Marion was a small community of about 2,000 people when inventor Edward Huber and his wife, Elizabeth, came to Marion to build a revolutionary invention in 1865. The move accelerated Marion’s growth and development which their son, Frank, continued.
“In my opinion, the Hubers were the most influential family in Marion and shaped Marion’s future with impacts still here today. Obviously, President Harding put Marion on the map, but in terms of local business, industry, and the economy, the Hubers developed Marion,” said local history buff Bob Goyer.
Inventor Revolutionizes Farming
In 1863, Edward Huber was just 26 when his first patented invention revolutionized farming. The revolving hay rake allowed one person to accomplish in three hours what it would take three people a full day to do by hand with traditional tools.
Inventor Sparks Two Major Companies
While farmers purchased 200,000 hay rakes, Edward and his team kept innovating. Edward owned more than 100 patents in his lifetime. These inventions included early steam tractor engine, road construction and farming equipment. He founded the Huber Manufacturing Company in 1874. He was a founding member of the Marion Steam Shovel Company in 1884 (later changed to Marion Power Shovel), creating thousands of jobs.
A Man Ahead of His Time
“Edward was a man ahead of his time,” Goyer said.
The Hubers believed in investing in new equipment and its workers. Edward created a mechanics library which any Marion worker could join, said local historian Randy Winland.
“Edward believed in educating the workforce. He helped bring the Carnegie library to Marion,” Goyer said.
The legacy of the Hubers has been preserved at the Huber Machinery Museum at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Tour guide Karen Zucker shared her thoughts during a tour in 2022.
“Mr. Huber was responsible for starting and bringing a lot of business to Marion and growing Marion,” said Zucker. “I think Huber made Marion.”
In addition to large factories, businesses, and farms, Edward also constructed a building at the corner of Prospect and West Center Streets which remains in use today. The Hubers founded a savings and loan company and Marion Milling Company. With other prominent local leaders, Edward helped found the Opera House. They brought trolleys to Marion. Edward’s daughter, Catherine Huber Schroeter, drove an electric car around Marion.
Frank Huber Continues Building Marion
Edward and Elizabeth’s son, Francis, grew to become a leader in Marion. However, his role wasn’t handed to him.
“Edward didn’t give his son a silver spoon. Frank started at the bottom and had to learn all aspects of the business. He had to work his way up to president of Marion Power Shovel,” Goyer said.
In 1907, Frank built his home at 416 E. Church Street, which Bob and Connie Goyer bought and renovated in 2011.
“Frank was a businessman. He was very detail-oriented, meticulous and hands-on. He came to the construction site of his new home every day to inspect the bricks that were being placed,” Bob Goyer said.
Marion Power Shovel Has World-Wide Impact
While Frank was an executive at the Marion Power Shovel, it produced large equipment to build the Panama Canal. The Huber legacy of innovation continued. Decades later, Marion Power Shovel’s crawler-transporter carried the first rocket to the launch pad for NASA’s first trip to the moon.
Frank was a founding member of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce and a friend of President Warren G. Harding. He was on the board of the Harding Memorial Association which collected funds to build the Harding Memorial.
“Frank was a quiet leader. He called for Marion to work together to bring a factory and new jobs to Marion,” Goyer said.
Huber Family Legacy
Frank married Honora “Nona” Fahey, the youngest daughter of Timothy Fahey, the president and founder of Fahey Bank at St. Mary Catholic Church in a public ceremony attended by hundreds of residents. They had three children and many descendants. Mary Anne Huber, Frank’s granddaughter, assembled a family history.
Mary Anne wrote, “These men all displayed characteristics that their descendants would do well to imitate: diligence, loyalty, civic concern, and using their talents wisely and fully. I hope the next generation is encouraged to continue this.”
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