Wabash Importing Co.

Text and Art by Ollie Ziegler

When thinking of importers of the Belgian horse, there are many names of individuals and companies come to mind. These people all did some important work improving the breed as we know it today.
But there is one importing company that not much has been heard of, known about or written about. And this company had the most to do with the organization of the American Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Draft Horses. I will touch on this later.
This company was the Wabash Importing Co. Wabash, Indiana. The partners were Nathan Meyer, Abe Straus and Harmon Wolf. This firm was formed in 1884. They were all horsemen of life-long experience and thoroughly understood the details of the undertaking they were engaged in. And this was due to the excellent standard of their stock. They were their own buyers, making alternate trips to Europe for that purpose.
It was stated that their horses obtained honors in competition with the best horses in their classes. They also claimed that some of their stock could be found in almost every state in the Union.
We will follow Harmon Wolf's life as you will understand the reason later.
Mr. Wolf arrived in Wabash, Indiana in 1866. He had very little capital, but possessed brains, energy and a strong determination. He accepted employment as a clerk for $8.00 per month. He was a native of Germany having been born March 14, 1845 at Hochstatten, Rhine Bavaria, and was raised and educated in the common schools. He had long decided to come to America. When 21 years old, he made the trip to this country. After landing at New York City he made his way to Wabash.
Mr. Wolf was industrious and ambitious, but he was almost at the end of his finances. So he was ready to accept whatever honorable employment was offered. This was when he accepted the grocer's clerk job. He was earnest in his efforts and soon won a promotion becoming employed in a butcher shop. While thus engaged he began buying stock and after about ten years spent in the butcher shop he disposed of his enterprise.

He concentrated his energy entirely upon dealing in livestock. Then in 1884 he became partners with Meyer and Straus. This being Wabash Importing Co. They started importing Belgian draft horses and continued until 1891. At this time Harmon Wolf started in the business on his own.
It must be remembered that prior to 1887 the Belgian horse would have only had European registration papers on them as there was not yet an American Assn.
So according to history the Wabash Importing Co. came to an end around 1891. However, in 1900 the importation's were made by the partnership of Wolf and Talbert of Wabash, Indiana.
In Vol. I of the Stud Books was Jumbo #1 imported by Wabash Importing Co. August 25, 1885. There were seven head registered that were imported that same date. Then they imported three on February 22, 1886 and 14 July 22, 1886, 3 Jan. 24, 1887 and one imported May 4, 1887. This is the first one imported after the Association was organized. Vol. I shows 142 stallions and 13 mares registered that had been imported by Wabash Importing Co. There is no way to tell how many head were sold before or even after with European papers only. There were probably a lot of farmers that were trying to upgrade their grade mares and papers were of little value to them until later years after there was an American registry. In Vol. I there were a few that were bred by this partnership of Wabash Importing Co.
Wabash Importing Co. had two stables in the Wabash area. The city stable was located at what is now the northwest corner of Miami and Water St. The farm stable was located south of and near the Belgian office of today. This barn is still standing but is in disrepair. Up until a few years ago the name could still be seen on it.
During the period of Wolf and Talbert from 1897 to 1900 they even exported horses to the European market.
In 1876 Mr. Wolf was married at Wabash to Miss Carrie Rosenthala and they had two sons. Henry and Louis, born, raised and educated in Wabash, where they also made their home. And in later years carried on the business their father founded and developed.
In 1901 Mr. Wolf started importing again, being associated with his son Henry, who became his partner in 1906. They were thought to have arranged fifty sales annually in this country of Belgian horses. Selling throughout the United States.
It was claimed that no man did more for the livestock interests in Wabash County than Mr. Wolf.
In Vol. II H&H Wolf were still importing Belgians on September 19, 1912.
The first 29 head of stallions in Vol. I of the stud books were registered to Wabash Importing Co. Also in this Vol. they imported 14 mares and bred several others. I find no mares recorded by Wolf and Talbert. In Vol. II there were no more horses registered to Wabash Importing Co. only H&H Wolf.
Harmon Wolf believed that the breed should be kept pure and protected and guarded by a registration in America of the imported animals and their descendants.
James D. Conner, Jr. who was born in Wabash October 8, 1853 who later became a lawyer was familiar to stockmen. Especially among breeders and owners of cattle and Belgian horses.
In 1886 Mr. Conner had among his clients the Wabash Importing Co.
Mr. Conner was one of the first men to realize the need to form an organization for the protection of the American public in buying and handling the Belgian horse. In accordance with a well considered plan in 1887, Mr. Conner and Harmon Wolf organized and incorporated the American Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Horses. It was the only Association in the United States that registered Belgian draft horses and was recognized by both the governments of Belgium and the United States.
The American Importer's and Breeders of Belgian Horses was organized February 25, 1887 at the law offices of J.D. Conner, Jr. in Wabash, Indiana. Harmon Wolf was the first President of the new association and was named the founder of the Association. J.D. Conner, Jr. was Secretary and Uriah M. Engelman, Treasurer. On November 21, 1888 the secretary and treasurers job was combined and this was filled by Mr. Conner. He served in this office from 1888 until 1938. This was 52 years including that first year when he was secretary only.

