Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts and Archives Department

PERCY E. GOODRICH
PAPERS, 1947-1950

Collection #:
BV 2621

Table of Contents

Collection Information
Historical Sketch
Scope and Content Note
Cataloging Information

Processed by:
Ellen Swain
12 August 1992

COLLECTION INFORMATION

HISTORICAL SKETCH

Percy E. Goodrich, son of John B. and Elizabeth P. (Edger) Goodrich, was born October 7, 1861 in Winchester, Indiana. After graduating from high school, he joined his brother James in operating Goodrich Farms. In 1889, Goodrich quit farming to pursue a career in the furniture business. Eight years later, however, he and another brother, John, formed Goodrich Brothers Hay and Grain based in Winchester. In 1917, the business became Goodrich Brothers Company and eventually owned twenty-three elevators in Indiana. It later merged with Acme-Evans Co., Indianapolis, in 1947 and was known as Acme-Goodrich, Inc. Before retiring, Goodrich served as chairman of the board of this business.
Goodrich also served as vice-president and director of Engineers Inc., a firm that operated telephone companies and other utilities in the state. He proposed the organization of the Grain Dealers National Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Indianapolis, and served as board chairman of that firm. Goodrich was also president and a member of the board of trustees of Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana for much of the early twentieth century. He died in 1951.

 Source: Indiana Biography Series, v. 36, p. 96-7.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The collection contains "Down in Indiana" letters (1947-1950) written by Goodrich for the widely scattered members of "The Circle," a select group of thirty dealers in the National Grain Dealers Association. The group met together at the annual meeting of the Association and corresponded regularly with each other between meetings. Goodrich's letters discuss various subjects relating to Indiana life and history. Also included are reminiscences of friends, family, and co-workers.

CATALOGING INFORMATION

For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:

1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog
2. Click on the "Local Catalog" icon.
3. Search for the collection by its call number, using the letter or letters designation and four digits (e.g., M 0715, SC 2234).
4. When you find the collection, go to the "Holdings" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.

END