The club was named after Charles Stockbridge who was a nationally known as an ornithologist. He was born January 16, 1856, to parents who had come on the newly opened Wabash and Erie Canal.  His father owned one of the first bookstores in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Charles worked in the bookstore before becoming a letter carrier in Fort Wayne for many years. He lived at 2323 Webster St. and was married 55 years to Ada Ashley. 

He served as president of the Fort Wayne Audubon Society...gave many talks on bird life before clubs, schools, Boy Scouts, and the Historical Society. He is believed to be one of the two observers on the first Fort Wayne Christmas Count, in 1910.  He sent migration reports to the state and national governments, and had a fine collection of bird specimens.

He retired from the post office at age 65, and then, with his two daughters, operated the Fort Wayne Baby Chick Hatchery until his death on March 4, 1934.  He was survived by his wife, Ada, daughters Alathea and Mary, and son Willard. His bird collection was moved from the public library to the Swinney Homestead and later they went to Earlham College.   He is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, section H near where we look for white-winged crossbills in the tall hemlocks. Ed and Cynthia Powers found the large gray granite family marker, over the hill from the prominent one for Henry Rudisill

Cynthia (Oct. 04) went by Charles Stockbridge's old home at 2323 Webster.  It's a white two story (looks like the top floor is an apt.) that needs paint and maybe more.....but it's for sale, with Century 21!   No trace of the chick hatchery! - Anybody for a historical marker? 

William H. Buskirk, Professor of Biology stated that they have most of the Stockbridge collection at Earlham College in the Joseph Moore Museum. Few of the mounts are on public display, most are housed (rather unceremoniously) in storage cabinets. Many were without tags and in poor condition when Earlham received them though some (including some important specimens, e.g. Wood Stork, Northern Raven) are in good shape and do have data with them.

If members of the Stockbridge Audubon chapter wanted to peruse the collections, Bill would be glad to give you a tour ("behind the scenes" as it were) including our more modern collection of birds (and mammals).

If you would like any further information about the collection, let Bill know!

William H. Buskirk
Professor of Biology
Associate Director, Joseph Moore Museum
Earlham College
Richmond, IN 47374
765-983-1320

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