Williams - Charles N.
Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis: AW
Bowen, 1913, p. 781
In placing the name of Charles N. WILLIAMS in the front rank
of business men who have at one time or antoher honored
Montgomery County with their residence, simple justice is done a
biographical fact, recognized by all who are familiar with his
history. A man of rare soundness of judgment, wise discretion
and business ability of a high order, he has managed with tactful
success important enterprises, and is at this writing president
of the Farmers Trust Company of Indianapolis.
What of the man and what of his work? This is the dual query
which represents the interrogation at least nominally entertained
whenever that discriminating factor, the public, would pronounce
on the true worth of the individual. The career of Mr. Williams
indicates the clear-cut and distinct character and in reviewing
the same from an unbiased and unprejudiced standpoint,
interpretation follows fact in a straight line of derivation. In
this publication it is consistent that such a review be entered,
and that without the adulation of ornate phrases, for he has
stamped the mark of definite accomplishment on the highest plane
of industrial activity.
Mr. Williams was born April 10, 1856 on a farm in Tippecanoe
County, Indiana and his famiy moved, when he was 2 to
Crawfordsville, Indiana where his father purchased the NW corner
of Wabash Ave and Grant Ave and there they lived until 1870. He
is a son of Henry and Martha Barnum Haight Williams. The father
was born July 4, 1818 in Maryland, his death occurred Feb
17,1904. The mother was born in Connecticut, June 14, 1816 and
her death occurred May 27, 1884. These parents grew to maturity
in the East, received good common school educations and were
married in Connecticut, when they came west and located in
Lafayette in 1858, they located in Crawfordsville, having engaged
in the mercantile business in Lafayette.
The mother of our subject was twice married, first, to John F.
Caven by which union six children were born, only one of whom,
Eva Caven who has remained single is living; she resides in
Crawfordsville in the old home located at the NW corner of Walnut
& College streets. After Mr. Caven's death she married the
father of our subject, and to this union two children were born:
Laura, wife of Benjamin F. Crabbs, of Crawfordsville and Charles
N, of this review.
Charles N. Williams received a common school education and
later attended Wabash College. On April 6, 1898, he married
Margaret Lawrence DOLL, who was born in New Albany, Indiana, a
daughter of James and Marinda Martin Doll. She graduated from
the high school at Lafayette, Indiana, later attended Purdue
University, there, also an art insitutue in Chicago. She is a
lady of culture, talent and refinement. The union of our subject
and wife has been without issue.
'
After Mr. Williams left college he went into the post office
at Crawfordsville as clerk, in which capacity he served 3 years
and later went into the real estate business. He studied law,
but was not admitted to the bar, finally deciding upon a business
instead of a legal career. In 1881, he assisted in the
organization of the Citizens National Bank, Crawfordsville and
did much to make it a success. In 1888, he was appointed state
correspondent for the Provident Life Insurance company, of
Philadelphia. It was his business to invest the money of that
compnay in farm and city properties in Indiana and Illinois, and
he has continued in a measure at least, to fill this position to
the present time or for a period of 25 years, his long retention
being sufficient evidence of the implicit trust reposed by the
company in his business ability and integrity, and during that
period he has done much to increase the prestige of the company
in these states. In 1895, seeking a larger field for the
exercise of his talents, Mr. Williams removed to Indianapolis
where he has since resided.
Soon after arriving here he opened a private banking house
under the firm name of CN Williams & Company of which he was
sole owner & proprietor. It was a success from the start and
continued with ever increasing popularity as a private bank until
1905, when he organized the Farmers Turst Company of
Indianapolis, with which he consolidated his private bank and
since that time, Mr. Williams has been president of the Farmers
Trust Co, and his able, conservative and judicious management has
made it a strong and rapidly growing concern, and it now ranks
among the leading and most popular institutions of its kind in
Indiana. It is incorporated at $100,000. Mr. Williams is also
state correspondent for the Prudential Life Insurance Co. and a
number of private investors of NY City. He is president of the
Marion Title & Guarantee Co, and under his able management it
has been very successful from the start and its business now
covers a wide field.'
Fraternally, Mr. Williams is a member of the Masonic Order,
including all the subordinate lodges in Crawfordsville, inculding
the Blue Lodge, Knights Templar and Order of the Eastern Star.
He also belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine; Murat Temple at Indianapolis. He is prominent in
Masonic circles, having attained the 32nd degree. Religiously,
he is a member of the First Uresbyterian Church of Indianapolis,
and is treasurer of the same. He belongs to the Columbia Club,
the University Club and Country Club, all of Indianapolis. He
holds membership with the Sons of the American Revolution.
Politically, he is a Republican.
=========
The website management appreciates all the contributions
provided for use here.
Citation: The Indiana GenWeb Project, Copyright
©1997-2018 & beyond ..., Montgomery County
Website http://www.ingenweb.org/inmontgomery/