Samuel Plato's Hidden Masterpiece
The John Shaumleffel Home 613 S. Branson in Marion, Indiana
“We are all architects of our own fate.” I know of no better one than in the person of Samuel M. Plato,” The Freeman, August 9, 1913
The article goes on to state, “There is no more successful contractor in Grant County, yes, I dare say, in Indiana, than Mr. Plato. Born in Decatur near Montgomery, Alabama, and educated at Mt.Meigs Institute*and the University of Louisville* in Kentucky. After which, the grandson of enslaved people moved to Marion, Indiana, in 1902, seeking work in construction. Not long after arriving, Plato had landed several large contracts in Marion and other cities in Indiana.
One of his works was the home of a local businessman. John Schaumleffel was born in Germany in 1858. He was part of the burgeoning metal industry in “The Queen City of the Gas Belt.’ Schaumleffel was associated with M.F. Gartland in the Marion Gray Metal Factory, which later became the Atlas Foundry. Shaumleffel and local J. Wood Wilson, financier, were instrumental in encouraging the young Plato with contracts for the First Baptist Church, 402 South Adams Street ( now demolished), the J.C.Wilson House (now Hostess House), 723 W.Fourth Street, and the St.Paul Parochial School (now demolished), Ninth and Branson Streets.
The residence on Branson Street, pictured above, has four bedrooms, one full and one half bath, two fireplaces, and a sunroom with terraza. floors. Built in the American Craftsman style, Plato created distinctive exterior and interior window treatments and extensive use of lighter wood for interior fixtures. It was reported at the time that the house cost $16,000 in 1913 dollars, over $523,00 in 2025.
From The Freeman
Samuel Plato was the “architect of his own fate.” He went on to build several hundred buildings in the eastern United States. He spoke forcefully about the inclusion and training of black carpenters, as well as the hiring of union labor. He was a man of his time as well as our time.
The Plato-Schaumleffel House has had many owners. It has been most recently a residence. Still in private hands, the place has been vacant for years and is beginning to show exterior damage.
Please note the following correction and additions
Mount Meigs was located in Alabama. see https://digitalcollections.libraries.ua.edu/digital/collection/p17336coll22/id/998
“When Plato graduated from State University Normal School in Louisville in 1902 and completed his mail-order program in architecture with International Correspondence Schools, he became part of a small pioneering African-American architects who made their mark early in the last century.” https://filsonhistorical.org/archive/news_v1n1_plato.html
Born in Alabama, Plato attended Simmons College in Louisville and other academic institutions. State University Normal School later became Simmons College https://www.wave3.com/2019/02/17/kentucky-historical-marker-dedicated-architect-samuel-plato/.
Please see the following for great information on Samuel Plato
“Marion, Indiana” Indianapolis Freeman Saturday, August 9, 1913
I was always told that Samuel Plato designed my grandparents' home at 620 W. 3rd St. in Marion. Do you have any information about this? Sadly, after they passed away and the home was sold, it fell into terrible disrepair. I believe it is currently for sale and I pray that someone passionate about the unique architecture of the home will purchase and restore it. The home has amazing built-ins, a unique kitchen, and there is a ballroom in the basement, no joke! The once grand double stairwells to enter the home were my favorite thing when I was a child. And it seemed that everyone knew of the house "on the hill" at the corner of Hill Street and W. 3rd, when I was a child. Thank you for any information that you could provide about the home!
Loved the article. Read his book. Sad no one lives in the home. It would be great to have it renovated.