TRUMBULL COUNTY OHIO - BIO: SCHOONOVER, Charles Austin (published 1931)
***************************************************************************
OHGENWEB NOTICE:  All distribution rights to this electronic data are
reserved by the submitter.  Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted
material will require the permission of the copyright owner.
***************************************************************************
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Gina Reasoner
AUPQ38A@prodigy.com 
February 22, 1999
***************************************************************************

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931, Volume III, page 118

        CHARLES AUSTIN SCHOONOVER.  The measure of a man is the way he
meets life's duties. The truest and noblest men are not necessarily those
constantly in the limelight of fierce competition. More often the lives of
the purest patriots and of those who confer the greatest good and exert the
best influence upon the community are not known beyond their section of
country. Their family and friends know their worth and accord them honors
earned, while sooner of later the general public comes to appreciate them.
Such has been and is the experience of Charles A. Schoonover, of Argos, a
merchant of high standing, a recognized financier, and president of the
school board, a man who must have the consciousness of duty well done.
        Charles A. Schoonover was born at Zanesville, Indiana, August 7,
1874, a son of William Schoonover, born in Trumble County, Ohio, August 27,
1837, a son of Daniel Schoonover, born in Pennsylvania. The family was
established in this country at an early day by the Great-grandfather of
Charles A. Schoonover, a Hollander. William Schoonover was reared in his
native county, attended its country schools, and became a farmer. He
married Nancy Jane Ormsby, born in Trumble County, Ohio, but brought to
Well County, Indiana, in 1849. They were married in Union County, Indian.
Three sons were born to them: Alonzo, Burrell C. and Charles A. Schoonover.
Burrell died in 1921, but the other two survive, being in the mercantile
business together, and the elder brother is president of the Argos State
Bank, which position he has held since March, 1929.
        Charles A. Schoonover was graduated from the Argos High School,
after which, during 1900 and 1901, he was in the employ of Carson Pirie,
Scott & Company of Chicago, in which connection he gained a knowledge of
merchandising from a metropolitan standpoint. Returning then to Argos, he
bought an interest in the general merchandise business his father had
founded and was conducting, and this has occupied him ever since. As
already stated, his elder brother and he now own this business, one of the
largest of its kind in Marshall County.
        On June 19, 1900, Charles A. Schoonover was married to Miss
Catherine Hennessey, of Chicago, a graduate of the Catholic High School,
Chicago, in 1897. She was born at New York City, March 16, 1878, of Irish
parentage. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schoonover: Helen
Nancy, who was born November 4, 1903, was graduated from the Argos High
School in 1921, and from the University of Illinois in 1925, and is now in
the store with her father; and Charles A., Junior, who was born September
20, 1911, was graduated from the Argos High School and Culver Military
Academy, and was a student of Gregg Business College of Chicago.
        Mr. Schoonover is a Democrat, and for fourteen years he has been a
member of the school board, over whose destinies he now presides. He is a
member of the Christian Church, and is regarded as one of its pillars. A
Mason, he belongs to Argos Lodge No. 399, A.F. and A.M. His brother had
been advanced in the same order and belongs to Plymouth Commandery No. 26, K.T.
        The family enjoys the confidence and esteem of the community, and
this was evident at the time of the merger of the two banks of Argos.
Alonzo Schoonover was asked to take the presidency of the Argos State Bank,
but declined, as he did not feel like assuming the heavy responsibilities.
Thereupon his fellow citizens called a mass meeting and at it made an
unanimous demand, that he take the position. Under such condition he had no
choice but to accept the honor, and is still serving as the chief executive
of the bank.


==== Maggie_Ohio Mailing List ====