effort to train up workers to take their jobs. But Mr. Stechhan kept on unflinchingly, his purpose being to make the schools to educate the hand as well as the mind.

That the schools might undertake the work, state legislation was needed, so Mr. Stechhan stood for the general assembly and was elected. There, all sorts of opposition developed. Educators opposed the Stechhan bill as a fad, labor leaders fought it from selfish motives and taxpayers leagues didn't want it because of the added expense. Against all these odds, Mr. Stechhan waged a winning fight with the result that Indianapolis was the first American city to introduce manual training, which is today part of practically every school system in America. It led to the building of the Manual Training High 6chool of Indianapolis, which today rates as the model institution of its sort in our country.

As a young man, Otto Stechhan was a leading athlete and held many tecords in the North American Gymnastic union.

In spite of an unusually busy life, he found time to hunt, fish, sail and even cultivate belle lettres. Some of his outdoor verse ranks among the better things produced by the school of Hoosier poets which flourished In the nineties.

Suffering an accident in a street car accident a decade ago, Mr. Stechhan has been declining graduallv, due in large measure to subsequent sunstroke.

Besides the widow and son there survives a daughter-in-law, Mrs. H. O. Stechhan, and granddaughter, Rosemary, both of whom are in the east for the winter.

Private funeral services will he held tomorrow morning at the chapel of Reynolds & Eberle. -- Pasadena Post Fri, Jan 20, 1922

Marriage: 12 Nov 1872 - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana Rosa Sahm was born on May 29, 1853, in Indianapolis, Indiana was born on May 29, 1853, in Indianapolis, Indiana Death: Mar. 14, 1926 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana Burial: Mar 20, 1926 Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis Marion County Indiana daughter of Ludwig Jacob Sahm and Charlotte Goebel

VICTIM OF PNEUMONIA

Mrs. Rosa Stechhan Had Returned From West to Niece's Bedside.

Mrs. Rosa Stechhan, widow of Otto Stechhan, pioneer merchant and manufacturer of Indianapolis, died Sunday, of pneumonia, at her home, 1404 Broadway. She had been ill three days.

Mrs. Stechhan had been living In Los Angeles three years, but receiving word a short time ago of the Illness of her niece, Mrs. Garrett DeMott, of this city, she rushed eastward to her bedside.

he became ill three days after her niece's death.

Mrs. Stechhan was years old and was practically a lifelong resident of Indianapolis.

Three years ago she went to Los Angeles to live with her son, Hans 0. Stechhan, a former Indianapolis newspaper man.

Her husband, Otto Stechhan, was widely known in Indianapolis as manufacturer and was active in city politics. He Instrumental in introducing teaching of manual training in the Indianapolis high schools.

Surviving Mrs. Stechhan, besid the son, H. 0. Stechhan, are two sisters: Mrs. Louise Schliebitz, of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Albert Krull, of Indianapolis, and a brother, Albert Sahm, secretary of the State Life Insurance Company.

Funeral arrangementa have not been completed. -- Indianapolis News Mon, Mar 15, 1926

They Had:

Hans Otto Stechhan was born on April 4, 1879, in Indiana. He married Laura M Beuhler on April 12, 1904. He then married Bessie Florence Bruce and they had one daughter together. He died on October 8, 1944, in Los Angeles, California
Writes Again for Press (1941). Now after four decades on from Indianapolis (the old Indianapolis Sentinel and the News) to the Pacific coast and various jobs in the theater, studios, etc., H. O. Stechan is again writing largely for the press from Hollywood.

