The photo was removed from its frame for preservation concerns and lack of storage space.
According to Otho Winger, George L. Studebaker is one of the most familiar names connected with Manchester College. George was born in Illinois in 1861. He came with his parents to Indiana when two years old. He was called into the ministry in the Church of the Brethren in 1881 and married Mary E. Simonton in 1882. He was pastor of the Church of the Brethren in Muncie from 1897 to 1906. The family moved to North Manchester in order that their son, Mark E., might attend college. Here, George L. served as field representative and Mrs. Studebaker as matron of the Ladies' Home. They became known to hundreds of students as "Uncle George" and "Aunt Mollie."
George served again as pastor at Muncie from 1916 to 1925 and then was called to Indianapolis where he served for six years as the pastor of the the church there. Following this, the couple returned to Muncie, where they spent their last years.
Mrs. Studebaker died on October 25, 1936 and Brother Studebaker felt that he could not live long without her. Two weeks after Sister Studebaker was buried, Brother Studebaker was struck by an automobile and was killed instantly.
Brother and Sister Studebaker loved young people and were widely known and respected in the church. George filled an important place in the early days of the school when confidence was lacking and needed to be restored.
Their son, M. E. Studebaker, taught for a few years at Manchester, then at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and served for many years as head of the commercial department at Ball State Teachers' College. In 1938, M. E. Studebaker was granted the degree, Doctor of Laws, by Manchester College.
See "Memories of ... Manchester," by Otho Winger. |