The following men responded to Mr. Wolf's invitation and became Charter Members, Harmon Wolf, Abraham Straus, Nathan Meyer, R.A. Moss, Reuben Lancaster, John Sines, Jerome W. Wilcox, John Lowman, William L. Kester, Dr. A.G. Van Hoorebeke, Collett & Stowman, William K. Kennedy & Co., Shiller & Son, David Kercher, Uriah M. Engelman and J.D. Conner, Jr.
At the first meeting, it was completed by the election of President Mr. Wolf, and Vice President Dr. A.G. Van Hoorebeke, Secretary J.D. Conner, Jr. and Treasurer Uriah M. Engelman.
It was not hard to see that the Wabash Importing Co. was very instrumental in the organization of our Association of today. The name of the Assn. was changed and reorganized to the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America, by the Secretary of State of Indiana August G. Mueller, by Joseph O. Hoffman Deputy, January 14, 1937. The reorganization had been approved March 7, 1935, at the cost of $6.50.
If you really take the time to read our By-Laws, and I know there have been some changes and additions over the years. But the basics that these people put together have really protected our breed. When reading these you realized this was not something just slapped together by a couple people in just one day. There was a lot of thought put into this. This is why as breeders and owners of Belgians we need to live up to these By-Laws.
The Wabash Importing Co. might not be completely dead just yet.
Some of the people involved that own the property today where the barn that was the farm stable still stands, have thoughts of restoring it as a historical site. And possibly as a museum. The Historical Societies have shown no interest in the project. Funding of the project seems to be the main problem, and getting the right people interested in it. It is such a shame to let this slip into the past completely. Especially when it played such an important role in the registry of the Belgian horse and the Belgian Draft Horse Corp. of America of today. It would not be impossible to trace some of our horses back to see if any of their ancestors came through Wabash Importing Co. But it would take a lot of time.
It would be very nice to see someone follow through on this project and have a section in it for the Belgian horse. There is just so much material out there from someone's relation that was involved with the Belgian and they have no interest themselves. A lot of this ends up in a dumpster somewhere, and in a landfill. I myself know of a few people that are not interested and threw a lot of things away that had been their parents or grandparents.
For those of us that try and hold to these things that story is the same. You don't find out about this material until it is gone.

When thinking of importers of the Belgian horse, there are many names of individuals and companies come to mind. These people all did some important work improving the breed as we know it today. But there is one importing company that not much has been heard of, known about or written about. And this company had the most to do with the organization of the American Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Draft Horses. I will touch on this later. This company was the Wabash Importing Co. Wabash, Indiana. The partners were Nathan Meyer, Abe Straus and Harmon Wolf. This firm was formed in 1884. They were all horsemen of life-long experience and thoroughly understood the details of the undertaking they were engaged in. And this was due to the excellent standard of their stock. They were their own buyers, making alternate trips to Europe for that purpose. It was stated that their horses obtained honors in competition with the best horses in their classes. They also claimed that some of their stock could be found in almost every state in the Union. We will follow Harmon Wolf's life as you will understand the reason later. Mr. Wolf arrived in Wabash, Indiana in 1866. He had very little capital, but possessed brains, energy and a strong determination. He accepted employment as a clerk for $8.00 per month. He was a native of Germany having been born March 14, 1845 at Hochstatten, Rhine Bavaria, and was raised and educated in the common schools. He had long decided to come to America. When 21 years old, he made the trip to this country. After landing at New York City he made his way to Wabash. Mr. Wolf was industrious and ambitious, but he was almost at the end of his finances. So he was ready to accept whatever honorable employment was offered. This was when he accepted the grocer's clerk job. He was earnest in his efforts and soon won a promotion becoming employed in a butcher shop. While thus engaged he began buying stock and after about ten years spent in the butcher shop he disposed of his enterprise.