He was graduated from Manual and began as a cub reporter in 1901 after attending Indiana University. Since then he has been a member of Mary Pickford's publicity staff, written innumerable syndicated articles on plays, theater and correlated subjects. He has been a play-reader, editorial director and co-authored a half-dozen playlets. He has also penned a number of short stories published in newspapers, magazines and periodicals, here and abroad. Mr. Stechan is the author of a play about St. Paul titled "The Great Apostle" and made contributions to the Christian Science Monitor. - Abstracted for article found in Indianapolis Star Sun, Mar 09, 1941 "HOllywood Wrriter Turns Up Rare Volumer for Historical Society Library

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Folding Bed or Lounge Patent, 1883. (PDF)

Improved trunk -Patent 1892 - US508057

Annual Report of the Indiana State Board of Agriculture By Indiana. State Board of Agriculture - 1876

Otto Stechhan furniture one wagon with fine furniture upholsterers at work

Section XXXIV
Best set of furniture design and workmanship considered Otto Stechhan & Co Indianapolis Gold
Best set of parlor furniture Otto Stechhan & Co Indianapolis Silver
Best set oiled walnut parlor furniture Otto Stechhan & Co Indianapolis Silver
Best extension lounge Otto Stechhan & Co Indianapolis Best Diploma
Best collection of furniture Otto Stechhan & Co Indianapolis $20... Section XLIX
Best embroidered ottoman cover Mrs Stechhan Indianapolis $2

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He was a poet and had some of his peoms published in volumes I have found thus far:

I fear thee not and other poems (Indianapolis : Carlon & Hollenbeck, printers, 1893), page images at HathiTrust
Lieben und Leben. Gedichte. (F.P. Kenkel, 1894) (page images at HathiTrust)
Unrequited love (The Abbey Press, 1900) (page images at HathiTrust; US access only)
Whither are we drifting? (Abbey Press, 1901) (page images at HathiTrust)

and

Outdoor life : Carlon & Hollenbeck

Rudder, Rod and Gun: Poems of Nature : Carlon & Hollenbeck, printers, 1898

MAXINKUCKEE Enraptured I gaze on a water serene,     Not a wave is awake, no cloud can be seen, In autumnal glory, in crimson and gold,     In this mirror reflected the wood I behold. It sparkles, it glistens, this wonderf ul gem,     Outvieing in splendor a queen's diadem. On its bosom so placid, in gorgeous array,     Immac ulate lilies their beauty display. The fishes disport in the crystalline flood,     The turtle-dove calls to its mate in the wood. The heron sedately, the kingfisher flies,     And proudly the eagle soars up in the skies. The golden-rod noddeth in sun-favored lair,     From fairy-like bowers the rose scents the air, Half hidden in verdure from rock-riven bed     Comes bounding a spring, like a bright silver thread. The fields in the distance their treasures unfold,     The hilltop, the valley, seem laden with gold; From herds in the meadows the chime of their bells     Melodiously sounding comes over the dells. The boats rest at anchor and limp hang the sails;     The breezes are hushed, dense silence prevails. Contented ness only, and peace do I view,     And happiness smiles from the heaven so blue. O, fair Indiana, this gem in thy crown     Will sparkle forever, will bring thee renown. By thee would I tarry in woodland, in plain,     Ex ultingly linger in nature's domain.

NIGHT AT MAXINKUCKEE In my hammock idly dreaming,     Swinging 'neath a linden tree, Through the boughs the zephyr sighing,     Crickets chirping merrily; And before me lies resplendent     Maxinkuckee , placid sheen; Moonbeams witfc the wavelets dancing,     Form a most bewitching scene. And the katydid and locust     Hum their plaintive l ullaby. Stars above me, brightly sparkling,     Wrap my so ul in ecstacy. Boats are o'er the water gliding,     Oars are dipped in liquid gold, And the twain who are them plying,     Cupid as their guest behold. Strains of music, songs enchanting     Float upon the balmy air; Peals of laughter, joyf ul shouting     Wake the echo everywhere. From the shores the lake surrounding     Beacon-lights are shining bright, Their reflection in the water     Vieing with the orbs of night. Naught to break the merry-making—     Mirth and pleasure reign supreme; Nature, even, is rejoicing,     Sheds its blessing o'er the scene. Maxinkuckee , fount of pleasure,     Fairer could no Eden be; In my mem'ry ever linger,     Bring to me sweet reverie.

Rudder, Rod and Gun: poems of nature< (1898) Publisher: Indianapolis \: Carlon & Hollenbeck; this link will loow you to read the enitre book.

