Scharbach Lumber Company, 1892

(Click on image to enlarge)
Image courtesy of the Hobart Historical Society.

I'm clueless. Anybody know where this was?

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[6/1/11 update]
Bonnie has provided some information about members of the Scharbach family. First, a 1904 biography of the lumber company's owner, William Scharbach, Sr. (published in the Lake County Encyclopedia):

Numbered among the leading business men of Hobart is William Scharbach, a dealer in lumber and building materials. He is a native son of Germany, and in his career has manifested many of the strong and sterling traits of the people of the fatherland. His birth occurred in Sophienhoff bei Demmin, Stettin, October 15, 1843, his parents being William and Mary (Stoll) Scharbach, both of whom are now deceased. His father came to the United States in 1867, locating in Chicago.

In taking up the personal history of William Scharbach we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Hobart and Lake county. His education was acquired in Germany, and he remained there until after he had attained his majority. He was but twenty-four years of age, when in 1867 he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States, hoping that he might find better business opportunities in the new world. He did not tarry long on the Atlantic coast, but made his way at once into the interior of the country, locating in Chicago, where he was engaged in the lumber business. He came to Hobart in 1893 and established the lumber yard which he is now conducting. He deals in all kinds of lumber and building materials, and has developed an enterprise which has reached extensive and profitable proportions. Ernestly desiring to please his patrons, he has through his obliging manner, honorable dealing and reasonable prices won a large share of the public trade. He also conducts a planing mill in connection with the lumber trade.

In 1868 Mr. Scharbach was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Hagen, who was born in Germany and came to America in 1867. They have five children: Frank, William, Emil, Bernhard and Frederick.

Mr. Scharbach is recognized as a stalwart Republican and has been town trustee for one term, but his time and attention are chiefly devoted to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success.

Frank C. Scharbach, the eldest son of William Scharbach, was born in Chicago, January 31, 1873, and was largely reared in that city, attending German schools. He was also a student in Concordia College at Milwaukee,. Wisconsin, for three years, during which time he made a special study of languages. After completing his education he joined his father in the lumber business. He was twenty years of age when he came to Hobart, and he is now a well known factor in commercial circles. He, too, is a stanch Republican and is very active in the work of his party, serving as chairman of the township central committee. He is now precinct committeeman of the second precinct of Hobart township. On the 29th of September, 1895, he wedded Miss Mary Schumacher, a daughter of John Jeremiah Schumacher, and they have one daughter, Gertrude. Both Mr. Scharbach and his son are well known, and the business enterprise and laudable ambition of the young man, supplementing the sound judgment of the senior partner, render this firm a very strong one in Hobart.

Secondly, from the Kokomo Tribune of March 25, 1930 (via the Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society, at http://monon.org/MononNews/MononNews1930.pdf):

Killed at Crossing

Munster, Indiana March 25 — Edwin Scharbach, 20, of Hobart, Ind., and an unidentified girl were instantly killed last night when their automobile crashed into the side of a Monon railroad engine at the Ridge road crossing. Scharbach's father is a wealthy lumber contractor.

Edwin was the second son of Emil and Emma Scharbach, thus William Sr. and Marie's grandson (1920 Census).

[I grew up in Munster not far from that crossing, but I had no idea it was the scene of such a tragedy. I suppose I'll encounter more information about this when my research gets to 1930 … eventually.]