2 page typewritten document
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BIOGRAPHY OF REV. Z.T. SWEENEY
Reverend Zachary Taylor Sweeney was born at Liberty, Kentucky, February 10, l849. He was the son of Guyrn E. and Talitha Campbell Sweeney, the youngest in a family of nine children. His father and grandfather, Job Sweeney, were both ministers of the Disciples of Christ, as well as three brothers and two nephews.
He graduated at Scottsville, Illinois Seminary and later attended Eureka College, Illinois, for one year and DePauw University for three years. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi at the latter institution. He later received an LLD from Butler University.
After finishing his education in 1866, he became a school teacher for three years and then entered the ministry of the Disciples of Christ in 1869 at Paris, Illinois, where he also, served two years. In 1871, he was called tothe First Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana, where he served, with a two-year leave of absence, until 1896. He was made pastor emeritus at the conclusion of his ministry.
During his pastorate at Columbus, he lived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph I. Irwin and he married their daughter, Linnie Irwin, March 10, 1875. After their marriage, they resided about two years in Augusta, Georgia, wherehe was the pastor of the First Christian Church. They had three children, Nettie I. Sweeney, who was later, Mrs. Hugh Thomas Miller, who died February 6, 1960, Joseph I., who died at the age of 19, August 13, 1900, and Elsie I., who is still living. He had a second leave of absence of four years between 1889 and 1893, when he was United States Consul-General at Constantinople. During his stay in Constantinople, he wrote a book regarding his sojourn there and his extensive travels in Palestine and the Near East, entitled "Under Ten Flags". At his return in 1893, he was the Imperial Ottoman Commissioner for the Chicago Exposition. He was exclusively engaged, for many years, as a lyceum lecturer by the Redpath Bureau at the conclusion of his pastorate in 1897. He was eloquent as a preacher and lecturer. Professor Blackie of Great Britain once said "The greatest orator I know is Lord Roseberry; next to him, if not his equal, stands Z.T.
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Sweeney, an American torrent of eloquence."
He organized the Fish and Game Commission in Indiana in 1899. He headed this Commission from 1899 to 1907.
He was a director of the Indianapolis-Columbus-Southern Railroad and, also, a chancellor of Butler University and a member of the Advisory Committee of the World Congress of Religions in 1893. He received a decoration called the Order of the Osmanieh from the Sultan of Turkey, Abd-ul-Hamid, at the conclusion of his diplomatic services.
He was President of the American Christian Missionary Society and Chairman of their Commission on Foreign Relations.
In addition to the book, "Under Ten Flags", which he wrote in 1888, he, also, was author of Pulpit Diagrams in 1899, two volumes of Bible Readings, "Querish Drawer", "The Spirit and the Word" and, also, biennial reports as Fish and Game Commissioner in the years 1899, 1901, 1903, 1905 and 1907. In addition, he was a contributor to popular and scientific magazines.
He was particularly interested in the cause of Christian Unity and never missed an opportunity to attend meetings to discuss this question.
He was beloved by all who knew him, as he was an extrovert, who was intensely interested in his fellowman. He died in Indianapolis, February 4, 1926.
5-page typewritten document
Typewritten text (sheet 1):
Bartholomew County History, Vol. II
Columbus Chapter
A Columbus-based business, the Union Starch and Refining company, which had its offices here from 1922 until 1967 following its sale, was the nearby town of Edinburgh's leading industry in the early 1900's. When the Irwin family was building its interurban line through Edinburgh 1902-03, the idle Blue River Starch Works there was bought from the starch trust interests, ostensibly only for its electric power plant to provide part of the current. But the buyers also had other things in mind and in 1904 the manufacture of starch was started in the old plant under a partnership composed of Joseph I. Irwin, William G. Irwin, Joseph E. Irwin of the Irwin bank and Harold P. Hughes, former Columbus grocer. Then in 1908 came Pennant syrup, which was sold nationally as the country's most popular corn syrup. Hugh Th. Miller, father of J. Irwin Miller, was credited with selecting the Pennant name. At a meeting of the officers during the World Series baseball games, a name for the new syrup was discussed, along with speculation over the World Series winner, and Miller came up with Pennant.
In 1912 the business was incorporated under the name Union Starch and Refining company. The five incorporators were William G. Irwin, president; his sister, Mrs. Linnie I. Sweeney; Hugh Th. Miller; Joseph E. Irwin, and Harold Hughes. In the 1913-1920 period the plant employed up to 400 persons
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Bartholomew County History. Vol. II -2-
Columbus Chapter
and in 1922 the general offices were moved from Edinburg to Columbus, occupying the second floor of the Irwin Bank building at northeast corner of Third and Washington streets. That same year the company purchased a plant at Granite City, Ill., and in 1923 started operations there, closing the Edinburgh facility, which included 13 buildings. Union Starch was believed to be the first to produce an imitation maple—flavored syrup and it manufactured a wide variety of produces. Among these were syrups, both liquid and dried starch, sugars. artificial sweetners and mixes, corn oil, gluten meal and feed, concentrated lime and lemon juice powders, antibiotics and caramel color. The company also eventually had manufacturing interests in Mexico, Columbia, Peru and the Philippines.
The offices in Columbus were expanded to include the first floor of the former Irwin Bank building and later included part of the building at the southeast corner of Third and Washington. Total sales in 1965 approximated $26,000,000. After re-opening part of the Edinburgh plant in l947, with Carl Allison as manager, to manufacture White Seal Marshmal-O-Creme, a marshmallow creme mix, a new building was erected at Edinburgh in 1963-64 to produce cyclamate, a non-nutritive sweetner. The same year Union Starch sold its packaged goods business, including Pennant syrup, marshmallow cream products and powdered flavorings, to firms in Louisville, Ky., and Iowa. Miles Laboratories, Inc., of Elkhart, Ind., purchased
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Bartholomew County History. Vol. II -3-
Columbus Chapter
Union Starch in 1966 for $11,250,000 and the general offices in Columbus were closed in December, 1967. At that time there were 70 office employees. Cyclamate production at Edinburgh was halted in 1969 after the federal government banned cyclamates as a possible cancer cause. There were 21 employees at Edinburgh and W.L. Kaser of Columbus was plant supervisor. In 172 Miles Laboratories ceased operations at the Granite City plant, ending the Union Starch entity. Most of the Edinburgh property was sold to Bo-Witt Products, Inc., of Edinburgh, headed by William C. Bobbs of Columbus.
William G. Irwin was president of Union Starch until his death in 1943. He was succeeded by Mrs. Sweeney, who died in 1944. Hugh Th. Miller then served until his death in 1947 and was succeeded by his son, J. Irwin Miller. In 1953 Earl B. Pulse, who had been with the company 17 years, was elected president and Miller became chairman of the board. Following death of Pulse on June 8, 1959, Miller again held the office until 1961 when Theodore R. Reed was named president. Reed resigned in 1967 when the offices here were closed and became a partner in the S.D. Leidesdorf public accounting firm in New York city. He had joined Union Starch in 1952, coming from New York. He died Dec. 3, 1972. Earl Pulse, who was born in Columbus March 25. 1908, was active in civic and governmental affairs at both the local and state levels and was a trustee of Indiana University, from which he graduated in 1950 [struck out by hand and corrected to 1930]. He also was an associate faculty member with the university's School of Business. Pulse was a past president
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Bartholomew County History, Vol. II -4-
Columbus Chapter
of Columbus Chamber of Commerce and served a term on the city council. He joined Union Starch in 1937.
Harold P. Hughes, one of the original founders of Union Starch, retired in 1930 and was then vice-president of Union Sales corporation, the marketing division. Before joining in Union Starch, Hughes, a native of Jennings county, was in the grocery business in Columbus with a brother, John V. Hughes. He died Sept. 12, 1934. Joseph E. Irwin, a distant relative of Joseph I. Irwin, retired from Union Starch in 1942. He died October 31, 1962, in Los Angeles, Calif. Another of the early executives was W. W. Adams, sone of a Columbus druggist. He died Aug. 26, 1943, age 75, and at that time was vice~president and general manager. He joined Union Starch when the company offices were still in Edinburgh. Paul H. Stambaugh, a sales executive and formerly of Youngstown, Ohio, joined Union Starch in 1928. He retired in 1950 and was then a view-president. Stambaugh died Oct. 6, 1959, age 74.
In 1955 the company honored employees of 25 years or more service. Honored from Columbus were Elmer Dean, 32 years; Erwin C. Fisher, 29 years; Mrs. Fern (Ira) Crane, 27 years; John Stewart, custodian, 30 years; Gerald Haislup, 26 years; and Deryl Foster, 25 years. Several of these continued many more years. Elmer Dean retired in the mid-1950's. He died December 31, 1962. Deryl Foster remained with the company until 1964. He died June 15, 1980. Erwin C. Fisher retired in
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Bartholomew County History, Vol. II -5-
Columbus Chapter
Among later executives in Columbus were Giles W. Anderson, C. Harris Weerts, Herschel E. O'Shaughnessey and James P. Casey, who joined the firm in 1959 and resided in Columbus before transer to Granite City. In 1967 Weerts, who had been with Union Starch since 1949, became an officer of Cosco, Inc., here and in 1971 an official with American Fletcher National bank in Indianapolis, retaining his residence in the Columbus area. O'Shaughnessey, with Union Starch since 1958, became an officer with Cummins Engine company. George W. Newlin, present president of Irwin Management company, was with Union Starch 1946-58 as an officer in an investing capacity after being with Cummins Engine company, starting in 1940, and then serving in the Navy. Others who had been with the company prominently in Columbus included Thomas Freese, Wlater L. Sneed, R. L. Baker, William Griffith and Charles Dry.
Several employees moved to Granite City after the Columbus office was closed. They included George F. Cook, Carl Allison, Wallace Goeller, Mrs. Betty Reed, Wayne Jackson, Theodore Allen, William Bissell and Thayer Small. When Miles Laboratories ended its Granite City operations in 1972 some assets were sold to Corn Sweetners, Inc., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and it continued to make carmel color at Granite City.
Six-page typewritten document
Typewritten text (sheet 1):
I went in with my mother to shop I was just a little girl and going in with my mother to Mr. Irwin’s store. That bank was something for anyone to see attracted anybody’s attention that was not used to seeing it. I remember distinctly when that bank building was built – 1881. He was in business earlier down the street – about the middle of that block was Mr. Irwin’s store. . . A store right near him was called Weber’s Hat store. .remember them very well. Mr. Weber had hat dept for men and she had millinery for women. Right along with Kitzinger building. About next to Kitzinger’s. Saw my first safe in his store. . . Half way back store. .High desk with a grill or railing around it. .sort of in a cage with a railing – not real clear on this. It was so big to me. .putting money in it, etc. made me remember it. I worked for him in corner store . . . . in 1888 and 1889, about two years before I married. How long he had been there do not remember. xxxxThe store had two entrances, one went into the bank and oneinto the store. Bank was one corner of the main store. Bank was on the north corner of the building, small room about size of her dining room – had a vault – a back door which went into the store. Stanton- (woman) was bookkeeper in store and helped with bank. Mr. Alden and Mr. Irwin were only ones in bank at that time, Will G. Irwin was away at school, just a young fellow. (The Irwin Bank fixtures when later remodeled were bought from the Indiana National Bank when they remodeled their bank. George Vorwald went with Jos. I. up there to get them.) Finny Alden was name of ass’t. [illegible] and Mr. Cobb was a retired minister, elderly with long white whiskers, worked there also. I think he was a brotherinlaw to Mr. Irwin. First wife was Mr. Irwin’s sister. He gave Mr. Cobb job of collecting. sat on stool in store and about 11 went out and at 4. . seems to have been a collector, or some such . . . All employes. Louis Wieser was buyer and manager of the store at that time. We had no delivery trucks. .a man by name Frank Everson and old Mr. B[illegible] had a little wagon or dray and divided the delivery business between them. They’d come in each day. The store building was not big enough for all the business, so the building back of the store was incorporated in the store by cutting a door and this was the carpet room. People by the name of Spinner – a woman and 2 daughters – did all the carpet sewing for the store . . . lived on Jackson Store. [Between lines: only supply] They sold everyone their carpets in those days and they had to be sewn by hand, strip by strip. Ingrain carpet was popular. .turn dark side for winter and light for summer. . pattern so woven.
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Also sold best of every materials, puresilks, lovely woollens. Nothing was readymade all clothes had to be made and tailored. Traveling men came through with samples to stock to store. Mr. Irwin also bought wool from the farmers and stored it in the basement until enough had accumulated to ship to the mills. Big store carried lot of stuff. He did not deal in furs. Mr. Irwin paid no attention to the store. Knew what was going on, but was more interested in the bank and he had a little electric bell. One ring was for Edith and twice was for Margaret. If she wasn’t busy she went in to help wrap coins. They cut their own wrappers for this purpose. . none was available as today. Mr. Irwin was most economical man. . Never threw away an envelope. Opened with a paper opener and used it for figuring. Never used bought paper – always had a big stack he had saved in such a manner.
The only house she remembers is the one now, except it was only about half as large as it is now. Square brick house originally. (Frame house pictured is not remembered). Her brother was same age as Will Irwin and played together. (Danny)
Her father built her house. Donner house (Beatty) house he built for Mr. Beatty. Presbyterian church built in her memory. Old frame church corner of 3rd and Franklin (Rear is frame and is still used as part of Foundation for Youth building) . . . Went with her mother to this old church. Remembers incident happened there . . . communion service with single goblet. She has been a member of the Presbyterian church since 1882. Oldest member in membership?
Old framehouse small- where the Beatty house was. Best office corner had a nice 2 story house. Mr. Duffey lived there, he had a grocery, dealt also in poultry and eggs. His mother-inlaw had a small green house on the east end of the lot. (Mrs. Cooper [widow]). Mr. Barnaby came here and bought her out and started in business. Later he was on Fifth and Union. Griffith house was built by father of George Pence, (7th and Wash. [SW corner]) Her father and mother first lived in the small frame house on SE corner of Wash. And 7th, had two rooms there in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pence who later built the Griffith house. I imagine father built it for them. Father and mother came from Clarke County. Margaret born 1868, had two children when they came and she was the third child born in Columbus, probably before 1860. . earlier probably. Father built Ruddick house (Nugent House); Gent house where Rost lived on Franklin. House on Hill at end of Third Street torn down for highway, built for xxx a Mr. Jones. Also the Thomas house (Hathaways); it was in a field and people thought Mr. Hayes was crazy to build way out there”.
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Show place at one time was Story house on NW cor. 5th and Franklin, built that. Present Sister’s house on SW cor. 8th and Chestnut; Donner’s lived there first. House on SE cor. 8th and Syc. was built for Judge Hord. His wife left him and went to Indianapolis and he moved to the big brick house on the NS of alley on the WS of Jackson Street between 4th and Third.
The round house used to be on the “city Square”, now First Christian Church. She watched the turn table in action. Remembers only tracks and “trash” being in square. Station was on Jackson in her earliest memory. (Granville Lee says the J.H.&I. station was on the SW corn of 4th and Lafayette, in the triangle between the track and the corner intersection, later occupied by Quick’s feed store). City hall location had a big Flouring Mill, Gaff Gent and Thomas, moved over the Jackson St. then to Indpls. Mr. Thomas remained here. Ben Thomas first wife was Gertie McCoy, doctor McCoy’s daughter.
1866 Perkinson and Brockman were partners. George Schinnorer was a cooper. Fehring carriage made beautiful carriages and Father Schwartzkopf made beautiful wagons – shop on Jackson Street, W/S across from Court House. Saloons were everything. Opera house was in same building. On second floor, first one in town. She inherited building and sold to Ed Schaefer. Frank Schwatzkopf usually operated the opera house. Georges Grocery was some place earlier before 3rd and Jackson. Frohman’s lived in same block all her memory The father was in the White house for years, an expert on woolens and had charge of the dress goods dep’t. White house about 87 years, in business. Jos. Hilger’s father had a tailor shop for men’s suits on alley where Singer Sewing is now (1962). Cummins book store was on thst side, also, where Frohman’s now is (1962). Winans was on 6th and Wash. (Grocery)r Post Office was in basement on corner of 5th and Washington-went down several steps – not really a cellar. Mo ed to SW cor. of 6th and Wash. And then in new building. First remembers Wash. Street. . Boards were down to walk on in some places, no pavements of any kind anywhere. Water trucks made daily rounds to “ay the dust”. Mr. Perkinson had the first sidewalks in town—brick around their house on 8th and xxxFranklin. Later brick sidewalks were laid “down town”, but Margaret remembers when their were none. They also xxxxxxxx “paved” some streets with brick, Fifth Street was the first, she thinks. First could have been cobblestones, rather than brick. Downtown still has some of the old stone walks which are really slick when wet.
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Streets were gravel roads and the big sprinkling wagons came along and others did their own sprinkling.
Old Christian Church and Old Methodist Church were – oth. Was on S/s of Jackson and 5th and the Christian on the N/S, very small brick churches. On the corner opposite each other. Catholic was where the S.R. and Co. now is . . . Bassett Building. 6th and Wash. Was Priest house and on alley was sisters. Took up whole half block with church in Center.
Long house was on S/W corn. Of 7th and Franklin. Brick house lived in by Burnett’s .grocer. . on S/E Corn. ,2 sons and one daughter. . Elmer. Tott, and …….
John Long, lived in brick house on S/S of alley between 6 and 7 on Franklin and Dave Long was Phil Long’s xxxxxxx father, ont eh SW cor . of 7and Franklin. He/John owned from alley to tocorner. A daughter married a Dr. Doty (Gertrude), moved to Mexico, both are buried in a mausoleum in Garland Brook.
JIIrwin built building on 5th between Fr. And Wash. Geo. Schinner lived in brick house about 2nd house E. of K of C house on Third Street, S/S, on corner. Fred Hardware Store, next to where Simmons now is. Simmons brought Schwartzkopf Hardware Store. Fiegenbaum along here, Mr. Lohman had a store about where Dell Bros. is now (1962). Mr. Max Dalmbert were partners at first. Max Dalmbert married Columbus girl, Lizzie Hayes, Dissolved partnership and Max opened store in Greensburg.
B. L. Hutchins[?] had music store, sang a lot, later with Reeves.
A. B. Reeves was Charles Reeves father. White house in her memory was always been in same place. 2nd and Wash. was Western Hotel. Remembers Isaac Brown-began newspaper, Father of Chalmers Brown. Chamers Brown was a friend of Buffalo Bill. Ray Brown was grandson of Isaac Brown. Isaac Brown lived where Frank Meyer lives now (1962)xx Crow story of Perkinson boys . . . and medicine spoon . .8 tsps ……
Mr. Perkinson in later years built court houses and big buildings. Built Huntington, W.Va. courthouse, Goshen Court House and many others.
Judge Kollmeyer married Mollie Schwartzkopf, Margaret’s sister-in-law.
Mrs. Jones lived in “hill” house and sister lived in present Volland house.
Nothing elaborate or big on Washington Street, mostly frame buildings in her childhood. About on Whitehouse alley, 1 ½ story house with pointed roof, Dr. Rice lived there, there their family doctor.
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Dr.’s name is WRIGHT, not Rice. A Dr. Rice lived on N/E cor Wash. and 8th.
Old Building on 10 or 11 Street was Bates’ Conserv. of Music. 5th St.Whitmer Building was Dr. Roope’s hospital . .first hospital. Albemarle was remodeled by Dr. Banker and used as a hospital. Lived on S/W/ cor of 9th and Franklin. Originally was residence of Mr. Hogue, brother of Dr. Hogue who had the drug tore. Dr. Hogue’s was on the S/W Cor. 6th and Franklin.
She has no memory of Mr. Irwin’s telling her incidents of his earlier life. He sold store to Meyer and Fiegenbaum, dissolved partnership not too long afterward. Fiegnbaum opened store on W/S off Washington and Mr. Meyer built building with Mr. Rost as it now (1962) is. Fred Donner Jeweler was [illegible] Will /Donner’s father. Came herefrom Hope and Perkinson built the 8th and Chestnut house for him. Will bought Beatty home for his father and mother, after Mrs. Beatty died. Bought flouring mill for sons. Will and Pete Sohn were partners later on., then Pete Sohn bought him out. Wholeslae House on 5th and and Brown was begun by Mr. Campbell, Boyd[?] and Campbell, came from Hartford City.
Will Treadway built Gail hawes house and lived there and built across the street. Not at bank in her time. Seems to remember him as being in the shoe business. Mr. Bowlen was in shoe business. . . orphan boy ship story.
Griffith . . . Len Griffith was Virginia G. Frazee father. Jean Marr’s Grandfather was Griffith. He lived on S/W cor of 7th and Wash. Hez Griffith built house S of him for daughter, Mrs. Laughlin. .worked at First National long time.
Col. Keith, built house on N/E cor. 7th and Pearl. Real show place, not sure her father built it. J.D. Lyle was Alcy’s Snider father (?) McCormack lived where Bed. Art’s bldg. is and father of Ann McCormack Newsom’xxxxx. He built /brick part Court House and Mr. Perkinson had contract for interior work.
George Carrothers was an undertaker. Henry Lang lived in Hill’s house, Carrie Lang married Jim Sibley, Mrs. Sibley was Ray Brown’s aunt. Clarence Adams Durg Store where Goodman-Jester. George Finney published HERALD, paper Mike Locke had, across from court house, S/S Wash. St. Trade Palace, she remembers it. Between –about where Tovey’s shoe store is now. Crump house on n/w/ cor. 7th and Laf. Was Mr. Vogel built, owner of Trade Palace, (Samuels and Vogel).
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Mr. Samuels was Jewish and also Vogel, (Mrs. Vogel was not ). Max Dalmbert was Jewish and and Emma Lehman’s fsather were cousins. He had store at Hope,, then with Lehman here. Theo. Otto on 4th and Wash., bought by/McKnight and Carpenter, later. John W. Suverkrup came to town and clerked at Otto’s, and lived with his uncle, Fred Fehring on Pearl between 8th and 9th, E/S of street.
Prather house – Ben Prather, grocery. Wife was Isham Keith’s sister.
Henry Peel’s Goldmine . . . . Were in Schwartzkopf building for years. Dealt in fine china, etc. [illegible] Drug – Hogue drug store moved on Wash. next to Winans’ Grocery, sold out to Q.G.Noblitt(?) then [illegible]ealy Anderson. Ho[illegible] Drug Store next to First National.
Eugene Huber furniture – in Bissell Hotel (Belv.) bought all her furniture of Huber when married. He lived on 3rd close to Brown St.
Duffy and Cooke – 7th and Wash. P.O. Location. . .residence.
Bonham Laundry, Lowe Brothers and Patty Hay
[illegible]er and Parker (Parker was Bateman’s uncle) Dr. Hauser built “Talley House” on Franklin.
UpdeGraff married Jessie Hauser and went to the business as a jewler. Later moved to Calif.
Stalhuth drugs –probably on Wash. near 6th.
McCormack [illegible] brother of Anna McNewsom.
Brunings Bazaar started by Herman’s Father.
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Four-page typewritten document
Typewritten text (sheet 1):
IRWIN UNION BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Irwin's Bank began business in 1871 as a department of the dry goods store of Joseph I. Irwin in Columbus. Joseph I. Irwin, besides his activity as a merchant, was renowned for real estate development, tin plate manufacturing (at Anderson, Indiana, and Monessen, Pennsylvania), construction and operation of the Indianapolis, Columbus, and Southern Traction Company, and for development of the Union Starch and Refining Company. From 1883, Joseph I. Irwin had active association with his son, William G. Irwin, who assumed the presidency of Irwin's Bank at the time of his father's death in 1910.
During his 33 years as bank president, William G. Irwin became known throughout Indiana and many other states of the nation as a corporation executive and director. He successfully backed C. L. Cummins' development of the diesel engine, the production of which is now the city's largest employer. He, along with his sister, Mrs. Linnie Irwin Sweeney, substantially contributed toward financing the famous Sarrinen-designed First Christian Church. He served several years as a director of the United States Chamber of Commerce. He was a member high in the councils of his political party and was Republican national committee-man from Indiana for some years.
In 1922, People's Savings and Trust Company, whose president was M. O. Reeves, and the Farmers Trust Company, whose president was John M. Thompson, merged to form the Union Trust Company. Mr. Reeves, president of the new bank, was succeeded in 1925 by W. E. Parker.
Typewritten text (sheet 2):
In 1928, Irwin's Bank and Union Trust Company decided to merge their resources to form Irwin-Union Trust Company. The personnel of both banks was retained in the merger that named William G. Irwin president. W. E. Parker was made a director, as were: A. W. Cox, W. H. Scott, H. J. McGinnis, H. L. Rost, C. M. Setser, J. V. Hilger, H. B. Blessing, F. P. Brockman, F. C. Tellman, C. H. Weigand, William Armuth, A. M. Kirkpatrick, J. H. Schaefer, F. H. Suhre, G. L. Reeves, Ernest D. Snider, W. G. Irwin, Meredith Lienberger, Hugh Th. Miller, and J. W. Suverkrup.
Thus ended the 57 year history of Irwin's Bank as a private bank in Columbus. William G. Irwin continued as president until his death in 1943. At that time he was also president of the Indiana National Bank of Indianapolis.
Hugh Th. Miller had joined the bank in 1899 and succeeded his uncle, William G. Irwin as president in 1943. He served as president in until his death in 1947. Upon the passing of Hugh Th. Miller, the board of directors named his son, J. Irwin Miller as the new president.
In December, 1953, Irwin Miller assumed the newly created office of chairman of the board and S. Edgar Lauther, who had joined the bank as a vice president in 1946, became president. This delegation of authority allowed Mr. Miller to focus greater attention on the corporate management of Cummins Engine Company of which he is chairman, and to state and national commitments. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of American Telephone and Telegraph and The Chemical Bank of New York. He is also a Trustee of Yale University, Butler University, The Ford Foundation, and the Museum of Modern Art of New York. He has served as president of the National Council of Churches. He has
Typewritten text (sheet 3):
also served on five Presidential commissions. Mr. Miller's commitment to economic progress and the resolution of urban problems is recognized nationally.
His appreciation for outstanding architecture has long been apparent. In the early 1950s, Mr. Miller, realizing the need for larger facilities for the bank, approached Eero Saarinen, an internationally-known architect and long-time friend. Mr. Saarinen designed the building at the corner of Fifth and Washington Streets which has served as the bank's main office since 1955. To meet the needs of the increasing economic growth of Bartholomew County, Irwin Union acquired the Hope State Bank in 1956 as its first branch office. Three other branches have since been built with a sixth permanent office at Columbus Center scheduled to open in the summer of 1970. Plans are also being drawn for an addition to the downtown office. In November of 1964, S. Edgar Lauther left the bank and has subsequently been named chairman of the board of American Fletcher National Bank of Indianapolis. Upon his resignation, Paul N. Dinkins succeeded to the presidency, and On April 15, 1969, witnessed Irwin Union's achievement of attaining $100 million in total assets. The present directors include: J. Irwin Miller, Chairman, Eugene I. Anderson, Paul N. Dinkins, George Doup, Edward E. Edwards, Lowell E. Engelking, Frank C. Forster, Clarence O. Hamilton, Alvin L. Kuehn, William R. Laws, Jr., Paul H. Pardieck, Carl M. Reeves, Fred H. Suhre, E. Don Tull, and Ed L. Voelz.
The present officers include: Chairman of the Board, J. Irwin Miller; President, Paul N. Dinkins; Senior Vice President, Richard M. Bishop; Senior Vice President and Cashier, John A. Nash; Senior Vice President and Secretary, Alvin L. Kuehn; Vice President and Auditor,
Typewritten text (sheet 4):
Robert E. Kirk; Vice President and Trust Officer, Richard C. Burrows; and Vice Presidents Philip B. Pitkin, A. R. Engle, Earl L. Sprague, and David M. Giles.
Four-page typewritten document on onion skin paper
Typewritten text (sheet 1):
HISTORY OF IRWIN UNION BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Mr. Joseph I. Irwin, the founder of IRWIN’S BANK, came to Columbus in June, 1846 from his farm home in Johnson County, Indiana. He was twenty-two years old and had thirty cents in his pocket which his mother had given him. He went to work for $3.00 per week in Snyder and Alden's dry goods store and remained in their employ for three and one-half years. During this time he had saved enough money to open his own store and on January 1, 1850, began operating his own business.
Mr. Irwin's mercantile business continued to prosper and, since he had the only money safe in town, he used it as a depository for funds of the townspeople and farmers. He told Clessie Cummins, the inventor of the Cummins Diesel, that the first time he realized he was in the banking business was when a farmer presented him with anotew from another farmer written on sycamore bark saying, "Mr. Irwin, please pay Jim Brown $5.00 from my poke in your safe". He was well known through his many business enterprises and during the Civil War acted as a government representative to purchase hogs and grain for the Union Army.
About 1862 he moved to a larger building and expanded his store, continuing to use his safe as a depository for his customers. In 1871 the McEwen Bank in Columbus failed and in that same year Mr. Irwin received a charter for his private bank, IRWIN'S BANK. He purchased the McEwen Bank safe which was much larger than the onehe had been using and continued to expand his banking business. However, even after the bank was chartered, Mr. Irwin did not consider himself primarily as a banker, as he is listed in the 187 State Atlas as a merchant. Bartholomew County Museum has a copy of THE DAILY EVENING REPUBLICAN dated Saturday, November 17, 1877, which carried the following advertisement BANKING HOUSE * JOSEPH I. IRWIN
Is now doing a regular Banking business at his store, 94 Washington Street. Exchange on the principal cities bought and sold at reasonable rates. Business solicited.
One of the oldest residents of Columbus today, remembers going with her mother into Mr. Irwin's store, as a small child. She remembers how fascinated she was with the "big,
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black safe and desk" which constituted Irwin's Bank in 1874 and 1875. She remembers the safe and desk as being set off from the store by a railing, or an enclosure of some type.
In 1881 Mr. Irwin built a large store building on the corner of Third and Washington Streets and the bank occupied a smallroom in the corner of the store, with a separate entrance on the main street. In 1891, Mr. Joseph I. Irwin sold his store to two employees and gave all his attention to banking and the many other enterprises in which he was interested.
Stories of Mr. Joseph I. Irwin's "banking ideas" are legion. Mr. Wm. E. Marsh, a veteran newspaper reporter, says in his book about Columbus, that Mr. Irwin had a sign posted by the door of his bank which was typical -- "This is a private Bank and I own it. Joseph I. Irwin". He would withhold a small portion of pay checks and deposit it in a savings account for the customer - even against the customer's will, and later the customer always thanked him for teaching a lesson of thrift. Another time a man came into his office to ask for a loan and he was smoking a cigar. Mr. Irwin told him that since he had money to burn, he had no money to loan him. The incidents are truly characteristic, but more important is the fact that Joseph I. Irwin contributed more to the early building of Columbus than any other person. he loaned money to the men in whom he had confidence, and in so doing, he made it possible for men with ideas about business and manufacturing to put their ideas to work. Many incidents are on record where these people felt they were failing and offered to turn their assets over to the bank, but Mr. Irwin had confidence in them and loaned them more money. Some of these businesses, or their successors are in existence today. Up and down ma n street his bank's money went to work and all about town factories sprang up to give people an opportunity to earn a living. In making money for himself, he always contributed to the well-being of his neighbors. At the same time, his private funds were being used to build roads and electric lines to add to the existing railroads. It is said that heassisted in constructing more than forty miles of turnpike roads in Bartholomew County.
The bank continued to grow and in 1889 William Glanton Irwin, son of Joseph I. Irwin, had finished his education and became cashier of Irwin's Bank. Early in 1900 the building was remodeled and fixtures were purchased from the Indiana National Bank which was then
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remodeling its building in Indianapolis.
On August 13, 1910, Mr. Joseph I. Irwin died and William Glanton Irwin succeeded him as president of Irwin's Bank. He carried on the traditions and ideas in banking and building businesses in Columbus that his father had before him. However, his business ventures were known far and wide and he becamenationally known as a financier, industrialist, and philanthropist. He was,as his father before him, "Mr.Banker" to the people of Columbus. At his death, December 14, 1943, he was, among many other things, president of the Indiana National Bank of Indianapolis and his many abilities were widely acclaimed in the nation's newspapers.
William G. Irwin, wanting to be relieved of some of his heavy responsibilities, and realizing the seriousness of the economic situation in the country early in 1927 and 1928, suggested a merger between his private bank and the Union Trust Company, a strong bank brough about by several mergers. This move gave great strength to Bartholomew County in the depression of the thirties... A good example of the keen insight and ability to look into the future which seemed to be special gift which this banker father and son used to benefit themselves and others of their community.
The following is a chronological accounting of the mergers which have resulted in the present Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company of Columbus, Indiana:
1871 -- Irwin's Bank, chartered
1903 – People’s Savings and Trust Company was organized with M. O. Reeves of Reeves Pulley Company, as president, and L. K. Ong, Cashier.
1916 -- Farmer's Trust Company was organized with John M. Thompson, a prominent farmer as President, and CharlesM. Setser, Cashier.
1922 -- Peoples Savings and Trust Company and Farmer's Trust Company merged to form UNION TRUST COMPANY, using the building of the Farmer's Trust Company. Mr. M. O. Reeves was the first President and Charles M. Setser, Cashier. On February 2, 1924, they moved into their new building on the Southwest corner of 5th and Washington Streets.
1928 -- On April 1st, Irwin's Bank and Union Trust Company merged to form Irwin- union Trust Company, using the new building of the Union Trust Company.
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William G. Irwin was President, and the Vice-Presidents were chosen from both banks. They included Hugh Th. Miller, husband of Joseph I. Irwin's grand-daughter, Nettie Sweeney Miller; John W. Suverkrup former cashier of Irwin's Bank; William E. Parker, Frank P. Brockman, and Charles M. Setser was cashier, The Secretary, William H. Scott, was originally with the Peoples Savings and Trust Company, so officers represented members of all the banks in the various mergers.
1953 – On December 4, 1953, the Irwin Union Trust Company name was changed to Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company and the bank was granted a perpetual charter on that date.
1954 – March 1, 1954, the bank moved into its new and very modern building on the northwest corner of Fifth and Washington Streets. Eero Saarinen, a world-famous architect designed the building .
1956 – The Hope State Bank, Hope, Indiana, was purchased by the Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company on June 50, 1956, and on July 17, 1959, moved into a new building on the public square in Hope.
1960 – A branch was opened in the Eastbrook Shopping Center in Columbus on October 1st, and their new building was opened for business on September 7, 1961.
1961 -- A third branch opened on December 5,1961, in a new building at State and Mapleton in East Columbus.
Since the last merger, the bank has had but four presidents; William G. Irwin, who died December 14, 1943; his nephew, Hugh Th. Miller, who died May 26, 1947; Joseph Irwin Miller, great grandson of Joseph I. Irwin, who became Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1953; and S. Edgar Lauther, who was made president at that time.
Present Officers ????