MAXINKUCKEE MAXINKUCKEE, glist'ning water,     Where tradition weaves a chain 'Round the red man's earthly heaven,    Aubeenaubee's fair domain. Thou, O precious crystal fountain,    So enchanting, dazzling, fair, Thou reflecting, sparkling water.    As translucent as the air ; Thee I cherish as a treasure    Of a song, a sweet refrain, Brightest jewel 'mong the treasures    Which in mem'ry I retain. Like a diamond set in em'ralds    Vieing with the orb of day, 'Tween the woodland, in the valley,    Where the sunbeams dance and play, Where the turtle-dove, the robin.    Build their nests within thy sight, And the lark her songs is warbling,    Carols of supreme delight. On the meadows near thee roaming,    Lowing herds I browsing trace, And a streamlet, silver flowing,    Bounding, leaps in thy embrace. Lilies, mirrored in thy splendor,    Nod their heads, immac ulate. And their fragrance so enticing    Dreams of fairyland create. Sails are on thy bosom plying,    Pinioned birds of gracef ul mold. And the seag ulls, 'round thee hov'ring,    Lazily, their wings unfold. Maidens fair, the oars are plying,    Paddling the frail canoe. And the sailors, storm defying.    Crafty, steer the billows through. 'Tis a picture ne'er forgotten,    Tranquilly it comes to view. Heaven's mirage on the waters    Forms a boundless va ult of blue. Indiana, proud, distinguished.    Wear this jewel of renown. Fairest gem of all thy treasures,    Wear it proudly in thy crown. Maxinkuckee, glist'ning water.    Where tradition weaves a chain 'Round the red man's earthly heaven,    Aubeenaubee's fair domain.

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Otto Stechhan,
Lounges and Reclining Charis, Nos.
128, 130 and 132 Ft. Wayne Ave. and
451, 453, 455, and 457 Alabama St.

This enterprise has from a comparartively small begining become one of the Capital City, furnishing remunerative employment to an average force of about sixty skilled and experieved workmen in the manufacture for the trade exc ulusively of an improved patent reclining chair, invented by the enterprising proprietor, and twenty-one varietites of bed lounges of improved styles and designs, which are sold to dealers in twenty-seven state of the union, through which eight traveling salesmen are constantly engaged in soliciting orders and introducing their articles, while a three story brick building 50x200 feet in dimensions, extending through from Fort Wayne Ave.to Alabama St., is occupied.

Mr. Stechhan commenced business in this city in 1875 with a cash capital of only $1,100, occupying at that time only a portion of the present commodious quarters, 20x50 feet in dimensions. From this moderate inception the trade has steadily increased with each succeeding year, necessitating enlargements and increased facilitities, until the annual business now closely approximates $150,000.

Mr. Stechhan is a native of Berlin, Prussia, and was born in 1851. He came to this country with his parents in 1854. They first located in Cincinnaati, but removed to Indianapolis in 1858.

In early life Mr. Stechhan learned the trade of upholsterer with his father, and when but fourteen years of age he entered the employ of Messrs. Spiegel, Thoms & Co. of this city, at their factory in Quincy, Ill.and remaned with them for several years. In 1871 he went to New Orleans and secured emplyement at his trade with H. Seabright for one year, when he removed to Louisville, Ky., where he remained six months and then returned to Indianapolis and engaged with Mr. Philip Dohn and where he remained until commencin bubsiness on his own account at the present location.

Manufacturing and mercantile resources of Indianapolis, Indiana : a review of its manufacturing, mercantile & general business interests, advantageous location, &c. : to which is added a historical and statistical sketch of its rise and progress. unknown: unknown, 1883, pg. 616-7

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Indianapolis City Directory, 1889. Indianapolis, IN: R.L. Polk and Co., 1889 & 1890.
Name: Otto Stechhan
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
Year: 1889
Business Name: Otto Stechhan & Co
Location 2: 168 E St Joseph

Name: Otto Stechhan; Albert Sahm
Location 1: 451 to 455 N Alabama and 128 to 132 Ft Wayne avenue
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
Occupation: Lounge and Parlor Furniture Manufacturers
Year: 1889 & 1890
Business Name: Stechhan Otto & Co

Name: Otto Stechhan
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
Year: 1890
Business Name: Otto Stechhan & Co
Location 2: 166 E St Joseph