Person:David Esteb (1)

Obituary

Richmond Palladium, Richmond, Indiana February 20, 1933 DAVID ESTEB, AGED RESIDENT OF CITY, DIES David Esteb, 83 years old, died at his home, 54 South Fourteenth street, at 10 o'clock this morning following a paralytic stroke suffered Friday night. A native of Wayne county, and prominent also in Union County, his name has been identified with the proposed establishment of a tuberculosis hospital at the old Smithfield homestead on the Liberty pike. After Mr. Esteb married India Smith, daughter of George H. Smith, who originated the idea of the Smithfield home as a site for a tuberculosis hospital. Mr. Esteb purchased half interest in the home. His wife had inherited the other half, and together they offered it to the county. The county took over the deed to the home, but a hospital for treatment of tubercular patients never was established, although the Estebs have been paid a certain amount annually as interest on the original value of the homestead, which was placed at $40,000. MOVED TO CHICAGO Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Esteb moved to Chicago, where Mr. Esteb became a member of the Chicago board of trade. They moved back to another farm home in Union county and then made their home at the old Smithfield place. They came to Richmond more than 20 years ago. The two built their present home 16 years ago. Mr. Esteb has been retired for the past 25 years. He was a member of the Webb lodge of Masons, but never was identified with other church or lodge groups. The widow is the only immediate survivor although a sister, Mrs. Headstone reads, "Their gift of $100,000 made possible the building of the Smith-Esteb TB hospital, later a home for the aged, and $25,000 for a nurses home." Headstone reads: David 1848-1933

News Item

Richmond Item, Richmond, Indiana December 12, 1920 $40,000 FARM WITH $50,000 CASH, GIFT TO WAYNE COUNTY Mr. and Mrs. Esteb Make Munificent Donation for Anti-Tuberculosis Sanitarium With a generosity but seldom equalled, Mr. and Mrs. David Esteb, of 54 South Fourteenth street, have presented to Wayne county, $50,000 and the George Smith home, with 225 acres of land on the Liberty road near this city, to be converted into a tuberculosis sanitarium for Wayne county. The home is valued at $40,000. Another $50,000 will be appropriated by the county commissioners in January, 1921, making the $100,000 available for the establishment of the hospital, which will mean the county will soon be the possessors of one of the most modern equipped sanitariums in the section of Indiana. The home was first offered to the county in 1917, which was accepted by the county council and the commissioners, who at that time made an appropriation of $25,000 for its conversion into a sanitarium. This was considered inadequate for the great work intended and the doners asked that a larger appropriation be made. $50,000 GIVEN. With the war being on at that time, the matter was held in abeyance temporarily when the later magnificent gift of the $50,000 was added, with the proviso that the county appropriate a like sum, thus making possible the conversion fo th homestead into a modern sanitarium. The gift was made in the memory of Mrs. Esteb's parents. The home was left in part to Mrs. Esteb on the death of her father. Mr. Esteb later purchased the remaining part of the homestead from the other heirs, thus making the gift the joint donation of Mr. and Mrs. Esteb. WAR AGAINST PLAGUE Mrs. Esteb is one of four sisters, and the only one of her family now alive, her three sisters being victims of tuberculosis. In making the gift, Mrs. Esteb declared that it would be her mother's wish, if she was alive, that the homstead be used for the battle against the white plague. The negotiations for the transfer of the home to the county have been going on for several months. The county commissioners and county council realizing the deep interest taken by Mr. and Mrs. Esteb, in their desire to give and equip a building, situated in Wayne county's most healthful spot, where persons would be given a chance to throw off the dreaded disease and win their way back to health and life, acquiesced in the suggestion of the donors that the added appropriation be made. Co-incident with the announcement that the commissioners would pass the appropriation in January came the statement that the work of converting the home into a sanitarium will begin at once and the hospital made ready for the reception of patients as early as possible. Satisfaction is expressed on all . . . .