Goltra - Charles - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

By words and by actions the personality reveals its quality, its force, its direction of purpose. The invisible spirit embodies itself in signs of service and in language. Words also are deed, and actions are syllables of the inner being which we cannot touch, nor weigh. Hence the value of biography, which writes out a life by telling a story of what one has said and done. But since speech is forgotten and actions fade away in the clouds of a distant past, we also listen to those who have been witnesses of the conduct, companions of the journey, sharers of the benefits and benedictions of those who contribute to the upbuilding of the country. With such values of biography in mind, we here set forth the leading facts in the life record in one of the leading citizens of Crawfordsville and one of Montgomery County's public spirited and substantial citizens, who has long been prominent in financial circles, as cashier of the Citizens national Bank, Mr. Goltra being a man who has ever enjoyed the good will and confidence of the people of his city and county.

Charles Goltra was born in Jacksonville, Illinois Oct 20, 1845. He is a son of Cornelius S. and Agnes Elenore Johnson Goltra. Charles Goltra, of this review, grew to manhood in Jacksonville, Illinois and ther received a good education in the common schools, and in the fall of 1866 he entered Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Indiana remaining there three years, then returned to his native city and entered business purchasing the Goltra Hat Store, which place was established in 1837 for 3/4 of a century, was one of the best known business concerns in that section of the Prairie State. Mr. Goltra successfully conducted the same for a period of two years then came to Crawfordsville in 1871 and opened a gent's furnishing store under the firm name of Goltra & Babcock, where the First National Bank is now located and here he met with success from the start, soon enjoying a large patronage. In 1881, in company with Benjamin Wasson, A. F. Ramsey, General Manson and others he organized the Citizens National Bank, in which he started as assistant cashier, which postion he held until 1890, when he was elected cashier and he has continued to discharge the duties of the same to the present time in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons of the bank; in fact, he has been one of the prime factors in this popular and sound institution since its organization. He has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to the best methods of banking, and is known to be conservative, scrupulously honest and unvarying in his courteous treatment of others. At present there are only 13 of the original 31 organizers living. The capital stock is $100,000 with a surplus of $50,000. Prompt attention is given to to collections and a general banking business is carried on. Politically, Mr. Goltra is a Democrat and is loyal in his support of party principles. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, having attained the Knights Templar degrees; he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. Mr. Goltra was married on June 8, 1870 to Minnie Wasson, a lady of many accomplishments and daughter of Benjamin and Jane Wasson and a native of Montgomery County, Indiana where she grew to womanhood and was eduated. To this union two children have been born, William Wasson of Crawfordsville and Mary who married Luke Wood; they live in California. - typed by kbz

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Source: Atlas of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: Beers, 1878) p 53

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Source: Crawfordsville Review, Thursday April 13, 1916

Charles GOLTRA aged 70, forty-five years of which were spent in active business in Crawfordsville died in Alta Dena [Note: A small town in Los Angeles County, near Pasadena], California where for nearly 3 years he has resided having gone west in search of health. Mr. Goltra may be said to have been in declining health since his departure from this city near 3 years ago. At times, he was better but for six months ago a decline was noticed and from this time to the hour of his death there was little hope for recovery. For the last 4 months he lived in a reclining chair being unable to lay down. The deceased was born in Jacksonville, Illinois Oct 21, 1845. He came to Crawfordsville when a young man and entered Wabash College. Here he met Minnie WASSON, daughter of the late Benj. Wasson whom he married in 1870. To this union two children were born, W. [William] W. Goltra of this city and Mrs. Luke Wood [Mary Goltra] of Pasadena, California. The widow and children survive. Mr. Goltra was actively identified with the mercantile life of the city for many years. Later, he went into the Citizens National Bank for many years was the cashier of that institution. Three years ago he retired on account of ill health and went to California. As stated, Mr. Goltra was actively identified with the business life of Crawfordsville for nearly 45 years. He was high in the ranks of the local Masonic lodges holding the treasure ship of the local bodies for more than 25 years. He was a past Eminent Commander of Crawfordsville Commandery Knights Templar and a past Commander of the state of Indiana. In all these duties as in his business affairs, he was a genial, painstaking official and made friends of all with whom he came in contact. Besides the immediate family, the deceased is survived by 3 sisters of Jacksonville, Ill and one cousin Edward Goltra of St. Louis. The funeral service will be held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Luke Wood in Pasadenia, Friday afternoon and will be in charge of the Pasadena Commandery, Knights Templar. The burial will be in the Cemetery at Pasadena, [California].v - typed by kbz