Ladoga - lengthy good article on it - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Ladoga was laid out by John Myers in 1836. In 1837 the town consisted of less than one-half dozen houses, two of the number being used as stores. Dr. Carey was the first doctor, and David Nicholson the first blacksmith. Zack and James Mahorney were early settlers. A woolen factory operated by Harney, Thomas & Co., was an early industry as was an extensive flouring mill. The town contained the proper material in its business men, and is to-day the second town of this county with schools, churches, all lines of business and 1,500 good citizens. Among its business men to-day are:

Strouther & Yeagley, old hands at the blacksmith business. The firm is composed of J. C. Strouther and Zeb Yeagley. For 21 years they have done work here. Mr. Strouther has had more than 30 years' experience, and Mr. Yeagley 27 years. They are of course well known mechanics.

C. Snodgrass has preserved decorum by night here for 4 years. He has made a splendid night policeman.

Dr. C. M. Eddy is a graduate of the Vanderbilt University of Nashville. He has had six years practice in dental work, two of which he has spent here. He is a property holder in Ladoga and has a growing practice. His office is in the Centennial Building.

G. W. Gardner has conducted a retail liquor house here for 7 years. He sells the famous Anheuser Busch and Cincinnati bottled beers. His house is elegantly furnished.

J. C. Long last October purchased the Dr. Lidakay livery, feed and sale stables, and is doing a good business.  Mr. Long for 10 years was engaged in mercantile business in the county. His obliging manners will make his new venture profitable.

Washburn Brothers who opened up a stock of groceries, queensware, glassware etc Nov 13 in the Phoenix Block is a new enterprise here. Messrs. J, N. and J. R. Washburn came here from Gosport and have promise of a good share of the public patronage.

Lee Brookshire owns another well known saloon. At present it is managed by his brother, S. C. Brookshire. C. W. Hodshire, an experienced man, presides at the bar. The American Brewing Co.'s goods are favorites at Brookshire’s.

George Case owns the only undertaking establishment in Ladoga. He has resided here for 8 years, 7 of which he has followed this profession. He is located in the Odd Fellows' building and carries also a large stock of modern furniture. Mrs. Case is the second lady embalmer in this county, and has pursued her profession for nearly two years. Both are prominent residents.

The Cottage hotel is a fine place to stop. The house is 5 years old and well known to the traveling public. Mr. W. H. Mclntire, the landlord, thoroughly understands the business, and his 12 room house is never without guests, It is convenient to the railroads.

Barnes & Shackelford need no introduction in the southern part of the county. For four years they have done a heavy business in the retail grocery line and are yet at it. They have one of the largest stocks in the county.

J. F. Warfel's paper, The Leader, is the best and newsiest paper near Crawfordsville. Mr. Warfel is a newspaper man from the ground up, as has been evinced during his six years' editorship of the paper, The Review appreciates such an exchange.

Goodbar & Graybill's clothing and gents' furnishing house is another notable business concern. Their store is up-to-date and both are prominent and energetic business men.

J. L. Gibson has worked at the barber's trade since 1868. In '71 he came here and started a shop. He is located one door south of the Boston shoe store on Washington street. His skill is indicated by his years of experience.

The Ladoga Carriage Co., is a big industry in Ladoga. The company is composed of Messrs. M. D. Payne, J. C. Stanford, and O. E. Coffman, and are successors to the M. A. Rapp Carriage Co. The large factory was erected here in 1894, and has proven a success. They sell high grade vehicles, rubber tire carriages and all the latest outfits, and have put out more jobs than any factory in the county.

B. H. Nicholson, a soldier of the rebellion, has been a blacksmith for 50 years, and has run a shop on Franklin street since 1872. He does all kinds of blacksmithing and wagon repair work,

W. M. Rhodes is township trustee elected as such in 1895. He has resided here for 30 years. Twenty years be devoted to mercantile pursuits. He is concerned in the Ladoga brick factory also at present. Mr. Rhodes is one of the best trustees the township has ever had.

The bank of Ladoga is a feature of the township. It was organized in June, 1884, with Mr. J. M. Harshbarger as president, which position he yet retains. In 1886 Mr. A. M. Scott succeeded D. F. McClure as its cashier and is also in the same position to-day. The bank is unincorporated but perfectly responsible with a representative wealth of $400,000 among its stockholders. Its paid-up capital amounts to $25,000, all that is needed. It is safer than a national bank.

Kyle, Mayhall & Ashby's Trade Palace embraces 3,200 feet of floor space. The business was founded 22 years ago by Mr. S. F. Kyle and the present partnership has existed for one year. They handle a tremendous stock of dry goods, millinery, ladies and misses fine shoes exclusively, cloaks, carpets, oil cloths, rugs, and in short entire outfits of house furnishings, upholsterings, etc. The firm is most progressive.

The Boston shoe store is the only one handling an exclusive line here. The store was started nearly 15 years ago and has been operated for five years past by I. N. Brown, who has added one of the largest and most complete stocks in the county. Ladies and gents fine shoes and custom made work are a specialty.

Fred Stouther has made and repaired shoes here for nearly 20 years. His hand-made shoes are popular and as cheap in price as the factory made goods. They are warranted by him to give satisfaction.

Drs. S. R. and N. F. Peacock are leading physicians and surgeons. Dr. S. R. Peacock is a graduate of the Buffalo University, class of '92 and his brother, Dr. N. F. Peacock, graduated from the Chicago College of physicians and surgeons in 1897. The former practiced in Chicago for 2 years after graduating and has been here 4 years next spring. They have built up a fine practice in and around Ladoga. Both are prominent society men.

W. A. Mills has been postmaster of Ladoga since last July. Mr. Mills has resided here 35 years. He is now making an effort to secure a night mail for Ladoga.

The New York store is 10 years old and was successfully launched on the business sea by Messrs. Hostetter, Ashby & Mills. Mr. Mills' interest was purchased  by Chas. Goodbar, who assumed proprietorship of the clothing and furnishing department one year ago, thus dividing the store. The New York store contains 2,400 feet floor space crowded with dry goods, millinery, cloaks, ladies shoes, carpets, rugs, etc. At Jamestown the firm has a new branch store containing 3.800 feet floor space, and a stock of clothing and furnishing goods in addition. The firm there is Hostetter, Ashby & Kessler.

Allie Pitcher's restaurant and lunch room is always an attraction with its seasonable menues. Two months ago he succeeded J. W. Henry in the oldest stand in Ladoga. Bert Johnson, formerly of Crawfordsville, is Pitcher's right hand bower.

W. L. Water's photo gallery is an improvement in Ladoga. It is located in the Centennial block, and is the first and only gallery of the town. It has recently been refurnished and improved in an up to date manner. Mr. Waters has had nine years experience and knows how to make the best Ivoretts and Cabinets. He now carries a full line of scenery.

J. T. Davis & Son's livery barn in the brick on Main street, Zimmerman & McDaniel's meat market, with its handsome fixtures and competent cutter, E. V. Shaw, J. N. Slade's popular barber shop conducted for five and a half years in the Davis block, and the well known Farmers and Merchants' bank, are not an iota short of creditable to our sister town, which has gained such distinction therefore for its live business and professional men.

Among the institutions of business is the branch agency of "Hoosier State Building Association of Crawfordsville" This is a popular home institution, has plenty of money to loan at all times on easy terms, without commission. It is run on an economical plan, and is in every manner safe for its stockholders.  The expense of this association is less than any association in the State according to the amount of business done. T. C. Lawrence has been agent in Ladoga since 1894

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