Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana – 1918
Tyndall & Lesh, Pages 488 & 489

EDWIN S. WALMER

The men who succeed in any enterprise in life, the generals who win their spurs on the field of battle, the financiers who amass wealth – are the men who have confidence in themselves and the courage of their convictions. There is a time in every man’s life when he reaches the conclusion that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide and that though the world is full of good, no good thing comes to him without self-reliance and the power to gain results. The man who trusts himself and who plans well his part on the stage of life is a success. A strong and sterling character is like an acrostic – read it forward or backward or across – it still spells the same thing. The business career of Edwin S. Walmer, one of the foremost dry-goods merchants of Bluffton, is an ample illustration of what persistency and determination, coupled with ambition and the ability to work, can accomplish.

A native of the City of Bluffton, Edwin S. Walmer was born November 5, 1868, and he is a son of Henry S. and Catherine (Krill) Walmer, both natives of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The father was a shoemaker by trade and he came to Wells County, Indiana, about 1848, entering the employ of Matthew Winters as foreman in his shoe shop. Subsequently he purchased this shop, employing as many as six operators, and later he owned a shop on East Market Street. April 1, 1880, he disposed of his shoe shop and located on a farm, part of which is now within the corporate limits of Bluffton. He continued to live on the farm and devoted his attention to diversified agriculture until his demise, June 6, 1900. He was a republican in politics and while he did not participate actively in local affairs still he manifested a deep and sincere interest in all matters projected for the good of the general welfare. Mrs. Walmer was summoned to the life eternal in 1901. She and her husband were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living, in 1917, as follows: Amanda is the wife of W. T. Shaffer, of Muncie, Indiana; Catherine is the wife of D. M. Karns, of Bluffton; Jennie married H. E. Rowley, of Anderson, Indiana; D. A. Walmer resides in Bluffton; Ella is the wife of G. T> Hartley, of Muncie; Clara is the wife of H. L. Troutman, of Indiana, Indiana; William H. is a farmer in Harrison Township, Wells County; Edwin S.; Barbara was the wife of A. J. Tribolet at the time of her death in 1914; and Sarah died at the age of ten years.

Edwin S. Walmer was a lad of eleven years of age when his parents located on the farm. He attended the public schools of the locality and at the age of thirteen years entered the Bluffton High School, in which he was graduated as a member o the class of 1886. This class consisted of thirty-four pupils, the largest graduating class until 1910. August 1, 1886, he accepted a position with D. A. Walmer & Company of Montpelier, Indiana, at $6 per week. Out of his salary he saved $50 during the first year. He remained with that firm for four years, at the end of which he engaged in the livery business, selling out his share in that enterprise to his partner at the end of six months. Returning to Bluffton, he obtained a position with the Leader store and remained in the employ of that concern for sixteen years, during ten of which he was salesman and manager. He then entered into a partnership alliance with S. Bender, under the firm name of Bender & Walmer, dry-goods merchants, and a short time afterward this concern took over the clothing firm of Smith & Barr, and the name was changed to Bender, Walmer & Barr. This company was continued for five years but August 27, 1907, Mr. Walmer disposed of his interest to Bender & Barr for the tidy sum of $26,000. March 5, 1908, he purchased a two-thirds interest in the People’s Store (E. S. Walmer & Company), his partner in this enterprise being J. R. Bishop. In 1913 a third partner, W. C. McBride, was admitted and the store was run under this triple alliance, as it were, until August, 1916, when Mr. McBride retired, and in the following month Mr. Walmer also took over the share owned by Mr. Bishop. The People’s Store is one of the largest and finest concerns of its kind in Wells County and has a very extensive patronage. Mr. Walmer was interested in the Bluffton Steam Laundry and ran the same for two years. He also has extensive real estate interests in Bluffton and he is a stockholder in the Studabaker Bank and in the Union Savings & Trust company, in the latter of which he is a member of the board of directors.

July 13, 1892, Mr. Walmer married Miss Isca Wentz, a daughter of W. H. and Owega (White) Wentz. Mrs. Walmer was born in Montpelier, Indiana, September 23, 1870, and she was educated in the Bluffton public and high schools. One son has been born to this union, namely, Hillard W., the date of whose nativity is August 30, 1897. He was graduated in the Bluffton High School and for a year and a half was a student in the Indiana State University. He then entered Marion Institute, at Marion, Alabama, and after four months there passed the examination and is now midshipman of the United States Army at the Annapolis Naval Academy.

Mr. Walmer is a valued and appreciative member of Bluffton Lodge No. 796, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in politics he is a stalwart republican. Mr. Walmer is a man of fine mentality and broad human sympathy. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable and those who know him personally accord him the highest esteem. His life has been exemplary in all respects and he supports those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation.