Person:George Ault (2)

Notes by Jerry Ault, Larry Ault's brother: "In 1928 Charles Knick Jr. talked George and Charles Sr. into going into the tomato canning business on Charles Sr's farm which was located at the corner of the Country Club Road and the Tipton County Road, S.W. corner, outside Elwood, Indiana. The canning factory was powered by a steam engine, which my father stoked for them. They canned pulp tomatoes and the first year they all got rich, as did all the canning plants around Elwood. In 1929 they had another big season and before they could sell and ship it the U.S. Government Food inspector came to the cannery and tested their canned goods. He told them that they would have to destroy all they had canned because there was too much acid in the cans. That night all of them worked all night hauling cases of tomatoes to Copper Canning Company which had agreed to help. They couldn't haul enough to really help so the next day they were told to destroy what was left. Also that fall the banks failed and Charles Sr. filed bankruptcy and George went broke too. Charles Jr., who had married money, bought his dad's farm which he finally sold in the 1960's. In 1930, with the depression and the closing of the cannery George couldn't pay the bank notes on his farm. As the story was told to me by George, he had $125.00 to his name. So he took the money to the Anderson Loan and told them that they could have the $125 as his total debt or he would file bankruptcy with the money. They took the $125.00 as his total debt payment and wrote the rest off and took the farm. On his way home he stopped at Fishers Sawmill at the corner of 29th and Main and made a deal with Mr. Fisher to rent the sawmill and house. He later bought the mill by trading it for lumber that was delivered to Walton, Ind. A few years later he purchased the house for $4500.00. George had gone to the electric company and told them he needed service, but didn't have any money. They gave him service and waved the $100 deposit, but he had to call them every day that he sawed and they would come to the mill and turn the electricity on. He had to pay cash each day as he used it. The Electric Co., did this because of the times and they needed his business. How would you like to try that today? So began what by 1977 would be a business that would eventually be worth over a million dollars through the next two generations of Edward and Larry Ault. During the depression George bought the city block that his house and mill set on, except for four lots which had other owners and had been sold. He payed $32.00 for the whole block, which was the taxes owed on it. Over years he sold it off, with the last lot going for $5000 and the house going for $18,000, in 1966. He used to tell me this story and chuckle; he didn't laugh much, just chuckle. These stories will give you some idea of his abilities. I have often wondered what he could have done with a education like Jeff and Mark Ault have, probably starved to death! During the 2nd World War two things happened that I think changed things for our family forever. Ed and Howard didn't have to go into the services because of a government order for M1 rifle butts, which were made from walnut trees. Second, he got a timber broker named Mr. Parker, who was from Niles Michigan. Mr. Parker could sell everything that we could saw, as fast as we sawed it."

GEORGE AULT PASSES AWAY HERE FRIDAY-

George H. Ault, 73, passed away at his home at 2820 Main street at 4:30 p.m. Friday. He was born on March 15, 1889, at Goodwin, Kan., the son of John and Emma Ault. On March 29, 1911, he married Nina Knick who survives. Ault was a former sawmill operator and was a member of the Eagles lodge here.

Survivors include: the widow; two sons, Edward of Elwood and Howard of Noblesville; a brother, Ward of Elwood; three sisters, Mrs. Jessie George of Elwood, Mrs. Rose Riddick and Mrs. Ortha Fouch, both of Arcadia; five grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. The body was taken to the Copher and Fesler funeral home where friends may call after 7 p.m. this evening. Funeral services will be held at Copher's at 3:30 p.m. Monday with Rev. Robert Sage, pastor of the First Baptist church officiating. Burial will be in the Elwood city cemetery. Elwood Call Leader, Saturday 30 June 1962