Detchon - John T.
Source: Greenfield Daily Reporter p 1 4 July 1951
Word was received here this morning of the death of John T. Detchon of New Richmond, Ind, president and general manager of the Union and Associated Telephone Companies. Mr. Detchon was 76 years of age. He died at 4:30 Wednesday morning in St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lafayette, Ind where he had been receiving care and treatment for about two weeks. His death culminated a period of ill health of three years duration. The Union Telephone Company which operates the Greenfield Utility and has its main offices here, is composed of 24 operating telephone utilities in central and eastern Indiana. The western Indiana division operated 26 telephone organizations. All were controlled by Mr. Detchon. Funeral arrangements and further particulars will be give in Thursday’s edition.
Source: Franklin Evening Star 18 Feb 1953 p8
Indianapolis, Feb 18 – Some 16,000 telephone subscribers in 24 communities today were promised both immediate and long range improvement in service by their general manager. The Indiana Bell telephone company yesterday completed a slow motion deal for the purchase of all the stock of 8 small telephone companies, for $1,099,077.86 from the John T. Detchon estate. Before the purchase could be completed, the million-dollar transaction received the approval of the Marion County Probate court, the Public Service Commissions of Indiana and Federal Communications Commission in Washington DC.
Source: Kokomo Tribune 5 July 1951 p 30
New Richmond, Ind July 5 – John T. Detchon, 77, president and general manager of Union Telephone and Associated companies, died yesterday in St. Elizabeth hospital at Lafayette. He had been in the telephone business 60 years. His firm, with offices in Attica and Greenfield, operates more than 50 exchanges in Indiana and Illinois. He was a lifelong resident of New Richmond in Montgomery County.
-- thanks to Kim H for these
Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier 4 July 1951 p 10
New Richmond, July 4 – John T. Detchon, 77 of New Richmond who was president and general manager of the Union Telephone and associated companies, died at 4:30 a.m. today in St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lafayette where he had been a patient since June 12. He was graduated from Wabash College and had been in the telephone business ever since, more than 50 years. He belonged to Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. The telephone lines which he operated have principal offices in Attica and Greenfield. Born in New Richmond, he spent all of his life in the same house in which he was born. His father was a pioneer settler here and helped lay out the town. Two years ago he gave Wabash College his alma mater a gift of $25,000. Never married, he is survived only by an adopted daughter, Barbara Detchon, who lived with him - kbz
Source: 1950s Obituaries - Thanks to the Covington Public Library for sending their wonderful collection of obituaries to share with you here (especially Brenda) – hand dated 4 July 1951 p 26
Funeral services for John T. Detchon, 77 head of the Union Telephone and associated companies including the exchanges of Veedersburg, Attica and Covington and a number of others were held at 3 p.m. Saturday in the home where he was born and lived his entire life in New Richmon. Burial took place in the cemetery there. Mr. Detchon died on July 4 in the St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lafayette at 4:30 a.m. He had been a patient there since June 12. He was a bachelor and had been in the telephone business since he graduated from Wabash College more than 60 years ago. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. His father had been a pioneer settler and helped lay out New Richmond. Mr. Detchon about two years ago gave Wabash College $25,000. An adopted daughter, Barbara survives him. – kbz