CHARLES
D. CHASE (1881-1939)
At
the time of his death on October 28, 1939 the local newspaper described Charles
D. Chase as a “prominent mortician, businessman, and leading citizen of
Logansport”. He suffered a stroke at his farm home, north of town, and was
transported to the hospital, but passed away. He was 58.
To
hundreds of young men he was respected and endeared for the years of hard work
and effort he gave to the growth and development of the Boy Scout movement in
Logansport and the creation of the Logansport Boy Choir, which later became
known as the Chase Boys’ Choir.
He
was the son of distinguished pioneers. Judge Dudley Chase was his father, and
like his father, Charles etched his name deeply into the community history by
his deeds and accomplishments. He was born at the Chase homestead, 829 North
Street, on September 27, 1881, to Dudley and Grace M. (Corey) Chase. He married
Goldie Davis on November 16, 1919.
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| Dudley Chase, father of Charles D. Chase |
He
was attracted to the work of the fire department and worked with the department
under Rex Livingston.
Charles
had a great love of horses. His first business venture was in the livery stable
and feed business at a location on North Street in about the 500 block, on the
north side of that street. The Star Laundry would operate from that location
later.
Charles
entered an Indianapolis embalming school, graduating from there in 1906. He
worked at the Kroeger and Strain Funeral Home, which was located at 615 E.
Broadway in those days. In 1910 he founded the Chase funeral home. His first undertaking
business was located on Pearl Street. By 1923 business had grown and he
purchased the Sutton Building at 527 E. Broadway. The first floor was for his
business. The upper floor offered apartments. Merrill D. Miller became an
associate. Miller was only 17 years old when he began work there. By 1931
Miller had become financially involved and on January 1, 1935 the company name
was officially changed to Chase and Miller Funeral Home.
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| Chase building - Chase-Miller Funeral Home and Apartments |
It
was in 1915 that Charles became a scout master for the first Boy Scout troop in
Logansport. By the end of 1919 there were over 400 registered and active Boy
Scouts in the city of Logansport.
In
1916 he organized the first all boy choir. Charter members included Robert
Porter, Julius Mattes, Joe Gremelspacher, Richard Lynas, Alfred Gust, Clyde
Byers, Glen Vance, Fred Herrell, Fred Lewellyn, Don Powlen, Tom Maiben, Norman
Six, Lynus Olson and W. H. Duncan. The choir became known nationally. They
toured the Midwest and appeared in the largest theaters in some of the largest
cities of the area.
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| Chase Boys Choir |
He
was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, he was
a Shriner, a member of Elks and I. O. O. F., and more. His interest in Civil War veterans was
manifested all through his life and he personally knew all members of the
G.A.R. during the last forty years.
He
bought the Thomas Spry farm northeast of the city where he built up one of the
outstanding dairy herds in this part of the state. His stables housed horses
and ponies, selected personally.
He
was active in his church, in fraternal circles, and civic and industrial life
until the final days of his own life.
He added a chapel to the east side of his business. The upper floors were apartments, which remained rented until close to demolition time in 1970, when the building was purchased by Logansport Newspapers.
He added a chapel to the east side of his business. The upper floors were apartments, which remained rented until close to demolition time in 1970, when the building was purchased by Logansport Newspapers.
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| The above photos: Chase added a chapel to the east side of his funeral home. |
In January of 1970 the Chase Building was torn down.
