Ornbaun - Benjamin L.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, pp460-561
BENJAMIN LEWIS ORNBAUN, one of the pioneer business men of Crawfordsville and one in whom her citizens may well pride themselves, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., September 13, 1829. His parents were Andrew and Mary (Shipley) Ornbaun, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Tennessee. They were married in Virginia. When Benjamin was six years old, or in the year 1835, they came to Montgomery County and to Crawfordsville, where they lived until the father's death, October 9, 1857. The mother died in October, 1879. Mr. Ornbaun, senior, was a teamster and farmer. Benjamin was the second of nine children, of whom the following are now living: Elizabeth, Mrs. Jacob Campbell of Madison Township; Delilia, Mrs. William Van Slack of Crawfordsville; John Shipley Ornbaun, whose home is near Yorkville, Cal., and Andrew Ornbaun, who also resides near Yorkville; Henry Newton, who was a member of the Seventy-ninth Indiana Regiment, was killed at Missionary Ridge at the age of thirty; William died in 1888 in California. Two sisters died, one in childhood, the other at sixteen. All the family passed their early years in Crawfordsville. At seventeen Benjamin L. Ornbaun began to learn his trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years with Robert Gray, the pioneer harness-maker of Crawfordsville. In 1852, after working as a journeyman for some time, he went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Before reaching his destination, he was obliged to spend sixty-six days on a ship which had been condemned as unfit for service. Their provisions failed and they were compelled to eat spoiled meat and to drink worse water. They suffered greatly, as maybe imagined, the experience being a thrilling chapter in the lives of all. Sixteen of the men were unable to endure the hardships, and died en route. Mr. Ornbaun remained in California four years, mining near Placerville part of the time, working at his trade in Sacramento, and farming on the Sacramento river. In the fall of 1856, the day before the election of Buchanan, he reached home, well satisfied with his trip. He then bought out Mr. Gray and has conducted the harness business ever since. He has a fine brick block, 46 feet front, on Washington street, 160 feet deep, and three stories high. He has a full stock of goods and the trade is a large one. His son, Harley W., is the present manager, having taken his father's place. Mr. Ornbaun has about $25,000 invested in his business block. His stock usually amounts to $4,000. With the exception of Mr. Jonas Miller, he is the oldest business man of Crawfordsville, having for thirty-four years given the closest personal attention to his trade as a harness-dealer. He owns a two-hundred-and-eighty acre farm in Madison Township, and for the past two years has been much interested in looking after it, making improvements, etc.
In December, 1858, Mr. Ornbaun married Mary L. Barr, of Crawfordsville, daughter of Thomas Barr, one of our pioneer settlers. May 1, 1877, his wife died. Five children were born to him by his first wife: Harley W., his manager, as before stated; Clara, who for two years has been visiting her sister in California; Minnie, Mrs. W. E. Arthur, Pasadena, Cal.; Lulu, who died at the age of eight years, the day after her father's second marriage; Otis, aged fifteen. Mr. Ornbaun's second marriage, referred to above, occurred September 3, 1878. This time he chose as his wife Mrs. Emma King, widow of W. H. H. King of Thorntown, who had been in the mercantile business. Both were born in this county, but were married at Madison, Ind., Mrs. King's maiden name being Chaffee. She is a daughter of Benjamin Chaffee of Brookville, Franklin County. Her father is a farmer. Her mother's name was Maria Lewis. Previous to her marriage with Mr. Ornbaun, her home was at Thorntown. She has lost one child, Grace Clover King, who died at the brief age of fourteen months. She has a little girl living and, from this second marriage, a son, Bennie Charles, aged ten. Mr. and Mrs. Ornbaun are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the former one of its trustees, the latter a prominent worker and teacher in the Sabbath-school. Both are looked up to as leaders. They have a pleasant home at No. 511 East College street; the grounds are ample with fine lawn and garden. The house is nicely furnished and altogether it is a beautiful place. Mr. Ornbaun is a successful business man and one of our strongest citizens. He is a Chapter Mason and a Republican, although he does not consider himself a politician. His opinion is valued in the community, his integrity of character respected, and he himself is considered a worthy example for the guidance of our youth.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 20 March 1896
BL Ornbaun owns that parcel of real estate immediately north of Dry Branch and adjacent to the property owned by Mayor Bandel betwixt the Danville pike on the east and Elm Street on the west, lying south of the meanderings of the old Danville Road. Chestnut street opens out into Elm from the west where it ends. The city council have perfected the preliminary arrangements to extend it to the Danville Pike. Mr. Ornbaun does not object to the opening of the street, but to the among of benefits less the damages. The commissioners claim he will be damaged $250 and benefited $200 thus leaving him a clear benefit of $50. To this Mr. Ornbaun objects and the case was tried in the circuit court yesterday. The city authorities think they have given Mr. Ornbaun a square deal but he protests and claims he will be damaged much more than $50. Mr. Ornbaun says if the city will put the street through and grave and gravel it build the sidewalks and the new street properly he will give all the ground free of charge and claim no benefits.