He concentrated his energy entirely upon dealing in livestock. Then in 1884 he became partners with Meyer and Straus. This being Wabash Importing Co. They started importing Belgian draft horses and continued until 1891. At this time Harmon Wolf started in the business on his own. It must be remembered that prior to 1887 the Belgian horse would have only had European registration papers on them as there was not yet an American Assn. So according to history the Wabash Importing Co. came to an end around 1891. However, in 1900 the importation's were made by the partnership of Wolf and Talbert of Wabash, Indiana. In Vol. I of the Stud Books was Jumbo #1 imported by Wabash Importing Co. August 25, 1885. There were seven head registered that were imported that same date. Then they imported three on February 22, 1886 and 14 July 22, 1886, 3 Jan. 24, 1887 and one imported May 4, 1887. This is the first one imported after the Association was organized. Vol. I shows 142 stallions and 13 mares registered that had been imported by Wabash Importing Co. There is no way to tell how many head were sold before or even after with European papers only. There were probably a lot of farmers that were trying to upgrade their grade mares and papers were of little value to them until later years after there was an American registry. In Vol. I there were a few that were bred by this partnership of Wabash Importing Co. Wabash Importing Co. had two stables in the Wabash area. The city stable was located at what is now the northwest corner of Miami and Water St. The farm stable was located south of and near the Belgian office of today. This barn is still standing but is in disrepair. Up until a few years ago the name could still be seen on it. During the period of Wolf and Talbert from 1897 to 1900 they even exported horses to the European market. In 1876 Mr. Wolf was married at Wabash to Miss Carrie Rosenthala and they had two sons. Henry and Louis, born, raised and educated in Wabash, where they also made their home. And in later years carried on the business their father founded and developed. In 1901 Mr. Wolf started importing again, being associated with his son Henry, who became his partner in 1906. They were thought to have arranged fifty sales annually in this country of Belgian horses. Selling throughout the United States. It was claimed that no man did more for the livestock interests in Wabash County than Mr. Wolf. In Vol. II H&H Wolf were still importing Belgians on September 19, 1912. The first 29 head of stallions in Vol. I of the stud books were registered to Wabash Importing Co. Also in this Vol. they imported 14 mares and bred several others. I find no mares recorded by Wolf and Talbert. In Vol. II there were no more horses registered to Wabash Importing Co. only H&H Wolf. Harmon Wolf believed that the breed should be kept pure and protected and guarded by a registration in America of the imported animals and their descendants. James D. Conner, Jr. who was born in Wabash October 8, 1853 who later became a lawyer was familiar to stockmen. Especially among breeders and owners of cattle and Belgian horses. In 1886 Mr. Conner had among his clients the Wabash Importing Co. Mr. Conner was one of the first men to realize the need to form an organization for the protection of the American public in buying and handling the Belgian horse. In accordance with a well considered plan in 1887, Mr. Conner and Harmon Wolf organized and incorporated the American Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Horses. It was the only Association in the United States that registered Belgian draft horses and was recognized by both the governments of Belgium and the United States. The American Importer's and Breeders of Belgian Horses was organized February 25, 1887 at the law offices of J.D. Conner, Jr. in Wabash, Indiana. Harmon Wolf was the first President of the new association and was named the founder of the Association. J.D. Conner, Jr. was Secretary and Uriah M. Engelman, Treasurer. On November 21, 1888 the secretary and treasurers job was combined and this was filled by Mr. Conner. He served in this office from 1888 until 1938. This was 52 years including that first year when he was secretary only.

The following men responded to Mr. Wolf's invitation and became Charter Members, Harmon Wolf, Abraham Straus, Nathan Meyer, R.A. Moss, Reuben Lancaster, John Sines, Jerome W. Wilcox, John Lowman, William L. Kester, Dr. A.G. Van Hoorebeke, Collett & Stowman, William K. Kennedy & Co., Shiller & Son, David Kercher, Uriah M. Engelman and J.D. Conner, Jr. At the first meeting, it was completed by the election of President Mr. Wolf, and Vice President Dr. A.G. Van Hoorebeke, Secretary J.D. Conner, Jr. and Treasurer Uriah M. Engelman. It was not hard to see that the Wabash Importing Co. was very instrumental in the organization of our Association of today. The name of the Assn. was changed and reorganized to the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America, by the Secretary of State of Indiana August G. Mueller, by Joseph O. Hoffman Deputy, January 14, 1937. The reorganization had been approved March 7, 1935, at the cost of $6.50. If you really take the time to read our By-Laws, and I know there have been some changes and additions over the years. But the basics that these people put together have really protected our breed. When reading these you realized this was not something just slapped together by a couple people in just one day. There was a lot of thought put into this. This is why as breeders and owners of Belgians we need to live up to these By-Laws. The Wabash Importing Co. might not be completely dead just yet. Some of the people involved that own the property today where the barn that was the farm stable still stands, have thoughts of restoring it as a historical site. And possibly as a museum. The Historical Societies have shown no interest in the project. Funding of the project seems to be the main problem, and getting the right people interested in it. It is such a shame to let this slip into the past completely. Especially when it played such an important role in the registry of the Belgian horse and the Belgian Draft Horse Corp. of America of today. It would not be impossible to trace some of our horses back to see if any of their ancestors came through Wabash Importing Co. But it would take a lot of time. It would be very nice to see someone follow through on this project and have a section in it for the Belgian horse. There is just so much material out there from someone's relation that was involved with the Belgian and they have no interest themselves. A lot of this ends up in a dumpster somewhere, and in a landfill. I myself know of a few people that are not interested and threw a lot of things away that had been their parents or grandparents. For those of us that try and hold to these things that story is the same. You don't find out about this material until it is gone.