Franklin Abiah Zeller Kumler
Kumler, F. A. Z., Educator, Civic Leader-In education and community building, Franklin Abiah Zeller Kumler accomplished much in the course of a distinguished career. After leading in the establishment and upbuilding of colleges and educational institutions in different parts of the country, he settled in Dayton, Ohio, and here came to be recognized as an outstanding figure in the development of this area. He was mainly responsible for the creation of the district know as "Dayton View," and he took a prominent role in many housing and related projects. He was a highly respected and beloved resident of Dayton, admired and honored y its citizens.
Mr. Kumler was born October 20, 1854, on the farm of his father, long known as the Joseph Kumler farm, three miles south of Jacksonburg, in Butler County, Ohio, son of Joseph and Margaret Ann (Zeller) Kumler. His family was an old and honorable one, his forebears being of such notable lines as the Kumlers, Zellers, Flickingers and Funkhousers, all early settlers in the Miami Valley of Ohio. Many of them were leaders in the United Brethren Church. He was a grandson of Bishop Henry Kumler, Sr., on the paternal side of his house, an of Bishop Andrew Zeller on the maternal side, and nephew of Bishop Henry Kumler, Jr. F. A. Z. Kumler's father, Joseph Kumler, was long successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was the owner of extensive farm lands.
F. A. Z. Kumler was the youngest child of a large family. He early learned to assist his father with the farm duties, and he was known throughout the countryside for his large sugar camp, his expertness in tree cutting and logging and his deep interest in school and church activities. After completing his preliminary education in the Jacksonburg rural school, he enrolled at the age of sixteen years in the Alfred Holbrook Normal School, in Lebanon, Ohio, studying there for two years in distinguishing himself in Latin, Creek and mathematics. He entered Otterbein college, at Westerville, Ohio, at the age of twenty-five years. It was there that he received much of the training that went subsequently into his work as an educator. Meanwhile, he determined to become a physician, and, after receiving his degree of Bachelor of Arts from Otterbein College in 1885, he enrolled at the Cincinnati Medical College. After three years of Medical studies, however, he decided to give his whole energy to education.
In the years that followed he devoted himself intensively to education. His regular academic work was supplemented by his individual efforts, while at the same time his educative efforts in connection with his interest in the United Brethren Church were also widely productive of good results. At Westerville, while attending Otterbein College, he became active in this work, and through most of his college career he served as superintendent of a small church and Sunday school maintained by colored people of that community. He gained at that time a deep respect for the colored people, which thereafter remained prominent in his character, and was instrumental in inspiring some of his educational and other work. At Otterbein, too, he was active in college literary and debating societies, and was generally recognized as an active worker in cultural and religious life.
Mr. Kumler's first work as an educator after leaving medical college to take up this profession was as president of a small college in Walla Walla, Washington. After a year there, he became president of Avalon College, in Avalon, Missouri, his initial task there being to move the college to a new place and expand its curriculum. The college was one of the first schools of the United Brethren denomination in the mid-West. Under Mr. Kumler's direction, the school flourished and grew in its new home at Trenton, Missouri, and quickly increased its enrollment. Mr. Kumler, along with his other duties, taught several classes and make trips through Missouri to speak to prospective students. After eleven years at Avalon, he founded the Eastern Indiana Normal School, a project in with he had the aid of several socially minded citizens of Muncie, Indiana. His purpose in starting that institution was to realize his desire to provide more and better teachers for public schools and colleges. He not only raised funds for the purpose, but supervised construction work on the basis of his own architectural plans, and was mainly responsible for erecting the building that still serves as the administration center of Ball State Teachers' College, now on the same site. Mr. Kumler spent six years in building the school around the educational standards that he had set up. Meanwhile, he obtained the support of the Ball brothers, wealthy Muncie industrialists, who made the college an outlet for their philanthropic efforts and assumed operation and control of the institution and later presented it to the State of Indiana with an insured endowment.
Resigning as head of that institution of learning in April, 1902, Mr. Kumler removed to Dayton, Ohio. Here he interested himself in the needs of this fast-growing city, beginning then the development of "Dayton View." Purchasing a broad tract of land, extending northward and westward from Lexington Avenue, he subdivided it into building lots, which became highly popular. Later he undertook other projects, among them the housing of colored residents of Dayton and of other low-income families. Until shortly before his death, Mr. Kumler still managed and maintained these residential properties. He was also interested in a wide range of civic and community projects, and was variously honored by his fellow citizens. In 1888 Avalon College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in recognition of his work at that institution. He was loved among teachers and students in the academic circle, as well as among his fellow townsmen wherever he lived.
He was long a teacher of the Men's Bible Class of the First United Brethren Church, in Dayton. He belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution. In spare time he enjoyed bicycling, declaring on his eighty-fifth birthday that "music, friends, keen interest in work, current affairs and young people, but especially fresh air and bicycle riding, led to a happy, long life." He never forgot his former students, speaking late in life as follows: "My great delight today, and one of my most, enduring pleasures, is my contact with my former students. Some became great doctors, great teachers, successful businessmen, and one became a justice of the Supreme Court. Letters from these old students are among the most treasured possessions I have."
F.A.Z. Kumler married (first) Emma Bender, of Westerville, Ohio, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah Ann (Cope) Bender. Her father, who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, was a United Brethren minister and served as financial manager of the United Brethren College at Westerville, Ohio. Mrs. Emma (Bender) Kumler, who died in 1892 was a woman of exceptionally fine character and was also a great worker in the United Brethren College at Westerville, and she greatly influenced Mr. Kumler to devote his live to educational pursuits. Mr. Kumler married (second), on September 20, 1894, in Westerville, Ohio, Mattie Bender, a sister of his first wife, and also an inspiration to him in his educational activities. They became the parents of two daughters: 1. Emma Joan (Emma Juana) , wife of C.K. Wildasinn, and mother of their children: Donald Kumler Wildasinn, Bruce Kaler Wildasinn, Franklin A.Z. Kumler Wildasinn, and Gregory Fell Wildasinn. 2. Margaret Ann, wife of John F. Toedtman, and mother of their son, John Kumler Toedtman.
The death of Franklin Abiah Zeller Kumler, July 20, 1942, in Dayton, Ohio, was an occasion of profound sorrow and regret wherever he was known. Many glowing tributes were paid him at that time. While he was still living, one of his former students, Horace F. Murphy, an attorney, of Muncie, Indiana, wrote in an article in a special edition of the Muncie "Star," devoted to the history and work of the Fall State Teachers' College:
Every prospective student was met at the bus station by a welcoming committee which often included the president of the college. You cannot overestimate the feeling of comfort and assurance a young student experiences on meeting such a reception.
Dr. Kumler was and still is a very rare character. I have never known an equal in his line. I have often been tempted to write a biography of him to afford needed inspiration to others who might emulate his worthy example. I can never forget Dr. Kumler, benefactor and friend.
Encyclopedia of Biography